Autumn may be at the doorstep, but these activities will keep you in a summer state of mind.

Extending summer is all about capturing the feeling of the season. For some, that’s slowing down, kicking back and appreciating the simple luxuries of life. For others, summer is about getting out there and exploring the great outdoors. So whether you’re into sipping wine, slurping oysters or trekking on a multi-day adventure, here’s our list of ways to extend the feeling of an Aussie summer.

1. Take a dip in a hot spring on Victoria’s Bathing trail

Thanks to the deposits of heated mineral water beneath Gippsland, Victoria is about to become a mecca for wellness. The Great Victoria Bathing Trail is a new 900-kilometre route that connects geothermal pools, mineral springs and sea baths across Victoria’s south-east. Along the trail, you’ll find luxury establishments that boast elegant design features and upscale spa treatments, such as Alba Thermal Springs and Peninsula Hot Springs. However, you can also soak away your stresses in free-to-access places such as Eastern Beach Sea Baths. There are plenty of springs to discover along the trail, so hit the road and keep the temperature running hot post-summer with a rejuvenating thermal soak.

2. Relax at a Luxury Lodge in the Tropics

As summer dwindles, sun-chasers make a beeline for Tropical North Queensland (TNQ). From its emerald rainforests to its turquoise waters, the region stays vibrant and balmy year-round. If you’re looking to experience TNQ in comfort and style, there’s no better way to do so than at a luxury lodge. Luxury Lodges of Australia specialises in providing all-inclusive and immersive stays, complete with luxury accommodation, gourmet dining, activities and selected alcoholic beverages. Luxury Lodge destinations in TNQ include Lizard Island Resort, which sits a stone’s throw from deserted, powdery-white sand beaches; Mt Mulligan Lodge, which offers a taste of the outback with daily activities such as all-terrain vehicle touring; And Silky Oaks Lodge, sequestered in the shady foliage of the Daintree rainforest.

3. Sample fresh seafood on an oyster tour

Nothing encapsulates the taste of summer like fresh seafood. On an oyster tour, such as those run by Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, you’ll don waders before wallowing to a semi-submerged table. Here, you’ll shuck, slurp and sample briny bivalves plucked from the very waters you’re standing in. Other oyster tours include Coffin Bay Oyster Farm & Tasting Tours in SA’s Eyre Peninsula and Merimbula’s not-to-miss oyster trail in NSW’s Sapphire Coast.

4. Visit a favourite summer vacation spot out-of-season

Rekindle the nostalgia of a summer vacay by returning to a holiday favourite in the shoulder or off-season. Experience shorter queues, cheaper accommodation and a change of perspective by witnessing a tried-and-true vacation spot with a change of season. You might be surprised by what you find. Crisp days and colourful shades in autumn? Fields of wildflowers in the spring? Australian Traveller staff recently rounded up the holiday locations which ignite childhood memories. But if you don’t have a nostalgic destination that springs to mind, don’t fear – it’s never too late to start creating one.

5. Swim with whales on K’gari (Fraser Island)

Thanks to its tropical climate, the World Heritage-listed island of K’gari remains warm and temperate year-round. Not only do its wide white sand beaches and essential oil-infused lakes beckon visitors in all seasons, but the period between winter and spring is the perfect time to see humpback whales. You can take a whale-watching boat tour, but if you’re down for the adventure of a lifetime, you can swim with whales, too.

6. Chase waterfalls and swimming holes in the Top End

The end of summer coincides with the end of the wet season in the Top End. This means clear skies and hot days perfect for swimming. Litchfield National Park is where Darwin locals head for a dip, exploring the myriad water holes, rock pools and waterfalls. Cool off in Buley Rockhole or refresh at Wangi Falls, where you can swim right up to the waterfall.

During the dry season, UNESCO-listed Kakadu National Park opens for swimming, too. Here, you’ll witness some of the country’s most spectacular swimming spots, such as Maguk Gorge, which glistens emerald in the sunlight. It’s important to note that Kakadu is not swimmable year-round, due to croc surveys that need to be carried out before opening to the public. Always heed local advice and signage, and only swim in designated swimming areas.

7. Soak up the sunshine among the vines

Imbibe the sunshine via the sun-ripened grapes at a winery. Nothing screams ‘summer’ like a glass of sparkling, and lucky for us, Australia is home to some of the finest in the world. Pirie, hailing from Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, took out Trophy honours in the Sparkling category in the 2023 Global Fine Wine Challenge. We’ve got wine lovers covered with our guides to some of the country’s best wine regions, from the Tamar Valley to the Barossa (SA), Hunter Valley (NSW) and Yarra Valley (Vic).

