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If you’re anything like us, you’re already counting down the days until the Easter long weekend from Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6. Endless hot cross buns, cheeky Easter egg hunts and four glorious days off (for most of us) – what’s not to love? To get you in the holiday spirit, we’ve put together a list of some epic and easy getaways across Australia, perfect for a four-day escape.
Whether you want to witness the world’s longest light show installation in Alice Springs, dance away your blues at the last ever BluesFest Byron Bay, or laugh at the reality of returning to work at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, there’s a trip calling your name. And if four days off isn’t enough, savvy planners can stretch the Easter long weekend into a 16-day getaway by taking just three extra days off from March 30 to April 2 and another four days off from April 7 to 10. So many possibilities, so little (or so much) time!
Alice Springs, NT
Follow the lights to the heart of the Australian Outback for the nation’s biggest light and art spectacular, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light, running from April 10 to 19. To catch the free festivities, you’ll need to take an extra week off after the Easter long weekend – but trust us, it’s worth it. You can witness timeless stories of the world’s oldest continuous culture projected across the 300-million-year-old Tjortjia / West MacDonnell Ranges, and make the most of your extended break by immersing yourself in the magic of the Red Centre.
Cradle Mountain, TAS
Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a thing of beauty year-round, but autumn is perhaps the most spectacular time to visit. As the fagus trees begin their dramatic transformation, the landscape is set ablaze with fiery oranges, deep reds and golden hues – a seasonal phenomenon known to locals as “the turning of the fagus”. This generally happens in late April and May, so anyone visiting over the Easter long weekend will likely catch the leaves shifting from yellow to a deep red.
Melbourne, VIC
In need of a good belly laugh? One of the largest comedy festivals in the world, Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF), is running throughout the Easter long weekend. That means you can fly in on Thursday, catch a handful of hilarious gigs, and fly home whenever you please. While you’re in town, make sure to check out the world-premiere Westwood | Kawakubo exhibition, which finishes on April 19.
Ningaloo Reef, WA
Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the only places on Earth where you can swim alongside whale sharks – the largest fish in the entire world. The year's first whale sharks were spotted in mid-March, making Easter the perfect time to tick off this bucket-list experience in Western Australia. Heads up: Ningaloo had a record-breaking whale shark season in 2025, so you'll want to book as fast as you can.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
If your ideal Easter break involves sitting back, relaxing and doing absolutely zilch for four days straight, the Sunshine Coast is calling. Spend time dipping in the crystal-clear waters, lounging on the postcard-perfect beaches and enjoying sunset picnics by the sea. For something different, we highly recommend escaping to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and discovering the charm of two of Australia's most welcoming towns, Montville and Maleny.