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The battle of Australia’s 18 best summer ice creams

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
These cult-favourite ice creams prove Australian summers are built on nostalgia, loyalty and strong opinions. 

There are many ways Australians mark the start of summer. Swapping jumpers for thongs. Complaining it’s already too hot. And standing in front of a freezer, debating ice cream like it’s a life decision.  

Every summer, the same cult favourites rise to the top, sparking fierce loyalty, friendly rivalry and the occasional “sorry but that one’s overrated" hot take. From supermarket legends to scoop shops with lines out the door, this is the annual, unofficial battle for Australia’s most beloved summer ice cream, ranked only by how fiercely I love them. 

18. Paddle Pop

A cornerstone of Australian childhoods. Creamy, simple and deeply nostalgic, Paddle Pops are proof that you don’t need fancy flavours to win hearts. Still elite, still dependable and still best eaten on a hot afternoon when you probably should’ve had lunch. 

17. Drumstick

drumstick
Drumstick comes in new flavours.

Ice cream with theatre. The chocolate-lined cone, the crunchy base, the way everyone saves the last bite for maximum satisfaction. It’s so iconic that it’s now part of Australia’s Big Things ice cream legacy, which feels entirely correct. 

16. Cow and the Moon

The gelato shop that turned pistachio into a religion. Known for balance, depth of flavour and queues that barely move, Cow and the Moon is for people who say “just one scoop" and then immediately order another. 

15. Lifesavers

The ice cream version of the lolly you used to sort by colour. Sweet, refreshing and gone in about 30 seconds. Still fun. Still nostalgic. 

14. Bubble O’Bill

A cowboy hat, a bubblegum nose and a personality all of its own. It’s chaotic, divisive and impossible to forget. An icon, whether you loved it or not. 

13. Zooper Dooper

Not technically ice cream, but spiritually essential. The freezer staple of Aussie summers, best enjoyed dripping down your wrist on the hottest day of the year. 

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12. Calippo

The squeeze, the slurp, the citrus hit. Calippos are refreshment first, dessert second, and perfect when it’s too hot for anything creamy. 

11. Cornetto

The sophisticated cousin to the Drumstick. Chocolate tip, crunchy cone, creamy centre and just enough drama to feel indulgent. 

10. Cyclone

A tropical throwback that tastes like swimming carnivals and beach kiosks. Bright, fun and instantly nostalgic. 

9. Icy Pole

Simple, effective and still undefeated in extreme heat. Sometimes you don’t need bells and whistles, just cold, sweet relief. 

8. Milo Scoop Shake

Comfort in a cup. Chocolatey, creamy and deeply familiar, this one feels like a hug from your childhood pantry. 

7. Connoisseur

The freezer staple you buy “for guests" and then eat yourself. Rich flavours, smooth textures and quietly luxurious without being flashy. 

6. Frosty Fruits

Peak nostalgia. The kind of ice cream that lives in grandparents’ freezers and tastes like backyard summers. Sweet, refreshing and deeply sentimental. 

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5. Splice

The perfect balance of creamy vanilla and icy fruit. One bite and you’re instantly transported to holiday mode. 

4. Messina

You might not be able to find these in your local corner store, but no ice cream list is complete without the juggernaut. Weekly specials, experimental flavours and queues that prove Australians will wait patiently for exceptional gelato. Love it or roll your eyes at it, Messina has earned its cult status.

3. Magnum

Decadent, indulgent and unmistakable. Thick chocolate shell, rich centre and zero apologies. This is ice cream as a treat.

2. Weis Mango and Ice Cream Bar

A national treasure. Real mango flavour, creamy vanilla and the confidence of an ice cream that doesn’t need gimmicks to be perfect. 

1. Golden Gaytime

The undisputed legend. Biscuit bits, caramel, vanilla and nostalgia all working together in chaotic harmony. If summer had a flavour, this would be it. 

Will this spark debates? Absolutely. Should it. Definitely. Because in Australia, summer isn’t just about the heat. It’s about standing in front of the freezer, arguing passionately, and knowing deep down that the best ice cream is the one you’re eating right now. 

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Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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7 of the best hotel pools to plan a holiday around

(Credit: Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    Whether you prefer harbour views or coastal escapes, these seven hotels prove that every holiday should start poolside.

    For the 13 million Australians planning a domestic holiday next year, where to stay is as important as where to go. The ideal hotel is one that helps you relax the moment you check in, with freshly prepared dining, easy access to local attractions, and an inviting pool lined with loungers and lush greenery. These seven hotel pools tick every box.   

    1. Hilton Surfers Paradise

    Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences rooftop pool
    Dive into this sunny pool precinct.

    What’s better than a stunning hotel swimming pool? Four stunning hotel swimming pools. Just two minutes’ walk from the iconic Surfers Paradise beachfront, Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences has its own pool precinct extending over 1500sqm. 

