When you think of winter in Australia, do you think of all of the amazing things you can do from June to August? After a year where many of us have had to tighten up the budget, you can still get out and do some really fun things with your friends.
We’ve put together 3 incredible things you can do – FOR FREE – if you are around Adelaide, Brisbane, or the Gold Coast. And the best part is that most of these are outdoors, so you can maintain COVID-safe practices and just enjoy your time.
ADELAIDE
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
Botanic gardens are like living museums. With 97 hectares to explore just shy of 25 minutes from Adelaide, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden is amazing to visit all year round. In the cooler winter months, you can enjoy the incredible walking trails through some of South Australia’s most diverse flora. And you’ll also get to see a wide variety of bird and animal life that call the Gardens home. During the winter months, you’ll want to check out the Heritage Rose Garden – which is beautiful all year and shows how roses have changed over centuries, Woodland Garden with its streams and waterfalls, South American Gully, and Fern Gully. You can either explore the gardens on your own or join one of the free guided tours on Thursdays at 10:30 AM!
Whale watching
Every year several whale species migrate along Australia’s coasts. You will never forget your first sighting of one of these incredible creatures – especially if you catch one breaching the waters to jump. Near Adelaide, one of the best places for whale sightings is on top of the cliffs at Victor Harbor’s Encounter Bay from June to September.
Immersive Real-Life Choose Your Own Adventures
Experience Australia like you have never before with Story City’s location-based choose your own adventures, historic tales, and puzzle or poetry trails. Over 35 immersive experiences allow you to explore the world around you with digital augmentation. From hunting a cursed ghost, to time travel, becoming the apprentice of death, and so many more options, you’ll be hooked. If you’re in Adelaide, there are 5 experiences to choose from including one where you become an international spy in the middle of a high-stakes game where you have to figure out the conspiracy before becoming a victim yourself.
BRISBANE
Catch the sunrise at Mt. Coot-tha
If you have an adventure on the brain, why not climb a mountain to get the best vantage point for the sunrise? It is about a 30-minute hike to the top of Mt. Coot-tha, the coolish winter weather is the perfect time to do this. So pack a breakfast picnic and get going before the sun rises. If you’re not feeling AS adventurous in the wee hours of the morning, you can always drive to the top and pretend you hiked it!
Take a Walk Through North Gorge Walk
North Gorge Walk is 1.2 kilometres of gorgeous views and virtually untouched island beauty on North Stradbroke Island. The clear waters allow you to spot marine life like dolphins, turtles, and manta rays. And if whale watching is your thing, from May to November you can even catch the whale migration and see whales frolicking in the ocean. Make a day of it and relax on the beach, do some fishing, and just take in all that the area has to offer. Find out everything you need to know about getting to North Stradbroke Island here.
Immersive Real-Life Choose Your Own Adventures
Experience Australia like you have never before with Story City’s location-based choose your own adventures, historic tales, and puzzle or poetry trails. Over 35 immersive experiences allow you to explore the world around you with digital augmentation. From hunting a cursed ghost, to time travel, becoming the apprentice of death, and so many more options, you’ll be hooked. Not to be outdone, Brisbane has 24 immersive experiences! You have even more choice including becoming a journalist in the middle of a big story when a deadly monster breaks loose. You have to make the right choices to make it to the end, but you have no idea who you can trust.
GOLD COAST
Lorikeet Feeding on the Gold Coast
Playing double duty as an unforgettable experience and something that will look incredible on Instagram, why not check out the lorikeet feeding sessions at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary? At 8 AM and 4 PM daily, these colorful and social birds could eat out of your hand or perch on your head or shoulders. Generations of these wild birds over 70 years have called Currumbin home.
Whale Watching
One of the best places in the world to catch the annual whale migration is the Gold Coast. While you could shell out cash to go on a boat tour, you can just as easily catch these incredible mammals from a few different vantage points along the Gold Coast. Between June and November, combine your beach day with whale watching, and if you’re lucky you may even see them breaching while you’re relaxing on the beach. Greenmount, Kirra Hill, Burleigh Hill, or Point Danger are great places to start. For more spots, check out this link.
Immersive Real-Life Choose Your Own Adventures
Experience Australia like you have never before with Story City’s location-based choose your own adventures, historic tales, and puzzle or poetry trails. Over 35 immersive experiences allow you to explore the world around you with digital augmentation. From hunting a cursed ghost to time travel, becoming the apprentice of death, and so many more options, you’ll be hooked. There are 3 adventures available on the Gold Coast, why not choose one where you are the sole protector of Australia’s first book of magic against ruthless occult gangs. Greater evil powers threaten life as you know it and you will either come out triumphant or fall to their spell.
When it comes down to it, get out and explore the world around you!
If you’re looking for something a little bit… extra, Story City helps bring the world around you to life by augmenting everything with locative storytelling and digital elements. Just download the Story City app to find more adventures near you!