8. Cruise the coast with Virgin Voyages

Whether you’re an early bird looking to spend your days immersed in the onboard fitness classes, or a night owl looking to dance the night away on one of Virgin Voyages’ infamous parties, a Virgin cruise has something to offer everyone. In 2024, Virgin Voyages is offering several domestic sailings, taking in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and more. Look out at the ocean, cocktail in hand as the ship traces the coast between the country’s most picturesque port cities.

9. Chase the heat exploring the country’s outback icons

Whether you’re planning your first visit to the outback or your fiftieth, there’s always something new to see and new perspectives to be gained. For instance, no visit to Uluru is complete without witnessing Wintjiri Wiru – a light show telling the ancient Mala story through 1000 choreographed drones and the voices of Anangu narrators. Wintjiri Wiru launched last year, providing invaluable cultural insight into the Indigenous Dreaming stories tied to the land.

10. Get off the beaten track in the outback

Don’t be fooled into thinking that travelling the outback entails a visit to a few key sites. This vast stretch of country is dotted with oft-overlooked gems, like the ancient landscape of WA’s Karijini that’s been carved out over billions of years, and the otherworldly landforms in NSW’s Mungo National Park, home to the world’s oldest ritual burial. The under-the-radar outback destinations are emerging icons full of beauty, history, culture and surprise.

11. Kick up the dust at an Outback Festival

As the temperature cools in the outback, the festival scene begins to heat up. This year sees the return of the Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster, which celebrates the Kimberley region through local art, music and cultural experiences. Art lovers will be delighted by the quirky Alice Springs Beanie Festival and those looking to learn more about Indigenous culture will find lots to absorb at Garma Festival. Whatever your taste, Australia’s outback festivals are certainly worth travelling for.

12. Traverse the country on The Ghan

Experience the romance of the railways and witness Australia via one of the world’s greatest passenger train journeys. At the end of summer, the schedule for The Ghan begins, which transports visitors through the sun-kissed heart of the country on its route between Darwin and Adelaide. The luxury train journey is complete with onboard accommodation, a bar, off-train experiences and all-inclusive fine dining, meaning passengers will embark on a culinary journey as well as a physical one.

13. Hike one of the great walks of Australia

A multi-day hike with Great Walks of Australia is on the bucket lists of many Aussies. Maybe you’ve dreamed of tracing the ocean on the Cape to Cape Track? Taking in the red hues of the outback along the Larapinta Trail? Or watching wildlife from the wetlands on the Murray River Walk? Autumn and spring offer temperate weather and optimum hiking conditions, meaning if you’ve had one of these dreamy hikes on your radar, post-summer is time to lace up your hiking boots and get out there. 2024 also sees the addition of a new trail to Great Walks of Australia’s offerings – the mesmerising Flinders Island Walking Adventure, taking in the scenery of the remote isle off the coast of Tasmania.

14. Opt for a walking tour of your local city

Walking tours are a great way to get outside and gain a new perspective of a city, especially when it’s the one you reside in. For example, many Sydneysiders would write off the Harbour Bridge climb as a ‘tourist’ activity. But few know about the Burrawa Aboriginal Climb Experience, which sheds invaluable First Nations perspective and history on the harbour and CBD district. In short, wherever you are, chances are there’s probably lots to learn about the place you call home.

15. Explore the High Country on horseback

Horse riding in Australia is synonymous with backcountry summers and old-world Australiana. Horseback is a unique way to see the landscape, whether you’re ambling down a beach or trotting through mountains. Horseback riding is accessible in most parts of Australia, but Victoria is a particular highlight for its trails and spectacular scenery. Snowy River Horse Tours offer High Country Horse riding, as well as Cattle Mustering and driving trips throughout the year.

16. Slow down on the Murray

The Murray region epitomises country hospitality. With a slew of farm stays, bucolic scenery and orchards dripping with fruit, visitors come here for a taste of life in the slow lane. There’s plenty on offer for the foodies, with riverside cafes and restaurants serving up local produce and wines. Spend the end of summer swimming, golfing or taking in the vistas as you cruise along The Murray in a vintage paddle steamer.

17. Chill out on a houseboat

Staying onboard a houseboat is the ultimate way to feel as if you’re living in an endless summer. While away your days by the water, taking in the curves of the river and the scenery flanking the banks. Kick back on retro houseboat Oh Buoy in Berowra Waters and spend a day pootling through the waterways in style. Or, stay moored in the luxe lodgings of Lilypad, anchored close to Palm Beach, NSW.

18. Enjoy a drink with a view

Nothing accompanies a tipple better than a postcard-perfect view. Thankfully, Australia has no shortage of picturesque places to enjoy a pint, from rooftop bars to coastal pubs. Find a place to sit and raise a toast to an endless summer, whether that means soaking up as much sunshine as possible in autumn, adventuring somewhere new, or simply living life in the slow lane and taking pleasure in the simple things.