Six Australian summer holiday destinations

Nothing beats the perfect summer escape! We’ve taken the hard work out of planning your next getaway with a list of the top must-do experiences around Australia.

Burleigh Heads National Park. Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

From spectacular coastal destinations, iconic Australian locations or simply getting back to nature, you’ll want to go somewhere great this summer, and we know six of the best spots.

Port Arthur NRMA Holiday Park

1. Embrace the outdoors

Breath-taking views will encourage you to get fit! Regardless if you are just starting out or a fitness fanatic, we have bush trails, coastal walks and hinterland hikes for everyone. Experience the Tasman Peninsula and hike the famous Three Capes trail at Port Arthur, or step things up a level and ‘conquer kozzie’. Tick Australia’s highest summit off the bucket list and climb Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain at 2,228 metres just outside of Jindabyne.

Rocky cliffs lead to a sand beach and sea with four of the twelve apostle rock formations visible, bathed in warm orange sunset.

Credit: Visit Victoria

2. Hit the Great Ocean Road

Think iconic natural wonders, including the 12 Apostles, London Bridge, and Loch Ard Gorge are all the Great Ocean Road has to offer? Think again! Experience the Cape Otway Light station set 91 meters above the ocean, Cape Patton lookout offering breath-taking views of Victoria’s coastline, Port Campbell National Park, world renowned surfing at Bells Beach and Cape Nelson State Park in Portland Bay. You'll wonder why you waited this long to experience the Great Ocean Road.

Green fields flow down to a rocky shoreline and large deep blue bay, with a single small green island under blue sky.

3. Get back to nature

Hoping to see and learn about some Aussie animals? Spot dolphins in their natural habitat in Lakes Entrance at Eastern Beach, witness kangaroos in the wild at Murramarang, learn about marine conservation at the Marine Discovery Centre in Port Macquarie or teach the little ones about Australian Native animals at Urimbirra Wildlife Park in Victor Harbor.

A man snorkeling over corals and fish, while a woman hangs her flippers into the water from a boat floating on the surface.

Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

4. Explore the Great Barrier Reef

Visit the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world and enjoy the crystal-clear waters, exotic marine life and abundance of coral. Cairns and Palm Cove are the perfect base to explore all the reef has to offer. Whether you chose to snorkel or dive, the 3000 plus individual reef systems and more than 1,500 species of fish that call the reef home will be sure to keep you captivated.

A man silhouetted as he fishes along a sandy shore with the sun blazing down directly above him.

5. Untouched coastal destinations

Looking for a little slice of heaven? The east coast boasts pristine beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Watch the waves crash on the sand at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort and feel yourself relax and unwind. Keep the family entertained with surfing lessons or a game of beach volleyball on Arrawarra Beach, right on the doorstep of NRMA Darlington Beach Holiday Resort, on the NSW Mid North Coast.

A boy and girl kayak along a still lake as two ducks swim alongside them, with a green shore and blue sky in the distance.

6. Kayaking

Hit the water and kayak on the majestic Myall Lakes at NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park. The largest system of its kind in Australia, the combination of lakes, rivers and miles of deserted golden sandy beaches make it an indisputable paradise. Looking for a relaxing spot where the fish are biting all year round? Cast a line on the calm waters of Narrabeen Lake and watch the fish bite from NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park.

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