    There’s a 40-metre lap pool, plunge pool, kids’ pool with playground, and an indoor pool for a heated escape on cooler days. Follow up your swim with a luxury treatment at the eforea Spa, before taking in the ocean and hinterland views at the hotel’s Catch Restaurant. Guests can choose from luxury hotel rooms, or fully self-contained apartments with a kitchen, laundry and private balcony. The Sky Residences are located on level 33 and above, and include floor-to-ceiling windows, larger balconies and stop-you-in-your-tracks views.  

    2. Hilton Cairns

    hilton cairns pool
    Spend a day by the tropical lagoon-style pool.

    If location is key, Hilton Cairns offers an urban, waterfront escape just two minutes’ walk from the marina, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and CBD. When you’re not exploring the Great Barrier Reef or the local restaurants and markets, you’ll most likely spend your time on a lounger by the inviting tropical lagoon-style pool, shaded by lush palm trees. There’s even a ‘Popsicle Hotline’ for a complimentary ice block delivered straight to your lounger, or order from the popular pool bar.

    Every room at the Hilton Cairns features a private balcony – rare for city hotels – so you can sip your coffee and watch the sunrise as the marina readies itself for boats heading out to the reef through Trinity Inlet.  

    3. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Double Tree By Hilton Cairns pool
    Pull up a lounge chair and enjoy the Cairns weather.

    Famous for their ridiculously delicious welcome cookies, served warm on arrival, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns is also known for its seven-story, open-air tropical atrium with waterfalls, bridges, pathways and a pond filled with barramundi. Some rooms and internal balconies overlook this rainforest indoor garden, and you can explore it anytime you like.

    Don’t miss the regular fish-feeding sessions. When you’re not adventuring in the atrium, pull up a lounge chair beside the newly refurbished pool, or enjoy The Vine Room restaurant and bar, which won best redeveloped hotel in QLD at the Queensland Hospitality Awards. This hotel is the perfect base to visit the nearby Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Aquarium, and the Reef Fleet Terminal.  

    4. Hilton Garden Inn Busselton

    heated pool at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton.
    Enjoy the heated pool at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton.

    To experience the colour-soaked sunrises of South West WA, get up early and take a dip in the welcoming, heated pool at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton. Overlooking the sheltered Geographe Bay foreshore, the loungers are perfectly positioned to take advantage of sunny afternoons as well. 

    Order a cool drink or devour fresh seafood from the hotel’s restaurant, Together & Co Restaurant. The unique menu is refreshed seasonally, but expect locally sourced Western Australian produce, Margaret River wines and modern Australian dishes. This hotel also offers Ocean View Rooms that frame the iconic Busselton Jetty nearby, as well as some rooms with private balconies, all decked out in soft coastal colours, pale timbers and sandy tones, reflecting the surrounding landscape.   

    5. Hilton Darwin

    Hilton Darwin pool deck
    Head to the sun-drenched rooftop pool.

    As soon as you drop your bags off in your harbour-view room at the Hilton Darwin, you’ll most likely head to the sun-drenched rooftop pool to wash away the tropical humidity and enjoy the endlessly blue Northern Territory skies.

    After a dip, book into award-winning PepperBerry Restaurant. The menu leans into the cultural significance of the region by incorporating native ingredients. Think lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum, saltbush, wattle seed and other Indigenous flavours. Round out your evening with a short stroll to the CBD for an after-dinner drink or ice cream by the waterfront.  

    6. DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin

    DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin pool
    Dine beside the pool, or dive right in.

    The most sought-after seat at the DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin is undoubtedly a terrace table in the hotel’s Aqua Restaurant and Bar. With views across the oversized pool and tropical gardens, the terrace is the best place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired dishes with local ingredients.

    From there, famous attractions such as Crocosaurus Cove and the Darwin Waterfront are within a gentle stroll. Recharge in one of the comfortable, luxury rooms with the Sweet Dreams® by DoubleTree sleep experience – a custom-designed bed, with feather or down bedding and crisp white sheets. It’ll give you a sleep so restorative, you’ll want to take the bed home with you, which you literally can, thanks to the brand’s retail collection.       

    7. Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

    an aerial view of the pool at Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
    Hit the on-site pool under shady palms for a respite.

    Striking a balance between being central and blissfully removed from Darwin’s busy nightlife, the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin hugs the quieter end of the famous Esplanade. With a resort-style pool set among palms and tropical plants, it’s a destination in its own right. Harbour View rooms have sweeping panoramic views of ochre-coloured sunsets, while other rooms enjoy the striking city skyline. The hotel is so highly regarded by the locals, it recently won the Best Overall Accommodation Hotel and Best Mid-Range Accommodation categories at the Hospitality NT awards – but that won’t surprise anyone who has stayed there. 

    Start planning your poolside bliss at hilton.com.