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Spring is a great time to get out and explore Australia, with whales moving along the coast, gardens bursting into colour and country towns coming to life. Head north and there’s still time to make the most of the dry season. Head inland and you can explore the outback before the summer heat really sets in or point the car towards the coast and enjoy those first warm days of the season by the water.
Whether you’re ready to hit the road, get back to nature or simply make the most of those longer days, we’ve gathered a little inspiration for your next escape.
See Australia in bloom: spring flowers and colourful getaways
Spring has a way of putting on a show.
Fields fill with colour, gardens come back to life and, in some towns, the changing season is reason enough for a celebration.
In Victoria, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival near Warburton and the Yarra Ranges brings more than a million spring flowering bulbs to the countryside. Make a weekend of it and spend some time exploring the villages, forests and local food of the surrounding region, with Warburton Holiday Park making an easy base for a few days away.
Further north, Grafton takes on a completely different shade. Its famous jacaranda-lined streets turn purple in spring, while the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival celebrates one of the city's most colourful times of year. Stay at BIG4 Big River Holiday Park and add Grafton to a wider Clarence Valley road trip.
Then there’s South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Take the long way from Adelaide, winding through the Adelaide Hills before heading towards Victor Harbor. Spring brings green rolling hills, wildflowers and the occasional splash of yellow from flowering canola, before the countryside eventually gives way to the coast.
Flowering times and displays vary with seasonal conditions, so it’s always worth checking what’s blooming before you set off.
Follow the whales south: spring whale watching in Australia
Spring brings one of Australia’s great wildlife spectacles as whales make their way south towards their Antarctic feeding grounds.
Along the NSW coast, humpback whales can be spotted making the journey south, often with calves alongside them. From the Mid North Coast to the South Coast, beaches, headlands and coastal lookouts give you plenty of reasons to stop, slow down and keep an eye on the horizon.
It’s a good excuse for a coastal getaway, too. Start at Valla Beach Holiday Park, make your way south to Lakeside Forster Holiday Park, or keep following the coast to BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park, near Bermagui on the NSW South Coast.
Over in South Australia, Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay offer another reason to plan a spring escape. The area is known for southern right whales, with August to October among the best times to look for mothers and calves in the sheltered waters. Stay at Victor Harbor Holiday Park and make whale watching part of a few days exploring the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Between sightings, there are beaches to wander, coastal towns to explore and plenty of places to find a spot overlooking the ocean and watch the water.
You could even turn whale season into a spring road trip, following the coast and seeing what you discover along the way.
Want to know where to look? Follow our guide to whale watching along Australia’s east coast.
Take the long way: spring road trips around Australia
Spring is made for road trips, and you don’t need weeks away to make one worthwhile. Sometimes it’s simply choosing somewhere a few hours from home, adding a country town, lookout or local lunch along the way and taking your time getting there. If you’re looking for inspiration closer to home, our getaways just 2–3 hours from home guide has plenty of ideas that work well beyond winter, too.
Ready to go further? Head west to Lightning Ridge for opal country, artesian waters and wonderfully different outback landscapes. Or follow the open road into Queensland towards Longreach, where country towns, museums and outback stories become part of the journey.
Further north, spring can also be a good time for a Top End road trip, particularly earlier in the season when you can catch the latter part of the dry season. Base yourself at BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park near Darwin and set out for national parks, swimming spots and wide-open landscapes, checking seasonal access and conditions before you go.
Whether you’re covering a state or travelling a few hours down the road, leave a little room in the itinerary. Sometimes the stops you didn’t plan are the ones you remember.
Follow the festivals: spring events worth travelling for
Spring doesn’t only change the landscape. It brings plenty of reasons to get out and explore regional Australia too.
On the NSW South Coast, the River of Art Festival brings the Eurobodalla region to life with arts and cultural experiences each spring. Stay at Moruya Holiday Park or Batemans Bay Marina Resort, then leave some time to explore the coastline, local food and surrounding region between events.
In Victoria, spring brings another packed calendar of regional events, from flower festivals and country shows to food and wine celebrations such as the annual Toast to the Coast Food and Wine Festival, around Geelong, the Bellarine and Yarra Valley.
And those are only the headline acts. Local markets, exhibitions, live music and community celebrations pop up in towns big and small. Check the latest event details before setting off, then make a weekend of it. You might find there’s just as much to explore beyond the main event.
