By: Hayley Simpson | Published on September 23, 2022

When the mercury rises in the Northern Hemisphere and you need to escape the summer heat, pack your winter wear and head to the Southern Hemisphere to cool off for a winter vacation getaway. Compared to the Northern Hemisphere, winter is generally milder south of the equator. So enjoy the heat break as you ski the snowy New Zealand slopes, explore on an African safari, and discover wildlife encounters galore in Australia. And as an added bonus, you get to return home to the warm weather.

Why You Should Embark On A Winter Vacation This Summer

Winter is a great time to visit the Southern Hemisphere for some fun in the sun without melting in the summer heat. Experiencing the cold months back home in another part of the world — particularly an Australian winter vacation — is an amazing opportunity to explore different landscapes. No matter what you dream of doing, an Australia winter vacation has it all. You can soak up the sunshine, surf, and enjoy Great Barrier Reef adventures in Queensland, head to Western Australia to witness a sea of wildflowers, or visit Victoria to face the snow and ski on the slopes. This summer, the Southern Hemisphere is calling your name.

Take To The Slopes With A Ski Day Trip

Falls Creek snowy landscape with trees and shrubs. Australia.
Falls Creek snowy landscape with trees and shrubs. Australia.

Did you miss out on your skiing fix this winter in the Northern Hemisphere? Well, do yourself a favor and make up for this oversight by leaving summer behind and heading Down Under for an unforgettable ski day trip. In Australia, the Snowy Mountains region in Kosciuszko National Park has got you covered, while Perisher Valley in New South Wales is home to the Southern Hemisphere's largest ski area, so its diverse array of terrain will keep everyone from beginner to advanced skiers content. Its next-door neighbor is Thredbo, which garners attention for offering Australia's longest ski runs.

Across the border in Victoria, you'll find Mount Hotham, which has one of the nation's best ski-in/ski-out resorts. It's perfect for advanced skiers, professional après-skiers, and cross-country skiers, with over 20 miles of trails. Nearby, Falls Creek ticks all of these boxes, too, with over 40 miles of cross-country skiing trails, 92 uncrowded runs, and excellent ski-in/ski-out lodgings. The day temperature hovers in the low 40s during winter in these destinations, so pack accordingly.

visiting Lake Wakatipu Queenstown. New Zealand.
visiting Lake Wakatipu Queenstown. New Zealand.
Beyond Australia, you can cross the stormy seas to plan a ski day trip in New Zealand's snowy slopes. Base yourself in the breathtaking mountain town of Queenstown, and you'll have your pick of excellent ski resorts. Cardrona is a favorite with local families, while Treble Cone is home to the South Island's largest ski area and New Zealand's highest annual snowfall. So expect amazing runs, natural free-ride terrain, and breathtaking views. Another great ski resort is Mount Hutt. Inland from Christchurch, it's the South Island's highest mountain with impeccable snow conditions. And for advanced skiers, head to nearby Craigieburn Valley; the draw here is that it boasts the country's highest number of black runs.
view of the Los Andes in Chile. South America.
view of the Los Andes in Chile. South America.

Meanwhile, if you crave a skiing or snowboarding holiday with freezing temperatures slightly closer to home, head to the Andes Mountains in Chile and Argentina, where the powder will be perfect. As the world's longest mountain range at 4,300 miles with record-breaking peaks, visitors can expect awe-inspiring adventures of a lifetime.

There are both internationally renowned resorts and hidden gems to choose from. Valle Nevado in Chile is one of the most popular and coziest ski-in/ski-out resorts, with dry powder snow, perfectly groomed runs, delicious cuisine, and convenient access to the international airport. Meanwhile, Nevados de Chillan offers tree skiing and impressive terrain naturally carved from ancient lava flows. Unwind in one of their hot springs after a day of fun on the slopes.

