cheap holiday ideas

So i thought id treat the wife and daughter to a week away for our anniversary at the end of September until i got some prices back and with having only moved here 7 months ago i cant afford anything too lavish. The prices i have received today made me **** myself.

So where would people recommend for a week away for 3 for about $2k

Thanks

We managed to get a last minute cruise for 2 to the South Pacific, leaving from Brisbane - 7 days for under $1200. The benefit of the cruise for us was all food is included, we get to see Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila, and we get to relax for a week. The website we used was http://www.cruisesalefinder.com.au/, though there are quite a few others out there.

We managed to get a last minute cruise for 2 to the South Pacific, leaving from Brisbane - 7 days for under $1200. The benefit of the cruise for us was all food is included, we get to see Noumea, Lifou and Port Vila, and we get to relax for a week. The website we used was http://www.cruisesalefinder.com.au/, though there are quite a few others out there.

Sounds good! Also is there anywhere in particular you feel like going? You can drive up to sunny coast and enjoy a relaxing week?

We spend a fair bit of time in the sunny and gold coast already so fancied going somewhere different.

considered fiji, venuartu, whitsundays, cairns but all seem to be very expensive for what ideally would be a cheap week away

Just looked at that cruise site and my wife loves the idea. But the costs seem far more than $1200 at present. Seems like you got a bargain

Jetstar have cheap flights up to cairns around that time. Could go to Port Douglas or places around there?

Travel downwards,, we have had a couple of fantastic holidays in Coffs Harbour and / or Nambucca Heads

We stayed once at the Big 4 and once at a private motel and enjoyed both stays, although the kids preferred Big 4 as there were more activities and it was across the road from the beach.

Cal x

Travel downwards,, we have had a couple of fantastic holidays in Coffs Harbour and / or Nambucca Heads

 

We stayed once at the Big 4 and once at a private motel and enjoyed both stays, although the kids preferred Big 4 as there were more activities and it was across the road from the beach.

 

Cal x

And to add to that, Yamba is another really nice place to stay.

Look for holiday lets on the local real estate web sites of the towns you are considering. These are often privately owned investment homes/apartments which are listed at weekly rates that work out far cheaper than paying per night prices.

Using Michele's example of Yamba...here is a basic beach shack advertised on Ray White Yamba for only $350 per week in off season:

http://holidayyamba.com.au/accommodation/5087

...

We spend a fair bit of time in the sunny and gold coast already so fancied going somewhere different.

 

considered fiji, venuartu, whitsundays, cairns but all seem to be very expensive for what ideally would be a cheap week away

 

Just looked at that cruise site and my wife loves the idea. But the costs seem far more than $1200 at present. Seems like you got a bargain

It will be slightly more with 3 of you, but some specials may come through in the next few weeks for the period that you are looking at, unless it is the middle of school holidays, and then you may not get the great deals. Keep an eye out though, you never know.

End of september is "holiday season" at this Kingscliff, NSW real estate but you can still get this 2 bedroom apartment for $800 per week ($553 per week in off season). Pricing for dates in between: 19/09/2014 - 06/10/2014

See: http://www.kingscliffholidays.com.au/accommodation/4446562

Kingscliff is around 1 hour 15 mins drive from Brisbane city centre if you don't know it.

Or this one in Kingscliff with sea views for $790 per week. I used the dates 20/09/14 to 27/09/14.

Kingscliff is another option to use as a base for exploring beautiful northern nsw.

Mt Warning:

Mount Warning seen from the rim of the Tweed Volcano by tanetahi, on Flickr

Crystal Castle:

Bryon Bay:

Nimbin:

Nightcap National Park

Source: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/images/parks/Coastal/Nightcap_National_Park/NightcapNPCliffFace.jpg

Last week of September, first week of October are school holidays so there's not likely to be that many bargains around.

If you can travel earlier or later than that, it will be cheaper in most places - and quieter too.

If you haven't done it before another option is to head west into country queensland. Fantastic for a feeling of getting away from it all.

You could do the 8.5 hour drive out to Charleville (with stops to see other places) and stay in a cabin somewhere like this:

http://www.charlevillebaileybar.com.au

They have a great spit with damper and yabbie races.

