By Bec Milligan.
Easter is one of the best times of year to get away on a well-deserved break, whether you’re planning a family trip, a romantic getaway with your partner or a solo adventure.
The long weekend gives you a natural reason to switch off, and with the right Easter holiday destination, even four days (or two weeks if you’ve maximised your annual leave) can feel like a proper reset.
The hardest part? Choosing where to go.
Luckily, 1Cover has done the hard work for you and listed the best Easter holiday destinations below.
Easter will take place in April this year, with Good Friday falling on April 3, 2026 and Easter Monday falling on April 6, 2026, both of which are public holidays.
Whether you’ve got just those four days off or you’ve used some annual leave for a bigger break, you can visit some amazing places – both domestically and internationally.
Read on for our top picks.
Byron Bay at Easter is almost a rite of passage for Australians. The town comes alive with the world-famous Bluesfest running over the long weekend, drawing massive international acts; this year, Earth, Wind & Fire and the Counting Crows are a part of the lineup. But even if music festivals aren’t your thing, Byron delivers.
The beaches are stunning, the food scene is genuinely excellent, and the hinterland villages (like Bangalow and Mullumbimby) are worth a wander if you need to escape the crowds. Just book accommodation well in advance – Byron is one of the most popular Easter holiday destinations in the country and hotels, motels, and Airbnbs fill up extremely quickly.
Margaret River is the kind of place you go to once and spend years finding excuses to return. And Easter is a great time to visit – the vines are beginning to turn gold after the harvest season, the surf at Surfers Point and Prevelly is pumping, and the region’s cellar doors and providores are in full swing.
Not to mention, the arts scene is pretty impressive too; there are independent galleries and studios scattered throughout the area that are well worth exploring.
Hobart (and Tasmania in general) is seriously underrated as a holiday destination. The city is compact, walkable, and absolutely stacked with incredible food – the Salamanca Market on a Saturday morning is non-negotiable.
Other must-sees include MONA, one of Australia's most talked-about cultural experiences, and the rugged landscapes of the Tasman Peninsula, which are less than an hour’s drive away.
The Whitsundays is hard to oversell. The water is impossibly blue and the world-famous Whitehaven Beach is seriously much more beautiful in person.
Plus, Easter in Queensland sits right at the tail end of the dry season – meaning warm days, calm waters and barely a cloud in sight. And there’s plenty to do; you can island-hop, sail, snorkel or lie back on a sun lounger with a good book.
Few destinations are as well-loved by Aussies as Bali, and for good reason. A short flight from most major Australian cities, Bali offers a staggering amount of choice depending on your travel style.
Seminyak and Canggu are ideal if you want beach clubs, great coffee, and a lively social scene. Ubud is the spot if you’re after rice terraces, yoga retreats and some genuine cultural immersion. And for something quieter, the Bukit Peninsula or the island of Nusa Penida will absolutely blow your mind with their stunning views.
Plus, April is one of the better months to visit Bali as the rainy season starts to ease but it’s not yet peak tourist season.
Easter is a great time to visit Japan! Early April sits right at the tail end of cherry blossom season, so prepare to walk under beautiful clouds of pink blooms if you head to Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.
And if you’re heading to Japan for a family trip, there’s plenty to keep the kids busy. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are world-class, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is home to Super Nintendo World: a fully immersive Mario-themed zone that genuinely lives up to the hype. There’s also the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo for any Harry Potter fans in the family.
The United States was one of the most popular destinations Australians travelled to during the 2025 Easter holidays. And we understand why.
New York in spring is genuinely magical – Central Park is oh, so green and lush. And there’s an almost endless amount to do across the five boroughs, whether you're into art, food, Broadway, baseball or architecture.
San Francisco is another great place to visit in April. Between the Golden Gate Bridge, the clam chowder bowls at Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz and The Painted Ladies (we see you ‘Full House’ fans), you’ll never be short of something to do.
Pro tip: No matter where you’re heading this Easter, book early. The Easter long weekend is one of the busiest travel periods in the Australian calendar, and accommodation, flights and car hire all book out fast! Travel insurance is also essential – make sure you’re covered before you jet off.
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