Summertime in Australia: 7 of the top warm-weather getaways

Summer vacations are highly anticipated even in the best of years. The prospect of a vacation in a warmer climate is enticing in the dead of winter. It prepares us for a fresh start in the coming year. It's also one of the rare opportunities for travel that most of us have had as we emerge from the pandemic.

Fortunately, Australia is endowed with a plethora of destinations that promise the ideal summer vacation. There's something for everyone, from white sand beaches to awe-inspiring landscapes and islands where you may explore the diversity of fauna and vegetation.

Here are seven vacation spots to add to your summer bucket list.

01) Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay, located on Australia's eastern coast and only a three-hour drive from Sydney, is known for its gorgeous beaches and lush forests. Relax by the surf, hike through Booderee National Park's flannel flowers and gum trees, or stroll among the cafes that dot the bay's coastal towns. While there is no nightlife, there is a fair substitute: the plankton in the vicinity becomes bioluminescent on some evenings, generating a powerful, blue-tinted glow as a result of a chemical reaction with algae. Imagine being there as the tide comes in, the coastline aglistening with sparkle.

02) Kangaroo Island

This island off the coast of South Australia, a hotbed of biodiversity and, now, gin, was heavily damaged by the bushfires of 2019-20, losing over one million farm and native animals. It is now on the mend, bringing people back to enjoy its natural splendor. Visit Kangaroo Island Distillery for gin tastings, bird-watching tours, and beach battles with fur seals.

03) Launceston

If you're looking for a summer vacation that involves more than margaritas on the beach, Tasmania might be the place for you. Lavender fields bloom in the state between December and February, infusing the air with their lovely scent. You can walk around the fields, pick blossoms, and eat a scoop of lavender-flavored ice cream at Bridestowe Estate, which is only 45 minutes by vehicle from Launceston. Mona Foma, the summer edition of infamous gallerist David Walsh's Dark Mofo festival, is also held in Launceston.

04) The Whitsundays

This is a favorite summer vacation with plenty of things to do for the entire family. Go directly to the bustle and tourist buzz of Hamilton Island, or visit the quiet, low-key hamlet of Airlie Beach. Depending on the area, divers and snorkelers may be fortunate enough to witness the annual coral spawning season in November and December. Watch this stunning exhibition of nature at its reproductive height by diving beneath the water's surface.

05) Esperance

This picture-postcard beach town, located in Cape Le Grand National Park, is the picture-postcard, palm-fringed counterpart of Australia. Kangaroos frolic on the silky sand beaches, the glass-clear waters are calm and welcoming, and wildflowers bloom close. The whitest sand in the world is reported to be found in Lucky Bay, in the Recherche archipelago. Now it's your turn to analyze yourself.

06) Lorne, Victoria

Thousands of people travel from all over the country to attend the Falls Festival arts and music spectacular, but Lorne has slowed down this summer. Although the festival isn't scheduled until 2022/23, the town's artistic culture and small-town quirkiness are alive and well. Visit Qdos Arts, a multifunctional environment with exhibits, a cafe, and stylish "treehouse" lodging.

07) Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula, a seven-hour journey from Adelaide, makes up for its seclusion with abounding natural beauty, crystal-clear waterways, and oysters you can eat right out of their shells. Coffin Bay is known for producing some of the best tomatoes in the country. Port Lincoln is a koala-watching hotspot nearby, while the port town of Whyalla provides insight into the region's fishing heritage. To see the whole picture, visit each corner of the triangular peninsula.