|
Fill this winter with unforgettable moments
Happiness means something different to everyone. Whether you’re an energetic spirit craving an electrifying city adventure, a slow and mindful kind of traveller in search of a tranquil escape, or a sun-worshipping beach lover who hasn't got over summer, YHA helps you find your happy place with affordable stays in exciting destinations across the country.
Whatever kind of traveller you are, with low rates, heaps going on (with something for everyone), and no chance of heatstroke, winter is one of the best times to travel Australia! Don't let this winter pass you by – shake off the cold and make this your happiest winter yet.
Choose your happy place...
Explore city getaways
Experience Adelaide
Full of culture, arts, music and great food, Adelaide is an intriguing and delightful city to explore over winter. And that's without even mentioning the spectacular Illuminate Adelaide electrifying the nights in July with colour and light.
Experience Hobart
Looking for a truly magical winter getaway? The only Aussie city to regularly get snow, Hobart is also blessed with hearty restaurants, cosy bars and a roaring calendar of seasonal events and festivals to enjoy.
Experience Melbourne
The bustling, internationally renowned metropolis of Melbourne gets even more active in the colder months. Night markets, winter festivals, sporting events and live music abound – there's really no better time to visit!
Experience Brisbane
Queensland's eternally underrated capital is never more so than during its mild 'off-season'. It's a no brainer to head here in June-August – plus, if you're from anywhere non-tropical, it'll barely even feel like winter!
Experience Fremantle
Dodge the heat and visit Fremantle when the tourists don’t. Perth's mild winters are made even milder with Freo’s proximity to the coast, and this vibrant port city has a wealth of museums, galleries and historical sites to enjoy with thinner crowds.
Experience Sydney
Internationally recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the Harbour City is no less spectacular in winter, especially when Australia's biggest and most famous festival of light, Vivid, comes to town from May-June.
Experience Newcastle
Australia’s 8th-largest city by population, it’s no surprise Newcastle has lots going on all year round. Visit in the colder months for great food, breweries, and a buzzing live music scene, plus glimpses of migrating whales off-shore.
Explore eco & nature escapes
Experience Grampians
Gariwerd/the Grampians in regional Victoria boasts some of Australia's most spectacular mountainscapes, and the atmospheric conditions of the quieter cool season mean ideal hiking weather and even more dramatic views.
Experience Apollo Bay
Lush rainforest, thundering waterfalls and misty, atmospheric views of stunning landscapes. Apollo Bay is an essential stop on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, but not only is it at its quietest in winter, it’s also at its most beautiful.
Experience Port Elliot
Picturesque Port Elliot on the Fleurieu Peninsula is the ideal destination in winter for brisk sea breezes and long walks. It also plays host to a pod of southern right whales, who raise their calves in the calm waters off Basham's Beach.
Experience Katoomba
For those that don't mind a little nip in the air, New South Wales' Blue Mountains are the place to be. With less rainfall in the colder months, and plenty of bushwalks and wood fires to keep you warm, it's the perfect pick for a winter getaway.
Explore warm climate coastal stays
Experience Coolangatta
Located on Queensland's iconic Gold Coast, Coolangatta is a beach paradise that hardly skips a beat when the cooler months roll in. The tourists go home, the surf stays immaculate and the water temperature rarely dips below 20°C.
Experience Byron Bay
Byron Bay is beautiful at any time of year, but this tiny coastal town can be heaving with tourists in peak season. Good news – the winter months are just as gorgeous, but with less bustle and generally lower prices. You can thank us later.
Experience Cairns
Gateway to Tropical North Queensland's spectacular natural wonders (the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest), balmy Cairns never experiences a true winter at all, with May-August the most popular time to visit.
Discover winter events & festivals
If happiness to you means exploring vibrant places and having new experiences, winter's plethora of exciting events and festivals are worth getting excited about. Ignite your winter with dazzling light shows, hearty festivals, and scrumptious culinary events to nourish the soul. Find your spark with our favourite winter events below.
Vivid Sydney
23 May – 14 June | Transforming Sydney for 23 days and nights, Vivid lights up the city with awe-inspiring art installations and 3D light projections, casting a magical glow upon Sydney’s iconic buildings and urban spaces.
