The 12 Best Winter Escapes In Australia

Hike through a forest doused in fresh powdery snow, visit a towering waterfall only accessible on foot in the dry, and idle on a 22-kilometre-long beach in temperatures close to 30°C with these winter escapes.

To many, both at home and abroad, Australia conjures images of infinite summer; of a sun-scorched interior and a balmy, pristine coastline fringed by primeval rainforest. While both are deservedly hallmarks, there is, of course, plenty more to this continent than the heat (or beaches) with which it’s become synonymous. From snowy mountainscapes to deserted island beaches, and arid bushland freckled with swimming holes only accessible in the dry, these winter escapes will have you second-guessing which is the best season to head off on a jaunt.

Discover the beaches

In spite of winter’s cool breath, Australia’s beaches still beckon – if you know where to look. And with next to no jellies, fewer crowds, and some comfortably warm weather up north, dare we say that winter may actually be the better season to throw on your swimmers and make for the coast?

1. Hyams Beach, NSW

This lengthy, bone-white stretch of sand needs little introduction. Come summer, it can be tough to carve out a small parcel of beach to call your own, let alone snare a car park. But in winter, this beach is almost unrecognisable thanks to the dearth of holidaymakers. We propose rocking up early with a coffee in hand and a breakfast picnic, to idle in the serenity and listen to the sound of the sleepy waves lapping inches from your toes.

Aerial shot of someone walking on Hyams Beach in NSW — In winter you’ll have Hyams Beach (almost) to yourself. (Image: Filippo Rivetti)

2. Whitehaven Beach, QLD

The Whitsundays is not an area shy of impressive littoral landscapes, but Whitehaven Beach is arguably the jewel in the region’s crown. A dreamy seven-kilometre long slice of coastline, marbled with chalky sandbars and neon turquoise waters, it’s understandably busy year-round. Visit between June and November, however, and you can avoid peak stinger season as well as the sticky heat and frequent showers that occur in summer in Tropical North Queensland. Not only that, but the average water temperature in winter is still a highly agreeable 22.4°C.

Drone shot of Whitehaven Beach in th Whitsundays in Queensland — Whitehaven Beach in the winter means you’ll avoid peak stinger season. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland and Mark Fitz)

3. Cable Beach, Broome, WA

Winter, but not as Southern Australians know it: Broome averages highs of around 29°C in June, July and August, making it the perfect spot for a winter sun getaway. And visiting between May and October also means you’ll avoid the jellies and the tropical downpours.

Time your visit right, and you can even witness the natural phenomenon ‘Staircase to the Moon ’, which occurs between March and October when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay.

Staircase to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia — Time your visit to see the Staircase to the Moon. (Image: Charlotte and James Maddock)

4. Almonta Beach, SA

South Australia’s Almonta Beach, located within the Coffin Bay National Park, is as pristine as they come. Despite being accessible by 2WD, and just a short walk through sand dunes, you’ll often find this coastal paradise nigh on deserted; that is, save for the pods of dolphins that routinely patrol the waters and the mobs of kangaroos that bound along the beach’s perimeter.

Moreover, you’re only a short drive from another of the state’s most famed crescents of sand: Coffin Bay. The trump card here, however, is not the sea’s hue, or the softness of the sand, but rather the world-class oyster farms. And come winter, you can enjoy Pacific and Angasi oysters plucked and shucked fresh from the water you’re standing in when they’re at their absolute prime (anywhere from April to early December).

Woman standing on Almonta Beach in South Australia — Almonta Beach is as pristine as they come. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission and Elise Cook)

Visit the snow-capped mountains

Australia’s snow-capped mountains mightn’t be as well-known as those that grace neighbouring NZ , but that’s not to say there isn’t plenty of dramatic winter beauty to be found right here under our noses. There’s a surprising amount of choice too: pick from 16 ski resorts across New South Wales, Victoria, and Tassie, each with its own unique features.

5. Thredbo, NSW

Home to Australia’s longest ski runs, highest restaurant and highest ‘lifted’ point (where you can even ring a community bell to mark your arrival) Thredbo has some superlative features. The NSW town is also among the country’s most bustling and picturesque, taking its cues from Europe’s mountain resorts, with plenty of apres options on offer.

Yet families will find Thredbo equally accommodating: watch on as your little ones learn to snowplough at the local ski school, demolish a deluxe house hot chocolate on the sun-licked deck at Merritts Mountain House, splash around in the resort’s leisure centre pool, and watch on as fireworks dance across the sky during the weekly winter display.

