8 of Australia’s best summer locations to escape to this year
Make the most of the season with these standout local getaways.
The Christmas holidays might be coming to a close, but there's still time to make the most of the warm weather by booking a last-minute summer trip.
In a country blessed with natural beauty, picking the perfect spot for a local escape is a difficult decision.
From white sandy beaches to vibrant lavender fields and unspoiled islands where you can explore the diversity of fauna and flora, these are some of the most exciting destinations for every kind of traveller. Here's to a neverending summer.
1. Yamba, NSW
Quiet beach town Yamba is beginning to get the recognition it deserves, thanks to a thriving dining scene. Likened to Byron Bay without the tourists, its waters are favoured not just by surfers but by dolphins and sea turtles, too. Explore ancient caves and rockpools along the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, before relaxing with a gin and tonic at Clarence Distillery. Then, check into The Surf, a vibrant five-star boutique hotel just steps from Main Beach.
2. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
A hub of biodiversity and now gin, this island off the coast of South Australia is packed full of surprises. Separated from the mainland by 15km of ocean, it’s a haven of unspoiled beauty to be explored at a peaceful pace. Take bird-watching tours, watch fur seals do battle on the beach and sip gin at Kangaroo Island Spirits.
3. Launceston, Tasmania
If you’re scouting for more than a spritz-on-the-beach kind of summer holiday, Tasmania could be the place. Between December and February, the state’s lavender fields bloom, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Visit Bridestowe Estate, just 45 minutes by car from Launceston, where you can walk through the fields, pick buds and lick a scoop of lavender-flavoured ice cream. Launceston is also home to Mona Foma, the summer iteration of notorious gallerist David Walsh’s Dark Mofo festival.
4. The Whitsundays, Queensland
This is a classic summer destination for good reason: it is packed with activities for the whole family. Visit the small, low-key town of Airlie Beach, or go straight to the energy and tourist buzz of Hamilton Island. Divers and snorkelers might be lucky enough to catch the annual coral spawning season in November and December, depending on the location. Dip below the water’s surface to watch this magical display of nature at its reproductive peak.
5. Jervis Bay, NSW
Slung on the eastern coastline, just a three-hour drive from Sydney, Jervis Bay has a reputation for pristine beaches and beautiful bushland. Lounge by the sea; take a hike through the flannel flowers and gum trees of Booderee National Park; amble through the cafes dotting coastal towns that ring the bay. While there’s no nightlife to speak of, a worthy substitute takes its place: on certain evenings, the area’s plankton becomes bioluminescent, emitting a bright blue-tinted glow as a result of a chemical reaction with algae. Imagine your luck to be there as the tide washes in, the shore hemmed in glitter.
6. Esperance, Western Australia
Situated in Cape Le Grand National Park, this beauty of a beach town is the picture-postcard, palm-fringed version of Australia. Kangaroos hop through the silken sand beaches, glass-clear waters are temperate and inviting, wildflowers grow nearby. It's worth booking a scenic flight over Middle Island to see the strikingly pink Lake Hillier. Nearby, Lucky Bay, on the Recherche archipelago, is said to have the whitest sand in the world. Time to make the assessment for yourself.
7. Lorne, Victoria
This beachside town draws thousands of punters from around the country each year to ring in the new year at the Falls Festival arts and music extravaganza, but away from the main stage it has just as much to offer. Against the backdrop of white sand and gently breaking waves, the town’s artistic community and small-town quirky energy is alive and thriving. Stop by Qdos Arts, a multidisciplinary space with exhibitions, a cafe and chic “treehouse” accommodation, or browse the shelves at In the Skies Art & Music.
8. Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
A seven-hour drive from Adelaide, the Eyre Peninsula makes up for its relative remoteness with teeming natural beauty, crystal-clear waters and oysters you can slurp straight from their shells. Coffin Bay has a reputation for growing some of the best in the country. Nearby, Port Lincoln is a koala-watching hub, while port town Whyalla gives an insight into the fishing history of the region. Travel to each corner of the triangular peninsula for the full perspective.
What is Australia's leading summer destination? Join us in the comments.