The benefits of travelling to the Snowy Mountains in the off season are endless. Visit the Snowies in summer to see the landscape covered in a patterned carpet of wildflowers. The warmer part of the year is when the 56-kilometre-long Snowies Alpine Walk is open to visitors. Base yourself in Jindabyne to enjoy a wellness experience at Recharge Jindabyne, dine at Mexican cantina Cocina, and toast to the warmer portion of the calendar over a tasting at Wildbrumby Distillery. snowymountains.com.au

Cairns is most often seen as a winter destination. But as someone who grew up in Tropical North Queensland, I’m here to make the case for being in the rainforest when it rains. Anybusiness.com.au found Cairns recently ranked as the No. 3 destination driving demand for domestic travellers. Take the Skyrail to spectacular waterfalls that cascade through the jungle. Then book a stay at Double Tree by Hilton to enjoy a sun-soaked seafood feast at The Vine Room. tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au

The quirky coastal hamlet of Cowaramup is known in WA as Cowtown. Have your photo taken with one of 42 fibreglass Fresian cows that have overtaken the town since it hosted the global Cow Parade in 2010. The town is known for its wine, cheese, fudge and olive oil, some of which you can sample at Bubbles & Blooms at nearby Howard Park Wines on December 6. If you missed the festival, the cellar door is still a dreamy spot to kick back in summer, glass of Howard Park Petite Jeté NV in hand. margaretriver.com

Noosa is one of Australia’s Top 10 holiday destinations over summer according to Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook. The data shows that one in two Aussie travellers prefer to holiday over the busy festive season rather than spend it with family. Avoid the annual Airing of the Grievances and book a stay at Habitat Noosa or Halse Lodge. It can get steamy in Queensland over summer. Beat the heat by hiring a pontoon boat with a slippery slide or cooling off with a gelato at Massimo’s on Hastings Street. visitnoosa.com.au

The colour palette at The Monty is like something you’d see in a confectioner’s window. Located on Wadawurrung lands, just 10 minutes west of Torquay, the brand-new retro accommodation is opening in time for summer. The Palm Springs-inspired motel, which will have a Mexican cantina, offers easy boardwalk access to Anglesea. Book a Native High Tea at the Booln Booln Cafe located along the Surf Coast Highway en route to Anglesea. visitvictoria.com.au

While Terrigal is a draw for its beaches, it now has a plethora of great places to eat and drink from tapas bar Amarilla to L’Isle de France fine diner. Terrigal Pavilion is the new beachfront beauty turning heads with its three distinct venues: the main dining room, the Pavilion; the Tropic for mod Med mezze; and The General Store for coffee and pastries. Wander back along the boardwalk to your room at the newly updated Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific IHG. lovecentralcoast.com

Road-trippers will regard Port Elliot with misty-eyed nostalgia. Take the kids to family-friendly Horseshoe Bay. Do a bombie off the jetty. Take a walk along Boomer Beach with your nan. Stop for lunch at the Flying Fish Café and stay close to the coast at Jimmy Smith’s Dairy. Don’t miss Port Elliott Bakery for its flaky pies, pasties and pastries. It’s one of the best bakeries in South Australia. southaustralia.com

Summer is the most popular time to visit Kingscote, on KI, when the temperature veers from 14°C to 24°C. The island itself is best known for geological marvels such as Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks. It’s also one of the best places in Australia to see wildlife. But what makes Kingscote the ultimate summer escape is wineries such as False Cape Wines and Islander Estate Vineyards. tourkangarooisland.com.au

The best towns to visit in Australia over summer double as epic adventure playgrounds. Victoria’s High Country is at least 10 degrees cooler on a hot summer’s day, which makes hiking or biking to see wildflowers a great option. You can also go whitewater rafting on the Mitta Mitta River, which features Victoria’s longest grade-four rapids. The Mitta Mitta Brewing Co offers an alternative watering hole while visiting the alpine hamlet. Cyclists are catered for at Switchback Stays. victoriashighcountry.com.au

A survey by anybusiness.com.au found monthly searches for ‘best places to visit in Australia’ are at about 84,000. Tasmania ranked in the Top 10 in the survey for searches for farm stays, cellar doors and artisan producers. If you haven’t travelled to the East Coast of Tassie over summer, make it a priority. Swim at Wineglass Bay and then head to The Edge of the Bay looking out over the hulking form of The Hazards. Enjoy oysters plucked straight from the sea at Freycinet Marine Farm. eastcoasttasmania.com

A lot of sad face emojis were bandied about when news broke that The Zin House was closing its doors. But fans of the destination diner quickly recovered when owner Kim Currie announced she would be pivoting to a more informal, wine-driven experience. Pencil in a road trip for January to check out Zin – Food & Wine and all Mudgee has to offer. Stay a few extra days at Sierra Escape, which has a pool. visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Aussies love a surfing holiday over summer. Book your escape in this coastal hamlet, one of the most popular places to stop along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Drop a pin on Le Comptoir Bakehouse, which is a spin-off of Le Comptoir, the cosy restaurant owned by French-born Samuel Roig-Sclafer to pay homage to his hometown of Bordeaux. The Lighthouse Tea Rooms also beckon for a brew with a view. lecomptoiraireys.com

The Northern Territory refers to summer as its Best Kept Season. The Top End town of Katherine becomes lacquered green during the rainy season. Visit Edith Falls to see water cascading into Nitmiluk Gorge where the rising waters enable boats to cruise the Katherine River. Recharge at Nitmiluk Jatti Pool Bar & Bistro. And stay at the Indigenous-owned Cicada Lodge. northernterritory.com

This pretty pocket of the NSW South Coast is best known for its beaches. But it received a surge of interest as a place for a seaside stay when Bangalay Luxury Villas and Dining opened its doors in 2019. The regional restaurant with rooms was recently showcased as part of Shoalhaven Wine Month. Circle the event in your calendar for November next year. In the meantime, head to Shoalhaven Heads, between Sydney and Canberra, to be part of the ‘inn’ crowd. Or motor further south to Milton, another must-visit South Coast spot. shoalhaven.com

Port Fairy is the last destination on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. But it should be the No. 1 destination on your list of best regional towns to visit in Australia over summer. Port Fairy’s streets are lined with 19-century cottages, great Norfolk pines and old stone churches. Dine at Victoria’s oldest inn, Merrijig Kitchen, and the state’s oldest continuously licensed pub, The Stump. Bunker down at the Basalt Retreat within the vines at Basalt Wines. visitvictoria.com.au