How Far In Advance Should I Book A Holiday?
What could be more exciting than planning a holiday to the Whitsundays? From the islands to the Reef to the beaches, you're in for a whale of a time! But how far in advance should you think about booking?
When it comes to the Whitsundays, the further in advance you book, the better! This tropical corner of Queensland is a popular destination among Aussies and international visitors year-round. With Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef and the Great Barrier Reef right in our backyard, it's easy to understand why! For this reason, it is important to book ahead when planning your trip
Tours fill up fast, especially during peak holiday times such as Christmas, Easter and school holidays. Booking ahead of your visit is the best way to ensure you get on the trip that you want and get to do everything on your bucket list.
How far in advance should I book my holiday?
Generally speaking, it's best practice to book a holiday six months to a year in advance - especially if it's a major excursion! This gives you ample time to research tours, accommodation options, busy seasons, and flights.
How far ahead you should book will depend on a number of factors, like how long you're planning to go for, and what time of year you'd like to visit. In some cases, you can get away with booking just a few weeks in advance, but in others, you'll need to start making reservations a few months ahead of time.
Planning A Trip To The Whitsundays? Don't Forget To Book Your Tours In Advance To Avoid Missing Out!
How far in advance should I book a Whitsundays holiday?
For Whitsundays visitors, we recommend booking as far in advance as possible - especially if you want to secure a great tour on the boat of your choice. Since most travellers do plan ahead, the most popular trips will often book up long before their departure date. This means that those who book last minute are not always able to get onto their top choice, and in some cases, can be left disappointed.
Peak season vs off-peak season
One factor to consider when booking your holiday is whether you'll be visiting during the peak or off-peak season, as this can impact how quickly things will sell out, and how much accommodation and tours cost. It's worth spending some time researching this because, in some cases, a destination's off-peak season can surprise you and be a far more favourable time to visit.
For example, the Whitsundays' off-peak season is an exceptional time to visit. The weather conditions are perfect with comfortable heat and low humidity, it's safe to swim in the sea as stinger season has passed, and most importantly, it's whale season! This is a great time of year to plan a holiday to the Whitsundays, because it's quieter than the peak school holiday times, meaning you don't have to book everything as far in advance.
Take a look through our handy guide on the different seasons in the Whitsundays for more information.
How early should I book a peak season Whitsundays tour?
While there is no way to predict what tours will sell out, it's a safe bet that any tours departing during school and public holidays will book up much further in advance than any other time of year. If you are travelling during any holiday season it's important that you book as far in advance as you can. Ideally, that'd be at least a month ahead of your desired tour date.
How early should I book an off-peak Whitsundays tour?
Off-peak times tend to be a lot more lenient, and you can typically get away with booking your tour a little closer to the date. If you're lucky, sometimes trips can be booked up to the day before their departure - but we wouldn't recommend taking that risk! During off-peak seasons, we would recommend booking more popular tours at least a week or two in advance.
Which Whitsunday tours sell out first?
For the most accurate information on which Whitsunday tours are booking up during your desired dates, it's best to get in touch with one of our friendly local travel experts. They'll be able to check the most up-to-date booking numbers for your preferred tour and take the stress out of booking. But, generally speaking, it depends on whether you're interested in an overnight tour, a day tour, or a private charter.
Overnight tours usually sell out first
If you are booking last minute, it is likely most overnight boats will be completely booked out, particularly during peak season. This is especially true if guests want a private cabin or a catamaran tour, or a private charter. If this is the type of tour you desire, it is especially important to give yourself plenty of time to book.
Day tours can be booked last-minute
On the other hand, day trips can be a great last-minute option. Since most overnight boats will be booked (especially over holiday seasons), day trips offer guests the chance to experience the best of the Whitsundays even at short notice. Most offer snorkelling, time on Whitehaven Beach, island visits or even scuba diving. That being said, we really wouldn't advise showing up and trying to book a tour on the day you want to travel!
Whatever sort of tour you'd like to book, it's always best to be prepared. After all, this is the holiday of a lifetime! Make sure you make the most of it!
How far in advance should I book a flight?
Whether you're travelling domestically or internationally, a good rule of thumb is to book your flight at least 2-3 months ahead of time, when prices are a little lower. If you're researching your holiday further in advance, you also get to take advantage of some nifty tips and tricks to find cheaper flight prices, such as:
- Turning on alerts on platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak for when flight prices drop
- Sign up to airline newsletters to keep up to date with any sales or deals
- Look at flight prices during your destination's off peak season
- Research alternative nearby airports that you could fly to for less
The Whitsundays has two main airports; Proserpine Airport (PPP) and Hamilton Island Airport (HTI). Ahead of your visit, be sure to check the cost of flights to both airports to ensure you're getting the best deal.
