How To Spend An Aussie Summer If You Don't Like The Beach

Wave goodbye to hot sand and overcrowded beach parking – instead, check out these alternatives for having fun this summer.

Has your dislike of the beach got you feeling like the odd one out in summer? Sunburn and water rips aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out when the temperature rises.

It turns out there is plenty more to do in Australia this summer than lie on a towel.

See Top End waterfalls during Wet Season

Skip the Northern Territory’s winter high season and book yourself in for some spectacular sites all at once when you visit the Top End in summer. Rivers swollen by the monsoon season in beauty spots like Kakadu or Litchfield National Park mean some parts of the parks are inaccessible, but it does mean you get to see the waterfalls raging in all their glory. Book in to see them on a scenic flight, stat.

Swim right up to the Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park. (Image: Tourism NT)

Sit under the stars at an outdoor cinema

From perching on a chair on a rooftop to relaxing under a tree in a park, there are plenty of options come summertime to watch the big screen en plein air. Moonlight Cinema operates in most of the country’s state capitals, with the opportunity for BYO picnics on the grass, while in the CBD of Melbourne you can check out options like Rooftop Cinema at the Curtin House .

people sitting at an outdoor cinema — Spend your summer nights watching films under the stars.

Tick off as many of NSW ocean pools as you can

From pools dug out of rock by convict hands, to oh-so-Instagrammable Bondi pools, there are around a hundred ocean pools to discover in NSW alone.

swimming in Bondi Icebergs Pool, NSW — Bask in the infinity-edged glory at Bondi Icebergs Pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

They are simply brilliant for those who have a dislike of the open ocean – or simply the gritty feeling of sand everywhere – and a cherished part of any Australian coastal summer.

an aerial view of Cronulla Rock Pool in Cronulla — Cronulla Rock Pool is fronting the grandeur of the dreamy, turquoise waters. (Image: Destination NSW)

The famous BBBB – Bondi Icebergs Pool, Bermagui Blue Pool and Bronte Pool – are gorgeous places to start your ocean pool journey of discovery.

Bronte Pool at sunrise — Take a refreshing morning dip at Bronte Pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

Picnic at the night markets

As the temperature rises, the time for perusing favourite Australian delicacies moves to the cooler evening hours. In Melbourne, there is the Summer Night Market at the Queen Vic Markets , while in Adelaide, the famous Central Market is open till 9pm. Out west, Perth’s Twilight Food Market also has a massive array of global cuisines. No need to tell us twice…

a man shopping at Adelaide Central Market — Go shopping for fresh produce at Adelaide Central Market. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Party at MONA FOMA

While Dark Mofo might usually hog the spotlight (not in 2024, as it has been cancelled), its summertime variation, MONA FOMA is a must-do for cultural lovers Down Under.

Australia’s largest contemporary music festival, held by the Museum of New and Old Art , is hosted across Hobart and Launceston, with delights that include Faux Mo warehouse parties, odd and thought-provoking performance art, and local and international music acts.

two people facing each other with colourful lights as a backdrop at MONA FOMA — The bright lights at MONA FOMA make the perfect backdrop. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Feast on oysters and white wine

Australians arguably love seafood all year round. But slurping an oyster with a cold sauvignon blanc hits differently on a summer road trip.

Get Shucked oysters with a bottle of sauvignon blanc on Bruny Island — Freshly-plated oysters at Get Shucked with a chilled wine are the perfect pair. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Take a tour at Coffin Bay Oyster Farm in South Australia , drop by one of the many suppliers at Batemans Bay in NSW for a seasonal Sydney Rock Oyster, nab some Albany Rock Oysters for a picnic overlooking the magnificent Western Australian southern coastline, or do a drive through oyster pick up at Get Shucked on Bruny Island.

freshly picked oysters at Coffin Bay Oyster Farm in South Australia — Slurp oysters fresh from Coffin Bay Oyster Farm. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Hike to a waterhole

Love to swim, but hate the scorching sand and general lack of shade? Check out what water hole hikes you can do near you, instead. In the Blue Mountains, just an hour out of Sydney, the hike to the Glenbrook Gorge and kid-friendly Jelly Bean pool is perfect for a hot day.

Down in Launceston, you can take a dip in the Cataract Gorge Reserve after a walk, while an hour out of Melbourne, you can swim and hike at Werribee Gorge. You might even spot a resident platypus while wild swimming!

the crowded pool at Cataract Gorge — Soak up the natural scenery as you dip in the pool at Cataract Gorge. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Walk Tasmania’s Overland Track

Take advantage of mild, long days and a blessed lack of icy snow to do one of Tasmania’s most famous walks – the Overland Track. An alpine trek of 65km through Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area, walkers get to take in Tassie hard hitters like Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, as well as spot cuties like pademelons, wombats or a Tasmanian Devil (if you’re lucky).

Tasmania’s Overland Track at Mt Olympus — Traverse the scenic Overland Track. (Image: Blake Lisk – Pillar Creative)

This is one of the most popular times to do the trek, so make sure to book in advance . Want to find out more? We’ve lined up everything you need to know before you go on the Overland Trek, here.

panoramic views of Cradle Mountain's Peak at Overland Track, Barn Bluff — Take in panoramic views of Cradle Mountain. (Image: Matty Eaton)

Laugh at Adelaide Fringe Festival (then dance at WOMADelaide)

Down in South Australia, they don’t call it Mad March for nothing. Each year from mid-February to mid-March, the world’s second-largest Fringe festival (after Edinburgh, of course) comes back to wreak creative havoc over Adelaide – and this time will be no different.

crowds of people at the Adelaide Fringe Festival — Adelaide Fringe Festival is the world’s second-largest Fringe festival. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

Edgy explorations of digital immersive art, incredible pyrotechnics, comedy shows flooding out the Garden of Unearthly Delights, and general tomfoolery in hundreds of venues across the state will be capped off by the internationally-minded music festival of WOMAD(World Of Music Arts and Dance)elaide in the Botanic Gardens.

crowds of people participating WOMADelaide — Cap off your night watching electrifying performances at WOMADelaide. (Image: Jack Fenby)

Watch turtles hatch at Bundaberg

From November to March, a very special animal encounter can be had at Mon Repos, Queensland. It is here in Bundaberg that nesting marine and loggerhead turtles pull themselves up the sand, to lay their eggs between November and January. These then hatch out tiny baby turtles between January and March.

a tiny baby turtle walking at Mon Repos Turtle Centre — Mon Repos Turtle Centre facilitates annual turtle nesting and hatching tours. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

To watch either of these spectacular sights in person at the Mon Repos Conservation Park, you can book a park ranger tour (or join the waitlist). We’ve reviewed what it is like to visit at this magical time, here.

baby turtles heading to the shore at Mon Repos Turtle Centre — Cheer baby turtles as they head to the shore. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Have a game of Barefoot Bowls

Once considered an activity less cool than socks and sandals, a game of barefoot bowls is now an extremely acceptable way to spend a Saturday afternoon in summer (the jury is still out on the socks combo).

Clovelly Bowling and Recreation Club in Sydney has particularly gorgeous ocean views at the edge of a cliff, while down in Melbourne, St Kilda Sports Club might be one of the country’s oldest bowlos – but it still has vibes in spades. So what are you waiting for? Call your friends, grab a cheap pint and chuck away the shoes for an hour or two of fun in the sun.

friends having fun at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club — Go barefoot bowling for a fun outdoor activity. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

How to spend an Aussie summer if you don’t like the beach