13 Apr 2022
Updated March 2023
Need an excuse to get more out of your Easter long weekend?
Just a few days annual leave gets you a ten-day break. Go on, you know you want to.
Try these four underrated locations on for size - it's not too late to book a getaway you won't forget with those extra days off!
The Best Easter Holidays in Australia
The Sapphire Coast, NSW
Halfway between Sydney and Melbourne on the Grand Pacific touring route, New South Wales Sapphire Coast is a holiday treasure trove.
Discovery Parks - Pambula Beach is metres from the sand.
Officially stretching from the coastal town of Eden in the south, to Bermagui 100 kilometres north, there is an endless array of cute coastal nooks and quaint country towns to explore.
Discover wild bays, secluded beaches and pristine national parks, then walk among towering forests and vast country paddocks - all in the same day.
Things to see and do on the Sapphire Coast
Beowa National Park
Credit: Destination NSW
One of Australia’s most stunning national parks, Beowa National Park (formerly known as Ben Boyd National Park), features rocky coastlines and pristine beaches.
It is also rich with Indigenous and colonial history and full of amazing wildlife. Learn about the relationship between the Thaua people and the wild orca, then discover trails, shorelines and first-class whale-watching spots.
Kiah Wilderness Kayak Tours
Credit: Kiah Wilderness Kayak Tours
Glide down the Kiah aka the Towamba River with experienced guides and locals from the Sapphire.
Brimming with bird and fish life, choose from a half or full day tour and customise every element of your family's kayaking quest.
Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant
Open from 10am, this is your chance to witness the theatre of the deep. This 70,000 litre oceanarium is a stand-out with 28 tanks featuring local and tropical marine life of all kinds.
Daily feeding time is a great time to visit. The Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant is also a great place to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Magic Mountain Merimbula
Credit: Magic Mountain Merimbula
Just down the road in Pambula, this family-friendly theme park is the place to go to feel the thrill of the rollercoaster, rush down a toboggan and bounce on a jumping castle.
There’s something for all ages, from children to adults. It's your time to embrace the big kid inside!
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain has had a $20 million upgrade.
With over 3 million hectares of protected spaces, Tasmania is a nature-lovers paradise.
For those looking to escape the stress of modern living, the Apple-Isle's incredible range of national parks is a must-see, must-do activity.
Cradle Mountain is one of the world's best hikes.
Known as the jewel in the crown of Tasmania’s many natural wonders, the majestic Lake St Clair National Park hits its peak at Cradle Mountain.
Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, which spans over 1 million hectares, Cradle Mountain in Lake St Clair National Park is one of the world’s last remaining reserves of pure temperate rainforest.
It's also home to Australia’s premier alpine walk, the world famous Overland Track, which takes 5-6 days to complete.
BROWSE DISCOVERY PARKS IN TASSIE
Things to see and do in Tasmania
Find a cure for a thirst that can’t be quenched!
Cascade Brewery is a slice of Hobart history.
From dark, caramel notes to crisp summer ales, you'll find the beer for you in Tassie - or at least die trying.
While there are around 20 breweries across the state, the old capital of Hobart is the best place to start. Home to the likes of Cascade, Shambles and Hobart Brewing Company, all your craft beer dreams can come true in Australia’s oldest capital.
Stare at a picture postcard image and realise it's real.
Tasmania's Mount Field National Park is real.
Look at this picture. Look at it.
It's easy to forget that Tasmania is mostly wild. Mount Field National Park is a magical escape into a world full of fairies and woodland creatures that’s an easy day trip from Hobart.
Be inspired by forest eucalyptus or write your first novel by cascading falls. You won’t regret the time you took to be here, even if your writing stinks.
Discover the best food & wine in Australia
Credit: The Lobster Shack.
If you love your food and picturesque places to enjoy it, you should pack your bags immediately and head to Tasmania.
The whole island offers a smorgasbord of gastronomic delights at a wide range of eateries, gastropubs and restaurants everywhere. Check out this foodies guide to Tasmania we wrote!
Stay Active
The hype is real.
Tasmania’s exploding reputation as one of Australia’s peak MTB destinations is well-earned, and one park sums it up nicely: Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails.
Situated in the northeastern corner of Tasmania, there are 24 trails to ride from 'green' to 'double black' (and no, that's not a type of coffee).
For newcomers to the sport especially, this park might just change your life.
BROWSE DISCOVERY PARKS IN TASSIE
Pilbara, WA
Discovery Parks - Port Hedland is a hub for outdoor adventure.
