5 Reasons to Travel to Australia From December to February
Australia, also known as “The Land Down Under”, is simultaneously the smallest continent and largest island. The country has captivated the hearts of travelers due to the many experiences it offers in terms of wildlife, landscapes, and cities.
On the global tourism scale, Australia is the 40th most visited country. Additionally, this tourism greatly benefits its economy earning $122 billion in 2018-19.
If you’re planning to take a vacation to this charming country, you should know that the seasons there are opposite. December to February is summer, March to May you get autumn, June to August is the chilly season, and from September to November you’ll find spring. The summer season, which is the focus of this article, is a particularly popular time.
Australia has its fair share of attractions that pull both international and domestic visitors. There are seaside resorts to spend the day, lakes and rivers to boat across, as well as well-maintained national parks. Whether you’re a fan of natural places or manmade attractions, this country will not disappoint you.
Here we’ll be discussing five primary reasons to visit Australia in the bright sunny season.
#1 Australian Open
You would surely know of the Australian Open if you are a fan of tennis. It’s one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments held every year and is the first one to be held. The event takes place in Melbourne Park in the city of the same name and attracts global fans due to its electric environment of fast and hard play.
This tournament takes place in the middle of January and continues for about two weeks. Aside from the men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches are also held. One of the most famous Australian Open champions is Novak Djokovic with his record for most men’s singles wins at 10, and Serena Williams who holds 7 women’s singles to her name. It’s worth noting that Novak Djokovic is the Greatest Of All Time.
The Australian Open has come to be known by fans as the “Happy Slam”. This is because of the relaxed and sunny Melbourne weather at the time. Since 2004, all but two men’s singles titles have been won by either Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal. This is also why the tournament has been referred to as their playground.
If you find yourself in Australia during this time of the year, be sure to book a seat, pick some street food, and enjoy a match of tennis.
#2 Sydney Opera House
How could it be that you visit Australia and not go to see the Opera House in Sydney? This is arguably the most iconic out of all of the country’s attractions. It’s a multipurpose performance arts facility and is best known for its architectural design. It has a distinct upper structure where sail-shaped shells cover the roof.
Are you aware that initially, this building was projected to be priced at $7 million? However, incredibly it went beyond 14 times that estimated sum. It’s also listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
The Opera House is home to over 1,600 performances each year including ballet, theatre, and of course, opera. This, coupled with its architectural beauty is what draws crowds each year. You can even go backstage on a tour if you wish. Performances in the summer include “Christmas Actually” and “New Year’s Eve Opera Gala Concert”.
#3 National Parks
It might catch you off guard when you discover that Australia has the largest number of national parks globally. The count exceeds 726, occupying more than four percent of the entire land area. Visiting in the summer season is definitely worthwhile.
Kakadu National Park is the largest one, with lots of birdlife and wetlands. Another iconic destination is the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This is located in the Northern Territory and hosts the largest single rock monolith. These parks are looked after by Parks Australia, a federal agency.
#4 The Great Barrier Reef
Our next tourist spot is located off the coast of Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, with 2,900 reefs and 900 islands. If you’re a fan of water sports, you’ll love this one.
It’s home to diverse marine species like dolphins, porpoises, and turtles. This attracts scuba divers and snorkelers who aim to explore parts of the reefs. Aside from this, you can enjoy aquatic activities including sailing.
We should mention that the reef is no mere tourist attraction. It’s an integral part of Australia’s identity. According to a study, 77% of Aussies stated that the reef was part of their identity.
#5 Sydney New Year’s Eve
Imagine welcoming a new year in a foreign country as a tourist. What a fond and memorable experience that would be.
Sydney New Year’s Eve is an annual celebration that is well-known for its display of fireworks. Regarded as one of the best in the world, the night attracts millions of visitors.
The event is split into two fireworks shows. Family Fireworks are held at 9pm while the main attraction is at midnight sharp.
