Summertime in Australia, and in many areas of the country, you’re probably sweating profusely, feeling drained and lethargic and looking to hide out in front of the nearest air conditioner for as long as possible. Australian summertime heat can be brutal, particularly when it leads to sunburn, exhaustion and heat stroke.

But for many people, a summer holiday equates to time spent at the beach, an island or in the hot tropics. While this certainly sounds pleasant and summery, in reality, holidaying in a sweltering, sticky and oppressive climate may not be the relaxing break you had hoped for.

A hot summer holiday can be draining, lethargy-inducing and generally unpleasant, even in a lovely tropical environment. If truth be told, you’re better off taking advantage of the hot climates in cooler seasons where the warmth is a pleasure, and instead spending your summer holiday somewhere cooler.

Summertime activity is much more pleasant when the weather is cooler. Whether you’re playing outdoor sports, exploring the region’s natural beauties or just hanging out with friends or family, you’ll be able to enjoy it much more in cooler temperatures. Rather than feeling hot, sticky, tired and uncomfortable, you’re more likely to feel energised, enthusiastic and active.

As well, you can avoid the hustle and bustle of a summer beach holiday. While beaches and the coastline are magnetically attractive, in summertime they’re also very likely to be hot, busy and crowded.

There’s a good chance your holiday will be spent on jam-packed public transport, in crowds of sun-seeking tourists or waiting impatiently in restaurant queues. If the crush of crowds and constant busyness is your thing, then great, you’ll enjoy your coastal holiday, but the rest of us may be left with a small unsatisfied feeling – that your holiday was not all it could be.

But it doesn’t have to be that way on your next holiday! There’s plenty of places in Australia where you can enjoy the pleasures of a cooler summer holiday – such as these.

The Bunya Mountains, South-east Queensland

It might surprise you to know that sunny Queensland is actually home to some colder spots – some of which even get snow occasionally! One of the best of these is the Bunya Mountains, a scenic rainforest paradise that soars above the surrounding plains at an elevation of around 1100 metres above sea level.

With a refreshingly cool climate that’s at least 5 – 7 degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands year round, it’s in summer that you’ll discover the greatest benefits.

The Bunya Mountains is the ideal destination for a cool summer escape in peaceful and pristinely beautiful surroundings where you can shift into a lower gear for a while. As you drive up the winding Bunya Mountains road, you’ll leave the heat of the plains behind and quickly find yourself if a microcosm of cool, green rainforest, eucalypt forests and majestic and ancient Bunya pines.

Here you can explore one of the many beautiful walking tracks, interact with the local wildlife, hand feed the friendly wild birds that flock the area, enjoy escarpment views, play outdoor sports and explore rockpools, waterfalls and lookouts.

Have a look at all the accommodation available at the Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre here: https://bunyamountains.com.au/accommodation-search/

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Tasmania’s best known national park – Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – features one of Tasmania’s most visited natural attractions. Cradle Mountain offers visitors the beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness coupled with the chance for hiking and exploration, and is set in a stunning World Heritage Wilderness area. Soaring over 1,500 metres above sea level, Cradle Mountain provides cool summertime temperatures in abundance, and it’s a simple 1.5 hour drive from Devonport or a 2.5 hour drive from Launceston.

As well as the mountain, you’ll discover rainforest and grassland plus a rich and diverse landscape of ancient plants and native wildlife, including the iconic Tasmanian devils, platypus, quolls and echidna. There are plenty of breathtaking vistas to encounter, including snow-covered mountain peaks, waterfalls, glacial lakes and wild gorges.

To top it all off, there’s a range of accommodation options available where you can enjoy the comforts of home at the end of the day, including cabins, chalets and campgrounds. You’ll be able to enjoy scenic vistas galore as you immerse yourself in an alpine wilderness like no other, as well as unique wildlife experiences and surprising discoveries.

You can check out accommodation in Cradle Mountain here:

Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria

Located at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, Wilson’s Promontory is Victoria’s largest coastal wilderness area. This 50,000 hectare natural reserve is a haven of secluded beaches, abundant wildlife, scenic walking tracks, spectacular wildflower displays and panoramic views.

As well, the area is home to Victoria’s largest marine national park, where you can snorkel, cruise alongside dolphins, get up close to seal colonies and observe all kinds of unique marine birdlife. You can catch a movie at one of Australia’s oldest outdoor

cinemas, or take a trip on the world’s first amphibious boat that travels across both sand and sea. The area is pleasantly cool in summer, with average temperatures of around 20 degrees.

It’s the perfect destination for nature and outdoor lovers, and there’s all manner of magical realms to find. And it’s only 200km away from Melbourne.

Accommodation options range from camping to contemporary cabins, plus Wilson’s Promontory has a range of accessible beaches, toilets, accommodation options, equipment hire and facilities for the disabled.

So, don’t swelter through your next summer holiday! Enjoy the allure of a cool climate in summer – it’s the perfect way to escape the heat and enjoy a memorable summertime escape like no other.