One of the great things about Australia is you can travel just about anywhere around the country in just a few short hours. Add to that the fact that you can enjoy a holiday all year round and still have a choice whether you want a beach or mountain escape! Pack your bags, these are the best 15 winter getaways in Australia for 2024.
Interestingly enough, new data from Airbnb confirms that the most popular holiday destinations in Australia between June and August is the Gold Coast, Cairns, Noosa and the Sunshine Coast. However, according to Airbnb’s research, more traditional winter destinations in Australia have also made the cut, such as Melbourne and Hobart.
The Best 15 Winter Getaways in Australia for 2024
1. The Whitsundays, QLD
The Whitsundays is not an area shy of impressive beachscapes. The neon turquoise waters and white sandbars make it easily one of the most beautiful destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. Understandably, due to its popularity it is also busy year-round. The Whitsundays makes a great winter getaway in Australia as a visit between June and November, you can avoid peak stinger season as well as the sticky heat and frequent showers that occur in summer in Tropical North Queensland. Not only that, but the average water temperature in winter is still a highly agreeable 22.4°C.
2. Gold Coast, QLD
The Gold Coast makes a great destination for a winter getaway in Australia due to the year round warm weather. Temperatures between May-September are quite mild and at the most would require a cardigan at night. Not to mention being a fantastic time for whale spotting! The Gold Coast is also home to some of the best entertainment, adventure and experiences. If you can tear yourself away from the stunning beaches, a plethora of activities, top notch cafes and restaurants await you.
3. Melbourne, Victoria
While Melbourne may tempt you to while away your days sipping coffee in its famed laneways or being horizontal in its beautiful parks, this vibrant city has so much more to offer. Melbourne is a city that keeps you constantly engaged. Discover hidden bars down narrow alleys or escape the city grind and take a road trip to the Twelve Apostles.
4. Sydney, NSW
Beyond its stunning harbour views and world-renowned landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Sydney offers a melting pot of possibility for all kinds of escapes for your winter getaway in Australia.
Whether you want to explore the great outdoors on foot with a beautiful coastal hike, beach hop from Maroubra to Manly, enjoy world-class dining at the endless trendy restaurants and cafés, or delve into the picturesque views and gorgeous hikes of the Blue Mountains, Sydney has it all. Sydney promises an unforgettable blend of relaxation and adventure for every visitor.
5. Brisbane, QLD:
Wedged between the ocean and rugged national parks, the buzzing cosmopolitan city of Brisbane offers much to explore. Whether you want to delve into the latest art collection at the Gallery of Modern Art, sample the delightful flavours of Fish Lane, or simply soak up the city’s stunning riverside views, Queensland’s capital is a weekend destination to get excited about for your winter getaway in Australia.
If you need a break from the city, then why not take a quick trip to Tamborine Mountain or the Glass House Mountains!
6. Thredbo, NSW
Home to Australia’s longest ski runs, highest restaurant and highest ‘lifted’ point (where you can even ring a community bell to mark your arrival) Thredbo has some incredibly amazing features. Thredbo is a year-round destination that offers the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a snow bunny chasing thrills on the slopes or a nature lover seeking solace amidst the alpine scenery, this picturesque village offers a wide range of activities that will keep you entertained and engaged from start to finish.
7. Tasmania
Tasmania is absolutely gorgeous and makes a great destination for a getaway in Australia almost anytime of the year! A flourishing food scene, picturesque landscapes and mountains with no shortage of things to do, Tasmania has stolen my heart for sure. The island state also offers the chance to spy Aurora Australis (the Southern Lights) fleeting through the steely night skies, and to wander through snow-dusted scenery.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the Bucket List things to do in Tasmania when you visit!
8. Uluru, NT
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a wonder to behold at any time of year. But winter and spring promise tolerable heat (between 20°C and 30°C) and minimal flies, making it easily the best time to visit. A perfect opportunity for a winter getaway in the heart of Australia where you can immerse yourself in the history of Aboriginal culture and marvel at the great monolith rock of Uluru and the deep valleys of Kata Tjuta.
9. Blue Mountains, NSW
The Blue Mountains is a perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and is only about a 90 minute drive from central Sydney. The scenic drives, stunning landscapes, infinite hiking trails, captivating views and picturesque waterfalls are just some of the reasons why you need to book a winter getaway to the Blue Mountains ASAP!
10. Kakadu, NT
Kakadu is a magical place. The expansive national park is one of Australia’s largest and arguably most important, being at the core of the oldest living culture on earth. The UNESCO World Heritage Listed national park is home to some of the country’s best Aboriginal rock art, most diverse flora and fauna and some staggeringly beautiful landscapes. Most people tend to visit Kakadu National Park in the dry season which runs in between the months of May to October, as this tends to be the high tourist season for all of Northern Territory. During this time the weather is pretty predictable with clear skies and warm weather every day, with temperatures generally around 30 degrees making it a perfect option for a winter getaway in Australia without the cold temperatures!
11. Perth, WA
Dominated by white sand beaches and dramatic orange coastline, home to some of the country’s best wine regions and most unique animals, and yet still delightfully under the radar, Perth will absolutely blow your mind and leave you wanting more.
12. Orange, NSW
Orange, NSW is home to countless 5 star wineries, a thriving food scene and picturesque country scenery you would think you’ve fallen into a painting! With hundreds of historical sites, wine trails, dining experiences and natural wonders to choose from it can be hard to know where to begin when planning your visit to the Orange NSW region.
13. Darwin, NT
Imagine swimming under tumbling waterfalls, scrambling to the top of rocky escarpments to watch the golden sunset, and gazing at some of the most impressive Aboriginal rock art in Australia. This is the Northern Territory’s Top End. The tropical top half of the Northern Territory comes alive in the dry season, with an incredible variety of things to do in Darwin and Katherine.
14. Broome, WA
Winter, but not as Southern Australians know it: Broome averages highs of around 29°C in June, July and August, making it the perfect spot for a winter sun getaway in Australia. And visiting between May and October also means you’ll avoid the jellies and the tropical downpours.
Time your visit right, and you can even witness the natural phenomenon ‘Staircase to the Moon’, which occurs between March and October when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay.
15. Sunshine Coast, QLD
In all its sun-kissed glory, Queensland’s very own Sunshine Coast is nothing short of paradise. From Noosa to Maroochydore to Mooloolaba, the string of beachside towns and lush hinterland is an outdoor lover’s dream, and it all caters well to the throngs of tourists that grace its shores year-round. Nearby is the gorgeous Sunshine Coast Hinterland and the well known picturesque Glass House Mountains.
BONUS 16. Tangalooma, QLD
Who knew that only a short ferry ride from Brisbane you’re able to visit paradise at Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island! Moreton Island experiences a subtropical climate with warm days throughout the year. Autumn and Winter is one of the best times to visit, as blue skies are common and water temperatures are great for swimming and snorkelling.
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As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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- The Perfect Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
- The Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List
- A Taste of Africa at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo
- Tips on Visiting the 12 Apostles
- These Photos Prove Why You Should Visit the Yarra Valley
