Where do you recommend for a winter holiday?
Every year when the weather gets cold, I start yearning for a holiday. Whether it’s a hot or cold destination, travelling in winter is perfect. Not only do you get a reprieve from having to get out of bed on those awful dark mornings, destinations are usually cheaper and are much less crowded.
A few years ago I lived in England and with the grey, foggy skies, drizzly rain and short 7 hour days, I spent a fair amount of time on Easyjet and Ryanair websites trying to find budget flights to anywhere with some sunshine.
My favourite winter destination was Italy. I visited there over Christmas one year and was lucky enough to have most of my family join me in a villa in Tuscany (I know, it oozes romance, doesn’t it). As soon as I got off the plane in Pisa, I realised what I’d been missing in my life in London – the sky! It was huge and blue and gorgeous, just like it is in Australia.
Now that I’m back home in Oz and winter looks like it has dig its heels in, I’m back on the net searching for destinations. Last year I went on a lovely little long weekend to Mudgee, NSW. The days were filled with wine tasting, reading books and dozing by the fire. It was a perfect winter retreat.
This winter I’m in the mood for some sun. One area that is of particular interest is Northern Territory, particularly after seeing the movie Australia. It’s not just the balmy 30 degree temperatures that are luring me there, or the fact that the rest of year it pours with rain. I’ve always wanted to see Kakadu but Litchfield Park and Katherine both seem really interesting:
Litchfield is a mini Kakadu, with swimming hole, waterfalls and termite mounds. Katherine has the Gorge (Nitmitiluk National Park) and Mataranka. More
The city of Darwin also sounds pretty cool:
Don’t forget to book yourself onto one of the Harbour cruises, the sunset cruise is particularly lovely. And if you like this sort of thing, spend a day out fishing for the legendary barramundi, several operators have this. More
Wow, I think I better go and book! Where else do you recommend for a winter holiday?
Caitlin
Community Manager
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Well, we’ve got a 5 week holiday for the first time in many, many, many years.. so we’re doing a tour of outback Queensland and then cruising languidly around Cape York before heading back to country (and at the moment freezing) NSW. We toyed with the idea of heading overseas, but with the recent Australian weather it seems like an ideal time to see a bit of our home country without the humidity! Carnarvon Gorge, Winton dinosaurs, Undara lava tubes and plenty of fishing…. can’t wait!
da sno
Hi Caitlin. I think the place you are looking for is the Kimberley in North West Western Australia.
It is a great holiday destination where you will be out of the cold weather, that’s for sure, with temperatures
about 28C to 33C each day.
Plus it is very scenic with lots of things to do.
You will love it. I do.
Regards. Chris
sydneys western suburbs there are some very interersting people out th
We have just returned from Cairns. We stayed at Hides hotel which isn’t flash but very central. We had a great fun time and it was warm.
heya, everyyear i go to Val D’Isere, Best snowboarding ever, and the little village is so cute, though i am more focused on training for competitions. another great place is Verbier, Switzerlands, though its better for skiing, the powder is great. both are awesome but it depends on how experienced you are. hope this helps
Stradbroke Island off the coast of Queensland near Brisbane has everything you could possible want, it has peace, beautiful beaches and has very cheap accommodation this time of year
I like the cold so I would recommend a roaring fire a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy snow and fog and the clean crisp air that comes with it.
I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. We have the most glorious winters here, perfect blue skies, just a hint of a chill & the sea like a mill pond. I wouldn’t be anywhere else for winter & a lot of people from southern states & NZ think so as well. Mooloolaba is the best spot of all.
hi iiiiiiiiiiiiiii how is the day over there.
You just can not go past Darwin for a holiday but beware the taxis are slow .. visit crocasuarus. mindil markets and the ski club
Beautiful sunny Cairns!Far North Qld, Australia!My perfect home!!
snow
Come to Tasmania ! Yes, it can be damp, wet or chilly but book yourself into a cosy B&B to sit by the fire, quaff our excellent local wines, try a few King Island cheeses, read a good book, OR be daring and go bushwalking up in the mountains with the right gear and breathe the cleanest air on the planet ! I came from England too and it’s great here in winter, unless you are addicted to warmth and sunny skies …. can’t guarantee that here, sorry. I do swim in the sea even in winter but you have to be a bit weird for that – British eccentricity ?
Go to Malaysia, everything is cheaper there. If you love the beach, you can go to the beachside part of malaysia like Tioman Island, and Langkawi island. If you’re a city person, go to Kuala Lumpur to shop, eat foods from all around the world and enjoy the night life. Malaysia is sunny all year, a good place to escape from the coldness of winter.
North Queensland, Atherton Tableland, the lakes are full and the grass is green and the days are warm, just fantasic.
The NT is lovely in winter but if its warmth your after don’t forget that its desert weather there, that means even thought you maybe warm during the day but its like ice the moment the sun goes down till a few hours after sunrise in the morning.
I spent August around Katherine and Darwin a couple of years ago and I barely got out of jeans the whole time.
On the flip side I saw some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen which made it completely worth while.
So if you decide to head north just remember to pack some winter woolies as well as your togs!
I live on Catalina Island (90704) in Avalon and I think it’s a great vacation spot. Especially in the winter!! It’s still beautiful, not too cold AND NO TOURISTS!!!!!!!!
try penrith it is deep in australias west, it is always hot there
Rarotonga, close enough, beautiful weather, great food, welcoming friendly people, no coups unlike Fiji, not expensive like Tahiti, gorgeous scenery
I;m heading back to Australia for a few weeks cool weather. Temperatures here in Qatar range from minimums of 32 to maximums af about 50.