Ready to shake off the winter blues? With the weather warming up, wildflowers blooming and Daylight Savings bringing longer days for packing in more holiday fun, spring is a great time for travel in Australia.
With warm days minus the scorching heat of summer, spring is the ideal time for getting back to nature, exploring the great outdoors, and saying 'see you later' to the winter chill.
From road trips and family getaways to the best of regional food and drink, the changing season brings a whole new raft of holiday inspiration. Here are our picks for where to head in Australia this spring.
See the Wildflowers Bloom in Western Australia
With the red earth blooming into a rainbow of colour each spring, WA's wildflower season is one of spring's major must-sees. With 12,000 species on display (60% not found anywhere else in the world), it's worth making the trip to experience the wonder of WA's wildflower trail.
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia.
The season starts in June in the north, but gradually spreads to the state's south as spring comes into full swing. The Coral Coast's Wildflower Country is north of Perth towards Gerladton and is the best place to see the true scale and beauty of the blossoming landscape. There's even an app for tracking sightings so you can be sure you'll find the best blooms.
Further south, head out to explore the Golden Outback region that stretches from Esperance and the south coast through to Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields. From September to November, you'll be treated to natural displays of some of the rarest desert flowers in the state. Just don't expect to take a posy home with you—picking wildflowers is illegal and will land you with a hefty fine.
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia.
Get Lost in the Northern Territory's National Parks
It's towards the end of the peak dry season, but spring still packs a punch when it comes to visiting the Top End. Why? Spring is the 'in-between', with the weather not quite dry season hot, and not quite wet season rainy. Plus, with the true peak season out of the way, you can snap up some great tours at a steal and not be caught in a crowd.
Image credit: Tourism Australia / Nicholas Kavo.
Just an hour from Darwin, you'll find Litchfield National Park, renowned for its natural wonders, walking trails, lush waterholes, and towering waterfalls. The famous magnetic termite mounds stand two metres high and are up to 100 years old!
Spring is also the time for nature lovers to head out to Kakadu National Park. Spend your trip trekking and hiking through the spectacular gorges, rainforest, and wetlands, seeing awe-inspiring ancient rock art, or river cruising to spot saltwater crocs on the bank. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, there’s so much to explore. Three hours inland from Darwin, expect the humidity to be on the rise towards spring’s end, but don’t be dismayed—a tropical downpour is all the better in this incredible spot!
Image credit: Tourism Australia / Nicholas Kavo.
Say Yes to Seafood on SA's Yorke Peninsula
Fishing fanatics will love spring on Yorke Peninsula, where the salmon come out in bulk. With big numbers and easy catching for the pros and newbies alike, a tasty self-caught dinner is easy to hook. The peninsula’s southern beaches are the place to drop a line for salmon, and locals reckon casting from the rocks at Daly Head is the ticket, with the average spring salmon coming in at around 2.7kg.
Image credit: South Australian Tourism Commission.
From September, the warm coastal waters start to draw in blue swimmer crabs along beaches both sides of the peninsula, so pack your rake and bucket when the tide comes in to explore the shallows. Tip: there are size and bag limits, so make sure you’re doing the right thing.
If you fancy yourself a bit of a salty sea dog and want an immersive experience, Pacific Estate Oysters has a Deckie for a Day tour where you’ll get up close and personal with sustainable oyster farming, and sample the freshest oysters right from the water. Delish!
Image credit: Jonathan Cami.
Go Island-hopping in Queensland
Who needs Greece when you have the Whitsundays? With 74 islands in the archipelago, it’s easy to inject some beachy beauty into your spring getaway. Clear blue skies and sunny days await as you island-hop your way through the turquoise waters and palm-fringed beaches of Queensland’s coast.
Image credit: AWOL Family (Courtney Atkinson).
Take the family on a cruise to beautiful Hamilton Island, relax on the white sand of a secluded bay, or board a high-speed catamaran out to the incomparable Great Barrier Reef. In spring, you’ll enjoy sunny days and low rainfall, and the beaches will be warm enough for a dip. Tip: visit before late October to miss the stinger season!