In Argentina, Las Leñas Resort is the country's most popular winter sports destination, thanks to its steep terrain, massive backcountry, and vibrant nightlife. Seeing as South America is known for its lively nightlife, don't be surprised if the party lasts until the sun rises. While in this region, don't miss the opportunity to visit the spirited capital cities, Santiago and Buenos Aires. Both Santiago and Buenos Aires are known for their array of museums and galleries, world-class restaurants and bustling bars, admirable architecture, and energetic nightlife.

There are different experiences available from top to bottom. Soak up the sunshine in tropical Northern Australia, embrace winter on the ski slopes, or cozy up by a fireplace in Tasmania.

Wild Winter Wildlife Encounter Tours

whale watching in Hervey Bay. Australia.
whale watching in Hervey Bay. Australia.

Winter in the Southern Hemisphere brings the opportunity for incredible wildlife encounters. In Australia, adrenaline junkies will enjoy the thrill of getting up close and personal with wildlife encounter tours for great white sharks off the Neptune Islands in South Australia. Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions operates the world's only ocean floor cage diving experience. But if you don't have your scuba certification, there are surface cage dives available, too. Either way, during winter there are typically a high number of large great white sharks (up to 16 feet) circling this area. Locking eyes with these giants of the sea is an unparalleled adrenaline rush.

If you'd prefer to do some wildlife watching from a distance, head out on a whale watching tour in Hervey Bay. Between July and November, thousands of migrating humpback whales pass through Hervey Bay's gentle waters on their epic migration journey. Whales and calves in this area are known for their playful antics, so keep your fingers crossed for a show of a lifetime. Alternatively, when visiting New Zealand, head to Kaikoura to go whale watching and see several different migrating whale species.

A final place to go whale watching is along the Whale Discovery Trail on Phillip Island. This destination is most well-known for being home to the world's largest Little Penguin colony. See the cute animals waddle to their homes amongst the island's sandy shores after a hard day at sea every evening at the Penguin Parade. Seeing them muster the courage to leave the ocean behind is an endearing sight like no other.

taking in a wildlife safari view of zebra. Africa.
taking in a wildlife safari view of zebra. Africa.

Winter is actually the perfect time to visit Africa too, as it coincides with its dry season. This works in your favor, as water scarcity means animals typically gather in groups around permanent waterholes and rivers. The vegetation is also less lush, so not only are animals easier to find, but they're also easier to view from a distance. Picture watching animals at the local watering hole from the comfort of your safari lodge, like a front-row seat to a nature documentary. Just remember to pack a jacket for cool nights and early morning drives.

From July to September, take your pick of safari destinations. The Great Migration of millions of zebras, wildebeest, and gnu occurs across Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. Then there's Hwange in Zimbabwe, the country's largest game reserve, Namibia's Etosha National Park, and Kruger National Park in South Africa. In Botswana, winter is the perfect time of year to take a mokoro (traditional canoe) tour around the Okavango Delta to marvel at the massive herds that congregate at its shores. Finally, winter is also the time to get up close to mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because this is peak season in Uganda, there are a higher number of gorilla trekkers available and the minimal rainfall translates to ideal hiking conditions.

Embrace The Outdoors Winter Wonders

green Sea Turtle swimming over shallow reef. Australia.
green Sea Turtle swimming over shallow reef. Australia.

It's evident that when you travel to Australia in winter, you won't be bored. But it's important to note that there are multiple climates at play during winter in Australia, so there are different experiences available from top to bottom. For example, you can soak up the sunshine in tropical Northern Australia, embrace winter on the ski slopes, or cozy up by a fireplace in Tasmania.

Now, if you'd prefer sand to snow, head directly to the Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coast. Winter is the dry season in Northern Australia, which translates to minimal rainfall and increased water visibility for reef adventures. You can pack away any winter clothing when you head north, as it's t-shirt and shorts weather year-round.

