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As large swathes of Australia deal with extreme heat this summer (we see you, Mildura!), high temps can turn a normal summer road trip into a test of patience, sanity and air conditioning.
It's no surprise, then, that “coolcations” are having a moment. When normal holiday spots start to feel like a hotplate, the smart move is to head for destinations that can help to beat the heat: alpine regions, highland gems, and southern climes.
By deliberately choosing cool places to visit, you and the family can still go for a walk at midday, sleep properly at night, and do the fun stuff without timing everything around the heat. Here are some great places to visit if lower temps are your goal.
Lake St Clair Ferry Service, Overland Track, Tasmania. Credit: Blake Lisk
Australia is famous for red dirt, big skies and long straight roads but sometimes they come with a side order of heat that is not for everyone. This is where the ‘coolcation’ earns its keep. A coolcation is travel planned around comfort in hot weather, choosing altitude, southern latitude, or shade so you can be outside during the day and sleep well at night.
Couple walking along the Crystal Shower Falls walk, Dorrigo National Park. Credit: Destination NSW
Ski towns in their green season, southern coasts, and highland rainforests are all prime locations for a coolcation. These areas usually have cooler nights, lower humidity, and milder daytime conditions.
If you want to escape the heat, here are some general rules to follow:
Every category has trade-offs. Alpine areas can quickly flip from mild to stormy. Coastal spots can still cop heatwaves. Rainforests tend to be a touch humid. The goal is to pick the kind of “cool” you can live with.
Ski towns in summer are the touring equivalent of ‘taking the scenic route’ because the highway is gridlocked. You’re in familiar territory, the accommodation is set up for visitors, and there’s a decent menu of things to do without heat being the main character.
Sun setting over Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains. Credit: Destination NSW
Jindabyne works as a hub for day trips to Thredbo and Perisher, or a classic alpine walk from Charlotte’s Pass to the top of Kosciusko. It has shops, food, easy access to Lake Jindabyne, and plenty of short walks and rides to suit most skill and fitness levels. It’s perfect for families who want options, couples who want a simple base, and active travellers who want to move without melting. If you want the straightforward bookable stay, NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park is the clean pick.
Camping at Falls to Hotham Trek. Credit: Visit Victoria
Bright is one of those towns that makes summer easy, whether you're chasing morning coffee, a swim, a ride, or a proper meal at the end of the day. Mount Buffalo adds cooler lookouts and short walks, and Buller’s village gives you the alpine feel without the winter crowds. It’s a good fit for people who like to do a bit, then stop.
If you like the sense of space you get up high, Falls Creek in summer is the calmer version of the same map. High plains walks, incredible views, and the option to stitch together small towns in the valleys if you want a driving day all await. It suits walkers, cyclists, and anyone who wants a holiday that doesn’t feel rushed.
One note for all alpine areas is that conditions matter. Thunderstorms, wind, and fire danger can change plans fast. The smart move is to keep your day flexible and bring layers, even in summer.
A standing stone sign welcoming visitors to Glen Innes. Credit: Destination NSW
Cooler nights are a feature up here. Heading out of Coffs Harbour, Waterfall Way is a hidden travel gem that you can break the day into short drives and time outside, checking out waterfalls, gorges and lookouts, before heading to Armidale or Glen Innes for some high-country hospitality.
Hiking the Gloucester Tops circuit in Barrington Tops National Park. Credit: Destination Barrington Coast
Barrington Tops is the antidote to the sticky kind of summer. Rainforest walks, misty mornings, and plenty of shade are trademarks of this spot. It’s close enough to the coast to be accessible, but it feels like you’ve changed climate zones. Tracks and access can vary, so it’s worth treating plans as flexible and checking NSW National Parks before heading into the forest.
Kayaking on Dove Lake, Tasmania. Credit: Sean Scott Photography
Tasmania has a hard-won coolcation reputation, but it still pays to pack for variety. The Central Highlands is about cold lakes, big skies, and evenings that can feel like jumper weather. It’s slow travel territory, with plenty of short walks, scenic drives and long lunch opportunities.
Albany is a solid summer circuit-breaker if you want “go south” without leaving the mainland. It’s coastal, it’s breezy, and it has that granite-and-ocean landscape that feels like it’s been rinsed clean by wind. You can spend a day on sheltered beaches, then pivot to clifftop lookouts when the sun is too sharp. As always in summer, check local conditions, including fire risk and any park alerts, before you commit to longer drives or hikes.
Seals along the Freycinet Walking Tour. Credit: Tourism Australia
If alpine driving isn’t your thing, coastal cool is the other reliable destination to escape the heat. You’re leaning on sea breezes and water access, the natural air-conditioning effect, and choosing destinations where the daily rhythm is easy.
Like its highland lakes, Tasmania’s coast is a natural fit. Coles Bay and the Freycinet region can still get warm, but the overall profile is often gentler than the mainland interior, and the water is a dependable reset button. There are plenty of great places to stay if you’re keen to relax and unwind, too, like the luxurious Freycinet Lodge.
Penguins at Phillip Island Penguin Parade. Credit: Visit Victoria
Good to remember: NRMA Parks and Resorts make the “book it and go” approach easy on the mainland too, particularly if you’re travelling with kids. Some of our recommendations are:
Coastal travel has its own summer reality checks. High UV, crowded beaches on peak days, and heatwaves that can still push down from the north. The advantage is you have more ways to cool down quickly.
A coolcation doesn’t need a spreadsheet. It needs a simple plan, a few sensible checks, and the willingness to swap one hero hike for two shorter ones if the day turns swampy.
