Winter is low season in much of the south, with the exception of the ski fields in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. Days are cool to cold in Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW.

Warm, sunny days in northern NSW, Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia draw chilly southern Australians, especially during the two-week winter school break (late June to early July).

From late May to mid-June, Vivid Sydney turns the city’s landmarks into spectacular works of art, its large-scale 3D art projections accompanied by a program of music, talks and workshops.

Further south, Tasmania makes the most of its long, chilly nights with edgy arts festival Dark Mofo, which takes place on the winter solstice (21 June).

Come July, balmier Byron Bay draws music lovers with its huge, hip, three-day music fest Splendour in the Grass, showcasing world-famous pop, rock and R&B acts, as well as emerging Australian talent.