9 Under-the-Radar Summer Destinations in Australia

Make the most of the warmer months by dipping into these under-the-radar summer destinations minus the crowds.

Find a treasure trove of coastal towns to explore around Australia, from Yeppoon to Tasmania, across the country and back again.

1. Yeppoon, Qld

This Capricorn Coast uncut gem is now being polished yearly since intrepid holiday hunters have discovered the glimmer at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Yeppoon is the gateway to Great Keppel Island and 27 other outcrops, but also offers plenty of its own attractions, from the foreshore’s free zero-depth Keppel Kraken water park, lagoon pool and kids’ play areas to whale watching, fishing, four-wheel-driving and excursions beyond to snorkel and spot dolphins and turtles. While it skews towards families, that’s not the only feather in its cap. Couples and mates will enjoy the boho stylings at Yeppoon Surfside Motel .

a scenic view of Yeppoon on the cusp of Queensland’s Capricorn Coast — Yeppoon is on the cusp of Queensland’s Capricorn Coast. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/ Vince Vali Tutti)

Where is it? About eight hours north of Brisbane, or fly into Rockhampton Airport, which is 40 minutes from the coast.

What’s it all about? Tropical sun, family fun and island skipping.

Don’t miss: With loads of incredible produce in the surrounding region, you’ll eat well at the Yeppoon Community Market every Saturday.

Hot tip: Take a tour 40 minutes inland to slip into the underworld limestone labyrinth that is the Capricorn Caves.

2. Tropical North Queensland

Lush, wild, tropical, vibrant and tinged with a hint of Australia-specific cautions, Tropical North Queensland begins along the Cassowary Coast and winds upwards to Cape York, beaded with dazzling baubles of palm-fringed beach towns, emerald rainforests, dreamy castaway islands, and, of course, the kaleidoscopic beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

a palm-fringed beach in Tropical North Queensland — Soak up the sun in the palm-fringed Tropical North Queensland.

From the well-seasoned, upmarket Port Douglas to the bustle of Cairns, the ancient Daintree and Cape Tribulation, out to the Atherton Tablelands and across to further-flung Torres Strait, this part of the country is ancient, extraordinary and utterly captivating.

an aerial view of Low Isles, Port Douglas — Experience the highs of Low Isles. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where is it? Beginning in Mission Beach, about 20 hours north of Brisbane, and travelling all the way up to Cape York.

What’s it all about? The Great Barrier Reef, which follows the coast to the tip.

Don’t miss: The Daintree Rainforest – 135 million years in the making – deserves your undivided awe.

Hot tip: Low Isles, 15 kilometres off Port Douglas, is the perfect lagoon reef for novice snorkellers to get a fin in.

3. Tasmania

No, not your typical summer destination, but Tassie can raise the mercury in the warmer months, despite its low-lying geography. As an island, you’re never too far from the sea, should it get hot. If things stay mild, though, Tassie makes for a great place to give the heat the slip.

top view of waves crashing on the rocks in Tasmania — Get lost in the remote coastlines of Tasmania. (Image: Matty Eaton)

Tassie offers plenty for summertime dalliances, from hikes at Cradle Mountain or Flinders Island to cruises around Wineglass Bay , kayaking down the Franklin River and general pottering in historic Hobart. And you don’t have to drive far around the Apple Isle before you encounter something utterly adorable.

a wombat in the wild in Tasmania — See wombats in the wild in Tasmania. (Image: Josh Withers)

Where is it? Tasmania lies about 250 kilometres across the Bass Strait. You can fly to our most southerly state from every capital city.

What’s it all about? Storybook hamlets and remarkably pristine beauty.

Don’t miss: A dip in the clear, southerly waters – there’s just something enlivening about them.

Hot tip: Check into Hobart’s stunning MACq 01 Hotel to pull the thread of the city’s convict past in luxe surrounds. Or, make a beeline for the beachfront of Coles Bay to bed down in Still at Freycinet, a Nordic-inspired wellness stay.

4. Great Southern, WA

While the Margaret River region snatches the holiday headlines, the coastline and townships a little further south are equally magnetic. The Great Southern is slightly more untamed, more exposed and gobsmackingly dramatic.

the Native Dog Cabin in Bremer Bay, WA — Bunker down in Native Dog Cabin in Bremer Bay, WA. (Image: Kirsten Sivyer)

With enormous granite boulders scattered across the landscape, this is a playground for those who appreciate precarious positions, such as at The Gap and Natural Bridge at Albany and the Granite Skywalk at Porongurup National Park.

Oversized boulders loll in aquamarine waters at Elephant Rocks in Denmark. And you’ll find one of the country’s longest (and most wonderful) treetop walks in the Valley of the Giants near Walpole.

Find giant boulders in Greens Pool, William Bay National Park in Denmark, WA. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Where is it? This region at the beginning of the Great Australian Bight, south-west of Western Australia, borders the Margaret River Region.

What’s it all about? Big rocks, big trees and big vistas.

Don’t miss: The Kodja Place and Kojonup Visitor Centre to learn about the Noongar Indigenous Creation story.

Hot tip: Grab five friends and bed down in the architecturally and geographically spectacular Native Dog Cabin at Point Henry Peninsula.