Get back outside: some of the best things to do in Australia in spring
After winter, sometimes the best thing about spring is simply spending more time outside. Longer days and changing weather give you plenty of reasons to pull on your walking shoes, grab the bikes, pack the fishing gear or head somewhere you haven’t explored before.
Take to the trails
Walk or ride your way through coastal paths, riverside trails and bush tracks. You don’t need to tackle a huge hike to make a day of it. Find a short local walk, pack some lunch and leave time to stop along the way. For more ideas, explore our guides to walking and cycling adventures worth planning a holiday around.
Explore a national park
Pack some water and spend the day among the trees, beside the coast or following a new walking track. On the NSW South Coast, Murramarang National Park combines spotted gum forests, beautiful beaches, coastal lookouts and walking trails. At Joalah Holiday Park in Durras North, it’s all right on your doorstep.
Further north, explore Eungella National Park near Mackay, discover the natural landscapes around Townsville, or cool off in the swimming spots and waterfalls of Berry Springs and Litchfield National Park, both within easy reach of Darwin and Howard Springs.
Check park conditions and access before heading out, then take your time once you’re there.
Get back to the water
A quiet morning by the water is a pretty good way to spend a spring getaway. Cast a line from the riverbank, paddle across calm water by kayak or SUP, or wander the shoreline and see what the tide has washed in. Around Forster, beautiful beaches and clear coastal waters make it easy to slow down with a refreshing swim or a long walk along the sand. Stay at Lakeside Forster Holiday Park and you’ll be just steps from the shores of beautiful Wallis Lake.
Stay by the Clyde River at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park, where days can be spent fishing, kayaking and exploring the river. At BIG4 Manning Point Holiday Park, you’ve got the Manning River on one side and the coast nearby, giving you plenty of choice between boating, paddling, fishing and beach days. Or head to Bribie Island Caravan Park and explore the waterways of Pumicestone Passage before finding your favourite stretch of sand to settle in for the afternoon.
Keen to cast a line? Our beginner’s guide to fishing the NSW South Coast is a good place to start.
However you like to spend time outside, spring gives you a little more daylight to do it.
It’s time to Go Explore
Spring doesn’t look the same everywhere in Australia, and that’s exactly what makes it such a good time to get away.
Follow the whales along the coast, chase the colour of spring blooms or take a road trip somewhere you haven’t explored before. Find a new fishing spot, plan a weekend around a local festival, or simply get back outside and spend a little more time in nature.
However you choose to make the most of the season, there’s plenty waiting to be discovered. Find your next place to stay, pack the car and Go Explore.
Planning a spring getaway?
From whale watching and spring blooms to warmer weather and family road trips, here are a few things worth knowing before you decide where spring will take you.
Where are the best places to visit in Australia in spring?
It depends on what you’d like to see. The NSW and South Australian coasts are great for whale watching, Victoria comes alive with spring gardens and festivals, while parts of the Top End can still offer good road trip conditions earlier in the season. Spring is also a great time to explore regional towns and national parks before the summer heat arrives.
What are some of the best things to do in Australia in spring?
Spring is a great time for bushwalking, cycling, whale watching, fishing, kayaking, road trips, visiting national parks and exploring regional festivals. Longer days also mean there’s more time to get outside and explore.
Where can I see whales during spring?
The NSW coast offers plenty of opportunities to spot humpback whales as they travel south during spring. Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay in South Australia are also known for southern right whale sightings.
Where can I see spring flowers?
Victoria is a great place to start, with destinations such as the Tesselaar Tulip Festival near Warburton. Grafton in NSW is known for its jacarandas, while the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula can also put on plenty of spring colour.
Where is warm in Australia during spring?
Northern Australia generally warms up earlier than southern parts of the country. The Top End can be particularly appealing earlier in spring, towards the end of the dry season. Always check local weather and seasonal conditions before travelling.
Is spring a good time for a road trip?
Yes. Longer days and generally milder conditions can make spring a great time to hit the road. It can be particularly good for coastal drives, regional getaways and exploring inland areas before hotter summer weather arrives.
Where should families go for a spring holiday?
Look for destinations that make it easy to spend time outdoors together. Coastal towns, national parks and regional destinations with walking trails, beaches, fishing, cycling and local events can all work well for a relaxed spring break.