Autumn has arrived Down Under, and whilst at this time of year if is often hard to recognise that summer has officially ended, each new season brings fresh reasons to visit our beautiful part of the world.
The Southern Hemisphere Fall months (March, April and May) invite visitors to:
- Cycle between the Hawkes Bay vineyards and enjoy harvest season activities in our many delicious wine regions on both sides of the Tasman (From Marlborough to the Mornington Peninsula, the Barossa or Wairarapa).
- Stretch your legs on one of Australia or New Zealand’s Great Walks: from the spectacular Tongariro Crossing day hike* to multi-day accommodated and catered hikes throughout Australia (experience the new lodge-based Arkaba walk in the Flinders Ranges or combine your walk with some wine tasting on the Cape-to-Cape track in Western Australia’s Margaret River).
- Swim with some of the most majestic creatures of the sea: the gentle giant Whale Sharks return to Western Australia’s Ningaloo Coast between late March and July; or watch turtle hatchlings waddle their way out to sea on Heron Island (February – May).
- Swing a club at one of New Zealand’s magnificent golf courses: Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, Kinloch, Jack’s Point, The Hills .. or the fabulous new Te Arai Links!
- Marvel at the wet season-fuelled waterfalls across Australia’s tropical north – from the Kimberley and Kakadu to far north Queensland; and as many of our favourite lodges in the region also reopen following their seasonal closures, now is the time to experience Bamurru Plains‘ new two-bedroom Jabiru Retreat or the new Finniss River Lodge in the Northern Territory’s Top End.
- Jump behind the wheel and explore some of our most epic self-drives (ask our Travel Design team to curate an itinerary tailored to your interests around Queenstown and Central Otago to enjoy a spectacular kaleidoscope of Autumn colours at this time of year).
- Cast a line for the chance to hook a prized “Barra” during the Northern Territory “run-off”. As the flood plains recede through March and April, Top End rivers serve up some of the region’s best barramundi fishing. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Taupo offers opportunities for some terrific trophy trout fishing at this time of year. Keen sports fishers will also enjoy some thrilling angling experiences in the waters around the region.
- Check-in to one of the region’s newest luxury lodgings: such as the stunning new Southern Ocean Lodge on Australia’s Kangaroo Island or the romantic Clifftops Lodge at Anderson Cove in New Zealand’s North Island.
- Secure ‘front-row seats’ to some of Australia’s exciting events including annual favourites such as: the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne (22 – 24 March), Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (featuring West Side Story 22 March – 21 April in 2024), the Parrtjima celebration of Australia’s indigenous culture in the Red Centre (12-21 April 2024), the Byron Bay Blues Festival over Easter and Vivid light spectacular in Sydney (24 May – 15 June 2024).
- Combine North and South, New Zealand and Australia – the Autumn and Spring months offer some of the best conditions to enjoy the best of it all with generally settled weather across the region. Expect warm days and cooler evenings – ideal for getting outdoors and active from temperate to tropical.
Every season brings new reasons to visit the lands Down Under, so start planning your dream vacation today:
Australia
ausdesign@southern-crossings.com
New Zealand and South Pacific (Fiji, Tahiti / French Polynesia, Cook Islands)
nzdesign@southern-crossings.com
*The New Zealand hiking season generally operates from October to April, with bookings for the year ahead on many of the country’s most popular walks opening from late March.