Illuminate Adelaide
5 – 21 July | lluminate Adelaide is South Australia's answer to Vivid, held annually on Kaurna Country. The festival is the city's brightest celebration of art, light, music, and technology and brings late nights, bright lights, and big adventures.
Dark Mofo
5 – 15 & 21 June | Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art, pagan-inspired Dark Mofo rings in winter with an utterly unique calendar of exhilarating, colourful and often challenging events, art installations and more.
Rising (Melbourne)
4 – 15 June | Making its return this year, RISING is a festival of new art, music, and performance lighting up the long winter nights in the heart of Naarm/Melbourne. Brave the chill and experience the city like you've never seen before.
South Australian Living Artists Festival
1 – 31 August | SALA is a showcase of South Australia’s living visual artists, with events and exhibitions featuring everyone from grass roots to world-famous artists held across Adelaide and beyond.
Wallabies (Rugby Union)
July – September | See the Wallabies live in action in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, with the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia and The Rugby Championship hot on its heels.
Byron Bay Writers Festival
8 – 10 August | The largest regional literary festival in Australia, the Byron Writers Festival draws some of the best writers in the world and thousands of attendees in an immersive, outdoor event.
Sydney Marathon
31 August | Recently joining London and New York as an Abbott World Marathon Major, the Sydney Marathon's 42.2km route features stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Milsons Point and Sydney Opera House and more.
State of Origin
28 May (Brisbane), 18 June (Perth), 9 July (Sydney) | Australian sport's greatest rivalry is back! This year, the 3-game rugby league series is contested across multiple states with games in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.
Why you should visit Byron Bay this winter
Warm weather doesn’t have a monopoly on good times – especially in a place as amazing as Byron Bay. So put on an extra layer and let’s find out why Byron Bay in winter is worth your time…
The best ways to enjoy Melbourne in winter
When winter hits and the temps dip, Melbourne heats up with a packed agenda of cold-weather attractions and activities. Read on for our top things to do in this vibrant city come winter time.
What to do in Australia in winter
If you've had your fill of cricket matches and BBQs at Bondi, and want to try something a bit... Cooler... Here's some of the greatest things you can experience Down Under during winter!
7 reasons to visit the Great Ocean Road in winter
When the temperatures drop and the chill of winter sets in, there's no better time to hit the open road and explore this spectacular region of Victoria.
The top whale watching spots in Australia
Winter in Australia means whale watching season. As these majestic mammals set off on their epic mid-year migration up and down Australia's coastlines, Tom Smith discovered the best places to spot them around the country.
Cosy travel: 12 winter getaways that are pure 'hygge'
Danes live life with the mantra of hygge – cosiness, comfort and contentment. Discover these warm and snuggly places to experience a hygge-filled getaway Down Under this winter.
7 reasons to visit the Grampians in winter
Beat the crowds and get yourself to the Grampians for an amazing winter getaway. If you're brave enough to embrace the chill, there's plenty to love about visiting during the brisk cold season.
The very best short walks near Katoomba
The Blue Mountains are a bushwalker's dream, with hundreds of well-maintained walking trails and lookouts to explore. Centring on Katoomba, we've chosen 7 of the best short walks amidst this sublime natural landscape.
Weird and wonderful natural phenomena in Australia
From early wildflower bloomings to whale migration to the spectacular Aurora, Australia hosts some of the planet’s most mind-blowing natural phenomena, many of which are best witnessed in the winter months.
9 of Tasmania's most beautiful places to visit
From majestic mountains to alpine lakes, peaceful rainforests and dramatic granite rock formations, Tasmania has an abundance of beautiful places worth seeing in winter or any other time of year.
The Blue Mountains' best adventure activities
Craving adventure? The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains region is ground zero for a jaw-dropping array of exhilarating things to do in the colder months.
7 reasons you'll love Tasmania this winter
Tasmanians see winter as a time for adventure, bonfires, festivals, food, mystery and whiskey. So, pack your scarves and your pom-pom beanie and head to the Apple Isle for a whimsical, exciting and at-times mind-bending winter experience.
