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Mark your calendar! These are summer’s hottest events in every capital city

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
From Tassie festivals to a floating sauna in Sydney Harbour, here’s what’s making waves this summer across our capital cities.

Perth, WA

Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises
Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises.

Shark Bay prawns, Abrolhos Island scallops, Cone Bay barramundi and WA crayfish are all showcased during a five-course seafood feast onboard Mandurah Cruises’ new Sunset & Seafood Cruise , which launched in October.

squeezing lemon into a seafood dish at Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises
Feast on seafood on a luxury cruise.

The cruise departs from Stingray Point in Mandurah, which is just one hour’s drive from Perth, and the dolphin capital of the state. You can also watch the sun dip below the horizon over the Indian Ocean onboard the new-look Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises . Head back to QT Perth for golden hour at the Sunset Caña Club .

Sydney, NSW

the Aqua Sculpt Floating Pilates and Sound Baths, Sydney
Find your zen this summer with Aqua Sculpt Floating Pilates and Sound Baths.

Wellness on the water is Sydney summer flex, with two new operators transforming the harbour into a mind and body haven. Perform the plank while waves of sonic calm wash over you with Aqua Sculpt Floating Pilates and Sound Baths . Pootle towards Berrys Bay with Wellness Afloat for a floating sauna and cold plunge experience. And balance health with hedonism in Woolloomooloo with OTTO’s Boozy Dolci, a cocktail-inspired cannoli served tableside.

Hobart, Tas

food stalls at the Hobart/Nipaluna’s Taste of Summer
The Hobart/Nipaluna’s Taste of Summer is one of the capital’s lesser-known festivals. (Image: Alastair Bett)

There is a lot of hype about Hobart Taste of Summer , which has been held over the city’s festive period for the past 40 years. But what about some of the capital’s lesser-known festivals, such as the city’s Gin-uary Hobart Gin Festival on 17–18 January.

seafood at the Hobart/Nipaluna’s Taste of Summer
Seafood at Taste of Summer. (Image: Dearna Bond)

It’s also worth the 90-minute drive to the Tasmanian Chilli and Cheese festival held in Ross on 14 December. Ditto for the quirky Koonya Garlic Festival held just outside of Hobart every February. Keep nurturing your bulbs for the annual Garlic Grower’s Competition.

Melbourne, Vic

a cup of gelato at Mondo Del Gelateria, Melbourne
Get your gelato fix at Mondo Del Gelateria.

Melbourne might soon be the best place in the world to get your gelato fix. Founder of Mondo Del Gelateria, Rio Olivetti learned the art of making gelato from the head of Bologna’s Carpigiani Gelato University before bringing his flagship gelateria to the city centre. In addition to this go-to destination for gelato, the city’s vibrant food scene features in Lonely Planet’s 2026 Top Experiences Hotlist. Understand why over a burger at Easey’s , atop a rooftop train in Collingwood, and meze at Tzaki , which has just 16 seats. Stay plugged into the zeitgeist slurping cocktails at the new rooftop pool at Vibe Hotel Docklands .

Canberra, ACT

pairing at Pankhurst Wines, Canberra
Pairing at Pankhurst Wines. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Pankhurst Wines is just one of the estates in the Canberra Wine Region producing top drops for summer, such as chardonnay and pinot noir. With more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes of the city, it’s possible to loop in some of the region’s best vineyards over the course of a lazy afternoon.

people riding bicycles while exploring Canberra's best vineyards
Cycle around Canberra’s best vineyards. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Hire a pedal-assist pushie, which requires little effort. And ask the Lycra-clad legends from Canberra Wine Region E-Bike Tours to map out an off-road route around the Murrumbateman Winery Trail. Be sure to include wineries such as the Four Winds Vineyard .

the Four Winds Vineyard, Canberra
Imbibe elevated tipples overlooking the sprawling Four Winds Vineyard. (Image: Supplied)

Darwin, NT

a thunderstorm in Darwin
Summer lights up the sky in Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT/Paul Thomsen/Wild Foto.

Nature conducts its own light and sound shows in Darwin over summer. Visit between November and April, when cotton-candy clouds stretch tight across the sky in bands of rose and gold. High temperatures and moisture in the air also lead to dramatic electrical storms that crack open the sky. Beat the stultifying heat with a dip in the Wave Lagoon on Darwin Waterfront. Stay in a new luxe villa at Darwin Airport Resorts , the first of its kind in Australia.

Adelaide, SA

Verdi‘s Aida at Arena di Verona
Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Verdi‘s Aida at Arena di Verona. (Image: Heads Production)

A balmy summer night spent beneath a ceiling of sky at Adelaide Oval is one well spent. Franco Zeffirelli’s Arena di Verona production of AIDA is the largest opera production ever presented in Australia. Enhance your appreciation of the show with a private pre-performance talk presented by music specialist Phillip Sametz as part of the AIDA in Adelaide itinerary curated by Renaissance Tours from 4–6 February. Prefer sport to soprano? The Ashes returns to Adelaide over Christmas.

Brisbane, Qld

a street art painting on a building wall in Brisbane
Admire street art in Brisbane.

See the Queensland capital in a new light over summer with Brisbane Unexpected’s International Street Art Walking Tour . The immersive tour explores Brisbane’s backstreets, which are brimming with works from artists such as Drapl, Claire Foxton and Fintan Magee. The guided tour was curated by Lincoln Savage, director of Brisbane Street Art Festival. It starts in the South Bank precinct before crossing the river to Gardens Point and Howard Smith Wharves. Brisbane Unexpected has also launched an all-new guided walking tour: Brisbane the River City.

an artist artwork featured at Brisbane Unexpected’s International Street Art Walking Tour
The street art walking tour features works from artists.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig TansleyBy Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.