The days of searching for Easter eggs in the garden might be over, but there is no reason adults can’t go on another kind of treasure hunt. Make the most of the four-day weekend, hire a car and track down the best Easter escapes on the east coast – it’ll be more satisfying than chocolate!

Here are a few ideas to get you started. 

1. Sydney Royal Easter Show, New South Wales

Sydney is the place to go this Easter if you live for boisterous celebrations. The Sydney Royal Easter Show takes place from April 6-19 and is Australia’s largest ticketed event – around 900,000 people are expected to attend.

If you don’t mind the crowds, this is a fantastic way to celebrate Australian culture. A non-stop stream of agricultural competitions, animal encounters, carnival madness and live entertainment keep the city busy for two weeks straight. 

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Mar 26, 2016 at 6:40pm PDT

2. Byron Bay Bluesfest, New South Wales

Byron Bay is always a good idea, with its laid-back vibe and tranquil beaches. Over Easter weekend, things kick up a notch with the Bluesfest, a festival that is pure musical escapism.

This event sees more than 200 performances take place over seven stages. More than 100,000 people flock to Byron Bay for the event, but despite the large crowds it remains a fun, family-friendly event, true to Byron Bay’s chill nature.

In 2017, international acts such as The Lumineers, Mary J Blige, The Doobie Brothers and Bonnie Raitt will play for the crowds. 

3. Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, South Australia

Celebrate Easter in style in the heart of ‘blue-grass’ horseracing country. Just 25 minutes from Adelaide’s centre is the Oakbank Racing Club, set in the peaceful Adelaide Hills. The Easter Racing Carnival is the biggest annual event for the historic club, and a premier sporting and social event. 

The centre of the course transforms into a carnival, with animal petting, rides and facepainting for the kids. For the adults, there are premium food and drink stalls, the option of reserving private marquees and no shortage of champagne. Racegoers are encouraged to bring picnics, so tents and barbecues pop up all over the car park, adding to the high-energy atmosphere. 

Dress up in your finest clothes and get out the fascinators – this is a day you don’t want to miss. 

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Mar 4, 2016 at 12:20am PST

4. Rip Curl Pro 2017, New South Wales

Take a trip down to Bells Beach and check out the longest-running surf competition in the world. This competition holds a special place in surf history and is the place to see the world’s best surfers battle it out on the waves.

Even if you don’t surf, it’s worth sitting on the shore and marvelling at the grace, daring and skill of the surfers out on the water. Plus, Bells Beach is conveniently located along the Great Ocean Road, so this makes a handy place to stop before you continue further along the coast. 

5. Daintree Eco-lodge and Spa, Queensland

If the thought of Easter events bursting with people makes you wince, head for the wilderness instead – or the Daintree Eco-lodge, to be more specific. In this rainforest hideaway, you can sleep in an eco-friendly treehouse, with nothing but the jungle to see in every direction. The Wellness Spa on site is designed to help you unwind and rejuvenate.

You also get to leave the lodge with the feel-good knowledge that for every guest who stays, a tree is planted with Rainforest Rescue – so your Easter getaway is helping conserve the Daintree Rainforest. 

6. Adelaide International Kite Festival, South Australia

Easter is a great weekend for kids, but it can also be a great time to rediscover your inner child. What better way to do that than by flying a kite?

Join kite flyers from all over the world on Semaphore Beach over the long weekend and see the sky filled with colour as kites of all shapes and sizes dive in the breeze. The location of this festival is ideal for a relaxing weekend; after enjoying the autumn sunshine of Adelaide’s beaches, you can head back into town and enjoy the many museums and cafes in the area. 

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Apr 1, 2017 at 4:34pm PDT

7. Thalia Haven, Tasmania

You don’t have to go far for an island escape. Hop over to Tasmania and spend a few nights in Thalia Haven. Set on a private peninsula right by Great Oyster Bay, this lodge is the perfect marriage of Tasmania’s wild woodlands and crystal clear waters.

Staying in the ancient-stone cottages, you will have access to private beaches and serene olive-tree courtyards, but the main feature to look out for is the bathtub which gives you unrivalled views of the bay. This is the ultimate experience in luxury and relaxation. 

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Jan 10, 2016 at 6:12pm PST

Don’t wait for the Easter bunny to bring you eggs. Arrange a treat for yourself and plan a relaxing, exciting or fun weekend escape. Hop to it!

Easter Weekend is almost here whether you already have a hire car or are stuck for ideas what to do this long weekend look no further There starts here with East coast, this blog is chock full of great places to see this coming Easter weekend and even some great ideas for Snap & Win photo ops to help you potentially win $500 CASH!

Hobart

Whether its your first or 10th time visiting this island it never fails to take your breath away. Make the most of your Tasmania car hire by driving along the beautiful great eastern drive, not to be confused with the great ocean drive. The great eastern drive offers a little bit of something for everyone from pristine white sand beaches, relaxing towns filled with incredible history and national parks brimming with wildlife.

Melbourne

If you are looking to take on one of Australia’s most iconic road trips this Easter Weekend our Melbourne location is the perfect place to start! Named the most beautiful coastal drive in 2018; what better way to spend your long weekend other than sights seeing nature’s most beautiful wonders and there is plenty of restaurants and small towns along the way to enjoy and take some gorgeous photos perfect for our Snap & Win competition!

Sydney

If big road trips are not your thing and you are looking for something more relaxed a short drive from our Sydney location is the historic towns of Berrima and Bowral taking a total of 3hrs 20min as a round trip from Sydney. These two towns house some of the quaintest restaurants and historic Australian locations such as the Harpers Mansion and the Berrima courthouse the perfect location for those looking to relax and get a little education too.

Gold Coast

With the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast just a stone throws away from our Tugan office your Easter weekend can begin straight away. The gold coast has a variety of stunning places to visit from the beautiful waterfalls in Mnt Tamborine to the bustling city life of Surfers Paradise with exciting attractions such as Ripley’s believe or not.

Brisbane

Renting from our Brisbane location is perfect for those who prefer to stay in the city centre as Brisbane offers a great variety of activities with GOMA, the art museum, Brisbane theatre Brisbane’s own man-made beach all within walking distance to each other, you can spend your Easter weekend entertaining your inner child.

Cairns

Cairns is the ultimate adventure spot in Australia with the great barrier reef in our backyard. But if you are looking to do something a little different than snorkelling this Easter Cairns offers a variety of other water sports and incredible rainforests tracks and even a volcanic lake which you can spend your day relaxing surrounded by natures wonders; and the best part you can drive right up to the top no need for a hike.

Sunshine Coast

What better place to spend your long weekend than on the Sunshine coast, boasting beach ready weather almost all year round. There is no shortage of beach centric activities available to you from sailing across the photo ready pristine waters to relaxing at one of many fantastic beach side restaurants, the sunshine coast is the ultimate beach Easter getaway.