Australia’s best summer activities

Australian summers aren’t for the faint-hearted. Months on end of endless heat, only broken with the occasional summer storm.

Banana Boat

Australian summers aren’t for the faint-hearted. Months on end of endless heat, only broken with the occasional summer storm.

Australian summers aren’t for the faint-hearted. Months on end of endless heat, only broken with the occasional summer storm.

But you don’t have to keep the family inside all summer to keep everyone safe. There are plenty of ways to enjoy our beautiful outdoors, while keeping away from the damage the harsh conditions can cause.

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT

Make sure your family is well stocked in long-sleeve swimwear, hats, polarised sunglasses, portable shade options and plenty of sunscreen. Be sure to use a sunscreen which is tested for 4 hour water resistance and provides Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF50+ protection. Also, It’s a good idea to have a variety of sunscreen bottles on hand  —  maybe keep one in a beach bag, and one in an everyday bag, as well as a bottle for home. You don’t want to be caught out.

Professor Robyn Lucas, head of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at ANU, says even with good intentions, many Australians simply weren’t using sunscreen correctly, and ended up being caught out.

“If you’re going to be out for more than 10 minutes, you need to apply sunscreen (at least 20 minutes before you leave the house),” she says.

Prof Lucas says that’s a much more effective way to provide protection, as the reality is most Australians don’t use as much sunscreen as they need.

Another thing everyone needs in summer is the correct clothing, hat and sunnies.

Professor Lucas says covering yourself in loose natural clothing will be most comfortable, and a tight weave fabric will help provide protection from UV rays.

Always make sure you use the correct amount of sunscreen which is one teaspoon per limb, which is about seven teaspoons in total. Once you’re covered, you’re ready to head out and enjoy our beautiful outdoors.

A DAY AT THE BEACH

It’s what Australian summer memories are made of: Long days in the hot sand at one of our beautiful beaches. But it’s best to pick your times; try and stay out of the direct sun between 10am and 3pm. Maybe go early and come back again in the late afternoon if you really want to make the most of your beach time and lessen the chance of getting burned.

Prof Lucas said many Australians don’t understand the UV index, which in terms of sun exposure is much more critical than the actual temperature. The UV is highest at polar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky (that’s different in each state depending on daylight savings). “At that time of day you can get burned in a matter of minutes,” she says.

Outside that time though, you can get burned, so even if you’re at the beach in the early morning or the late afternoon, make sure you’re covered in sunscreen and stay in the shade if you can.

While splashing about in the surf or building sandcastles with the kids all day is no doubt a brilliant way to spend time with the family, there are added risks at the beach in terms of sun protection. Not only are you at risk from the direct sun, but you’ve got the ocean water and sand rubbing on your skin too, so it’s important to reapply immediately after swimming or using a towel.

HEADING TO THE LOCAL POOL

If you live a long way from the beach, heading to your local pool can be a great way to cool down on a hot day. Bring your goggles, a towel, and plenty of sunscreen. Prof Lucas says while sunscreen will help protect your skin while you’re swimming, you still need to be sun smart.

“UV rays bounce off water, concrete and grass, so even if you have a hat on, you could be getting burned indirectly from rays.” She suggests applying sunscreen before you leave, and continually reapplying after towel drying, being careful not to miss a spot. “You want to avoid getting that bad sunscreen mark where people have clearly just reached over their shoulder and not rubbed it into their back!”

SPORTS DAY

Whether you’ve arranged a game of backyard cricket, challenged the kids to mini golf, or even treated your family to tickets for one of our huge sporting events this summer, one thing is likely: it will be hot. The surface temperature on centre court at the Australian Open this year reportedly reached 69 degrees. Celsius. If you’re not able to be in the shade, you’re going to be extremely hot, very quickly. Sunscreen is a must, and reapply regularly. You’re likely to sweat a lot, so you’ll need to apply even more often than the recommended two hours. Keep drinking lots of fluid, and take regular breaks in the shade.

WATER PISTOL BATTLE

A really fun way to keep the family cool, and maybe involve the neighbours is a water pistol battle. Kids of all ages (and yes, the parents) can run around and earn that ice cream they’re sure to enjoy later. If you can, try and keep everyone in the shade as much as possible, and remember, that if you towel off after the battle, you’ll need to reapply your sunscreen.

FAMILY PICNIC

A great activity for the whole family is packing up a lunch, a picnic rug, a frisbee and maybe even some totem tennis, and head out to a picnic spot you’ve never enjoyed. Do a bit of research first: the internet is your friend. You can find out whether the area has tables, toilet facilities, a playground, shade, or has good access for people with limited mobility. If you’re keen to explore a new area and know nothing about it, play around with the map application on your phone. Picnic areas, or places with a view are often marked on a map. You’ll know how far it is to get there, and can then start researching where you want to explore on this day.

COASTAL WALK

Australia’s coastline is sublime. And whether you’re in a city like Sydney or regional area, there’s stunning coastal walks to enjoy — with many shorter ones suitable for even really young kids. It’s a great way to see part of our country that you’ve never explored. But be prepared to bring everything with you, such as lots of water, insect repellent and sunscreen. You’re likely to be a long way from a shop, and you don’t want to be caught out.

EXPLORING A NEW PLAYGROUND

If your kids are a bit bored by the local swings, get online and start researching other local playgrounds. Many are designed to cater to different ages, people with disabilities, and provide facilities such as barbecues or cafes on site. It’s a good chance to see a part of your city you haven’t explored and will give the kids a chance to push themselves on challenging new equipment.

Bottom line: You want to enjoy the great outdoors this summer you’re sure to encounter some pretty harsh weather elements. If you’re prepared, you’re sure to have fun.