"People are planning on going to hidden lakes and socially distancing themselves while jumping into a river of sorts. A lot of people are trying to see what the common place to go is. It sounds like it's almost going to be the schoolies beach parties,but with tents and campfires."

Some students are turning to Airbnb to find getaway homes for small groups of friends,although the booking service has banned all parties and events.

"Our message to everyone using our platform could not be clearer;parties are strictly forbidden on Airbnb,"said Derek Nolan,its Australian head of public policy.

Mr Phipps said restrictions meant students won't have"much other choice than to just hold low-key gatherings with their friends if they want to rent away somewhere".

But there are still ways to celebrate creatively."For those staying home there'll be house parties and events like fridge-to-fridge where they do a'pub crawl'walking from house to house in a suburb dressed up in costumes with drinks,snacks,music and games at each house,"he said.

Going bush

Regional mayors have warned schoolies will need to obey public health orders and COVID-safe guidelines,but some are welcoming the potential for tourism expenditure.

Byron Bay,always a popular schoolies destination,remains open for year 12sto spend a relaxed week with their friends,while nearby Ballina Shire mayor David Wright said any visitors would help the local economy.

"If young people are searching for a low key holiday destination that offers stunning beaches and a good mix of accommodation options,then we are a great destination,"he said.

The Eurobodalla local government area on the south coast -where tourism was hit hard by summer bushfires and border closures - is also open for schoolies business.

"[We] welcome all visitors,including people celebrating schoolies week,"Mayor Liz Innes said."There are plenty of reasons to visit - we've got 83 magnificent beaches,and plenty of space where you can be socially distant.

"We ask visitors to please remember we have been through a tough time in the past 12 months. We hope visitors will love the area as much as we do and treat it with the respect it deserves."

The Central Coast council,which covers smaller schoolies spots like Terrigal,reminded students to practice social distancing and strict hygiene."Any young people who are engaging in'schoolies'activities need to ensure they equip themselves with the information needed to be as safe as possible,"a spokesperson said.

However,other regions warned they may not cope with an influx of young tourists from the city. In the Tweed Shire,just north of Byron,mayor Katie Milne said a third of residents were over 60 and vulnerable to the virus."Council has never called for schoolies to come to Tweed and we certainly won't be this year,"she said.

Nambucca Valley Council mayor Rhonda Hoban also said she"would ask that everyone abide by the NSW Health advice and avoid travel that is not essential".

Port Macquarie mayor Peta Pinson said she was feeling for all the school-leavers who had looked forward to their rites of passage.

"Small groups at this time are welcome,"she said."Our caravan parks and national park campgrounds are on offer,along with our usual motels and B&Bs where a more chilled experience is waiting for anyone visiting us from another low transmission area,school leavers or not.

Booking headaches

Students who have already booked their schoolies getaways through agents have the additional burden of navigating refunds and postponed trips.

Brigidine College Randwick student Grace Robbie organised her group's schoolies trip to Fiji through Unleashed Travel,and hoped it would be swapped for an alternative NSW location when borders closed.

But the girls were upset last week when they learnt their money would be held until international travel resumed - potentially as far away as December next year.

In an email to students,Unleashed Travel managing director Jot Lynas said students deserved to celebrate schoolies in their preferred destination,with the company offering a $200 discount.

"Fiji Grad Trip is a once in a lifetime experience,something you can never repeat,"he said."We have scheduled multiple tentative dates around University and TAFE holidays in April,June/July and December 2021."

That hasn't appeased all school-leavers."Some girls think it's a bit of a waste,celebrations aren't appropriate when we've started uni,made other friends and you've lost your connection to high school,"said Grace.

"[But] we're all in the same boat at the end. Everyone has to deal with this."

More than 1000 Queensland students have also petitioned booking agent Schoolies.com to give refunds on Gold Coast accommodation deposits,since parties are cancelled.

Chief executive Matt Lloyd said Schoolies.com was working with accommodation providers to implement COVID Safe plans,and negotiating special deals with local tour providers.

"Those who are unable to travel to their chosen destination due to government restrictions will be offered the opportunity to postpone their stay,switch to a local accommodation provider or request a credit note or refund,"he said.