Image credit: Tourism & Events Queensland.
If you manage to have your fill of islands and want to explore the mainland, head to Airlie Beach where you can get lost in the dreamy hinterland and incredible rainforests. Hop on your bike or go hiking to explore the natural landscape, wildlife, and, of course, the best island views.
Hike Through the Tasmanian Wilderness
Spring is the perfect time to stretch those legs! The mild weather makes Tasmania the perfect destination for outdoor exploration. Hike through some of the state’s most spectacular landscapes to soak up the stunning natural scenery—you might even spot migrating whales off the rugged coast.
Image credit: Tayla Gentle.
There are so many walking options to choose from, but whether short or multi-day hikes are your thing, it’s hard to go past World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Spring offers incredible displays of wildflowers such as waratahs, banksias, and orchids, and you might even be lucky enough to spot native animal favourites like quolls, Tasssie devils, and echidnas.
Time your visit to align with the spring equinox and you might experience the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) illuminating the night sky in green, purple, and blue. The further south you go, the better your chances of spotting this phenomenon, so add Bruny Island to your holiday itinerary.
Tassie in spring can have some warm days but cool nights, so remember to pack those layers.
Aurora Australis from the Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Image credit: Luke Tscharke.
Road Trip Along the NSW South Coast
Spring is the perfect time for a road trip along New South Wales’s cruisy south coast, whether it’s a weekend getaway or something longer. From Wollongong to Eden, you can stick to the coast or head into the rich hinterland for National Park hiking, bike riding, and more.
As you head south through the Illawara region, Kiama’s charm will win you over quickly. Check out the Kiama Farmers Market every Wednesday and don’t miss the famous blowhole shooting water 20m into the air. For something a bit different, just a few clicks down the coast, see if you can visit all 100 beaches in the Shoalhaven 100 Beach Challenge.
Kiama Blowhole Point. Image credit: Destination NSW.
Further south, water lovers will enjoy Ulladulla and Lake Tabourie for the incredible mix of beach and lakefront. You’ll want to pack your swimmers or wetsuit—this stretch is a coastal playground with plenty of pristine beaches and lakes for kayaking, standup paddleboarding, and other water sports.
Families will want to make sure Mogo Wildlife Park is on the itinerary, just outside of Bateman’s Bay. With a diverse collection of exotic animals including gorillas, rhinos, tigers, and snow leopards, you can get up close and personal with some of the world’s rarest animals.
Mogo Wildlife Park, Mogo NSW.
The NSW coast is rich with stunning scenery, delightful townships, thick hinterland, and outdoors adventure. Keep your eyes peeled for whales off the coast, especially in Eden’s Twofold Bay. This is one of the best whale watching spots in the country, where you can see expect to see the gentle giants of the deep right through until November.
Wine Your Way Through the Yarra Valley in Victoria
Nestled between the mountains, just a couple of hours form Melbourne, the Yarra Valley makes an ideal place for a spring wine tour, offering a delectable blend of sunshine days, cosy cellar doors, and world class cool climate wines.
Stunning views from the cellar door at Yering Station. Image credit: Visit Victoria / Cormac Hanrahan.
With over 80 vineyards dotted through the stunning countryside between Lilydale, Seville, Yarra Glen, and Healesville, it’s easy to wine down and drink up. Famous for pinot noir, elegant chardonnays, cab sauv, surprising shiraz, and a host of emerging varietals, the Yarra will see you spend your days getting to know the local winemakers and discovering your new favourite drop.
The hardest part is deciding where to go. History buffs might like to visit Yering Station, Victoria’s first vineyard established in 1838 and Euro-fans might like to recreate a slice of France with a wine tasting and Bordeaux-style dining at Dominique Portet Winery. If wine isn’t your thing, you can try a cider tasting at Kellybrook or sample gin at Four Pillars.
Four Pillars Gin. Image Credit: Wine Victoria / Andrew Poole.
Where will your spring adventure take you?
