5 reasons to book a winter trip in Australia
It’s winter in Australia, but that doesn’t mean you have to head far in search of holiday fun.
1. Follow the sun
While it might be hard to imagine it as we’re freezing our fingers off down south, the average temperature in Far North Queensland at this time of year is a balmy 25 degrees. In fact, this region is actually better in winter than it is in summer – humidity is lower, it rarely rains and the waters are free of those nasty stingers. Choose from any of the Whitsunday Islands, Port Douglas, Palm Cove or Cairns for guaranteed winter fun in the sun.
2. Watch the wildflowers bloom
Western Australia is always warmer than the east coast, so it makes sense that spring starts earlier there too. The state’s famous wildflowers bloom from June to September each year, carpeting the landscape with more than 12,000 species. The season starts in the north near Broome and makes its way down the coast month by month. In July, the central region around Cape Range National Park comes to life and it’s also a great time to swim with huge whale sharks at nearby Ningaloo Reef. By September, the flowers around Perth and the southwest are in bloom with swathes of pink boronias and yellow buttercups.
3. Explore the red centre
The ideal time to visit our most famous natural landmark is during the cooler months from May to September. Winter in central Australia is truly glorious – bright sunny days, warm temperatures, minimal rain and chilly nights just made for rugging up by a campfire. Cooler weather also means you’ll be able to tackle some of the more challenging walks in the region, which are all but impossible in the heat of high summer.
4. Hit the snow
Rather than running from the cold, embrace it at one of Australia’s high country ski fields. A recent cold snap has put good snow cover on the ground in most resorts in New South Wales and Victoria, and there’s the perfect resort for every type of skier. Families should look at Mount Selwyn and more experienced groups can try the challenging terrain of Thredbo and Mount Hotham. Charlotte’s Pass and Falls Creek offer the true ski in/ski out experience while Mt Buller is close enough to Melbourne for a quick day trip.
5. Head south for the season
The cold and dark puts many people off visiting Tasmania in the winter, but the crisp, cold air and a dusting of snow brings a special magic to the beauty of the island. You can’t tackle any of the big, multi-day walks in winter so look for the shorter trails that will take you through the fairytale landscape and deposit you safely at a snug lodge when you’re finished. You can keep yourself warm with a nip of the world’s best whisky (distilled right here) or a glass of local pinot noir.
Have you been to any of the attactions on our list? Do you agree that they’re some of the best in Australia? Let us know in the comments.
Related links:
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Rare black-and-white photographs show how families holidayed 100 years ago
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