The 5 best places to visit in August to mark the end of winter
Sun’s out and we’re ready to party errr- we mean, travel.
On 30 July, Sydney melted the winter freeze with 26℃ temperatures, setting a new record for the hottest July day for the city.
You know what that means: it’s all uphill from here.
Yes, summer is knocking on our doors and if you’re excited to get out and explore, we’ve got the intel on the best places to go to say adios to the Aussie winter or ola to somewhere new.
1. Best budget destination: Snowy Mountains
Snow season is in full swing, so you’d better catch that powder while it’s fresh.
The Snowy Mountains is one of the most accessible snow resorts for Aussies on the mainland to hit the slopes.
July to August is peak season, so while prices may still be high, you have a greater chance of nabbing that precious powder.
As the school holidays have ended by August, you’ll find the crowds thinning so you won’t have to compete for space on the runs, either.
- August weather: 4-13℃, winter
- Top August events: Thredbo Snow Series, G.H Mumm Top to Bottom Race, “A Taste of” dining experiences, Thredbo Poolside Apres Party and Australian Uni Games
- Best for: Snow sports, apres ski
2. Best country to visit: Kenya
Wildlife, wildlife, wildlife and more wildlife.
There’s never a poor time to go on safari in Kenya. During the wet season birds migrate, newborns show their faces and the land is painted lush green. However, the dry season is generally more appealing as it allows tourists to witness such feats as the Great Migration without fear of a downpour.
The dry season is also an excellent time to visit Kenya’s parks as the bush is less dense and wildlife is easier to spot.
- August weather: 23-26℃, dry season
- Top August events: Middle of the great wildebeest migration
- Best for: Safari, adventure
3. Best for beaches: Vanuatu
Get set to work on your tan under the beautiful Vanuatuan sun.
Vanuatu in August is everything you want from an island holiday and more.
Right in the middle of the dry season, the weather is warm, making it ideal for sun worshippers and the rainfall is minimal, with shower spells only in bursts.
- August weather: 25-28℃, dry season
- Top August events: Lamap Art and Cultural Festival and Nalint Big Nambas Cultural Arts Festival.
- Best for: Honeymoon, unwinding, romance
4. Best for events: Edinburgh
Get your festival on in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
If there’s only one Scottish city you manage to visit on a trip to Europe, make it Edinburgh.
Steeped in history and riddled with architectural marvels, once you’ve climbed Arthur's Seat and walked the Royal Mile book yourself a seat at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It’s one of the largest arts festivals in the world and runs throughout most of August.
- August weather: 15℃, summer
- Top August events: Edinburgh Festival
- Best for: Sightseeing, history, culture
5. Best surprise destination: Iceland
Now’s your chance to experience the midnight sun.
During winter, Iceland is one of the best places to catch the Northern Lights, but during summer it welcomes another natural phenomena: the midnight sun.
From May to August, Iceland is bathed in near-endless sunshine with the sun setting for only a few short hours in the early morning. Not only is it a fun novelty to be able to walk in daylight at midnight, but long days also give you extra hours to explore the country’s stunning landscape.
- August weather: 12-16℃, summer
- Top August events: Whale and puffin watching, international organ summer in Hallgrimskirkja and World Yoyo Contest
- Best for: Adventure, culture, nature
Top August events
- Truffle Festival: Winter is the truffle festival season in Australia’s Canberra Region. It’s a time filled with truffle-tastic events including truffle hunting and truffle-inspired meals in top-notch restaurants.
- PGA Championships: The PGA Championships is a world-class golf tournament held in the USA annually in August. Book your tickets to catch the golfing greats at work.
When’s the best time in August to take a holiday?
For Australians, August is one of the quietest travel months of the year and is a great time to holiday on the cheap whichever dates you choose. This is because the winter school holidays has come to a close and there is only one public holiday in the month across the nation, which is Picnic Day in Northern Territory.
Where prices surge is at ski resorts as August is peak snow season. To avoid inflated prices and crowds to these locations, travel during the weekday or closer to the end of the month when the season starts to wind down.
