Last minute getaway

kimba88 on 25/12/2019 - 23:10

Hi, is there a website that does last minute deals on holiday packages or even cruises?

I've got some time off over Christmas and return to work on the 6th of January. I'm desperate for a last minute getaway, but not sure where.

I'm from Sydney and would like to escape the smog/smoke for some fresh air. Domestic or international. Looking at spending probably no more than $1000-$1500.

Any suggestions on websites that have package deals or even your suggestions on destinations would be great. I'm flexible with departure dates between now and when I return to work.

Thanks.

Travel

Comments

  • Hybroid on 25/12/2019 - 23:20

    That used to be lastminute.com's whole shtick before they got bought out and became another me-too Expedia search clone. You probably won't find many flights that are economical this late into the break. That rules out Japan/Bali/NZ etc. Tasmania ferry all booked up too. You might be better off going on a road trip up to Byron Bay/Gold Coast etc instead?

    • kimba88 on 25/12/2019 - 23:23

      Thanks for your reply. Isn't there fires up north too? I forgot to mention, I'm probably not heaps keen on driving somewhere.. But if I have to I will. I want to feel like I'm making the most of the unplanned last minute holiday

      • Hybroid on 25/12/2019 - 23:27

        I don't think QLD has it quite as bad as NSW but worth double checking.

        https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map/Pages/default.aspx

        I'm in a similar boat and been wondering your quandry past few days but haven't really come up with anything.

        • kimba88 on 26/12/2019 - 01:18

          Thanks for that. There does still seem to be a fair few of bush fires. It would have been nice to go around Cairns for a Daintree escape.. But I'm not sure whether bushfire are affecting the air quality up there. Not just that, I'm also not sure I can find something very economical for there either

          • baycie on 26/12/2019 - 10:17

            @kimba88: Don’t bother coming to QLD, the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s surrounds have been blanketed in smoke for months as well!

            • kimba88 on 26/12/2019 - 10:18

              @baycie: Thanks for the tip. Do you know if that includes further up north towards Cairns?

            • Kozhutki on 26/12/2019 - 16:09

              @baycie: Sorry dude but I live on the GC and our skies are crystal clear, the only time it's been smokey is when there were fires on the spit.

              • baycie on 26/12/2019 - 19:38

                @Kozhutki: I must have had bad luck, have been a few times over the last 3 months and it’s been smokey every time!

  • baycie on 26/12/2019 - 10:26

    Includes the Sunshine Coast, not sure about Cairns, but there are fires all up and down the coast unfortunately.

    • kimba88 on 26/12/2019 - 11:22

      Bugger

  • MITM on 27/12/2019 - 15:44

    Goldie is beautiful today. Not too hot for the nest few days. Definitely no smoke.
    And not too many hotel room lights on at night suggesting it’s not fully booked.
    You could catch a cheap red eye flight and ring around a few small apartments in Miami or Labrador for cheap accommodation or try AirBnB.
    Just do it.

    • kimba88 on 27/12/2019 - 22:12

      No such thing as a red eye flight from Sydney. Our airport closes unfortunately. Hehe.

      I feel like I want something relaxing.. Maybe beach, but not too much hustle and bustle. I was considering Tangalooma, but that seems overpriced for what it is. I would have liked far north Queensland like the Whitsundays, but it mostly seems booked up or excessively expensive. I also started looking at Tasmania, but even flights there are quite expensive and accommodation seems limited.
      I also started considering overseas.. Like new Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Singapore, but they all seem really expensive or ALOT of time spent on the plane/in airports with connecting flights.

      I think I really need to plan my annual leave better next time. Maybe I'm just being too picky. Help

  • kimba88 on 05/01/2020 - 21:55

    Managed to book a last minute getaway from 31st December to 5th of January. Booked it 8pm on the 30th December and left at 7.15am on the 31st December. Went to Cairns and had a great time. Flew with Tiger there, then used my velocity points for a cheap return flight with virgin. All up, about $1100 return including accommodation. Tours were extra. Was the most spontaneous holiday ever, but one of the best in the end.

    Escaping the Sydney smoke for rainforest and sea air was a good thing!

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