Driving in Thredbo with the snow covered mountains around. — Thredbo takes its cues from Europe’s mountain resorts. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Perisher, NSW

A behemoth, Perisher is not just the largest ski resort in Australia, but the biggest in the entire Southern Hemisphere. There are more than 1,245 skiable hectares to tackle here, (which, by the way, is more than double the area offered by its closest competitor, Thredbo) with a web of 110 trails spinning down from the top of the eponymous mountain. And if, miraculously, it feels as though you’ve exhausted every last run then take to the toboggan park, or go snow tubing instead.

Chair lift at Blue Cow Perisher in New South Wales — Perisher is the largest ski resort in the entire Southern Hemisphere. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Falls Creek, Vic

Two aspects set Falls Creek apart from the rest of the competition: its sizable cross-country terrain (more than 64 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails) and its ski village, which is pedestrian-only, meaning that all the accommodation, dining, day spas and on-piste activities are ski-in/ski-out. As dusk falls and lights flicker on, wander around the snowy streets, and duck into one of the cosy bars for a cocktail; come sunrise, be the first to hit the untouched off-piste cross-country trails in the Alpine National Park, and lap up the tranquillity as the first golden light peeps over the mountaintop.

Drone shot of Falls Creek at sunrise — All the Falls Creek accommodation, dining, day spas and on-piste activities are ski-in/ski-out. (Image: Jezzalanko Creative)

8. Mount Hotham, Vic

Laughing in the face of tradition, Mount Hotham village lies at the top of the mountain, promising visitors panoramic views of a landscape blanketed in snow. And many of the local accommodation offerings have capitalised on this feature, offering their guests bedrooms and living spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows: perfect for watching the sun sink over the crumpled mountains before you, a glass or red in hand, and a log fire crackling in the background.

Skiers heading down slopes at Mount Hotham in Victoria — Mount Hotham promises visitors incredible panoramic views.

Explore the National Parks

Encompassing some of the country’s most iconic sights, and showcasing the diversity that this continent has to offer, Australia’s national parks are a failsafe for rewarding holidays in nature. And while many are year-round destinations, a select few come into their prime when cooler climes fall.

9. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a wonder to behold at any time of year. But winter and spring promise tolerable heat (between 20°C and 30°C) and minimal flies, making it easily the best time to visit. Journey here in the early morning and enter an otherworldly landscape, where mists (kulyar-kulyarpa) may have descended, and morning frosts (nyinnga) have taken hold of the hardy local flora. The Anangu people know the season from late May to July as ‘Wari’.

Rain clouds over Uluru — An Uluru winter will bring mists (*kulyar-kulyarpa*) and morning frosts (*nyinnga*). (Image: Tourism NT and Tourism Central Australia)

10. Kakadu National Park, NT

The largest national park in Australia, Kakadu covers almost 20,000 square kilometres, making it larger in size than Fiji. It’s said to house the greatest variety of ecosystems on the continent, featuring savanna woodlands, open forest, floodplains, mangroves, tidal mudflats and coastal areas. But many of the park’s most enticing attractions, such as hikes to billabongs and towering waterfalls, guided walks through Kakadu’s Aboriginal rock art galleries, and cooling dips in the park’s croc-free swimming holes, are only accessible in the dry (between May and October).

Yellow Water Cruise Kakadu — Kakadu is more accessible in the dry season. (Image: Tourism NT and Tourism Australia)

11. Dirk Hartog Island National Park, WA

Accessible via a barge that operates solely between March and November, Dirk Hartog is a remote destination awash with dramatic natural beauty that’s an adventurer’s paradise. Think lofty limestone cliffs smashed by untamed ocean swells; crystalline waters teeming with bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays, dugongs and turtles; and an arid scrub interior scattered with sand dunes and vivid pink salt lakes.

People snorkelling in Dirk Hartog Island National Park — You can only access Dirk Hartog between March and November. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

12. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tas

Winter in Tassie? The prospect may alarm some, but the Apple Isle possesses a surprisingly hearty share of wintry attractions. Beyond the obvious (Dark Mofo , Willie Smith’s Mid-Winter Fest , Tasmanian Whisky Week ) the island state also offers the chance to spy Aurora Australis (the Southern Lights) fleeting through the steely night skies, and to wander through snow-dusted scenery. And Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park offers an opportunity to do both, as well as dabble in snowshoeing or even tackle the Overland Track. You’ll encounter quiet trails, frozen lakes and mossy forests anointed with frost.

Southern Lights at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania — Spot the Southern Lights at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. (Image: Pierre Destribats)

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

The 12 best winter escapes in Australia: from beaches to mountains