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Best road trips to take this Easter weekend

Easter destination

The much-awaited Easter weekend is just around the corner. This is the time for a relaxed break, Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, hot cross buns, and road trips. Australia is an amazing place to explore especially across the Easter break as there are many activities and events lined up across the country. To help you decide where to go, we’ve come up with a list of a few great destinations for Easter in Australia.

Feel like a kid again in Sydney

Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is one of the best in the country — and great for kids.
Sydney’s Taronga Zoo is one of the best in the country — and great for kids.

If you’re travelling with small children, then Sydney is an ideal place to visit because all of the attractions that appeal to kids such as Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, and Taronga Zoo — all of which are open over the Easter holidays. Thousands of people flock to the Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park during this time of the year for the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which features animal experiences, live entertainment, a carnival and more. If Easter eggs and seeing wildlife up close doesn’t appeal, Sydney also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, making for a fine day out with the family.

Where to stay? There are many hotels near Sydney Olympic Park including the Novotel and Pullman delivering easy access to Sydney Royal Easter Show. If you’re looking for a budget hotel, then The Village Bondi Beach is a good place to stay and it is just a five-minute walk from the world-famous Bondi Beach.

Highlights:

  • Enjoy the animal competitions at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
  • See some of Australia’s wonderful wildlife up close at Taronga Zoo.
  • Have a picnic while enjoying the view of Sydney Harbour Bridge at Barangaroo Reserve.

Getting there: If you will be arriving via Sydney Airport, you can rent a car from there and head to Sydney Olympic Park. The airport is approximately 40 minutes away via the M5 and A3, but you can take the Great Western Highway or the M5 and A6 route instead if you prefer.


Experience eastern tradition in Bendigo

Join in with the Chinese festivities at the Bendigo Easter Festival.
Join in with the Chinese festivities at the Bendigo Easter Festival.

Celebrate Easter in a different way by heading to Bendigo, which is known for its goldmines and eastern influences. Vist Bendigo and chances are you’ll feel like you’ve struck gold thanks to its world-class attractions including the Central Deborah Gold Mine. Thanks to its gold reserves, Bendigo has a rich history and you can experience one facet of this — the Eastern traditions — by visiting the Golden Dragon Museum and joining the Chinese festivities at the Bendigo Easter Festival.

Where to stay? There are several accommodation options — ranging from hotels to guesthouses — near the festival location. If you want to enjoy a lakeside view, then Julie-Anna Inn is a great choice thanks to its location opposite Lake Weeroona.

Highlights:

  • Explore the underground tunnels at Central Deborah Gold Mine.
  • Watch the Lion and Dragon Dance and the Torchlight Lantern Procession at Bendigo Easter Festival.
  • Learn about Chinese history and enjoy a cup of tea at the Golden Dragon Museum.

Getting there: Selected roads will be closed during the Bendigo Easter Festival, but there will be various detours around the CBD so just follow the signs. If you are coming from Melbourne, you can take the M79 route to reach Bendigo which takes just under two hours by car. There are two multi-story car parks near the festival that are free — one is on Hargreaves Street, just opposite the Bendigo Library, and the other is on Edward Street, at the corner of Edward and Queen streets.


Get that hippie vibe in Byron Bay

Byron Bay and Ballina have a lot more to offer than glorious beaches.
Byron Bay and Ballina have a lot more to offer than glorious beaches.

Do you sometimes get the blues? A great way to shake them off is by heading to Byron Bay. Aside from its beautiful beaches, the town also hosts Australia’s premiere music festival, Bluesfest, which is held every Easter weekend. Enjoy live performances from some of the world’s best musicians and even go camping as if you’re at Woodstock. If you don’t have an outfit for the festival, drop by any one of the eclectic boutiques in Byron Bay.

Where to stay? There are campgrounds at the festival site but they get sold out very quickly. Don’t worry because there are alternative campgrounds and bungalows nearby including First Sun Holiday Park and Bayshore Bungalows.

  • Enjoy five days of overflowing drinks, food and live music at Bluesfest.
  • Be sure to explore beyond Byron Bay — there is plenty to see and do.
  • Shop for bohemian outfits an one of Byron Bay’s many eclectic boutiques.

Getting there: Bluefest is situated at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm which is approximately ten minutes to the north of Byron Bay and ten minutes south of Brunswick Heads. If you are coming from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, it will be under 30 minutes driving time from the airport to town, but if you’ll be arriving via Brisbane Airport, allow around two hours to reach the venue.




Easter in other countries