The End of Financial Year (EOFY) can be a lil’ bit of a rush – and combine that with those winter chills and it’s no wonder so many Aussies tend to go on an all-out-relaxation holiday in July.
But new research data suggests the peak-winter post-EOFY month is one of the most expensive of the year for retreats. Don’t worry though, the following months (August and September) are some of the cheapest – so save those tax return dollars a little longer, and make them go further too.
Hotel price data from HotelsCombined has shown that there is a significant drop in room rates for retreats in August and September, with the lowest average room rate per night being $173.86. Compare that with the $196 a night prices in July and you’ve got yourself some serious savings.
Prices for retreats drop by around $10 a month from July until September – and start to increase again in October, rocketing to over $200 a night. In December and January prices fall again to a competitive $162 a night – probably because these are the most popular times for Aussies to holiday.
But come July and Aussies are in dire need of a holiday – it’s become one of the busiest months of the year to travel. Whether it’s to the snow, a retreat or to a European summer, a July retreat is the perfect antidote to the stress of the EOFY.
But Chris Rivett, Head of Marketing at HotelsCombined Australia and New Zealand, said Aussies should try and hold out just that little bit longer for cheaper prices and less crowded retreats.
“With EOFY being one of the most stressful periods of the year, it’s no wonder Aussies are choosing to opt for a mid-year getaway, making July a peak holiday period. With their peaceful settings, relaxing pace, and healthy meal and exercise offerings, it’s no wonder retreats are regarded as the perfect antidote to our overworked culture.
“If you can hold out a month longer, retreats tend to be quieter in August, making it easier for travellers to recharge and providing a more affordable option,” he said.
According to booking data from HotelsCombined, 33 per cent of bookings made by Aussies to domestic and international retreats were made in July, January and February – with July being the most popular.
Unsurprisingly, the data also revealed that November and December are when Aussies are least likely to go on retreats, given those busy end-of-year periods. January is the month we are most likely to go on a retreat (given those busy end-of-year periods), with it receiving the highest number of bookings by Aussie travellers. A retreat without anyone to bother you? Hell. Yes.
In case you need some help picking a retreat (or a country) here are HotelCombined’s top picks:
- Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa (Katoomba, Australia), from $319 per night. This modern resort features a restaurant, indoor pool, outdoor tennis courts and sauna.
- Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (Tasmania, Australia), from $280 per night. Features free Wi-Fi, as well as a Jacuzzi and a sauna. It is the perfect base for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature, with Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park just steps away.
- Lake House (Daylesford, Australia), from $565 per night. With an in-house restaurant, coffee bar, sauna and outdoor pool, the Lake House provides a super comfortable setting.
- The Chillhouse Retreats Bali (Bali), from $165 per night. Situated in the scenic parkland of Canggu, this retreat offers comfortable accommodation and a full range of facilities, such as bicycle rental, a concierge and babysitting/child services (if you can’t leave the kids at home).
- Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort (Phuket, Thailand), from $113 per night. Featuring a gym, golf course, beauty centre, outdoor pool and supervised child care/activities, the retreat is the perfect getaway for families.
Other than retreats, July is also the most popular month of the year for chalet bookings and campsite bookings, and the second most popular month (after January) to book resorts and motels.
A recent survey by HotelsCombined also revealed that 53.2 per cent of Aussies believe their holidays are getting longer and less frequent.
Similarly, recent research reveals more than half of working Aussies have failed to use up all their entitled leave in the past 12 months.
But Aussies are clearly so desperate for a holiday by July that we’re overspending on them: millennials and baby boomers spend approximately $10 billion each on overseas travel per year – and Aussies also overspent by over $900 million on international travel last year according to Commbank.
So while it may not make sense to your tired, tired brain after the EOFY hustle, waiting for cheaper months to holiday will definitely save you in the long run.
