{"id":11858,"date":"2026-05-13T22:54:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T22:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/expedia-stay-here-winter-destinations\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T22:54:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T22:54:16","slug":"expedia-stay-here-winter-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/expedia-stay-here-winter-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"Expedia Reveals Top 10 &#8216;Stay Here&#8217; Destinations For Aussies This Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>May 14, 2026, SYDNEY<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;As cooler weather sets in and one in two Aussies plan a domestic winter break*, Expedia has released its&nbsp;top 10 Stay Here Winter destinations, highlighting local getaways that offer&nbsp;strong value, fewer&nbsp;crowds&nbsp;and a more relaxed pace in winter.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why Are Australians Choosing Domestic Travel&nbsp;This&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aussies&nbsp;are rethinking how and where they travel. Expedia research reveals Aussies&nbsp;leaning into domestic travel, focusing on:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Value for money (45%)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Slower, more relaxed travel (34%)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shorter, easy-to-plan getaways (25%)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional&nbsp;Domestic&nbsp;Travel&nbsp;Insights:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Top reasons Aussies travel domestically in winter:\u00a0<\/strong>The top reasons Aussies enjoy travelling locally\u00a0during winter\u00a0are fewer crowds (38%), cooler temperatures (37%) and better value on accommodation and flights (30%)\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Demand for warm winter destinations:<\/strong>\u00a0Aussies are\u00a0still\u00a0looking to chase the sun at home\u00a0with\u00a0over a quarter (29%)\u00a0planning a\u00a0warmer\u2011weather\u00a0escape within Australia this winter, ahead\u00a0of\u00a0\u00a0cold\u2011weather\u00a0destinations at home (24%)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How Aussies are travelling domestically:\u00a0<\/strong>The car is still king for domestic travel, with more than\u00a0three\u2011quarters\u00a0of Aussies (78%) planning road trips over\u00a0travelling by plane or train.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why Winter Is the Best Time to Travel&nbsp;in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;According to&nbsp;Expedia<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expedia is encouraging Aussies to stay here and rediscover&nbsp;local&nbsp;favourites&nbsp;in their quieter season.&nbsp;Expedia&nbsp;accommodation&nbsp;data shows hotspots from Byron Bay to Margaret River can be up to 40% cheaper and significantly less crowded in winter&nbsp;compared to summer,&nbsp;while also&nbsp;offering&nbsp;unique seasonal&nbsp;experiences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith the cost of travel front of mind, Aussies aren\u2019t giving up on winter breaks, they\u2019re simply travelling smarter,\u201d said&nbsp;<strong>Sarah King, Expedia Travel Expert<\/strong>. \u201cVisiting destinations in their&nbsp;off\u2011peak&nbsp;season is one of Australia\u2019s&nbsp;best\u2011kept&nbsp;travel secrets. Staying local&nbsp;can mean lower prices,&nbsp;a&nbsp;slower travel&nbsp;experience&nbsp;and&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;tourism operators during quieter months.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Expedia\u2019s&nbsp;Top 10&nbsp;Stay&nbsp;Here&nbsp;Winter Destinations&nbsp;in Australia**<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Destinations which&nbsp;can be&nbsp;better value in winter compared to summer, according to Expedia data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Byron Bay, NSW<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a040% cheaper | 15% quieter, with humpback whale\u00a0watching\u00a0and epic winter surf\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Byron-Bay-Hotels-Crystalbrook-Byron.h2650066.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crystalbrook Byron<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Apollo Bay, VIC<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a035% cheaper | 90% quieter,\u00a0delivering misty mornings, rugged\u00a0scenery\u00a0and unhurried\u00a0Great Ocean Road drives\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Apollo-Bay-Hotels-Captains-At-The-Bay.h1522097.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Captains At The Bay<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kangaroo Island, SA<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a035% cheaper | 50% quieter, ideal for peaceful wildlife encounters and seasonal walking trails\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/American-River-Hotels-Mercure-Kangaroo-Island-Lodge.h425413.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Margaret River, WA\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a030% cheaper | 25% quieter, featuring fireside winery tastings, winter\u00a0events\u00a0and truffle season\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Margaret-River-Hotels-Heritage-Trail-Lodge-Margaret-River.h9624427.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Heritage Trail Lodge Margaret River<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coffs Harbour, NSW\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a030% cheaper | 40% quieter, perfect for\u00a0hinterland\u00a0hikes, relaxed beach days and winter sunshine\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Coffs-Harbour-Hotels-Club-Wyndham-Coffs-Harbour.h6991427.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Club Wyndham\u00a0Coffs Harbour\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Launceston, TAS<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a025% cheaper | 45% quieter, offering\u00a0cool\u2011climate\u00a0dining, vineyards,\u00a0nature-based\u00a0woodfire sauna and cold plunge experiences\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Launceston-Hotels-Peppers-Silo-Hotel.h22560028.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Peppers Silo Launceston<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sorrento, VIC<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a025% cheaper | 55% quieter, pairing Peninsula Hot Springs with uncrowded coastal walks\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Melbourne-Hotels-InterContinental-Sorrento-Mornington-Peninsula.h70252044.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"8\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Burleigh Heads, QLD\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Up\u00a0to\u00a015% cheaper | 35% quieter, with warm winter weather,\u00a0fewer\u00a0lines at the theme parks\u00a0and calmer beaches\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Gold-Coast-Hotels-Mondrian-Gold-Coast.h113726281.Hotel-Information?