How To Spend An Aussie Summer If You Don't Like The Beach

Wave goodbye to hot sand and overcrowded beach parking – instead, check out these alternatives for having fun this summer.

Has your dislike of the beach got you feeling like the odd one out in summer? Sunburn and water rips aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out when the temperature rises.

It turns out there is plenty more to do in Australia this summer than lie on a towel.

See Top End waterfalls during Wet Season

Skip the Northern Territory’s winter high season and book yourself in for some spectacular sites all at once when you visit the Top End in summer. Rivers swollen by the monsoon season in beauty spots like Kakadu or Litchfield National Park mean some parts of the parks are inaccessible, but it does mean you get to see the waterfalls raging in all their glory. Book in to see them on a scenic flight, stat.

Swim right up to the Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park. (Image: Tourism NT)

Sit under the stars at an outdoor cinema

From perching on a chair on a rooftop to relaxing under a tree in a park, there are plenty of options come summertime to watch the big screen en plein air. Moonlight Cinema operates in most of the country’s state capitals, with the opportunity for BYO picnics on the grass, while in the CBD of Melbourne you can check out options like Rooftop Cinema at the Curtin House .

people sitting at an outdoor cinema — Spend your summer nights watching films under the stars.

Tick off as many of NSW ocean pools as you can

From pools dug out of rock by convict hands, to oh-so-Instagrammable Bondi pools, there are around a hundred ocean pools to discover in NSW alone.

swimming in Bondi Icebergs Pool, NSW — Bask in the infinity-edged glory at Bondi Icebergs Pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

They are simply brilliant for those who have a dislike of the open ocean – or simply the gritty feeling of sand everywhere – and a cherished part of any Australian coastal summer.

an aerial view of Cronulla Rock Pool in Cronulla — Cronulla Rock Pool is fronting the grandeur of the dreamy, turquoise waters. (Image: Destination NSW)

The famous BBBB – Bondi Icebergs Pool, Bermagui Blue Pool and Bronte Pool – are gorgeous places to start your ocean pool journey of discovery.

Bronte Pool at sunrise — Take a refreshing morning dip at Bronte Pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

Picnic at the night markets

As the temperature rises, the time for perusing favourite Australian delicacies moves to the cooler evening hours. In Melbourne, there is the Summer Night Market at the Queen Vic Markets , while in Adelaide, the famous Central Market is open till 9pm. Out west, Perth’s Twilight Food Market also has a massive array of global cuisines. No need to tell us twice…

a man shopping at Adelaide Central Market — Go shopping for fresh produce at Adelaide Central Market. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Party at MONA FOMA

While Dark Mofo might usually hog the spotlight (not in 2024, as it has been cancelled), its summertime variation, MONA FOMA is a must-do for cultural lovers Down Under.

Australia’s largest contemporary music festival, held by the Museum of New and Old Art , is hosted across Hobart and Launceston, with delights that include Faux Mo warehouse parties, odd and thought-provoking performance art, and local and international music acts.

two people facing each other with colourful lights as a backdrop at MONA FOMA — The bright lights at MONA FOMA make the perfect backdrop. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Feast on oysters and white wine

Australians arguably love seafood all year round. But slurping an oyster with a cold sauvignon blanc hits differently on a summer road trip.

Get Shucked oysters with a bottle of sauvignon blanc on Bruny Island — Freshly-plated oysters at Get Shucked with a chilled wine are the perfect pair. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Take a tour at Coffin Bay Oyster Farm in South Australia , drop by one of the many suppliers at Batemans Bay in NSW for a seasonal Sydney Rock Oyster, nab some Albany Rock Oysters for a picnic overlooking the magnificent Western Australian southern coastline, or do a drive through oyster pick up at Get Shucked on Bruny Island.

freshly picked oysters at Coffin Bay Oyster Farm in South Australia — Slurp oysters fresh from Coffin Bay Oyster Farm. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Hike to a waterhole

Love to swim, but hate the scorching sand and general lack of shade? Check out what water hole hikes you can do near you, instead. In the Blue Mountains, just an hour out of Sydney, the hike to the Glenbrook Gorge and kid-friendly Jelly Bean pool is perfect for a hot day.

Down in Launceston, you can take a dip in the Cataract Gorge Reserve after a walk, while an hour out of Melbourne, you can swim and hike at Werribee Gorge. You might even spot a resident platypus while wild swimming!

the crowded pool at Cataract Gorge — Soak up the natural scenery as you dip in the pool at Cataract Gorge. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Walk Tasmania’s Overland Track

Take advantage of mild, long days and a blessed lack of icy snow to do one of Tasmania’s most famous walks – the Overland Track. An alpine trek of 65km through Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area, walkers get to take in Tassie hard hitters like Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, as well as spot cuties like pademelons, wombats or a Tasmanian Devil (if you’re lucky).

Tasmania’s Overland Track at Mt Olympus — Traverse the scenic Overland Track. (Image: Blake Lisk – Pillar Creative)

This is one of the most popular times to do the trek, so make sure to book in advance . Want to find out more? We’ve lined up everything you need to know before you go on the Overland Trek, here.

panoramic views of Cradle Mountain's Peak at Overland Track, Barn Bluff — Take in panoramic views of Cradle Mountain. (Image: Matty Eaton)

Laugh at Adelaide Fringe Festival (then dance at WOMADelaide)

Down in South Australia, they don’t call it Mad March for nothing. Each year from mid-February to mid-March, the world’s second-largest Fringe festival (after Edinburgh, of course) comes back to wreak creative havoc over Adelaide – and this time will be no different.

crowds of people at the Adelaide Fringe Festival — Adelaide Fringe Festival is the world’s second-largest Fringe festival. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

Edgy explorations of digital immersive art, incredible pyrotechnics, comedy shows flooding out the Garden of Unearthly Delights, and general tomfoolery in hundreds of venues across the state will be capped off by the internationally-minded music festival of WOMAD(World Of Music Arts and Dance)elaide in the Botanic Gardens.

crowds of people participating WOMADelaide — Cap off your night watching electrifying performances at WOMADelaide. (Image: Jack Fenby)

Watch turtles hatch at Bundaberg

From November to March, a very special animal encounter can be had at Mon Repos, Queensland. It is here in Bundaberg that nesting marine and loggerhead turtles pull themselves up the sand, to lay their eggs between November and January. These then hatch out tiny baby turtles between January and March.

a tiny baby turtle walking at Mon Repos Turtle Centre — Mon Repos Turtle Centre facilitates annual turtle nesting and hatching tours. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

To watch either of these spectacular sights in person at the Mon Repos Conservation Park, you can book a park ranger tour (or join the waitlist). We’ve reviewed what it is like to visit at this magical time, here.

baby turtles heading to the shore at Mon Repos Turtle Centre — Cheer baby turtles as they head to the shore. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Have a game of Barefoot Bowls

Once considered an activity less cool than socks and sandals, a game of barefoot bowls is now an extremely acceptable way to spend a Saturday afternoon in summer (the jury is still out on the socks combo).

Clovelly Bowling and Recreation Club in Sydney has particularly gorgeous ocean views at the edge of a cliff, while down in Melbourne, St Kilda Sports Club might be one of the country’s oldest bowlos – but it still has vibes in spades. So what are you waiting for? Call your friends, grab a cheap pint and chuck away the shoes for an hour or two of fun in the sun.

friends having fun at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club — Go barefoot bowling for a fun outdoor activity. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

How to spend an Aussie summer if you don’t like the beach