The Ultimate Guide to an Aussie Summer

After the heartbreak of the last few summers, it almost feels like our collective duty to rediscover our love of this quintessential Aussie season.

Destinations | Beach Reads | Fish & Chips | Best Bars | Events

Best summer destinations

Narooma, NSW

Located in the Eurobodalla region of the NSW South Coast, Narooma (a local Yuin word for ‘clear blue waters’) is evocative of beach holidays of old, with its decidedly laid-back approach to sun, sea and sand. Expect stunning beaches, plentiful seafood (it’s on the Oyster Coast after all), and cute wildlife – visit Montague Island (Barunguba) for its fur seal colony.

Also head to Shoal Bay, Copacabana, Yamba, Potato Point

Summer in Narooma NSW South Coast — Enjoy a laid back summer in Narooma on the NSW South Coast.

Fitzroy Island, Qld

An easy ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy Island (part of Gunggandji Country) is stunningly positioned in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. A national park, the island is covered in pristine rainforest and ringed by unspoilt beaches, and offers up walking trails, snorkelling, diving, turtle rehabilitation tours or sybaritic relaxation.

Also head to Mooloolaba, Cape Hillsborough, Dingo Beach

Nudey Beach Fitzroy Island — Take the ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island.

Port Fairy, Vic

Its location at the end of the fabled Great Ocean Road means the pretty fishing village of Port Fairy (the traditional home of the Gunditjmara) doesn’t get the Melbourne day trippers who swarm to the likes of Lorne and Torquay during the summer months. Here you can learn to surf, eat your fill of fresh seafood and take in the thriving local arts scene in relative peace and quiet.

Also head to Wye River, Metung, Mallacoota, Queenscliff

Visit fishing village of Port Fairy — Find the pretty fishing village of Port Fairy at the end of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Coles Bay, Tas

Sitting at the gateway to the breathtaking Freycinet National Park, and perched near the celebrated Wineglass Bay, there are few locations in the country as blessed as Coles Bay when it comes to location. The laid-back village is the perfect base for exploring the wonders of the landscape here, including hiking Mt Amos and the Hazards, eating freshly harvested oysters to your heart’s content and enjoying the blissfully remote (and uncrowded) Friendly Beaches.

Also head to South Bruny, Tullah, Stanley

Walpole, WA

Situated on the delightfully named Rainbow Coast (along with Denmark and Albany) in the south-west of the state, the Walpole region (traditionally the Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar region) dazzles with its natural wonders, surrounded as it is by stunning beaches, ancient forests and a trio of national parks: Walpole Nornalup, D’Entrecasteaux and Mount Frankland. The town itself sits at the edge of the expansive Walpole Inlet, where summer days are spent paddling, kayaking and fishing.

Also head to Dirk Hartog Island, Horrocks, Cape Leveque

Walpole WA — Explore the natural wonders of Walpole in Western Australia. (Image: Greg Snell/Tourism WA)

Marion Bay, SA

Located on the Yorke Peninsula (the traditional home of the Narungga), a three-hour drive from Adelaide, Marion Bay spoils those who venture here with choice; the coastal town boasts a tranquil swimming beach, surf beach, ample fishing spots, as well as rugged coastal scenery (including its own shipwreck) and bushwalking at nearby Innes National Park. As for accommodation, there’s camping (at Marion Bay Caravan Park), glamping (Bayside Glamping) and Hillocks Ocean Pods, luxe contemporary cabins with views out to Butler’s Beach and Hillocks Point.

Also head to Rapid Bay, Myponga, Southend, the Coorong

Coastal walk in Marion Bay, SA — Spend summer in Marion Bay on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia. (Image South Australian Tourism Commission/ Adam Bruzzone)

Five elements to the perfect summer fish and chips

“The perfect fish and chips relies on a few simple yet key steps in preparation, and like every great meal, depends on the context and company to provide the final seasoning," explains James Green, head chef at North Bondi Fish. Here, he walks us through the key ingredients to the ultimate summer meal.

North Bondi Fish - the best place for fish and chips — James Green, head chef at North Bondi Fish, reveals the secret to enjoying the perfect fish and chips.

1. The Batter – a great batter is reliant on three points. Self-raising flour is key, as it contains the raising agents that promote a deep golden brown batter without overcooking the delicate fish encased inside. Cold beer is a necessity, as is making the batter right before you plan on using it and not overmixing the batter. This is what keeps the bubbles in the batter, promoting a light and shatteringly crispy coating.

