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Easter 2021: Airbnb, most booked Victorian travel destinations

Victorians are looking to explore their own backyard this Easter, with new data revealing what the most popular destinations are for accommodation bookings during the holiday period.

Many Victorians are looking to stay in regional areas for Easter. Picture: Supplied.
Many Victorians are looking to stay in regional areas for Easter. Picture: Supplied.

Victorians are looking to explore their own backyard this Easter, with Airbnb seeing a surge in regional holiday bookings.

The most popular homes to book are those with swimming pools and pet-friendly properties.

Quirky and unique stays are high on the list of bookings, with lots of glamping, cabins and nature escapes selling out quickly.

Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand Susan Wheeldon said Victorians are wanting to spend their money and time locally this Easter.

“As Easter approaches, it’s heartening to see Victorians show incredible enthusiasm for exploring their own backyard, with many actively looking to spend their precious tourism dollars holidaying in regional areas right across the state,” she said.

Bright has taken the top spot this year with Airbnbs all but booked out for the majestic inland stay.

@gracemckinnonjournalist

The waterfall at the end though ❤️Using the VIC travel voucher to visit ##regionalvictoria ##coolplacestovisit ##melbourne

♬ original sound - darcy 🍋

Most popular Victoria travel destinations for Easter 2021

Information gathered is based on Airbnb data analysing Victorians’ guest bookings from April 2-9, 2021.

1. Bright, VIC

2. Apollo Bay, VIC

3. Cowes, VIC

4. Lorne, VIC

5. Lakes Entrance, VIC

6. Daylesford, VIC

7. Torquay, VIC

8. Wilsons Promontory, VIC

9. Sorrento, VIC

10. Port Fairy, VIC

11. Halls Gap, VIC

12. Mornington, VIC

13. Healesville, VIC

14. Rye, VIC

15. Inverloch, VIC

16. Warrnambool, VIC

17. Echuca, VIC

18. Anglesea, VIC

There’s also good incentive for those seeking a city-based vacation in Melbourne.

Travel vouchers have been introduced to bring visitors back to Melbourne as the city suffers through its biggest economic recession since World War II.

It comes as a similar voucher scheme has proven to be a huge success for travel in regional Victoria.

Victorians will soon be able to apply for $200 travel vouchers to visit Melbourne and stay the night in the CBD.

A former church and a spaceship-like penthouse are among the coolest and quirkiest Airbnbs in Melbourne where people can stay over the Easter break.

On Twitter, Lord Mayor Sally Capp said vouchers were “a good start” but further support from the state and federal government was still needed.

“The 40,000 accommodation vouchers for metro Melbourne are a good start to encouraging more people to rediscover the best of what our city has to offer,” she said.

“Further coordination and ongoing support from all levels of government will be needed to reboot our city’s economy.”

Last month thousands of Victorians scrambled to get their hands on a regional travel voucher in the second round of the Victorian Government’s scheme.

It came after the first round — in December — saw 70,000 vouchers offered to Victorians.

The latest round will include 50,000 regional vouchers — an extra 10,000 more than expected — and will be released on March 30 for travel between April 6 and May 31.

grace.mckinnon@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/melbourne-city/easter-2021-airbnb-most-booked-victorian-travel-destinations/news-story/e12a21a846f0cc49d18909c732418588