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Summer in Australia
It might be winter in the States, but Down Under summer is in full swing. Right now, Australia is welcoming the warmest months of the year, which means around the country there are plenty of fun things to do, from enjoying cricket season and taking in an outdoor concert to going wine tasting and surfing along the Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise
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Summer in Australia means surfing is a go.
You’d think pretty much all of Australia would be an oasis for those who love to hit the waves. If you’re looking for the real Surfers Paradise, though, head to the Gold Coast. This two mile-long stretch of sand along coastal Queensland offers unbeatable ocean breaks ideal for carving up your wake. Beginners can take a two-hour surf lesson at one of the area’s best surfing schools. At the Spit, where locals surf along Main Beach, you’ll get expert advice from skilled instructors prepared to teach people of all skill levels, even those who need help learning to swim. They provide a safe and fun learning environment which also includes equipment rentals and free transport from your hotel.
Surfers Paradise is also a lively place for families who vacation here to not only spend time on the beach and play volleyball but take part in other fun things to do around town. To beat the summer heat, this might include a visit to one of the area’s museums, like the Gold Coast Wax Museum or Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium. Otherwise, opting for a theme park pass gives access to Sea World, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild water park over a three-, seven- or 21-day period. If you’re looking to escape the sand, Wet’n’Wild is the ideal place to cool down. Just imagine getting the ultimate adrenaline rush on the AquaLoop as you plummet down a 40-foot drop before whooshing around a series of transparent looping slides, or enjoy a whitewater rafting experience on a four-person tube down Mammoth Falls.
Barossa Valley
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Wine tasting in the Barossa Valley
Just northeast of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is one of the most outstanding wine regions in Australia, if not the world. Summertime in Barossa Valley welcomes average temperatures in the mid-80s, with balmy evenings ideal for outdoor dining. This is when rolling fields of green grass transition to gold, and the vines grow heavy with ripening grapes. The scene is idyllic, and the best way to enjoy it and the weather is to take a wine and food tour of the Barossa Valley itself. Departing Adelaide, the tour takes a small group of wine enthusiasts around different cellar doors to imbibe in tasting rooms after enjoying a savory morning tea. Kellermeister, for example, offers award-winning small-batch wines, like a sumptuous Shiraz. The tour also includes samples of seasonal produce, picked fresh onsite, and a two-course lunch.
If you plan to spend more than one day in the Barossa Valley, there’s plenty to do beyone tasting wine. Staying local, you can explore the European-style town Tanunda before hiking to the top of Mengler’s Hill to catch a panoramic view of the area. Then, travel to Williamstown to meander its rolling hills by bicycle and perhaps swing by a winery or two in the area. The Barossa Valley is only an hour’s drive outside of Adelaide, so if you’re looking to have more summer fun in a big city you might consider spending some time there as well. While in town, enjoy an ice cream on the beach, or indulge in an outdoor dinner along the sea on Jetty Road, Adelaide’s main shopping district.
Sydney
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Sydney, Australia
Sydney is a great place to vacation in Australia year-round, but summertime is arguably one of the best times to visit. The near-constant sunshine draws a great number of people to the beaches, creating a lively vibe as the oceanfront bars come to life during the day. Beyond the sand, the city hosts outdoor markets throughout the season in addition to a number of fun events. If you visit in January, for example, you’ll be just in time to attend the Sydney Festival. From January 7-26, catch theater and musical performances as well as film screenings and artistic installations. Hosted in Hyde Park, the Meriton Festival Village will be the perfect place to kick back on warm summer nights to enjoy a selection of food and drinks between theatrical delights.
If you enjoy live performances, then catching an opera performance on New Year’s Eve at the Sydney Opera House is a must-do. Plus, celebrating the New Year during Sydney’s summer means you won’t freeze like other friends back home who may have opted to celebrate in Times Square. During the Opera House performance, enjoy a premium rendition of “La Bohème” before catching the city’s firework extravaganza at 9 p.m. over the entire harbor. Since the production lets out at 10:30, you’ll have time enough to reach your New Year’s destination for the rest of the evening.
Melbourne
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On the Great Ocean Road
Also known as Paris on the Yarra, Melbourne could very well be one of the most fun places to spend summer in Australia, especially for arts enthusiasts. The city offers a great number of outdoor movie options, like Moonlight Cinema, which screens at the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Central Lawn. Meanwhile for music buffs, the city’s Laneway festival entertains those looking to get their groove on.
Melbourne is also a great place to explore during summer for its myriad things to do, including fantastic day trips. The Great Ocean Road is wide open for adventure. You can catch expansive views of the rugged coastline and marvel at the Twelve Apostles; south of the city, these majestic rock stacks rise from the ocean and tower along the adjacent beach. Meanwhile, another ecological treasure near Melbourne, Phillip Island, lets you spy on penguins wandering about the sand dunes on a secluded beach as well as sample wines at Phillip Island Winery.
Remember that Australia is a great place to vacation year-round, but if you’re looking to soak up some up the summer heat, start planning your trip today.
Read more about spending summer in Australia.
– Contributed by Megan Sneddan
The Best Places to Spend Summer in Australia from Australia Things to Do