Overview
When winter hits Australia, it is easy to start daydreaming about long lunches in Italy, late sunsets in Spain, or a slow cruise along a coastline. But between travel disruptions and surging flight prices, the long-haul transit has lost its appeal, with many Australians looking closer to home for a holiday. So where are some of the other best places to travel to in winter?
Within a single flight of our capitals are destinations we often overlook. Better yet, the currency conversions in these spots won't make you wince when the bill arrives. Whether you want to flee the cold or lean right into it, these ten destinations prove you do not need a cobblestone alley or castle to have a good time.
Otautahi Christchurch
Christchurch, New Zealand
Skip the Queenstown adrenaline for Christchurch's Copenhagen-style energy. This city balances modern art galleries with a cocktail bar and dining scene, all among leafy pockets. Hop in the car and drive to the Canterbury wine region for pinot noir, or to the nearby French settlement town of Akaroa to scout for the rarest and smallest dolphins, Hector's dolphins. Further afield, hike the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers or explore local hiking trails. It's a great base for a low-faff winter escape.
Bna Ignacio, Unsplash
Singapore
If you need to flee the cold entirely, Singapore stays a steady 30 degrees. June and July are frenetic peak months, but the city handles the crowds with brutal efficiency and high-powered air-conditioning. You will find most of the action inside museums and malls, where educational exhibitions compete with midyear sales. Catch the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival in June to watch teams battle to a drumbeat, and eat your weight in festive bamboo-wrapped rice dumplings — no matter how you travel, it's one of the best places to travel to in winter.
Yuri Li, Unsplash
Hokkaido, Japan
While the rest of Japan swelters in 35-degree heat, Hokkaido is a temperate 20 degrees. There is no powder snow in July, but you get a landscape of lavender fields and volcanic calderas. It is the best time to drive through Furano or hike around Lake Toya without the crowds.
User Pascal, Unsplash
Da Nang, Vietnam
Vietnam is currently the destination of choice for anyone prioritising a budget holiday. While the north hits peak humidity in the middle of the year, Southern Vietnam, including Da Nang, is in the dry season, with temperatures sitting around 33 degrees, perfect beach weather. Lounge at My Khe Beach and visit the iconic Golden Bridge in the mountains to cool off when needed.
Suleyman Coskun, Unsplash
Lombok, Indonesia
Indonesia during the Australian winter is a classic for a reason, but skip the Bali crowds for Lombok. It is a hub for the surf crowd and is significantly more rugged and quieter than its neighbour. If you are not up for the three-day trek to the summit of Mount Rinjani, take a 45-minute walk up Bukit Merese for the best coastal views on the island. Between the pink sand beaches and the rice fields of Tetebatu, you'll soon see why it's one of the best places to travel to in winter, plus it's the high-value alternative to the typical Kuta transit.
Johnny Africa, Unsplash
Fiji
The dry season (May-October) brings trade winds that drop the humidity and clear the water, pushing underwater visibility to its peak. You will need a light sweater for the 22-degree evenings, but Fiji is at its most vibrant in this window. To skip the crowds, avoid the Australian and New Zealand school holiday rush.
Emilie Ristevski
Tasmania, Australia
If you actually want to lean into being a "winter person," in Australia, Tasmania is the closest you will get to a Scandinavian escape without the long-haul transit. Days are crisp and clear, perfect for disappearing into a remote forest cabin or a lakeside lodge with a glass of local pinot noir. You can spend your mornings hunting for truffles in the damp earth and your afternoons in a floating sauna on a lake.
Erin With, Unsplash
Shanghai, China
With the new 30-day visa-free entry for Australians, China is finally a frictionless option for a winter getaway. In Shanghai, the Australian winter aligns with the "hot season," where temperatures average around 31 degrees. While the humidity is high, the city handles summer with high-powered infrastructure. Spend your days in the climate-controlled galleries of the Shanghai Museum or the world's largest Disney castle at Shanghai Disneyland.
Tourism Australia
Darwin, Australia
While the rest of the country is shivering, the Top End is in its prime dry season glory. This is the NT at its most cooperative, with clear blue skies, zero humidity, and nights that will require a light jacket. It is the only time when you can swim in Litchfield's stone pools or hike the Larapinta Trail without the oppressive heat. Expect high-energy night markets in Darwin and dusty, spectacular sunsets in the Red Centre.
John Ko, Unsplash
Jeju Island, South Korea
While Seoul's humidity can climb to 90 percent from June to August, Jeju Island stays around a steady 27 degrees. It is still humid, but coastal winds take the edge off the heat. The waters are clear, making it ideal for dolphin watching and water sports. Inland, dive into rainforests with waterfall hikes and explore Dongmun night market, a popular spot for street food.
Lead image: Sheraton Fiji
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