Escape the cold and find the nearest beach with plenty of sun and sand. Or do the complete opposite and embrace every inch of the chill and lap up all that winter has to offer.

It’s no surprise that as the thermometer starts to plunge, most of us chase the sunshine up north with Queensland typically shining as the most popular state over the winter months.

But with the cost-of-living pinch having an impact on where and how people are choosing to holiday (if at all) a few less frequented spots are set to shine this year.

In a new travel trend forecast commissioned by travel booking platforms, Expedia and Wotif, local getaways like Bendigo, Torquay, Bathurst and Tamworth are set to boom this winter and July school holiday season.

The research, released on Wednesday, revealed some of the ‘best value’ destinations for under $200 per night, with a surprising spot in NSW taking out the top spot.

According to the research, Tamworth in NSW – with an average nightly stay of around $135 – is tipped to be one of the most popular this winter, followed by St Kilda in Victoria, Bathurst, Launceston in Tasmania, Echura in Victoria and Toowoomba in Queensland.

Rounding out the top 10 cheap stays include Orange, Bendigo, Torquay and Nelson Bay on the NSW north coast.

Tamworth, home to the famous country musical festival each and every year, also pack a punch in the food and beverage scene.

Some of the top picks include The Pig and Tinder Box — one of the first pubs in the New England region, serving modern Australian fare with Asian overtones. Next, there’s the Spilt Milk Bar with more gelato flavours than you’ll have room for. And if you’re after something more substantial – but great value for money – Burger Bulls is the place to be, where fillings range from beef, chicken and lamb to vegetarian and vegan, plus specialty burgers for the kids.

Speaking to the research, Sarah King, Expedia Travel Expert, said this year more than ever families will be hunting for a cheap deal given the growing cost-of-living pressures gripping households around the country.

“The good news is it’s not too late for savvy travellers to book a last-minute school holiday trip. However, if you want a chance of getting the best value deal, flexibility is key, and working around the busiest travel days can offer cost and time savings,” she explained.

“Another tip is to consider destinations beyond the usual hot spots, with Wotif data showing that local getaways like Bendigo, Orange and Toowoomba offer particularly good value this July school holiday period. A road trip to a regional Australian town is a great way to have a holiday which doesn’t break the budget and often offers unmatched local hospitality, cuisine and family friendly experiences”.

Ms King said when it comes to travelling these school holidays, the cheapest day to travel domestically is usually a Monday which the best day to beat the crowds is typically on a Tuesday.

Earlier this year, the Tourism and Transport Forum revealed that with cost-of-living pressures putting immense strain on household budgets, more and more Australians will turn to holidaying within their own state throughout 2024.

Across the Autumn holiday period, according to the survey released in March — 70 per cent of respondents went on a holiday in April, including 41 per cent within their own state.

In terms of spend, belts are tight with most holidaying for seven days or less and planning to spend less than $2000.