5 Australian Winter Adventures

In a country where temperatures can soar close to 50 degrees celsius during summer, it’s hard to believe that during winter, Australia, can transform into a winter wonderland. Australians are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying time off during winter and here are 5 activities you can enjoy in Australia when the weather starts getting chilly.

Skiing and Snowboarding at the Snowy Mountains

Although Australia may not be known for its snow, you can certainly find some great ski and snowboarding runs at Australia’s Snowy Mountains. The Snowy Mountains include some of the tallest peaks in Australia, including Mount Kosciuszko, Mount Townsend, Mount Twynam, and Rams Head.

There are multiple ski runs to choose from. If you’re newer to skiing, Selwyn Snowfields Resort is great for beginners and families. For the more advanced, Perisher Resort offers a greater selection in runs and skill levels. Some other popular resorts include Thredbo and Charlotte Pass. 

Blue Mountains Yulefest

In Australia, you don’t need to wait until December to experience Christmas. From June to August, countless people flow down to the Blue Mountains for the Yulefest. There you can get cosy around camp fires and enjoy roast dinners, Christmas sing-alongs and if you’re lucky enough, a white Christmas, in the middle of July.

You truly get a genuine Christmas experience at the Blue Mountains as people join in to sing carols around the piano in Leura, meet Santa and have a Christmas feast at the Katoomba guesthouse. No details are spared at the Christmas feast; there you’ll enjoy a five course meal, complete with stuffed turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, mince pies, mulled wine and steaming plum pudding.

Winter in Tasmania

Tasmania is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world and during winter it transforms into something magical.

If you take a flight down to Tasmania from mainland Australia, you’ll be able to ski in Ben Lomond National Park, enjoy the views of the snow-capped highlands of Cradle Mountain and celebrate the Winter Solstice with the local residents in Hobart.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to head to Cradle Mountain-Lake. There you can wander around for a few hours next to Dove Lake and then travel to the southern side of the park to lake St Clair, which is Tasmania’s deepest freshwater lake.

Enjoy A Warm Winter In North Queensland

If you’re not a fan of cold winters, then Queensland might be the destination for you. If you travel to North Queensland, you’ll be able to enjoy a tropical winter, surrounded by palm trees and warm oceans.

Off the coast of Queensland, you’ll be able to dive or snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef, sail to the Whitsunday islands or trek in the Daintree rainforest. Queensland has a lot to offer during winter as temperatures average 25 degrees celsius throughout the winter season.

Whale Watching In Bruny Island

Australia is one of the best places in the world to observe whales. The Southern Right and Humpback whales make their annual migration from both the west and east coasts of Australia from Antarctica to breed.

Starting,  April you can see Southern Right whales make their way to breeding waters off the shore in Victoria and South Australia, whilst Humpback whales travel north along the west and east coasts of Australia.

Bruny Island off the coast of Tasmania is the perfect place to observe these whales and if you are lucky enough, you might even spot other species of whale, such as the minkle and orca.

(Top Photo: Sunrise over Mount Jagungal by Jerry Nockles)