The best Australian places to visit in the off-season

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
hero media
Discover why the off-season rivals summer as the best time to explore Australia.

If Australia were represented as a season, it would be summer. Hot, balmy days are what the world knows us for. But we know better. We know that in the off-season, some of the real Australian magic happens. Here are some of our favourite things that only happen when the weather starts to cool and the crowds start to thin out.

1. Experience a Tasmanian winter

It’s only right to start with a state whose entire marketing campaign is centred around the off-season. Tasmania really does know how to embrace chillier days. Spend every day staying warm by the fire with Tassie’s famed wine and produce (winter is truffle hunting season, after all). Join the cold plunge craze and take a dip in the ocean. Or, join one of the most renowned winter festivals, Dark Mofo, which is back in 2025.

dark mofo in tasmania
Book a ticket for the grand return of Dark Mofo. (Image: Adam Gibson)

2. See turtles hatching in Queensland

With eggs being laid in the summer heat between November and January, autumn becomes the perfect time to catch little hatchlings as they make a dash for the roaring ocean. There are many places along the coastline where this occurs, but visit Lady Elliot Island, Heron Island or Mon Repos Beach for the most immersive and turtle-friendly experiences.

a hatching turtle scuttle towards the ocean Mon Repos Turtle Centre
Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to spot these cuties. (Image: TEQ)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

3. Head to the outback

Unlike along Australia’s coast, the outback maintains clear skies and abundant sunshine all through the winter months. Not to mention that the temperatures become very reasonable, with max temps falling to the low 30s. This means it’s the perfect time to explore Uluru or go hiking in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges. Head to the unique Coober Pedy, which becomes a far more bearable temperature from April to October. Or check out Queensland’s Birdsville, and the iconic Big Red sand dune marking the start of the Simpson Desert.

two people drinking at a pub in coober pedy during sunset
Enjoy better temperatures in Coober Pedy over winter. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

4. Spot orcas in Western Australia

Head to Bremer Bay in the southwest corner of the state to see the largest congregation of orca whales in the southern hemisphere. Here, offshore canyons make for rich hunting grounds, enticing orcas from January until April. You might even catch them in something of a feeding frenzy. In general, Australia is an amazing place to find whales of many breeds, discover them all in our guide.

orca on Naturaliste Charters in Bremer Bay
See orcas up close in Bremer Bay. (Image: Tourism WA)

5. Thaw out in the Top End

The off-season doesn’t have to mean bracing for a chill. Chase the eternal sunshine and head up to Australia’s Top End. Darwin is a laid-back city that packs a punch when it comes to good food and epic day trips. Head to the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market for laksa on the beach as the sun goes down, drive 1.5 hours south of Darwin to swim in Litchfield National Park’s natural water holes or even take a helicopter or 2.5-hour ferry to discover the local culture of Tiwi Islands.

Thanks to summer rains, April and May make the trails around Kakadu National Park and Kings Canyon particularly lush. Plus, most waterholes reopen about this time, after the heavy rains stop.

Mindil Beach Sunset Market darwin
Indulge in the famous laksa at Mindil Beach Sunset Market. (Image: Tourism NT/ Sean Scott)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

6. Get cosy in Adelaide’s wine country

Wine goes with everything and every season. But there’s something particularly enjoyable about getting cosy in wine country when the air outside is crisp. The best part? Adelaide has several incredible wine regions to choose from. Pick your experiences from some of our favourites, and if you’re heading to Adelaide Hills don’t miss these drops.

Pindarie winery Barossa south australia
Warm up with quality wine. (Image: South Australia Tourism Commission)

7. Shred New South Wales’ snowfields

Every year, NSW’s Snowy Mountains come alive with snow bunnies. Winter is anything but slow here. Starting around the June long weekend and runs until October, with peak season usually in July and August. You don’t have to love skiing, either. Warming yourself by a hotel’s fireplace and taking snow hikes are totally acceptable ways to enjoy the snow. Just read our tips before you go, even if you’re on a budget.

a tour group with Thredbo Valley Horse Riding in the snow
You don’t need to ski to enjoy the snow in NSW. (Image: DNSW)
Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
View profile and articles
Sake restaurant
Australia

Where to take your mum out on Mother’s Day in 2026

Show gratitude to the best woman in your life with a heartfelt meal.

Read more
Qantas planes sitting together at airport
Australia

Which Qantas flights have been cut? Inside the airline’s extended schedule changes

Qantas has extended its domestic flight cuts for another three months and doubled down on Europe as Middle East conflict sends jet fuel costs soaring. 

Read more
GourMay Festival
Australia

What’s on around Australia in May 2026

Make May your best month yet with these epic events around the country.

Read more
meteor shower
Australia

Don’t miss the world’s most iconic meteor shower next week

Earth is passing through the path of Halley’s comet once again. Get ready for an epic meteor shower this week.

Read more
hero media

5 of the best day trips from Hobart

    Rachel Lay Rachel Lay
    Continue
    Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

    In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

    Where to stay

    Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

    For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart. Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

    For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles. Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

    A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart.
    Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

    1. Bruny Island

    Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

    Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

    Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked. Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

    Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island.
    Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

    2. Mount Wellington

    At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

    Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

    For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

    No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
    Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

    2. Port Arthur

    Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

    The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

    Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

    The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area.
    Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

    3. Launceston

    You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

    Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

    Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo, for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

    Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

    4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

    Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

    Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

    Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart.
    Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

    Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol, said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

    Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

    Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart.
    Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

    Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com.