The Best Australian Cities To Visit In Summer

The quintessential Australian outback is a sight to behold. Australia’s golden beaches are among the best in the world. But it would be a big mistake to overlook this country’s urban credentials. Here, the top Australian city breaks to help your summer sizzle.

Melbourne | Geelong | Hobart | Brisbane | Adelaide | Newcastle | Sydney | Perth

Melbourne, Vic

Yep, Melbourne gets top billing. Not only is Victoria’s capital an absolute must on any list of city breaks – Australian or otherwise – but after a turbulent battle with COVID-19 and its varying restrictions, Melbourne needs and deserves our support. So, let’s go!

Hosier Lane Melbourn — Explore the street art of Melbourne on Hosier Lane.

For the vibrant culture and destination dining; for the gritty laneways and sun-soaked rooftop bars; for the endless shopping and crammed events calendar; for the absolute love of this world-class city brought to a devastating standstill in 2020.

Lune Croissanterie Melbourne — Line up at Lune Croissanterie for one of their world-famous pastries.

Geelong, Vic

With its pretty-as-a-picture waterfront precinct as your backdrop, Geelong is a summertime treat. While Victoria’s second-largest city, Geelong has long been seen as a handy launch pad for the magical Great Ocean Road and Bellarine Peninsula, it’s also worth exploring in its own right.

The Geelong foreshore is a main attraction.

Visit the waterfront and learn about Geelong’s rich history with a stroll along the famous Bollard Trail . The city’s creativity shines elsewhere, too – there is the Waterfront Art Trail, galleries and museums, Geelong Performing Arts Centre and Melbourne-esque street art. And you certainly won’t go hungry. Little Mallop Street in particular is a hub of great eats and trendy bars, while Geelong is also home to one of Little Creatures’ two breweries . Stay on the water at Novotel Geelong or for architectural wow points, try The Warehouse Geelong or Devlin Apartments .

Little Creatures Brewery Geelong — Little Creatures Brewery is the perfect spot for a craft brew and pub feed.

Hobart, Tas

A charming waterfront, a strong sense of history and abundant natural beauty are among Hobart’s hallmarks, while the city’s culinary scene is a delicious celebration of local produce.

Hobart Waterfront — The serene Hobart waterfront is a sight to behold. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Kathryn-Leahy)

Fico , Dier Makr , Willing Bros Wine Merchants are a few faves, or find a spot to dine among the galleries, theatres and markets of Salamanca Place. Peacock and Jones is another gem, which you’ll find in the Henry Jones Art Hotel , a truly chic stay on the water.

Don’t miss the lively atmosphere at Salamanca Markets. (Image: Graham Freeman/Tourism Australia)

Fico Hobart — Fico is one of the many top-notch eateries to try in Hobart. (Image: Osborne Images)

Drink connoisseurs will be satiated by local craft beer and whisky. And what is a trip to Hobart without a visit to MONA? Love it or be perplexed by it, the Museum of Old and New Art is quirky at the very least.

Bed down at The Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart. (Image: The Henry Jones/Adam-Gibson)

Brisbane, Qld

Brisbane’s standing as a big country town is long gone. A hotel boom, burgeoning dining scene and growing events schedule has helped complete this coming of age story and now the River City is holding its own alongside the usual big-ticket capitals.

Walk down James Street in Brisbane. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Packed with cafes, restaurants, bars and event spaces, and alight with atmosphere, Brisbane’s new multi-million-dollar lifestyle precinct, Howard Smith Wharves , could deliver a magic itinerary on its own. Visit Felons Brewing Co., Mr Percival’s , Greca and Ciao Papi , and that’s just for starters.

Soak up the summer vibes at Felons Brewing Co.(Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Elsewhere, West End and Fortitude Valley are cultural hubs. Stay at The Calile, an Instagram-friendly subtropical oasis in the thick of Fortitude Valley, or one of the city’s two Ovolo hotels, Ovolo The Valley or Ovolo Inchcolm .

Mr Percival's on Howard Smith Wharves — Sip, relax and watch the sunset at Mr Percival’s on Howard Smith Wharves. (Image: Tourism & Events Queensland)

Adelaide, SA

The City of Churches isn’t as demure as the moniker might suggest, bursting with culture, flavour, world-class events, and an atmosphere that is only bolstered by those long summer days. Australia’s largest open-access arts festival, Adelaide Fringe (19 Feb – 21 March 2021), is a major summer drawcard while the Adelaide Central Market is a year-round attraction.

Tasting Australia Adelaide — Tasting Australia is just one of many world-class events to attend in Adelaide.

The city’s dining scene is hyped for a reason (put Osteria Oggi , Africola and Shobosho on your shortlist) and a visit to the beachside suburb of Glenelg is a must. You can also feel the sand between your toes at The Moseley Bar & Kitchen ’s Beach Club.

Feel the sand between your toes at The Moseley Bar & Kitchen’s Beach Club.

Newcastle, NSW

Newcastle has been steadily building its reputation as a serious big-city contender over the past decade or so. Just two hours from Sydney, the once working-class city is now home to smart cafes, pubs and bars, fantastic boutique shopping, and a vibrant creative scene, which has ‘cosmopolitan’ written all over it.

Newcastle streetscapes — Hit the pavement and explore the streetscapes of Newcastle. (Image: Destination NSW)

For all of the above, hit up the village vibes of the popular Darby Street precinct . Newcastle Memorial Walk along the clifftop is a beautiful spot to take in the summer rays. Continue enjoying those sweeping harbour views at Rydges Newcastle or set up in the thick of things at The Lucky Hotel.

Dine at Parry Street Garage in Newcastle West. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to eat in Newcastle — Newcastle boasts a vibrant dining scene. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sydney, NSW

A sparkling diamond, or emerald as it were, Sydney is quite simply an impossible omission on such a list. Omission Impossible, you might say.

Noahs Bondi Backpackers — Bondi is one of a handful of uber trendy suburbs in Sydney’s east. (Image: Destination NSW)

The icons hardly need introducing, but here we go: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Royal Botanic Garden, Darling Harbour.

Dine at Newtown's Continental Deli. — Head to the Inner West to dine at Newtown’s Continental Deli. (Image: Destination NSW)

Head to the centre of town and you can tick most of these off, but you could also spend your break in the grungier Inner West, the picturesque Northern Beaches, the trendy Eastern Suburbs and be spoilt for choice when it comes to first-rate dining, culture and events.

Bondi Icebergs Pool — Swim at the iconic Bondi Icebergs pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

Perth, WA

As far as summer playgrounds go, it’s hard to beat the Western Australian capital. The sand and surf blend effortlessly with the city’s urban energy, where restaurants, bars and creative arts thrive.

Elizabeth Quay in Perth — Perth is the ultimate summer playground. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

As far as beaches go, Cottesloe is the star and The Cottesloe Beach Hotel will sort you out with a crisp summer schooner.

Island Market at Trigg Beach has summer written all over it and, in Fremantle, you’ll find it easy to settle in at Bathers Beach House .

Perth's vibrant nightlife. — Make the most of Perth’s vibrant nightlife. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Fremantle is also a must: in addition to being packed with history, it’s a hub for eateries and bars. And don’t miss Kings Park and its splendid views. From Perth, both Rottnest Island and Swan Valley make for fab day trips.

Visit our Reclaim Summer hub for more ways to experience the best of summer.

It’s time to #ReclaimSummer, time to be better travellers, and time to find our joy again; share your summer with us by using the hashtag and tagging @AustTraveller on Instagram or Facebook .

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

The best city breaks in Australia this summer