If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably had a few Christmas breaks where you left it too late to book and found every hotel and caravan park full. The good news is you don’t have to stay home just because you’re planning late. Here’s how I’ve managed to pull off some great Christmas holidays in Australia at the last minute – without paying a fortune or squeezing into crowded spots.
Jump on a last-minute cruise
One Christmas we drove up to North Queensland and found a spot on a liveaboard cruise to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, booked only a few days out. December can be quiet up there with the heat and cyclone risk, so it’s worth trying your luck. As we booked late, the chance of our trip being interrupted by a cyclone was very low. We actually had nice weather on the reef, even though we could see rain on the mainland.
Tip: Smaller operators sometimes have cancellations, so keep an eye out, get in touch directly, and be ready to pack fast.
Go on an inland road trip
When everything else is booked, we simply hit the road and head inland. You’re likely to find available camping spots in national parks if you want to book ahead. Some are first in, first served, and we’ve often been the only ones camping there!
Some of our favourite last-minute picks:
- Waterfall Way (NSW): Inland routes like this are often quieter than the coast. Dorrigo National Park has beautiful waterfalls and peaceful campsites.
- Barrington Tops (NSW): High-altitude campsites that stay cooler and less crowded over summer.
- Dingo Tops (NSW): To disconnect and visit the Ellenborough Falls and Tapin Tops National Park.
Tip: Be self-sufficient, as many remote campgrounds have no reception, shops or sometimes even water.
Use Hipcamp for camping near the coast
A road trip is the easiest way to stay flexible – if one campground’s full, you just drive to the next. We’ve done Christmas road trips from Brisbane to Sydney multiple times without booking ahead. You might get lucky with a national park site, but free rest areas have been our backup more than once – they’re dotted along highways and usually have toilets and picnic tables. Just know it can feel a bit stressful to travel like that and might not suit everyone.
For a more comfortable option, you can check Hipcamp for private camping spots on farms or bush blocks. Many hosts list sites you won’t find elsewhere and they often have last-minute availability. It’s not cheap over Christmas, but if you want to be near the coast, it’s one of the few options that might still be free.
Tip: Look for listings with instant booking or flexible hosts so you can lock in a spot quickly.
If you’re new to Hipcamp, here’s a coupon code that will give you (and me!) $10 credit for your first stay: ELOISET668EFD.
Have you gone on a last-minute trip in Australia during the Christmas holidays? Share your experience in the comments below!
Leaving it late doesn’t mean you have to miss out. With a bit of creativity and a willingness to try something different, you can still have an amazing Christmas holiday – even if you didn’t book six months ago.
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