As southern Australia cools down, summer-loving travellers are chasing the sun. From European beach towns in full swing to balmy escapes closer to home, winter is the time to swap jumpers for swimmers and get out of town for a mid-year getaway. With shoulder-season savings in some destinations and perfect weather in others, now’s the moment to pack light and head north. The only decision you need to make is where to go first.
Best international destinations for winter sun
Bali
Just a six-hour flight from Sydney, Bali remains one of the best places to travel in winter for sun, surf and soul-nourishing downtime. While it’s long been a go-to for Australian travellers, Bali continues to reinvent itself with stylish new boutique stays, off-the-beaten-track experiences and a flourishing wellness scene. But don’t worry – if you have fond memories of eating tasty food on the cheap, chilling at a humble hotel and living it up at the bars around Kuta and Legian, it’s all still there waiting for you.
June to August is the height of the dry season, which means clear skies, warm days and excellent conditions for beach-hopping, snorkelling or just reading a book by the pool. Seminyak is the place to go if your backpacking days are over and you’d prefer to stay in a stylish villa; Canggu is a bohemian hotspot with a laidback vibe and a growing number of resorts. If it’s peace and quiet you’re craving, however, head for the hills of Ubud – and book in for a relaxing massage while you’re there.
Learn how travel insurance could help on a trip to Bali.
Fiji
Fiji’s palm-fringed beaches and warm waters are inviting year-round, but winter is when it truly shines. The dry season runs from May to October, delivering long, sunny days without the summer humidity.
For families, there are resorts that go all out with kids’ clubs and daily activities, while couples can retreat to adults-only stays on smaller islands. Whether you’re snorkelling with manta rays in the Yasawas or sharing a beachside kava ceremony, Fiji’s laid-back rhythm is easy to fall into.
Thailand
From the lush mountains of Chiang Mai to the beach bars of Phuket, Thailand is an easy option if you’re wanting to escape the cold. In the months of June, July and August you can look forward to tropical warmth with occasional showers, but the rains tend to be short-lived and refreshing rather than trip-dampening.
Koh Samui tends to stay drier than its neighbours during the Southern Hemisphere winter, making it ideal for a mid-year holiday. Whether you’re tucking into spicy green curry, getting a massage on the sand, or sailing between limestone karsts in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand delivers that unbeatable blend of value, warmth and adventure.
Greece
When you think of the Greek Islands, chances are you’re imagining lazy days by the sea and eating out at waterfront tavernas – it’s just the excuse you need to give your Mediterranean diet a workout. The bad news is that July and August are crowded – it’s peak season – so travel in June or early September if you can. You’ll still enjoy good weather, but there’ll be fewer tourists.
Each island has its own personality. Santorini is postcard-perfect with its whitewashed buildings and sunset views; Naxos is relaxed and family-friendly; Crete is big enough to find friendly, authentic villages and amazing locally grown produce. And don’t forget Athens – it comes to life in summer with rooftop bars and open-air cinemas, and there are all those ancient ruins to visit. Keep in mind that it will be 30-plus degrees most days of your visit (but mercifully low in humidity).
Italy
Italy in mid-year is pure romance, if you can look past the crowds. The days are long and golden, ideal for unhurried strolls through cobbled laneways and an Aperol Spritz before dinner. Along the Amalfi Coast, the dramatic cliffs of Positano and pastel villages of Cinque Terre bask in warm sunshine and easy Mediterranean charm, while Florence is brimming with history.
Inland, Tuscany and Umbria are wrapped in rolling vineyards, sunflower fields and hilltop towns that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. You’ll discover real Italian food (it’s not all about pizza and pasta) and sweet treats – few things say 'holiday’ quite like an Italian gelato enjoyed in a sun-drenched piazza.
Spain
From the touristy beaches of Costa del Sol to the buzz of Barcelona, Spain sizzles in summer. It’s a country that knows how to live well, and its rhythm – late dinners, afternoon siestas, music spilling onto the streets – is infectious.
In Andalusia, cities like Seville and Granada hit their stride in early summer, before temperatures climb too high. On the coast, Valencia and San Sebastián offer a mix of seaside relaxation and urban culture, with warm water and a lively local life. Spain is also surprisingly affordable once you arrive, with great value tapas, public transport and guesthouses even in popular areas.
Warm weather escapes within Australia
Queensland
Domestically, Queensland tops the list for warm-weather winter escapes. Think Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsundays for blue-sky days, balmy temps and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef. Visibility is high, stingers are scarce and the crowds are nowhere near summer levels.
Further south, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast offer mild temperatures for hinterland hikes and adventure in and out of the water for families and couples on a range of budgets. If you're looking for a dose of vitamin D without the passport, Queensland is your go-to.
The Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is glorious in the dry season. In Darwin, the humidity drops and the markets fire up, with Mindil Beach delivering sunset food stalls, local music and beachside mango smoothies.
Three hours’ drive south, Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) offers kayak adventures and ancient rock art, while Kakadu is at its most accessible – and so are the crocodiles on the Adelaide River (take a tour). On your way back to Darwin, be sure to spend a few hours in Litchfield National Park for a picnic and swim in one of the waterholes.
Broome
For something truly unique, Broome is one of the best places to travel in winter within Australia. With average daily temperatures hovering around 30°C and minimal rainfall, it offers a welcome contrast to the southern chill.
Here, you can ride camels at sunset along Cable Beach, discover the area’s pearling history, or take a scenic flight over Talbot Bay’s Horizontal Falls – named one of the world’s great wonders by David Attenborough. Broome also offers travellers of all ages the chance to venture out on a First-Nations-led tour to get to know this stunning part of the world in a deeper way.
Travel smart
Packing for warmth when it’s freezing at home can feel strange, but keeping it light and breezy is key. Think breathable fabrics, a hat that actually stays on your head; and warmer layers for chilly plane cabins and cool evenings.
Make it a habit to hydrate well (drink bottled water in unfamiliar places), apply plenty of reef-safe sunscreen, and don’t forget your swimmers – if you’re not in the water, you won’t be far from it in these wonderfully warm destinations.
Feeling conflicted about the cost of getting away? This will help: a recent study confirmed what we all intuitively know – stepping away from stress and inviting in a state of deep rest (far easier on holidays) is the key to a longer, healthier life.
To save money on flights, use price-tracking tools like Skyscanner or find the cheapest days to travel on Google Flights. And be sure to use an incognito browser when you’re booking flights and accommodation, so airlines and booking platforms can’t use cookies to track your search history and raise prices when you revisit their websites. Booking early helps, but spontaneous travellers might also get lucky and find last-minute deals.
Travelling soon? Consider nib Travel Insurance and get a quote.
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