Winery at Mt Tamborine

Depending on where you live in Australia, Winter in July differs. If you happen to live in South Eastern Australia, winter will bring snowfall to the Alps and people flock to the slopes to ski or snowboard.  Otherwise, being avid football fans, they go along to support their local AFL football team donning their football jerseys and scarves. However if you live in the central to northern parts of Australia, like the Gold Coast in Queensland, Winter in July is an entirely different experience.

So what does one do in Winter in July on the Gold Coast?

1. Go to the beach. Yes our mild winter temperature and warm sea water still allows us the luxury of taking a swim, surfing or kayaking at our beautiful beaches. In fact it is probably a lot safer to venture out into the sunshine during winter as the UV rating is a lot lower and you don’t sunburn as quickly.
2. Enjoy Bushwalking or Mountain Biking. I consider winter to be the best time to explore our wonderland of mountains and rainforests during the winter months as the temperatures are more comfortable for undertaking physical activities. Whether you do this on foot or under pedal-power is optional , but there are plenty of walking trails that are only a short driving distance from where I live.
   

   Bushwalking in Numinbah Valley

3. Learn to Surf. Winter is the best time to try your hand at surfing the magical waves at our surf beaches as the swell decreases and the small waves are ideal for beginners. If you really must you can do this wearing a wetsuit or a long sleeve sunshirt to keep the chill off your body.
   

   Learning to Surf at Burleigh Heads

4. Visit the Wineries. There is nothing more enjoyable than a day or a weekend visiting some of the fabulous vineyards in South East Queensland. There are wineries nearby at Mt Tamborine and the wine producing region of Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt. These areas are sometimes a few degrees cooler than the coast so you can enjoy a real winter experience by partaking in a lovely glass of wine by a roaring open fire.
5. Whale Watching. Winter is the perfect time on the eastern coast of Australia to watch the spectacle of the Humpback Whales as they migrate to the warmer Queensland waters to give birth to their young and frolic in the sea. You can either do this from the many vantage points dotted along the coastline or get out there amongst them on a whale watching boat cruise.
   

   Whale Watching on the Gold Coast

6. Be a Football Fan Fanatic! We have three codes of football in Australia; Australian Rules Football; Rubgy League or Union Football; and Soccer. Choose your code and get along to watch Australia’s finest football players at either Metricon Park or Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast.
7. Savour Christmas in July. Many people take advantage of the cooler temperatures of winter and indulge in an early traditional Christmas feast. That means roast turkey, gravy, roast vegetables, plum pudding and custard! Normally it is far too hot to eat this type of food on Christmas Day in summer in Australia.

Unlike our Northern Hemisphere cousins, our winters downunder are rather unique. Whilst they are enjoying summer holidays, we are also enjoying winter sunshine and mild temperatures here. However when they are snowed in during winter, we are sweltering and dreaming of maybe just once, having a “White Christmas”. I guess the world would be a boring place if it were all the same!

This post was inspired by Hydrochic