There’s still time to book an Easter getaway. These last-minute stays are still available, but not for long!
As autumn starts to kick in, the Easter break is our last chance to catch the tail-end of warmer weather before the mercury plummets. And in combination with Anzac Day, this period is the golden ticket to leave-hacking your way to a longer break. So, it makes sense that many of us are setting our OOO and heading to the great outdoors for the holidays: camping, hiking, and making the most of the pleasant temperature.
Parkbooker is a booking platform that helps travellers find, compare and book Holiday Parks around Australia. They’ve analysed the best caravan parks, cabins and campsites to find those still available to book over the Easter break. According to their data, there are still pockets of availability across the country, but spots are disappearing fast.
Haven’t booked anything yet but dreaming of getting away this Easter? Listen up, because there are still great getaways to lock in now.
The Daintree, Qld
Australia is full of UNESCO-listed gems, and you can knock off two of them at once this Easter break. There are still glamping tents, campsites or cabins at Daintree Beach Resort, located between the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. April is smack-bang in the middle of turtle-hatching season, the perfect reason to head up north and witness one of nature’s miracles.
See the ancient Daintree Rainforest. (Image: TEQ)
Seaside Villages, Tas
Tassie’s big-ticket attractions may be booked out, but the good news is that it’s a perfect opportunity to discover some of the Apple Isle’s hidden gems. For instance, Stanley in the state’s Northwest is home to The Nut – an ancient volcanic formation that towers above the historic seaside town. There is still camping and cabin availability at BIG4 Stanley, right on Tallows Beach.
Stanley is a quaint town in Tasmania’s north that’s home to an ancient volcanic formation. (Image: Getty/THP Creative)
Over on the east coast, BIG 4 St Helens is a quaint coastal town from which to explore the world-famous Bay of Fires, known for its distinctive landscape of granite boulders and bright orange lichen. The area is also home to fantastic hiking and biking trails for an active holiday away.
Rugged orange-hued rocks meet the pristine shores. (Image: Will Wardle Media)
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South Ballina, NSW
In the wake of Cyclone Alfred, holiday cancellations swept across Northern NSW and southern Queensland. But the region is open to tourists, and your visit can help recovery operations while you enjoy a restorative break. There is campsite availability at Ballina Beach Nature Resort, the perfect wellness retreat with meditation spaces and walking trails to an outdoor fitness circuit.
Visiting towns affected by Cyclone Alfred that are open for tourists is a great way to support recovery in the region. (Image: Getty/Turnervisual)
Mission Beach, Qld
Combining Reef, Rainforest and Relaxation, Mission Beach in Queensland’s Tropical North is the perfect destination to chase the sun before the mercury begins to plummet. Hideaway Holiday Village, located opposite the beach, still has campsites left. It’s a family-friendly destination and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Dunk Island, a 15-minute ferry ride away, is abundant with places for snorkelling among the coral reefs.
Mission Beach is tucked away on the Cassowary Coast. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Agnes Water Hinterland, Qld
Agnes Water is a coastal town at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. There are still spots available at 1770 Eco Camp, a camp set among 24 acres of tropical bushland with freshwater dams and modern amenities. Unplug from the busyness of daily life and snap up one of the remaining campsites. Spend your Easter break surrounded by Native gums, palms and wildlife – including kangaroos, echidnas, and kookaburras.
Go kayaking across the pristine waters of Agnes Water. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
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Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.
Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.
From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.
From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)
Central Coast oyster experiences
From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.
But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast, however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.
Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.
Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)
Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed. Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.
Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)
Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit
While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.
Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.
Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s.
If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.
Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)
Organic dining
What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.
The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.
Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics. Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.
See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.
Paddock-to-plate dining
High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.
Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.
Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)
Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare. One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.
Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.
Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)
