Media release - 21^st March, 2013

NSW families spoilt for choice on vacation time

80% occupancy rates tipped for South Coast holiday market with homes in Mollymook, Milton and Ulladulla available from $200 a night for Easter
Byron Bay is booked solid for Easter due to the Blues Festival, and is expecting strong bookings for the school holiday break
An Easter Sunday concert from international singer Chris Isaak is expected to generate a surge in bookings in Thredbo, with studio apartments starting from $160 a night

The unique timing of Easter in 2013 means New South Wales families will have more vacation choice this autumn holiday season, according to Angus Raine, CEO, Raine & Horne.

“This year, Easter hasn’t fallen within the school holiday period, so families can take some time off at Easter or wait ten days for school holidays from the middle to the end of April.

“Taking a break at Easter is proving particularly attractive as workers only need to take a couple of days off, in addition to the public holidays,” adds Mr Raine.

On the South Coast of NSW, Raine & Horne Mollymook/Milton confirms that bookings for Easter 2013 are level pegging with the same period last year, with the annual Ulladulla Blessing of the Fleet proving a major attraction.

“We still have eight days to Easter, and based on past experience, we expect to achieve 80% occupancy rates by the Friday public holiday,” says Trish Whelan, Holiday Manager, Raine & Horne Mollymook/Milton.

Ms Whelan attributes the late rush for holiday homes to concerns about the weather outlook for Easter and the pervasiveness of travel websites such as lastminute.com.au.

“It is best to describe the weather as unseasonal and plenty of holiday makers are waiting for the short-range Easter forecasts,” says Ms Whelan.

“At the same time, travel websites such as lastminute.com.au are conditioning holidaymakers to make eleventh hour bookings, which usually mean we have a belated rush for holiday homes leading into Easter.”

To secure a holiday house in coastal hotspots such as Mollymook, Milton and Ulladulla, Ms Whelan advises holidaymakers they should expect to pay from $200 a night for a three bedroom property a few streets from the beach, up to $600 a night for a modern, architecturally designed home with water views.

For example, Raine & Horne Mollymook/Milton is letting 79 South Pacific Crescent, Ulladulla, a modern three-level cliff top residence, from $450 a night over the Easter break.

“This magnificent five bedroom house comes with a great deck, BBQ and outdoor setting and sleeps up to 12 people,” says Ms Whelan.

To secure this property contact Raine & Horne Mollymook/Milton on 02 4455 3800.

In famous Byron Bay, music fans are set to flock to the legendary Blues Festival, and as a consequence the far north coast town is booked solid for Easter.

Laura Dooley, Holiday Manager, Raine & Horne Byron Bay, contends that having two vacation breaks this autumn is working in favour of the town’s holiday home market.

“Splitting the holidays means that we expect a stronger April as we are getting more bookings later in the month,” says Ms Dooley.

“Byron Bay is always booked solid for the Blues Festival and as a consequence, non-music folk often miss out on an April visit.

“However this year holiday makers have two bites of the vacation cherry.”

That said, there is still accommodation available just outside Byron Bay for Easter, including a two bedroom villa at Koonyum Range Road, Mullumbimby. To book this property contact Raine & Horne Byron Bay on 02 6685 6588.

Alternatively, for holidaymakers seeking a house for the school vacation, Ms Dooley recommends 24 Childe Street, Byron Bay.

“This magnificent five bedroom home, perched on Belongil Beach, is renting for $3,900 a week through the school holidays,” says Ms Dooley.

Further south, and as a rule, Easter doesn’t attract a huge contingent of holidaymakers to the Snowy Mountains.

However, the world’s coolest crooner, Chris Isaak, is performing this Easter in Australia’s coolest holiday location, Thredbo, and as a consequence Toni Wheelhouse, Holiday Manager, Raine & Horne Thredbo, expects record high occupancy rates for the Easter break.

“However it still won’t be as busy as winter, with occupancy rates around 60% in Thredbo, and with the Isaak-inspired surge in bookings at Easter, we expect it to be quieter for the school holidays,” says Ms Wheelhouse.

For those considering an autumn break in Thredbo, Ms Wheelhouse advises that studio apartments start from $160 a night, while deluxe properties, such as the luxury three bedroom, three bathroom apartment at 2 Friday Drive, Thredbo, lease for $615 a night.

“This property, which sleeps six people, is exceptionally well-located and comes with mountain views,” says Ms Wheelhouse.

To secure a holiday home in Thredbo this Easter or for the school holidays, contact Raine & Horne Thredbo on 02 6457 6387.

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Angus Raine, CEO Raine & Horne, on 0409 920 697

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator on 02 9258 5400

Autumn holiday makers not placing all their eggs in the Easter basket