Hello Autumn!
Summer may be over but there’s so much to be excited about as we head into the cooler months.
While it might be sad to put away the sunscreen for a while, Autumn is the season to really explore the great outdoors (stomping on crunchy leaves highly recommended) and enjoy cosy evenings with friends and family.
And of course, it wouldn't be autumn without the world around us changing colour as mother nature puts on spectacular displays of autumn foliage that are not to be missed.
From mountain landscapes and forest groves to tree-lined towns and parks, nature lovers and photographers love this season’s stunning canvas of yellows, golds and reds.
Whether you’re hiking, exploring by bike, or taking in a scenic drive, these are our recommendations for the best places to see autumn in Australia!
BRIGHT, VICTORIA
Bright is the home of autumn in Victoria’s alpine high country!
Surrounded by towering oaks, elms, Japanese maple and more, the town’s streets turn famously red, orange and gold each year.
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With market days, open gardens, live entertainment and plenty of local produce to enjoy, there is something for the whole family to enjoy at this harvest celebration. Why not try some chestnuts roasted on an open fire for a real seasonal treat!
Need a place to stay at the heart of Victoria's Alpine Country?
JINDABYNE, NEW SOUTH WALES
While best known for its winter ski season and summer mountain biking, Jindabyne in New South Wales’s Snowy Mountains region is not to be overlooked in autumn.
Pretty poplars turn a beautiful golden hue as the season changes, and with the famous lake as a backdrop, it’s a photographer’s dream.
READ ALSO: 8 Things to do in Jindabyne
Whether you’re into fishing, hiking, cycling or horse-back riding, sunny autumn days make exploring a breeze. Take a helicopter tour of the Kosciuszko National Park for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding landscape.
Looking for family-friendly accommodation in Jindabyne?
HAHNDORF, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SA’s Adelaide Hills turn a spectacular crimson and bronze through autumn, and where better to start exploring than the country’s oldest German town, Hahndorf?
You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve arrived in the heart of Europe, with broad tree-lined streets, cellar doors and traditional German fare on offer in the main street, just perfect for a leisurely autumn stroll.
READ ALSO: Discover SA's Epicurian Way
Head out by car to see the region’s vineyards turned golden and be sure to spend some time exploring nearby Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens for their dazzling panoramic displays of autumn colour.
Looking for the pefect base to explore Hahndorf and the Adelaide Hills?
CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TASMANIA
An incredible location at any time of the year, Cradle Mountain is worth adding to your autumn wish list for a unique nature experience.
Tasmania’s native deciduous beech tree or fagus is found nowhere else in the world, and you can see them putting on their autumn coats of red and honey-gold at the northern end of Cradle Mountain St Clair National Park in late April and early May.
READ ALSO: A Foodie's guide to Tasmania: Food & Wine on the Apple Isle
Pack your hiking boots and take the two-hour Loop Track around Dove Lake to get up close and personal with the fagus, or Weindorfers Forest Walk for an easier stroll. Either way, pack your camera, because these beauties will have you snapping the day away.
Unsure where to stay that's good for kids too?
SOUTH-WEST WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The eastern side of the country gets a lot of attention when it comes to autumn foliage, but south-west WA more than holds its own.
From the gold-tinged vineyards of Swan Valley and Margaret River to the rusty reds and golds of the Blackwood River Valley region with its charming historic towns, there’s plenty to enjoy no matter where your day-tripping takes you.
Our pick is Golden Valley Tree Park, nestled in the picturesque hills of Balingup (1 hour from Busselton, 2.5 from Perth).
Heritage-listed and stretching over 60 hectares, the park is the largest arboretum in WA, with its ‘world’ collection including exotic species like giant sequoia, redwood and elm.
Need a place to stay that's close to the best of WA?
