The Southern Hemisphere Spring (September, October, November) is a sensational time to travel right across our region. These months are an ideal time to combine a visit to Australia’s tropical north (the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu and the Kimberley), with the temperate south (Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Margaret River and more) and the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
From wonderful wildflower displays and unique wildlife experiences, fabulous fishing, spectacular hikes and delicious seasonal delicacies – it’s all right here, right now!
To help inspire and shape Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific travels at this time of year, we’ve put together a collection of some of our favourite Spring travel experiences across the region:
Wonderful walks
From sunrise strolls (don’t miss the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk in Sydney that hosts the outdoor Sculpture by the Sea exhibition each Spring: 20 October – 6 November 2023) and spectacular single day hikes (such as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand’s north or the well-rewarded Roy’s Peak in the south) to fabulous multi-day walks (the 4-day fully guided, accommodated and catered Cape to Cape walk following the coastline of the Margaret River wine country is particularly spectacular at this time of year with Western Australian wildflowers in full bloom).
Wildflowers and Gardens in full bloom
With the arrival of Spring, wildflowers and gardens across the region burst into bloom. From September to November, Western Australia’s South West is carpeted with a colourful display of wildflowers, South Australia’s Flinders Ranges too.
Across the Tasman in New Zealand, gardens are brimming with colourful blooms (we especially love Otahuna’s stunning Spring Daffodils) and from November bright fields of lupins line Lake Tekapo for the ultimate insta-worthy photo opportunities!
Ask our Travel Design teams about some of the local floral displays and privileged access to some of our region’s most beautiful gardens.
Great Golfing
The warm clear days of Spring are ideal for discovering our region’s spectacular golf courses. From King Island to Kauri Cliffs, Australia and New Zealand offer a collection of world-class (and very scenic!) golfing experiences. Our Travel Design teams can weave golfing experiences in to almost any itinerary or curate a whole itinerary around golf – but one experience not to be missed is the new Tom Doak-designed North Course, due to open at the new luxury Te Arai Links golf resort just north of Auckland in October.
Fabulous Fishing
Whilst Australia and New Zealand offer avid anglers plenty of year-round fishing fun, Spring brings even greater rewards. New Zealand’s famous trout fishing season officially opens 1 October (and continues through to April). As the waters warm, the hungry brown trout are biting making for some excellent fly-fishing adventures.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef becomes a magnet for Black Marlin from September through to December making for exceptionally exciting deep sea fishing day trips from the island. Note: fishing for Black Marlin is offered on a tag and release basis.
Wildlife: from birdwatching to whale watching
From September (through until April), Hawkes Bay is home to the largest and most accessible mainland colonies of gannets in the world (The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers a collection of privileged experiences to get up close to these creatures – along with a collection of other native wildlife – from Kiwi to Tuatara – at the Cape Sanctuary).
In Australia’s Kakadu and Northern Territory wetlands, watch beautiful brolgas dancing and migrating Magpie Geese flock to the region’s billabongs. Celebrate the region’s rich biodiversity with a range of special events during the annual Kakadu Birdweek (28 September-3 October 2023) or ask our Travel Design team about tailored birdwatching experiences – this time of year brings a collection of birdwatching treats from North to South: spot Cassowary chicks roaming the rainforests north of Cairns and brightly-coloured parrots perched in the flowering eucalypts in Victoria.
Elsewhere, watch Kangaroo joeys emerge from their mother’s pouches and baby koalas clinging to their mother’s backs on Kangaroo island, spot humpback whales on their annual migration back to Antarctic waters with their calves (you can even swim with these majestic creatures on Western Australia’s Ningaloo coast between July and mid-October each year), and come November watch nesting sea turtles make their way up the beach on Heron Island.
New Zealand Waterfalls
Head to New Zealand’s spectacular Fiordland (or ask our Travel Designers to curate heli-touring experiences to the South Islands’ most remote and unspoilt southern reaches) to see waterfalls at their thundering best as the winter wonderlands thaw.
Outdoor dining
With the evenings becoming warmer and the days becoming longer again, now is the time to book an outdoor table at one of our region’s fabulous restaurants .. or pop into one of countless cool roof-top bars for some cocktails with the locals.
Spring (September – October) is also Whitebait season in New Zealand. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample a locals’ favourite seasonal treat – Whitebait Fritters that feature on menus across the country at this time of year.
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