It doesn’t get much more unique than Australia’s Pilbara region.
Got a few extra days up your sleeve? Get out and explore this amazing part of Western Australia. Not only is it at the gateway to the Kimberley, it puts you close to some of Australia’s most incredible and diverse coastline, national parks and Indigenous culture.
Credit @4boysandacaravan
Any review of the Pilbara is sure to include the word “unforgettable.” Port Hedland is one of the region's population centres and a great base for outdoor adventures, from off-road driving to coastal walks and endless fishing hot spots.
The Pilbara is wild.
Don't forget! The ‘Staircase to the Moon’ phenomenon is another must-see.
Things to see and do in the Pilbara
Be surprised by Pilbara Street Art
Pilbara Street Art will surprise you.
Beginning in 2011 with the first collaboration by local Western Australian collective Last Chance Studios, the Pilbara has frequently played host to world-class artists making their visual mark.
Explore the historic West End of Port Hedland and discover contemporary street art in the laneways and buildings.
Completed by artists such as Yok & Sheryo, Tim Rollins, Saner, Hayley Welsh and Beastman and Vans the Omega, the whole thing is an unexpected street-art-in-the-desert vibe.
Recall the history of Port Hedland
Tracing the local cultural heritage of this most unusual town, this rather excellent bus tour follows the footsteps of the first European settlers in the town’s colonial heritage sites.
Led by local historian and life-long resident Julie Arif, the tour offers the opportunity to discover the human face of a place far-more diverse than it may appear.
Tour the largest iron ore port in the world
No trip to the Pilbara would be complete without hopping on a guided tour of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Nelson Point facility.
Watch the bucket wheel reclaimers and ship loaders that dominate Port Hedland’s horizon and gain an understanding of how the mining industry works.
Covering a complex and integrated system of seven inland mining operations, this tour is highly informative and extremely popular.
Engage with Indigenous Culture on the Warlu Way
The Warlu Way. Credit: @4boysandacaravan
Taking travellers on a serpentine journey from Exmouth to Broome via Onslow, Tom Price, Port Hedland and Karratha, the Warlu Way is said to follow the path of a giant Dreamtime snake called Warlu.
Consisting of several of Western Australia's most breathtaking national parks, Karijini National Park is considered the jewel in the Pilbara crown.
Whyalla Foreshore, SA
Discovery Parks - Whyalla Foreshore is in an enviable position.
An underated destination on South Austalia's pristine Eyre Peninsula, Whyalla punches well above its weight in terms of holiday spots that don't get the recognition they deserve.
Close to family-friendly swimming beaches and excellent fishing spots, did you know that Whyalla is known as Australia’s snapper capital?
You can discover the seafaring past of this rugged shipwreck coastline at the Whyalla Maritime Museum, and hear the story of over 100 years of Australia's steelmaking history on the Whyalla Steelworks Tour.
Things to see and do in Whyalla
Go Fishing in the Spencer Gulf
No shortage of winners in the Spencer Gulf.
A number of different charter boats are available from Whyalla.
Whyalla Fishing Charters offer the city's most experienced crew, top quality boats and the best equipment for a full or half day experience on the crystal clear water of the Spencer Gulf. They'll even provide the bait!
Meet the Dolphins!
This is a real photo taken of a real dolphin in Whyalla!
Whyalla has its very own population of friendly dolphins you can swim with, and they even have their own facebook page.
Following fishing boats into the marina for food scraps, there are several stories of some of these beautiful mammals forming personal bonds with Whyalla locals.
You can normally find them at the boat ramp, where they aren't afraid to come up for a chat.
Harden up on the Whyalla Steelworks Tour
Steel. It's hard.
Learn the stories and see behind the scenes of more than 100 years of Australian iron and steelmaking.
The Whyalla Steelworks remains a fully-integrated operation, starting with the mining of raw materials and ending with the distribution of finished steel products.
Approximately 1.2 million tonnes of raw steel is produced each year, with about 65% of that transferred by rail for further processing.
Hunt Birdies at Whyalla Golf Club
After you've met the dolphins, hunt wildlife of a different kind here.
Offering a challenging 18-hole layout for all levels of golfers, this public course welcomes casual players and visitors to its bar and restaurant.
The pro shop has clubs, golf carts, electric buggies and equipment for sale, as well as refreshments you can take on course.
A great day out just four kilometeres from Whyalla City Plaza with outstanding views of the area.
