Travel update: ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred latest travel information for South East QLD and Northern NSW
Hervey Bay, Queensland © Matthew Taylor, Tourism and Events Queensland
Wildlife events to catch in winter
Winter is a frenzy of wildlife activity in Australia. Here's how you can take advantage of the season.
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Swim with dwarf minke whales in Queensland
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Cairns, Queensland © Shae Callaghan
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Cairns, Queensland © Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Deborah Dickson-Smith
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Swim with dwarf minke whales in Queensland
When: Between June and July
In winter, you have the chance to swim with one of the ocean’s most elusive whales. The smallest of the baleen whales, dwarf minkes measure up to 8m (26ft) and are known for their inquisitive nature. The Great Barrier Reef is the only place you can snorkel or dive with dwarf minke whales, so a day on the water with Mike Ball Expeditions is a day you’ll remember forever.
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Snorkel alongside giant cuttlefish
Point Lowly, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Chris Bell
Stony Point, South Australia © Carl Charter/South Australian Tourism Commission
Stony Point, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Carl Charter
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Snorkel alongside giant cuttlefish
When: June
Over on the Eyre Peninsula – a four-hour drive from Adelaide – you'll find the world's only mass congregation of giant cuttlefish. Book a snorkelling tour with Pure SA to see these beautiful creatures change colour and pattern right in front of your eyes. These experiences run throughout June and include a magical swim with cuttlefish as well as some striking South Australian sightseeing.
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Visit the wombats on Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Dearna Bond
Overland Track, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Jess Bonde
Overland Track, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania © Jess Bonde
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Visit the wombats on Cradle Mountain
When: June to August
Visit Tasmania's Cradle Mountain during the winter months and you'll be in for a treat. Not only will you be gifted with mountain tops dusted in snow, but you might just spot an adorable wombat (or two) exploring the snowy region. Full nature immersion awaits on Tasmanian Walking Co's Cradle Mountain Expedition Walk, which will see you traverse the Overland Track over eight magical days.
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Take a dive with great white sharks
Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions, Port Lincoln, South Australia © Sam Cahir
Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions, Neptune Islands, South Australia © Tourism Australia
Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions
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Take a dive with great white sharks
When: June and July
Ready to come face-to-face with the ocean’s fiercest predator? You’re in luck, as great white sharks gather in higher numbers off South Australia’s coast during the winter. Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions is one of the best ways to witness and learn about these fascinating creatures. Book a multi-day expedition to give yourself the best chance to see the giant female great whites that visit at this time of year. You can descend in the cage to see the sharks up close, or watch from the comfort of the boat.
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Go whale watching in Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Hervey Bay, Queensland © JZphotography
Hervey Bay, Queensland © Tourism Australia
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Go whale watching in Hervey Bay
When: July to November
Take the 3.5-hour trip north of Brisbane to Queensland's Hervey Bay to witness thousands of humpback whales resting after their migration journey. Blue Dolphin Marine Tours offers the opportunity to hop on a sailing vessel and travel to where these giant creatures mate, play and relax. Enjoy a buffet lunch and complimentary drink, and get ready to see some breaching – and maybe a calf or two.
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Watch brolgas dance in outback Queensland
Outback Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
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Watch brolgas dance in outback Queensland
When: July and August
Australia's largest flying bird, the brolga is a wonder to see among Australia's wetlands. Visit Currawinya National Park in outback Queensland, where you can watch these large cranes show off their dancing skills with an incredible courting performance. The graceful birds showcase unique styles of head-bobbing and strutting, usually alongside their life-long partners. Bird lovers will be captivated by the beautiful display.
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See an echidna love train on Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission/Milton Wordley
Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Exceptional Kangaroo Island
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See an echidna love train on Kangaroo Island
When: July and August
Visit Kangaroo Island with Australian Wildlife Journeys for the ultimate two-day adventure for wildlife lovers. You can walk along the beach with sea lions and witness koalas in the wild. But in the winter months, you may be lucky enough to see an echidna love train in action. This event sees multiple male echidnas line up behind a female, all of whom intend to end up as the lucky guy who mates with her.
