Great Australian Winter Holiday Destinations

North Queensland Daintree Rainforest

When you think of holidays in Australia, you tend to think of sun, sand and hot weather, but there are also many places to visit to have a great winter holiday. Whether you escape the winter in the south and head for far North Queensland, or if you brave the cold of the ski resorts, there is plenty of fantastic accommodation available.

Central Australia

Summer is not the best time to head into the centre of Australia because of the extreme temperatures and the flies are particularly bad at this time of year. It is much better to visit during winter when it is not as hot. The days are still sunny and warm, although make sure you are prepared for the cold nights. Visit Uluru and witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets, see The Olgas and Kings Canyon, and do not miss the Sounds of Silence dinner, where you dine out in the desert on Australian bush food and marvel at one of the best view of the stars anywhere in the world.

North Queensland

For those wanting to escape the cold a trip to far North Queensland is a great idea. The weather is warm and you can still go swimming. You will also miss the wet season of summer where the region experiences torrential rain and high humidity, and you avoid the dangerous Box Jellyfish that are found in the waters between November and April. Spend your time lazing on the beach, take a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef, drive up to the Daintree Rainforest where you can take a riverboat cruise and see crocodiles in their natural environment. There are beautiful resorts, hotels and other accommodation available all the way up the coast with plenty to see and do.

The Snow

For a fun winter holiday, visit the snowfields in the Alps of Victoria or the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales. There are ski resorts on the mountains, or you can find plenty of accommodation at the base of the mountains and drive up each day. Take some skiing or snowboarding lessons, go tobogganing with the kids, and then later snuggle up next to a warm fire in your resort. The snow season official runs from mid June to the end of October.

Melbourne

Central-Australia

Melbourne has fantastic shopping, with the big department stores, but also exciting lane ways and alleys where beautiful shops are just waiting to be found. There are galleries, exhibitions, the museum and the Melbourne Aquarium, and there is always something on at the theatre. The Botanical Gardens are worth a visit, and then head down to St Kilda on the foreshore for more shopping and lunch at a great cafe.

Wine regions

For a relaxing winter holiday head to one of Australia is many wine regions. Margaret River, located south of Perth, is a popular holiday spot, with great wine and spectacular surf beaches. There are many restaurants and cafes as the area is also famous for its locally produced gourmet food. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is the home to around ninety different vineyards and some of Australia's most well known labels come from this region. Relax at a quiet bed and breakfast or stay in a luxury hotel. The Hunter Valley in New South Wales attracts many tourists and is a beautiful region for a quiet winter holiday, with plenty of activities for the whole family.