Queen’s Birthday long weekend: $94 luxury holiday up for grabs

If you’re itching for a long weekend, but the recent travel restrictions have you without any plans – try these last-minute deals.

With the start of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend just a few sleeps away for much of the country, it’s the first opportunity Australians will have to start the car and set out on a short break as lockdowns ease.

Across the country, residents are being encouraged to look at taking holidays in their own state or territory as travel restrictions ease and some of us get the Monday off. But while border closures remain in place for Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the upcoming long weekend is the perfect opportunity to hit the road, or even consider a staycation in your own postcode.

Thankfully, given the uncertainty around when we could travel domestically only easing recently, there’s still plenty of stellar deals to nab before the week is out. Here are some of the best we have found for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend:

QUEENSLAND

Whether it’s discovering the lush tropics of Port Douglas or whale watching in Hervey Bay, now is the best time for Queenslanders to discover their own backyard – even if this state doesn’t celebrate the Queen’s birthday on June 8.

Oaks Resorts will be doing a stunning sale for bookings made between now and July 15, with stays eligible until March next year.

Oaks on the Gold Coast is where you’d rather be.

Just steps from the spectacular surf beaches, Oaks Gold Coast Hotel has rooms starting from just $101 per night, with an array of hotel rooms and apartments offering views of the ocean or hinterland to choose from.

NSW

How does a cheap stay in one of Sydney best positioned hotels sound? At Pier One, live like a queen for Her Majesty’s birthday weekend, and you’ll be able to grab an exclusive $94 rate. And with a bit of luck, if you book a room between Thursday, June 4 until Monday, June 8, one lucky guest will have the chance to be upgraded to the Admiral Suite for the night.

One lucky winner will get the Admiral Suite for their stay.

If you’re hoping for a seaside escape, Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort in Salamander Bay (which is home to Australia’s largest swimming pool) will be offering cheap stays with rooms starting from just $83 per night. On the resort grounds, which is super family-friendly, there’s a gymnasium, a heated spa for those cooler nights, a Japanese steam room and you might even catch some sealife if you opt to do a whale watching tour.

Another option for those looking for a city escape is Vibe Hotel in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, which is offering up to 15 per cent off all room types for the long weekend.

ACT

Escape and see our capital with a long weekend stay at the Little National Hotel

From June 5-8, you can grab yourself a deal of up to 30 per cent off with a three-night stay. Sleeping two adults, a long weekend will set you back from just $362 through Wotif.

VICTORIA

If the perfect long weekend involves cruising along the Great Ocean Road, this deal at the Lady Bay Resort in Warrnambool may be the prefect pick.

For travel between June 5-8, customers who book will be able to access 10 per cent off all room times. So, for example, a three-night stay in a luxury studio room will set you back just $423 for two adults.

The Lady Bay Resort at Warrnambool is the perfect stop for a long weekend exploring the Great Ocean Road.

If you’re looking for a stay slightly closer to the city, The Prince in St Kilda is also offering 10 per cent off all room types for the Queen’s birthday long weekend.

For just over $500, a three-night stay in their Prince Boutique Room sleeps two adults – and you can cancel for free.

If it’s a little bit of luxury you’re after, QT in Melbourne is offering Expedia users up to 15 per cent off their stay over the long weekend – and with the hotel’s amazing rooftop, you won’t want to leave.

TASMANIA

Nothing says winter like a long weekend of good food and wine while in Tasmania. And now that intrastate travel will be allowed for Tassie residents from this Friday, it’s the perfect time to travel around the Apple Isle.

For the long weekend, Somerset on the Pier in Hobart is slashing 25 per cent off every single room in the house.

Somerset on the Pier in Hobart is the perfect staycation spot.

A three-night stay in one of the stunning executive rooms will cost you just $529 for three nights, and parking is included for all those day trips.

In Launceston, situated next to the beautiful Tamar River and within walking distance to Cataract Gorge, the Leisure Inn Penny Royal Hotel and Apartments is the perfect weekend getaway. And if you book through travel website Expedia, you’ll get yourself 20 per cent off.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Following a horror start to the year, Kangaroo Island is back in action for South Australians to visit over the long weekend.

For the long weekend, the Kangaroo Island Seafront is cutting up to 10 per cent off your stay. So for a three-night stay in a stunning garden villa, it’ll set you back just $513 – and you even have the option to cancel (not that you’d want to).

The Soho Hotel is the perfect spot for a city escape for South Australians.

For South Australians looking for a city escape, The Soho Hotel in Adelaide is offering up to 25 per cent off every single room for the long weekend.

Sleeping two adults, a studio room at the lush hotel will set you back just $360 for a three-night stay between June 5-8. Otherwise, you could check out the Adelaide Rockford, which is located in the heart of Adelaide CBD in the bustling West End arts precinct. Full of restaurants and bars, it is the perfect city staycation – and for the long weekend, South Australians can score 20 per cent off their stay.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

For just $76 a night, Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel – positioned just minutes from the Waterfront Precinct – will be open for residents across the Northern Territory to enjoy a Top End staycation. Offering an outdoor pool, gym and restaurant, the resort has uninterrupted views over the city, Darwin Harbour or Frances Bay, it is the ideal base for a visit to the Top End.

WHAT TRAVEL IS ALLOWED IN EACH STATE:

NSW: All travel throughout the state is permitted, including overnight stays. Travel into the ACT is also permitted.

ACT: All travel throughout the ACT is permitted, including overnight stays. Travel into NSW is also permitted.

Victoria: All regional travel to holiday homes, private residences and tourist accommodation with no communal facilities is permitted across Victoria.

South Australia: All regional travel in the state is permitted.

Tasmania: As of Friday, June 5, there is no travel limit in place in Tasmania on where you can go in the state.

Northern Territory: All travel within the state is permitted, including overnight stays. Biosecurity zones, such as Uluru and Kakadu, which are remaining closed until June 18.

Western Australia: While WA doesn’t celebrate the Queen’s birthday this weekend, the state premier is encouraging residents to start enjoying holidays within their own state. State travel excludes biosecurity zones within the Kimberly, Pilbara and Ngaanyatjarraku and remote Aboriginal communities.

Queensland: While Queensland, like WA, doesn’t celebrate the long weekend on June 8, as of June 1 Queenslanders can travel across the state and stay in places overnight as part of next stage of restrictions easing.