6 ways to make the most of the Australian winter
There’s more to the land Down Under than balmy summer days at the beach - here's what to do off-season
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Your support makes all the difference.Swapping the British winter for the Australian summer makes perfect sense to most travellers contemplating the big trip. Go now, however, and you’ll get a chance to experience highlights the peak summer crowds miss, from flowering desert landscapes to spotting – and even swimming with – migrating whales. Book it in while the pound is still holding its own against the Aussie dollar; currently £1 = A$1.97.
See Uluru in full bloom
“The rock” is reason enough to draw thousands of visitors to Australia’s Red Centre each year, but British artist Bruce Munro’s epic solar-powered light installation, Field of Light, makes a strong case for going this year. Ayers Rock Resort operates a daily evening shuttle from local hotels to this 49,000sqm “field” of 50,000 stems of coloured lights that illuminate each night in the shadow of Uluru (from A$35; until 31 March 2017; ayersrockresort.com.au). From August to September, a kaleidoscope of real desert wildflowers and fruit plants will also be in bloom, making it a good time to sign up for a bush tucker tour (A$95 through Ayers Rock Resort).
Get a culture fix in Melbourne
Victoria’s capital is a fine place to visit during the warmer months (if you can handle the humidity), but the city’s cultural calendar really explodes mid-year. Top draws include the Melbourne International Film Festival (28 July-14 August; miff.com.au), Melbourne Writers Festival (26 August-4 September; mwf.com.au) and Melbourne Fringe Festival (15 September-2 October; melbournefringe.com.au), with free Friday night fireworks over Docklands until 26 August. Opening in the heart of the CBD in September, the industrial-styled QT Melbourne (qthotelsandresorts.com) will make a great base for fans of the quirky boutique hotel group.
Sip new-season shiraz in South Australia
Let’s face it – red wine tastes better in cooler climes. Just 35km south of Adelaide, the McLaren Vale wine region is famous for its intensely flavoured shiraz (as well as cabernet sauvignon, mourvedre grenache and chardonnay). Hit the cellar doors during the less crowded Australian winter or early spring, and you can be among the first to taste new releases. You’re in for a treat this year, too – thanks to optimum conditions during the last growing season, winemakers have predicted standout 2016 vintages. Those keen to play winemaker can even blend their own bottle to take home at the D’Arenberg winery (A$70; ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au).
Take in the Top End’s festivals
May to October marks the dry season in the tropical tip of Australia’s Northern Territory. Not only is this the best time of the year to visit top attractions including Kakadu National Park and Katherine Gorge, but you’ll also find festival season in full swing. Marking the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, 2016 has special significance for indigenous festivals including Arnhem Land’s world-renowned Garma Festival (29 July to 1 August; garmafestival.com.au) and the Mahbilil Festival held in Jabiru, Kakadu (6 September; mahbililfestival.com). On your way through the capital, don’t miss the Darwin Fringe Festival (15-24 July; darwinfringe.org.au), and the Darwin Festival (4-21 August; darwinfestival.org.au).
Swim with whales
From August to October, tourists will have the opportunity to snorkel with humpback whales on Western Australia’s Coral Coast for the first time ever. Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef offers three nights’ all-inclusive luxury camping including a whale swimming excursion for A$2,750 per person (salsalis.com.au). Humpback whale swims are also being offered on Australia’s east coast for the second year running from July to October with Sunreef in Mooloolaba (A$149; sunreef.com.au), and it’s also possible to swim with dwarf minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef with several Cairns and Port Douglas-based operators including Poseidon Cruises (A$238.50; poseidon-cruises.com.au).
Hit the Australian Alps
Believe it or not Australia is home to more than a dozen ski resorts, and while the season is short (mid-June to the end of September) and the terrain lacking the steeps of Europe, there are always some bumper snow days to be had. Extend a Melbourne jaunt to include a few days in the lovely village of Falls Creek (fallscreek.com.au), just four-and-a-half hours’ drive from the city, or make the six-hour road trip from Sydney through stunning frosted landscapes to ski the gum tree-lined slopes of Thredbo (thredbo.com.au). From here you can also summit Mt Kosciuszko (228m), Australia’s highest peak, in snowshoes.
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