Go far, stay near: Coastal and regional getaways that feel like you’re overseas

It may be winter in Australia but the water is still warm enough, the food is worth travelling for, and you might even wonder why you ever considered booking a long-haul international flight in the first place.

Swap Bali For Byron Bay

Even during winter, Byron has everything Bali has to offer, minus the long flight. Trade busy beach clubs and traffic jams for a town built on laid-back vibes, a diverse traveller community, seaside sports and incredible sunsets. Mid year, Byron stays warm enough for beach days, without the humidity that turns Bali into a sauna by 9am. The air is cleaner, with less crowds, and it’s still hot enough to swim at Main Beach, join a beach volleyball game near the Surf Club, or just settle in with a good book in the sun. Add world-class food, great coffee, and wellness experiences like yoga and breathwork, and you'll leave feeling completely rested and refreshed whilst still being in Australia.

For the wildlife enthusiasts: While Bali is home to manta rays and sea turtles, Byron has something bigger and better. If you’re visiting between June and November, you may catch the humpback whales that migrate along the coastline during this time…it's a big deal. Seeing this firsthand from a boat tour or your surfboard is a moment that'll stick with you, long after you return home.

For the surfers: Byron’s breaks at the Pass and Wategos are as good as the ones in Kuta or Canggu. Even in winter. It’s also one of the best places for learning to surf and in one of the most beautiful locations too. Let’s Go Surfing is among many quality local schools that run daily beginner and intermediate lessons (starting from $89) and the team knows the breaks well. YHA Cape Byron and YHA Byron Bay have cheap surfboard and bike hire too if you are a seasoned pro.

For the foodies? Three minutes from the main beach, Stone & Wood Brewery is open most days for a paddle or a beer tasting. For more of a beach house vibe, consider Treehouse Byron (the wood-fired pizzas are excellent), while beach clubs like Roca Cabana have a tropical Bali energy without the price tag.

Stay: YHA Cape Byron, YHA Byron Bay

Tip: Get up early and you'll beat the crowds which tend to fill up the popular cafes by 8am. Espresso Head, Combi and Sparrow all do quality takeaway coffee and açaí bowls. Grab a double shot latte and walk along the main beach as the sun comes up. Follow with a morning swim in the surf and you've started your day in the best way. If you’re staying at a YHA, chill in quieter surroundings around the pool. Trust us, you will be convinced it's not winter.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Swap The Maldives For Rottnest Island and Fremantle

If you’re after white sand, coral reefs and turquoise water, the Maldives is a popular island paradise. So too is Rottnest Island, without needing to take a 15 hour flight from Australia. Perth winters are typically sunny and warm, cooler in the mornings and evenings, but the kind of mild weather that makes getting outside easy. Plus the water is typically still warm.

For the active visitor: Just 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle, Rottnest Island has more than 63 pristine white sand beaches and 20 secluded bays to discover, whether you’re snorkelling, hiking or cycling. The best way to explore is at your own pace. Hire a bike (from $33) and cover as much or as little of the island as you like, stopping at whatever beach catches your eye. If the full 19km circuit sounds like a big ask, the Quokka Hopper (from $35) is an electric vehicle that drops you off at the key spots around the island so you can roa without riding the whole loop.

For the explorer: The Basin is one of the island’s most famous beaches, and for good reason. There’s epic lighthouse views, and the crystal clear water makes for some of the best snorkelling on the island. Follow the coastal road further and you'll find more hidden bays and beaches. And if you’re looking for the full resort experience, Pinkys has poolside cabanas, cocktails and sunset views right on the water. 

For the wildlife enthusiasts: Rottnest also has something the Maldives doesn't, which are quokkas. These small native marsupials call the island home in their greatest numbers, making Rottnest the world's largest and most accessible quokka population. They're famously selfie-friendly, but as a protected species, keep your distance and don't touch them. Fur seals also sunbake along the headlands, pods of dolphins play in the water, and between May and November, humpback whales pass through on their migration. Winter brings fewer crowds, more wildlife, and days warm enough to spend entirely outside

Back on the mainland, enjoy a few days to chill and unwind in Fremantle. The cafe culture in Freo is among the best in WA, and the Fremantle Markets are open every Friday to Sunday. Watching cargo ships move through the harbour from Gage Roads brewery as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean (like in the Maldives) is a great way to end a day in holiday mode.

