Winter in Oz

Things to do in Australia during winter

Monday, 05, Jul 2010 10:24

Whether you're backpacking with your mates, or a family just itching to get away to a far flung land, there are so many things to do visiting Australia during winter.

Australian winter time runs from June to August and this is the best time of year to find cheap flights to Australia. Outside of the Australia school holidays (July 3rd to 18th this year), the choice of accommodation is also much wider and far less expensive.

Sun fanatic? Going down under in winter needn't be a choice between a winter and summer holiday, as you can enjoy both the snow and the sun at the same time.

Take a look at Austravel's top five places to visit and see if it doesn't convince you to visit Oz in winter:

1. Queensland

With 13 different regions waiting to be explored, Australia's second largest state should be first on your list. Known as the sunshine state, as a sizable proportion is in the tropics, you can expect an average maximum temperature of about 20 degrees.

With so many stunning natural spots and a laid-back vibe, Queensland attracts a real mixture of travellers and holidaymakers. There's something for everyone, from the Great Barrier Reef islands to the lush rainforest or rugged outback.

2. Skiing in New South Wales or Victoria

If you're a ski or snow boarding enthusiast, head to the mountains in New South Wales. Amongst the fantastic scenery there is skiable terrain in popular resorts such as Thredbo, Perisher Blue, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn.

The Australian ski season traditionally starts on the Queen's birthday holiday weekend in June and ends on Labour day weekend in October. There are also many snowfields in Victoria's alpine regions, so depending on where you're flying into, you may want to ski in Victoria which is closer to Melbourne, or New South Wales which is closer to Sydney.

3. Bush Walk in Tasmania

If you'd rather stroll than ski, visit Cradle Mountain in Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania. Exploring the Enchanted Walk is suitable for all age groups and takes you along a cascading river through the magical old-growth rainforest. The Overland Track is a renowned bush walk which takes around a week to complete, however, in winter it can be a bit risky and is best left to hardcore explorers.

There are many other shorter walks in the wilderness which will be beautifully bejewelled in winter. These walks are less demanding and perfect for novice walkers wishing to take in the breathtaking scenery. At the foot of Cradle Mountain is the stunning, shimmering Lake Dove, which is another relaxing walk, taking just a few hours to explore.

Tasmania's overland track (photo: Tourism Tasmania & Stuart Crossett)

4. Mid Winter Festival

While you're in Tasmania you must see The Antarctic Mid-Winter Festival which is held each June and is a 10 day celebration of Tasmania's rugged natural beauty. The festival draws more than 40,000 people with activities such as dog sledding, ice carving and Antarctic films.

Don't miss out on the beautiful candlelit parade which kick starts the festival and marks the mid-winter solstice and countdown to spring.

Tasmania's Lumina Festival (photo: Tourism Tasmania & Stuart Crossett)

5. Bungle Bungles

If you're looking for sensational scenery, then a visit to Purnululu National Park (and the Bungle Bungle range) should be your first stop. One of Australia's most fascinating and geographically remarkable landmarks, the Bungles is an amazing landscape of beehive-shaped sandstone formations which has taken millions of years to form.

One of the best ways to take in the grand scale of this landscape from above is by plane, although exploring by foot or four-wheel drive are great cheaper alternatives. You can also camp within the national park.

Now if all that's got you inspired, visit the Austravel website to discover more about a once in a lifetime trip down under.

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