5. Bellarine Peninsula, Vic

Poking into Port Phillip Bay on one side and overlooking the ocean on the other, this appendage off Geelong offers ample spots to take in the fresh sea air.

empty shores at Port Phillip Bay — The briny bivalves are found in the cool depths of Port Phillip Bay.

From Portarlington and Queenscliff to Drysdale and Barwon Heads, the area has long enticed sweltering Melburnians with incredible produce and reviving ocean-infused air.

a mussel dish recipe in Portarlington, knownas the Mussel Capital of Victoria — Visit Portarlington, known as the Mussel Capital of Victoria. (Image: Matty Eaton)

Where is it? Just 20 minutes outside of Geelong and a one-and-a-half-hour drive around Port Phillip from Melbourne (or skip across the water by ferry).

What’s it all about? Beaches, wineries and seaside villages.

Don’t miss: Book into the elegant Lon Spa for some Zen time.

Hot tip: Join a mussel farm tour with Portarlington Mussel Tours if you love briny bivalves.

6. Gippsland, Vic

This vast area stretches from the east Gippsland Lakes to central Gippsland and the southerly Wilsons Promontory, encompassing everything from coastal loveliness to maritime hamlets and alpine regions.

Explore the Croajingolong National Park-enclosed town of Mallacoota; the Snowy River town of Orbost; remote Dargo in the foothills of the Dargo High Plains; and beloved Phillip Island – all within this one diverse wedge of Australia.

a flock of pelicans at the township of Mallacoota in Victoria — Mooch around the township of Mallacoota in Victoria. (Image: Gavin Hansford/Destination Gippsland)

Where is it? Gippsland occupies Victoria’s eastern corner and is about two hours from the state’s capital.

What’s it all about? From beach to mountain, you’ll encounter history, heritage and the best country pubs.

Don’t miss: The Great Southern Rail Trail is for those who like to bike.

Hot tip: Take in the beauty of the Alpine High Country with a drive along the Great Alpine Road.

7. Darwin and the Top End, NT

Typically, Darwin and the Top End are flooded with visitors during winter, when its balmy climate lures shivering southerners. In summer though, it’s moodily monsoonal, wet and wonderfully compelling. So don’t let a little rain deter your wandering spirit, because downpours and humidity lend this tropical landscape an ethereal beauty.

street art in Darwin — Street art as social commentary in Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

The iridescence is dialled up on vegetation, cascades thunder into life and birds teem. Take a scenic flight over Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park to be awed by such spectacles. Sunsets and storms glimpsed from Darwinian haunts will also fill your visual compendium. As will plenty of bushwalks, art trails, wildlife encounters and luxe accommodation options.

an aerial view of the Twin Falls in NT’s Kakadu — Take a joy ride over Twin Falls in NT’s Kakadu.

Where is it? The Northern Territory capital sits at the pinnacle of the state gazing towards the Timor Sea. It’s an easy flight from most cities.

What’s it all about? The drama of the tropical wet season makes for a summer you’ll never forget.

Don’t miss: While some roads will be closed in national parks, Wangi and Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park are open year-round.

Hot tip: It might be wet season, but it’s not always raining. When it’s hot, head to Darwin’s waterfront precinct.

8. South Australia

Emus strutting on powdery white sands, shimmering shallows of impossible clarity, lounging sea lions and remote beauty. Residents of South Australia have long known their state boasts some of the country’s most arresting coastlines.

seals sleeping at Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island — Meet the locals at KI’s Seal Bay Conservation Park. (Image: Tourism Alliance)

But now the rest of the country is cluing in. With three peninsulas extending into the ocean – Fleurieu, Eyre and Yorke – there are kilometres upon kilometres of white-sand beaches to unravel.

an aerial view of Gull Bay in Fleurieu Peninsula, SA — Flock to Gull Bay in SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula. (Image: Mason Kirby & Sarah Parker)

Where is it? The Fleurieu Peninsula region is 90 minutes from Adelaide; Yorke is two and a half hours; and Eyre is more than six hours away by car.

What’s it all about? Peninsulas, peninsulas and more peninsulas!

Don’t miss: Get your pulse quickening on a shark cage dive.

Hot tip: Kangaroo Island is a must-visit destination at least once in a lifetime.

9. Macleay Valley Coast, NSW

While many residents of NSW may be familiar with South West Rocks, the region is largely lesser known compared to other north coast holiday spots. That’s exactly why the Macleay Valley Coast is so appealing. There’s a mellowness here that facilitates complete disengagement from everyday life.

surfing in Crescent Head, NSW — NSW’s Crescent Head is imbued with summer holiday vibes. (Image: Woody Gooch)

Grassy Head, Crescent Head, Hat Head, Trial Bay and Korogoro Creek are all bush-bound, pristine and dotted with campgrounds for off-grid escapes.

the interior of Crescent Head’s Sea Sea Hotel — Settle in Stylish Sea Sea, Crescent Head.

Where is it? Just four-and-a-half hours from Sydney, this is an easy summer break when time is short.

What’s it all about? Surf beaches and barefoot boho vibes.

Don’t miss: Climb to the top of Mt Yarrahapinni for views of the whole Macleay Valley and coast.

Hot tip: Crescent Head’s Sea Sea Hotel is a hip reboot of a tired seaside resort.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

9 under-the-radar summer destinations in Australia