Stay: YHA Fremantle Prison

Tip: Use the YHA guest kitchen to pack your own lunch before you catch the ferry to Rottnest Island. There are a few cafes dotted around the island if you want to travel light, but bringing your own means the afternoon costs you next to nothing. 

Swap Reykjavik For Hobart

Like Reykjavik, Hobart is a small city with lots going on. Tasmania’s cooler climate is a big part of the atmosphere, and a big reason why people make the trip. There's a great mix of food, nature and cultural experiences to choose from. 

For the art critic: Like Reykjavik’s progressive contemporary art museum known as the Hafnarhús, Hobart has MONA, (the Museum of Old and New Art). Sitting on the Derwent River, the space has experiences you won't find anywhere else in Australia, with the collection here moving between confronting, strange and brilliant. Take the MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier, which is $30 return, 25 minutes on the water each way. Plan to spend at least half a day once you arrive.

For the foodie: Iceland is known for its seafood, and so is Tasmania. Fresh Tasmanian oysters are a must (try Pearl + CO or Fish Frenzy on Franklin Wharf), and make sure to taste them in the heritage surrounds Hobart is known for, alongside great local pub fare you’ll find at pubs like the historic Hobart Town Hotel. Tasmania has also built a reputation for its whiskey. A nip at Lark Distillery near the waterfront is the obvious choice, and it's open most days for tastings. Salamanca Market runs every Saturday morning and has everything from fresh produce to local art.

For those seeking relaxation: If you're after hot springs, swap the Blue Lagoon for Hastings Caves, which is about 90 minutes south of the city. The guided tour of Newdegate Cave ($26) is worth signing up for, as is a visit to the thermal springs ($8) if you’re after a soak. During June, the Southern Lights (also known as Aurora Australis) are visible across parts of Tasmania on a clear night. 

The Dark Mofo festival, curated by MONA, also takes over the city for 12 days (June 11-22) with outdoor installations, bonfires, and a late-night labyrinth of bars and performances spread across the city. If you think Icelandic people are strange, one of the annual Dark Mofo events is the nude solstice swim, where thousands brave the cold for a morning dip. Come for the festival and stay on either side to see Hobart’s winter energy at its most vibrant.

Stay: YHA Hobart Central

Tip: Head to Salamanca waterfront and you’ll see something special as the centuries-old sandstone buildings catch the winter light. As restaurants and bars open up along the strip each night, Hobart starts to feel like a European winter evening done properly. If someone told you this was Reykjavik's old harbour district, you might believe them. Remember to dress warmly to brave the outdoor weather.

Image credit: Visit Victoria

Swap Tuscany for the Grampians

Italy’s iconic Tuscany region is a mix of rolling landscapes, cellar doors, sleepy small towns and the region’s distinctive food. But don't spend thousands flying to Italy. Head instead to the Grampians for a country cultural stay that’s only a few hours from Melbourne.

Taste your way through wine country, starting with the Fallen Giants winery in Halls Gap. The Shiraz is the one to try and the cellar door is worth an afternoon in itself. Closer to town, the Grampians Wine Cellar showcases the best wines of the region. Grampians Estate is a 30 minute drive from Halls Gap for a proper wine country day. When you're ready to eat, Roccolto Pizzeria in Halls Gap does wood-fired pizza that will transport your tastebuds straight to Italy. Just save room for dessert.

Beyond food and wine, the region’s landscapes and cultural significance are a huge drawcard, with rolling hills giving way to the craggy mounds and vast landscapes, much like what you’ll see in Tuscany. Bunjil's Shelter holds ancient Djab wurrung rock art that puts the whole place in a different context. The Pinnacle and the Balconies are two lookouts to add to the list, with views across sandstone country that come into their own during the winter months when the light is low. Mackenzie Falls is the waterfall worth walking to. Trails range from 30 minutes return to a full day out. In winter, the ranges are often capped in mist in the morning and clear by midday.

Stay: YHA Grampians Eco 

Tip: Before you leave a cellar door, pick up a bottle and ask what cheese or produce they'd recommend from town. Head back to YHA Grampians Eco with both, pull a chair up to the outdoor fire pit as the sun drops behind the ranges, and pour a glass. The stars out here are better than anywhere near a city.