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Mondrian\u00a0Gold Coast<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"9\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sydney, NSW<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a015% cheaper | 15% quieter,\u00a0perfect for theatre nights, whale watching, cosy dining, and a more relaxed city pace\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Sydney-Hotels-25Hours-Hotel-Sydney-The-Olympia.h118734224.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"10\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Marcoola, QLD\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Up to\u00a010% cheaper | 45% quieter, ideal for sunny coastal walks and uncrowded Sunshine Coast surfing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stay Here:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/Sunshine-Coast-Hotels-Atlantis-Marcoola.h2737805.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atlantis Marcoola<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winter Travel Deals for Aussie&nbsp;Travellers<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make winter getaways in Australia even easier and more affordable, Expedia is offering last-minute local winter deals, including 15%&nbsp;or more off selected domestic accommodation (subject to availability. Terms apply).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore winter travel deals in Australia:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/deals\/seasonal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expedia.com.au\/deals\/seasonal<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, members can get double One Key cash on eligible Australian domestic stay bookings made through Expedia\u2019s One Key loyalty program until 24 May.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>###&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Is winter\u00a0a good time\u00a0to travel around Australia?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yes.\u00a0Winter\u00a0can\u00a0offer\u00a0better value,\u00a0fewer crowds, and\u00a0unique\u00a0seasonal experiences that\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0available in peak summer months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What are the cheapest places in Australia to travel in winter?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Popular Aussie destinations like Byron Bay, Apollo Bay, and Kangaroo Island can have accommodation up to 40% cheaper in winter compared to summer.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Are popular destinations quieter in winter?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yes. Locations such as Apollo Bay, Sydney and Byron Bay can be up to 90% quieter\u00a0for accommodation\u00a0in winter compared to summer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What can I experience in an Australian winter?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From\u00a0whale watching in Byron Bay,\u00a0to\u00a0truffle season and winery firesides in Margaret River,\u00a0winter unlocks experiences\u00a0that are unique to the\u00a0season and\u00a0come\u00a0without compromise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where is warm in Australia during winter?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Northern\u00a0NSW and Queensland\u00a0destinations like Burleigh Heads and Byron Bay offer warmer temperatures and sunshine in winter while being cheaper and quieter\u00a0on\u00a0accommodation\u00a0compared to summer.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Are there any travel deals for Australia this winter?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yes. Expedia Australia is offering winter travel deals on domestic accommodation, with 15% or more off selected stays (subject to availability and terms).\u00a0Travellers can also earn double\u00a0OneKeyCash\u00a0rewards on eligible Australian bookings made through Expedia\u2019s One Key loyalty program until 24 May 2026, helping make winter trips even better\u00a0value.Explore current offers:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/deals\/seasonal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expedia.com.au\/deals\/seasonal<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>*Third-party research was conducted by market research partner&nbsp;OnePoll&nbsp;in accordance with&nbsp;the Market Research Society\u2019s Code of Conduct. The study was conducted online among 1,000 adult respondents across Australia&nbsp;in April 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>**About Expedia\u2019s Stay Here Winter Index:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Affordability:\u00a0<\/strong>Based on the average daily rates\u00a0on Expedia.com.au from December to February 2025 to June to August 2025\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Visitation:\u00a0<\/strong>Based on\u00a0accommodation\u00a0bookings\u00a0on Expedia.com.au from December to February 2025 to June to August 2025\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seasonal experiences:\u00a0<\/strong>Destinations with<strong>\u00a0e<\/strong>xperiences that are unique to, or truly shine during, winter\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>***Deals on&nbsp;participating&nbsp;properties only.&nbsp;Subject to availability.&nbsp;Please click through to individual deals to confirm prices, availability and applicable terms and conditions for these deals.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/deals\/seasonal?brandcid=EXPEDIA-AU.COMMS.PR.STAYHEREWINTER.GENERIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expedia.com.au\/deals\/seasonal.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>****The One Key Rewards Offer is available to existing members or to new members who have successfully registered during the promotional period. Members who make a new Australian eligible hotel\/accommodation rental booking between 00:00 (AEST) 11\/05\/2026 and 11.59pm AEST 24\/05\/2026 on Expedia.com.au or the Expedia Australia app will earn double the&nbsp;OneKeyCash&nbsp;on that eligible booking. May not be used in conjunction with any other offer.&nbsp;OneKeyCash&nbsp;is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/lp\/b\/exp-rewards-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One Key terms and conditions apply<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>May 14, 2026, SYDNEY&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;As cooler weather sets in and one in two Aussies plan a domestic winter break*, Expedia has&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":11857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[157,138],"tags":[185],"companies":[73],"locations":[72],"class_list":["post-11858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brand","category-featured","tag-expedia","companies-expedia","locations-sydney","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11858\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11858"},{"taxonomy":"companies","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/companies?post=11858"},{"taxonomy":"locations","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/locations?post=11858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}