old brick church at night in the winter with the Southern Lights. Australia.
old brick church at night in the winter with the Southern Lights. Australia.
For a true winter vacation experience in Australia where you'll need a winter jacket and beanie, head directly to Tasmania. The rugged island off the Australian coast has plenty of outdoor winter activities you can't enjoy anywhere else. This includes witnessing the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights. Get out your camera, and head somewhere with little to no light pollution for your best chance to see the colorful spectacle light up the night sky. If you seek more adventures, Tasmania is an epic hiking destination year-round. A multi-day option is the 30-mile Three Capes Track, one of Australia's most impressive bushwalks, which hugs the state's rugged windswept coastline. But nothing quite compares to the views of snow-covered Cradle Mountain from Marion's Lookout. The three-hour return trek will take you past wintry forests, glacial lakes, and snowy peaks.
blue Lechenaultia wildflowers in Geraldton. Australia.
blue Lechenaultia wildflowers in Geraldton. Australia.
Snowy mountains aside, if you want to see one of the world's largest collections of wildflowers, featuring more than 12,000 colorful blooms (60% not found anywhere else on Earth), head to Western Australia. Wildflower season starts in the state's north in June and sweeps south like a rainbow, ending in November. You can spot them from remote Karijini National Park to Kings Park in Perth. But Western Australia's Wildflower Country refers to a group of nine local government areas that stretches inland from Geraldton.
winter hiking in Roy's Peak of Wanaka. New Zealand.
winter hiking in Roy's Peak of Wanaka. New Zealand.
Meanwhile, when you'd prefer to stay away from the slopes on your New Zealand vacation, rest assured there are an overwhelming number of other outdoor adventures waiting for you. Take the challenge and climb up the Instagram-famous Roy's Peak Track, visit either Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier, or go on a guided boat tour through glowworm-lit limestone caves in Waitomo.
 aerial view of Ancient inca city, Peruvian Andes. South America.
aerial view of Ancient inca city, Peruvian Andes. South America.
Furthermore, when you seek a snow-less adventure in South America, winter is coincidentally the best time of year to visit its most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu in Peru. This is the country's dry season, which equals clear skies and minimal rainfall, the perfect combination for tackling the Inca Trail. You can expect highs in the 80s and lows in the 40s. Correlating with the summer holidays, it's important to note that July and August are peak times for people wanting to visit both the Inca Trail and Galápagos Islands. Therefore, it's recommended you make bookings months in advance.

Create A Cozy Australian Winter Vacation

grape vines growing in a Yarra Valley vineyard. Australia.
grape vines growing in a Yarra Valley vineyard. Australia.

Now, if your idea of the perfect winter vacation centers around good food and wine, visit the world-renowned Barossa Valley in South Australia and Yarra Valley in Victoria. Spend your days traveling locally as you take in the lush green surrounding scenery and get snug by a fireplace, as you sample some of the best wine and cheese Australia has to offer. In the Yarra Valley, be enticed by the open fireplace, seasonal menu, and fine wine at Tarrawarra Estate. Alternatively, the award-winning cellar door at Hentley Farm in the Barossa is housed in a cozy 19th-century cottage. With exposed stone walls, an open fireplace, and wood beam ceilings, it looks like it was plucked directly from the English countryside. When hunger strikes, head to the award-winning restaurant onsite.

Tasmania is Australia's capital of cozy. So when you're not staying awake to seek the Southern Lights, embark on the Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail to sample some of the world's finest single malts. Alternatively, visit Dark Mofo, an exclusive Tasmanian festival held at Mona in Hobart. Celebrating the darkness of the winter solstice, it includes musical performances, large-scale light installations, art shows, and a winter feast to rival all feasts.

When you're dreaming up your next summer getaway, consider an Australia vacation or a journey through the Southern Hemisphere filled with adventure, new experiences, and great weather.

Written By
HAYLEY SIMPSON

A Bachelor of Journalism graduate hailing from Australia, Hayley is an experienced travel writer and the award-winning travel blogger behind Hayley on Holiday. Her travel writing has featured on Lonely Planet, Matador Network, and The Culture Trip. As for her travel experience, Hayley is a big advocate for solo travel and working holidays and has visited over 40 countries.



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blue Lechenaultia wildflowers in Geraldton. Australia.
blue Lechenaultia wildflowers in Geraldton. Australia.
 

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