Christmas bookings in warmer climes snapped up as Noosa reports 60pc capacity

Popular destinations are already more than 60 per cent full as the cold and wet drives a surge in bookings — months ahead of usual.

Western Australia’s Margaret River region has experienced a surge in bookings. Picture: Tourism Western Australia

The cold, wet winter gripping much of Australia is powering an rush on summer holiday bookings, with popular destinations like Noosa already more than 60 per cent full for late ­December.

One in five people had already locked in their end-of-year getaway, with a further 19 per cent expected to have their plans sorted by the end of July, according to research compiled by accommodation booking site Stayz.

More than 50 per cent of holiday homes had been booked in the Blue Mountains and on NSW’s Central Coast and Hunter Valley,with reservations also in high demand for Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Barossa Valley in South Australia, Queensland’s Fraser Coast and Margaret River in Western Australia.

In the greatest demand were pet-friendly holiday homes with pools in a waterfront or beachside location.

Stayz spokeswoman Simone Scoppa said it appeared booking a Christmas holiday in July was now the norm. “Prior to the pandemic, travellers mostly booked Christmas holidays in the month of September,” Ms Scoppa said. “But the last two years have seen this peak period move to July as travellers get in early to secure their holiday home.”

Noosa accommodation is already at 61 per cent occupancy for the peak December-January period. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

The early rush on reservations was also being seen in traditional summer holiday hot spots, such as the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay.

Wotif managing director Daniel Finch said those destinations were trending by more than 50 per cent when compared to last year. “If you’re looking at traditional accommodation such as hotels and motels, you have a bit more time up your sleeve,in comparison to holiday homes,” Mr Finch said. “However, if you’re hoping to travel over the peak holiday ­period between Christmas and New Year, it’s always best to book as soon as possible.”

The Gold Coast is already sitting at 40 per cent occupancy for the Christmas and New Year period, according to the local tourism board, while Noosa has seen an increase in forward bookings.

“For the peak holiday season of late December, bookings are up, sitting around 61 per cent on average across the whole region,which is up 13 per cent from the same time last year,” said Tourism Noosa communications manager Susan Ewington. “Noosa always has a strong contingency of southerners who book year on year for their annual Noosa holiday, but there is still availability in December and January and I would encourage visitors to book their stay soon.”

Flight Centre Australia general manager Brent Novak said prices were edging up – as the holiday season approached

– with the best deals booking out fast.

“This is especially true of ... spots such as Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Noosa and far north Queensland,” Mr Novak said.

The Mojito holiday home at Noosa, listed with Stayz, has a pool with a viewing window.

With many holidaymakers opting for driving holidays rather than airport chaos, holiday parks were seeing record bookings at this time of the year.

The G’Day Group’s Discovery Holiday Parks reported forward bookings more than 50 per cent ahead of what they were this time last year, in 20 of its 26 regions.

“This shows that the appetite for the caravanning and camping holiday won’t fade quickly and it’s not just a ‘sugar hit’ or hangover from Covid,” G’Day Group chief operating officer Matt Lang said.

“Generally parks closer to capital cities are proving more popular than those further away, which may be related to inflationary pressures insofar as people are preferring to stay close to home.”

While domestic bookings were strong, international travel also continued to gain momentum.

Webjet data shows flights to Bali are in the greatest demand, ahead of Auckland, London, Queenstown and Fiji with Tokyo also in favour despite uncertainty over when restrictions will ease.

Three locations in Bali ranked in the top five booked, including Kuta, Seminyak and Legian.

Originally published as Christmas bookings in warmer climes snapped up as Noosa reports 60pc capacity