Travellers booking for late January could save up to 45% compared to Christmas week 

28 SEPTEMBER 2026, SYDNEY – Stayz data shows now is the time to lock in a summer escape, with more than half of its holiday homes already booked for summer across some of Australia’s most sought-after coastal destinations, including Mornington Peninsula, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. 

Which Australian coastal destinations are more than 50% booked?

Popular holiday home destinations over 50% booked for summer, according to Stayz    

• Shoalhaven, NSW  

• Byron Bay, NSW 

• Sunshine Coast, QLD  

• Gold Coast, QLD  

• Mornington Peninsula, VIC 

• Geelong, VIC 

• Fleurieu Peninsula, SA 

• Whitsundays, QLD 

• Kangaroo Island, SA 

For travellers yet to book, Stayz data suggests flexibility can pay off. The final week of January is shaping up as one of the best-value periods of the summer season, with holiday homes on average up to 45% less than Christmas week, while also benefiting from fewer crowds. 

“The classic Australian summer holiday is still very much centred around gathering family and friends and splitting the cost of a holiday home by the coast. We’re already seeing strong demand across many of Australia’s favourite beach destinations, with holiday homes filling up ahead of the peak summer period” says Sarah King, Stayz Travel Expert.  

“Holiday homes are a little different to hotels. Once a property is booked, it’s no longer available to other travellers, so booking ahead can mean more choice. For those with flexibility, travelling later in January can also offer better value and greater availability.” 

Stayz’s Summer booking tips:  

• Travel in late January for fewer crowds and better value: Our data indicates that the last week of January (25 to 31 January 2026) is shaping up to be our  best time to book a summer holiday home with select accommodation up to 45% cheaper and 90% less busy than Christmas week (22 to 27 December 2026)². 

• Find your perfect stay with filters and guest reviews: Use Stayz’s search filters to find the right summer holiday home faster, whether you’re looking for a pool, a pet-friendly property or family-friendly amenities. For added confidence, look for the ‘Loved by Guests’ filter, which highlights the top 10% of homes in a destination based on near-perfect guest ratings. 

• Look beyond the coast for more availability: While coastal destinations continue to dominate demand, travellers looking for more choice this summer may want to consider inland destinations that still have strong holiday home availability, including the Southern Highlands, Barossa Valley, and Yarra Valley. 

• Book with confidence: Every booking made through Stayz is automatically backed by StayzCare™ at no extra cost*. If certain issues arise, such as host-initiated cancellations, check-in issues, fraud or significant misrepresentation, Stayz can  provide support, including help with finding another place to stay. 

• Unlock savings by booking early and staying longer³:Planning ahead can pay off with many Stayz properties offering discounts for bookings made at least 60 days in advance. Travellers can also take advantage of Stayz’s ‘Weekly’ and ‘Monthly’ discounts on eligible properties making long summer stays even better value. Stayz holiday homes offerings savings for travellers on early bookings include⁴: 

• Gold Coast, QLD: Stay 3 nights in January at Surfers Paradise Holiday House and early bookers can save $450 on Stayz 

• Gerroa, NSW: Stay 3 nights in January Retreat by the Sea and early bookers can save $400 on Stayz 

• Porlington, VIC: Stay 3 nights in January at Peachbud House Portarlington and early bookers can save nearly $250 on Stayz 

# # # 

¹ Based on an analysis of domestic accommodation demand on Stayz.com.au for summer travel  

² Predicted best value and busiest times are based on an analysis of booked domestic data on Stayz.com.au for travel between 1 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 current as at 23 September 2026  

³ Selected homes only. To find homes that offer this discount in your desired destination, select the ‘Early booking’, ‘Weekly discount’ or ‘Monthly discount’ filter from the filter list on the search results page. Weekly discounts must travel dates of 7+ nights to see prices and savings and Monthly discount must have travel dates of 28+ nights.  

⁴ Prices as of 24 September 2026 for travel between 14 January– 17 January 2026 on Stayz.com.au. Prices are subject to change and availability. Stayz standard booking terms and conditions apply.   

^* See StayzCare™ terms and conditions here 

FAQ

When should Aussies book a holiday home for Christmas, or summer school holidays? 

Aussies planning a summer escape should book now, as Stayz reveals its most sought-after coastal destinations are over 50% booked including Mornington Peninsula, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. 

How can travellers find the right summer holiday home? 

Travellers can use Stayz’s filters to look for features such as pools, pet-friendly facilities and family-friendly amenities. The Loved by Guests filter also identifies the top 10% of homes in a destination based on guest ratings of 9.4 or higher. 

When is the best time to travel this summer? 

The last week of January (25 to 31 January 2027) is shaping up to be a sweet spot for summer travel, with accommodation up to 45% cheaper and 90% less busy than Christmas week, 22 to 27 December 2026. 

How can travellers save on holiday homes this summer?  

Booking at least 60 days in advance and choosing an eligible longer stay on Stayz can help travellers access available discounts and save on their summer holiday. Available on select properties.