While the north of the country is rightly lauded for its warm, welcoming weather when planning a summer escape, Australia's southern states offer their own alluring attractions over summer, and beyond, with long sunny days and blissfully balmy temperatures. From Tasmania’s national parks and wildlife to Victoria’s spectacular surf coast and Western Australia’s tantalising gourmet gifts, these regions have a lot to offer. Be inspired for your next escape with some of the reasons to buck the trend below, and consider a summer (or winter, or autumn or spring) break in Australia’s southern states.
From the celebrated wines of the Barossa to Tasmania’s Bruny Island famed for its fromage and whisky, there’s a veritable smorgasbord of edible delights to be enjoyed across the southern states. In Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley play host to innumerable vineyards and talented providores, and Western Australia’s gourmet heart beats proudly in the Margaret River, it’s restaurants, wineries, and artisans some of the best in the country.
Taste your way through some on A&K’s Gourmet South West Journey, or a guided discovery of the Barossa and Kangaroo Island.
A road trip is a great way to experience an area in depth, pausing to take in hidden treasures and getting to know the local characters who really make a place tick. Who knows what, or who, you might find along the way?
From exploring Victoria’s celebrated surf coast along the famous Great Ocean Road, or discovering the many wonders that await between Hobart and Launceston, the Southern states are best enjoyed slowly, soaking up the kaleidoscope of natural wonders, homegrown artisanal delights and charming regional gems that make each place so unique.
Australia is blessed with an embarrassment of wildlife riches, and the southern states offer many natural havens for our iconic species. Tasmania’s Maria Island is a wombat wonderland, with these marvellous marsupials roaming freely as you explore. Off the coast of Western Australia, one of the most memorable species to spot is Rottnest Island’s resident quokka, these happy little creatures often stealing the show in selfies and candid snaps. South Australia’s Kangaroo Island really delivers on its namesake, these mighty mammals frequently seen hopping along the shore or through the bush.
And as for everyone’s favourite spiky icon, echidnas are one of the most widespread native animals in Australia, making their homes all around the country and in all weather. But for the best chance of seeing them year-round, you can’t go past a visit to Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain, or the likes of Kennett River and Lorne in Victoria.
Start planning your own discovery through Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, or South Australia with suggested journeys on our website and reach out to our Journey Designers or your travel agent to make a booking.
