The best time to see whales in and around Sydney is mid-June to mid-July, so Shields suggests visiting the Bouddi Peninsula of New South Wales, a 90-minute drive north from the city, and checking into Pretty Beach House—and yes, it is what it says on the tin. The team here organizes whale watching tours aboard a 39-foot catamaran and goes out into the waters of the Central Coast. (Worry not if you miss the whales; you’ll still be served a high-tea-style lunch, making it a fabulous time regardless.) On the opposite end of the country, July is when the biggest display of wildflowers in the world begins to bloom in Western Australia’s the Golden Outback. The wetter the rainy season that precedes the bloom, the more vibrant the flowers. But no matter the weather, the Wheatbelt and Esperance usually offer consistently beautiful flowers.
In August, head up to the Northern Territory, to the town of Nhulunbuy, for the Garma Festival, the country’s largest Indigenous gathering where the Yolngu clans of Arnhem Land celebrate life and their stories through art, music, and dance. This a fantastic opportunity to engage with and learn from the country’s Indigenous people, who have lived on this land since time immemorial. (In 2025, the Garma Festival will be held from August 1 to 4.) Head from the north to the south—perhaps via the famous train journey The Ghan—and hop over to Kangaroo Island where, as Shields says, “wildlife is at its most active in the winter.” There, you can get an oceanside view of the marvelous landscape from the dreamy Southern Ocean Lodge, a Hot List and Readers’ Choice Awards winner for 2024. Here, the sustainability-minded team puts together all types of excursions throughout the island, and you’ll likely see kangaroos and koalas while you’re just driving through the neighborhood. (But even if you just stay in, relax in the spa, and taste test every South Australian wine at the help-yourself bar, no one will hold it against you.)
Australian spring: outdoor activities, festivals galore, and good old-fashioned road trips
Spring in Australia occurs in the months of September, October, and November. That’s when the weather begins to warm up again and all of Australia celebrates nature—that is, perhaps more than they do already. Byron Bay is particularly glorious at this time of year, says Cooper: “I love to send clients there in September as the weather is optimal for the great outdoors and activities that might include hot air ballooning, hang gliding, whale watching, scuba diving, and snorkeling.”