2. The Fish – fresh fish seems like such an obvious thing to say, yet it’s true. Coating a poor-quality fish in batter doesn’t really save it, it just makes a mediocre end product. Fish that tend to fare better in batter are lighter in flavour and flaky in texture. Gurnard and flathead are some of my favourites, but after growing up on Lord Howe Island, kingfish will always be right up there for me.

3. The Accompaniments – you will want a sauce with a nice dose of acidity to cut through the richness and complement the delicate flesh. Something like NBF’s yoghurt tartare fits the bill for me; the acidity of the yoghurt and pickles with the briny capers and light aniseed flavours of the dill provide a nice accent. And a lemon wedge never goes astray.

4. The Beverage – no good fish and chips is complete without a complementary drink. An ice-cold beer, preferably lighter in style, fits the bill for me, though I must admit I’m also partial to a margarita, which has the generous acidity to really cut through the richness of the dish.

5. The Company – every great meal is not just about the food. The context and the company you’re in play a huge role in overall enjoyment. A great meal with great friends will always be unbeatable, every time.

Best bars for summer drinks

One of the joys of summer is sipping cocktails in the sunshine. Here, some venues with a view to hit up as the mercury rises, plus a cocktail recipe to make that feeling last long after last drinks.

The views at Burleigh Pavilion — Burleigh Pavilion head bartender Todd Grevsmuhl shares his cocktail recipe below. (Image: Amanda Hibbard)

Opera Bar, Sydney

With uninterrupted views of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, this open-air bar is iconic on a world scale.

Icebergs, Bondi Beach, Sydney

There’s possibly nowhere better to experience Australia’s holy trinity of sun, sand and sea than from a stool in Iceberg’s cosy bar.

Siglo, Melbourne

The perfect juxtaposition of old and new, the design of this Spring Street al fresco bar incorporates neon and industrial steel, while its outlook takes in the Parliament, the spires of St Patrick’s Cathedral and the domes of the heritage-listed Princess Theatre.

Songbird Bar & Lounge, Perth

Perth’s recent boom in five-star hotels has blessed the city with this stand-out drinks venue, with impressive views over its jutting high rises and the waters of the Swan River.

Little Shoo, Henly Beach, Adelaide

A position on the deck for cocktails here is highly prized, offering the chance to gaze out across Henly Beach, one of the city’s prettiest spots, to the water beyond.

The Glass House, Hobart

Housed in a four-storey pontoon fl oating on the water at Sullivan’s Cove, as the name implies, The Glass House offers uninterrupted water views through soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and a menu of locally sourced produce and wines (and gins and whiskies).

Cocktail recipe

OH LA LA By Burleigh Pavilion head bartender Todd Grevsmuhl

30ml vodka
10ml Wild Strawberry
Liqueur
10ml Licor 43
60ml pineapple juice
15ml lemon juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and double strain into a coupe. Garnish with an edible flower.

OH LA LA By Burleigh Pavilion head bartender Todd Grevsmuhl — Recreate this fresh and fruity OH LA LA cocktail by Burleigh Pavilion head bartender Todd Grevsmuhl.

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Outdoor summer events

The sheer joy of waving your hands in the air at an outdoor music gig, eating al fresco at a celebrity chef-helmed food event or enjoying art with water views is the stuff of summer dreams. Aussies love an outdoor event more than the next person, and while mosh pits and share platters are, for now at least, a thing of the past, there is a raft of summer music, food and arts festivals that are good to go in the coming months.

Melbourne Fringe, Vic

12–29 November

Bleach* Festival, Gold Coast, Qld

12–22 November

Expect contemporary arts, culture and entertainment in Burleigh, Chevron Island and the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens.

Moonlight Cinema, nationally

November to April

Everyone’s favourite outdoor movie show returns for its 25th year at inner-city spots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Mona Foma, Tas

15–17 January (Launceston) and 22–24
January (Hobart);

Adelaide Fringe, various locations, SA

19 February – 21 March

Expect the usual (and unusual) line-up of performance, theatre, circus, music and visual arts in the largest arts festival in the southern hemisphere.

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, WA

5–22 March

While the Bondi event is still in limbo, Perth’s version (pictured) is forging ahead in the new year.

Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay, NSW

1–5 April

The festival will have an exclusively Australian line-up featuring the likes of Daniel Champagne, The Church, The Waifs, Ziggy Alberts and Jimmy Barnes, to name but a (very) few.

Orange F.O.O.D Week, NSW

9–18 April

Eat, drink and be merry in one of NSW’s most picturesque regional towns.

Groovin The Moo, various locations

23 April – 8 May

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.

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford, the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.