As you can see from this image Charleville is in the part of country queensland just before it changes to a more outback looking landscape. See the green belt running south east to north west.

Charleville by fish.2, on Flickr

West of Charleville it starts to look like this in places:

Outback 025 by fish.2, on Flickr

And parts like this in the wet:

Source: http://www.schmejapanos.com/images/le26full.jpg

Charleville:

Out to Charleville though is all sealed and fine for 2wd. Straight forward on normal roads.

You can visit the Cosmos Centre and see the amazing outback sky:

And you're then only a mere 5.5 hours from Longreach and the Qantas museum and the Stockmans Hall of Fame

Outback 026 by fish.2, on Flickr

Outback 047 by fish.2, on Flickr

Outback 053 by fish.2, on Flickr

You could also stay somewhere like the lovely Bellingen in NSW near Coffs Harbour.

This 2 bed country cottage is around $770-$910 per week. See: http://www.rent-a-home.com.au/accommodation/nsw/north-coast/bellingen/23002

Source: http://www.takeabreak.com.au/Image.ashx?w=570&h=430&img=photos%2f2781%2fCovered_Deck.JPG

Bellingen:

Source: http://www.lilypadluxurycabins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Bellingen5.jpg

Source: http://www.bellingenriverfestival.org/wp-content/gallery/main-gallery/img_1121.jpg

Bellingen is on the road known as Waterfall Way that leads from the coast to the lovely inland university town of Armidale.

Waterfall Way:

Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHseUZW5AGM/U4rZE1EN83I/AAAAAAAAJFU/_D-fxIzLvao/s1600/20140413_101655.jpg

Armidale:

Untitled by fish.2, on Flickr

Untitled by fish.2, on Flickr

@hoffer Just to let you know that there is a P&O sale starting at 9am Monday morning, and it has the Brisbane - Noumea - Lifou - Port Vila - Brisbane cruise departing the 27th Sept included. I don't know how much it will be for triple share, but the quad share is coming in at $519 pp and the twin share $869 pp for ocean view cabins so I am guessing the price will be somewhere in the middle of those.

Also have a look at www.vacationstogo.com for cruise bargains. They are in the States but respond straight away if you fill out an enquiry on their site. When we were looking a couple of years ago, we booked a Xmas and New Year cruise with them for 21 nights to New Zealand and Hobart calling at Sydney and Melbourne for less than $1000 per person! They were definitely the cheapest place to book. We also got a very cheap all inclusive drinks package which reduced the 'extras' costs. I think Celebrity Cruises might be doing something similar so have a look at those via Vacations To Go too.

Also do Air Asia fly from where you are? They have some very good prices for flights to places like KL. http://www.travelonline.com is another site worth looking at

@hoffer Just to let you know that there is a P&O sale starting at 9am Monday morning, and it has the Brisbane - Noumea - Lifou - Port Vila - Brisbane cruise departing the 27th Sept included. I don't know how much it will be for triple share, but the quad share is coming in at $519 pp and the twin share $869 pp for ocean view cabins so I am guessing the price will be somewhere in the middle of those.

Thanks MIchelleW you legend

Would u consider a house swap? Sometimes it comes with a car as well. In the uk I think the telegraph have on £30/annum? That one woyld have lots of oz properties on it too or I am sure there would be other swap sites over there too....

Hi hoffer, my family and I have been to Yamba last summer and we had a great vacation. If you're looking for an affordable yet comfortable accommodation, you should stay at Yamba Aston Motel. The place is clean with quality facilities and great accommodation. I was really satisfied during our stay there. Overall, it was a great experience without overspending. Definitely a smart option for those who are traveling on a budget!

Seems legit!

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Caloundra/Currumundi in Queensland - if you're just after some relaxing down time in a beautiful location. Stayed in a lovely two bedroom Airb&b there - just next to the lake - don't forget your fishing rods!

There always seems to be cheap flights and accommodation deals going for Bali.

Have a look on Groupon and scoupon they often have holiday deals with flights included and are pretty reasonable :-) especially to Fiji, Bali and Thailand :-)