Travel data from Wotif.com has revealed Busselton is the top WA family destination these school holidays, with Margaret River not far behind.
Busselton lead Geraldton in the Mid West as the number one choice, with Albany third, Margaret River fourth and Cable Beach rounding out the top five.
Wotif travel expert Amanda Behre said there was strong family demand for Margaret River region holidays.
“With pristine beaches, fantastic facilities and friendly locals, you can’t go past a family getaway in Margaret River,” she said.
“Just three hours from the city, the region makes for a great road trip for families looking to stay local this year.
“There are plenty of events and activities to entertain the kids over the school holidays including watching the action at the Margaret River Pro and for the daring, the X-Adventure Triathlon in Dunsborough.”
The results are based on family accommodation demand for WA destinations on Wotif.com between April 9 2017 and April 9 2018 for travel dates from April 16 2018 to April 29 2018.
Other research from the site showed 78 per cent of Australian parents looked forward to the school holidays and 45 per cent of families often go away with their kids during the school holidays.
The survey found childhood vacations were once no-frills affairs, but 61 per cent of people reflect on these types of holidays with nostalgia.
Parents also admitted in the questionnaire to a few questionable hacks.
It showed 55 per cent have lied about their kid’s age in order to get a freebie while travelling, 22 per cent have snuck their kids into accommodation without paying for them, 63 per cent of parents would rather take their kids out of school to travel rather than wait for the expensive school holiday period, 38 per cent have chucked a sickie to take a few extra days off with the kids during the school holidays.
Plus 48 per cent have travelled interstate to avoid their own states school holidays, to try and beat the crowds and save some cash and 25 per cent have taken their family or kids with them on a business trip that happened to coincide with the school holidays.
Wotif Travel Expert and mother of two primary-school-aged children Amanda Behre offered words of wisdom to fellow travelling families.
“Our advice these school holidays, is to remember that in the eyes of a child, it’s the little things that count and families don’t need to break the budget or travel far to get away with the kids,” she said.
“Travelling domestically throughout Australia is such a rich learning experience for our kids and by going away as a family, kids get to explore a new setting and see, hear, taste, and touch things they would not usually find at home.”
