See below our little travel guides with recommendations fit for any and all travel plans!
Australia has so much to offer, and the best way to make the most of your trip is to tailor it to what you love to do.
Whether you’re into wineries, golf, incredible beaches, cool food, or outdoorsy adventures, you can find it down under.
We’ve put together this guide to highlight some amazing spots, but we highly encourage you to do your own research too!
Check out Instagram, TikTok, or trusty old Google to find the best places that match the kind of trip you want to have.
We (lol) have organised a few guides below:
Mornington Peninsula - beach, golf, vineyards - area around our Wedding and Recovery Venues
Melbourne / Victoria - All the best of a big city + amazing spots surrounding
Around Australia - get in a plane or car and see more of Aus!
Helpful Tip: Aussie Dollars & Pricing 💸
Australia uses dollars, but they’re Australian dollars (AUD), and the exchange rate is currently very friendly for those coming from the U.S..
If you’re booking flights, hotels, or activities, double-check the currency, as this can make a pretty big difference in cost
Weather in Late December
Since Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, December is summer, which means warm to hot weather depending on where you go.
Expect:
Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula: 20–30°C (68–86°F), but it can be unpredictable! Think beach days, but pack a light jacket just in case.
Sydney & New South Wales: 25–35°C (77–95°F), warm and sunny with great beach weather.
Queensland (Gold Coast, Byron, Whitsundays, Port Douglas): 28–35°C (82–95°F), tropical vibes but also humid. Chance of summer storms.
South Australia (Barossa, Robe, Adelaide Hills): 25–35°C (77–95°F), dry heat with sunny days—perfect for wine touring.
Western Australia (Perth, Margaret River, Rottnest Island): 30–40°C (86–104°F), hot, dry, and stunning beaches.
Golf:
Portsea Golf Club - 18 holes with great views of the bay
The Dunes - fun, traditional links course, Alex's most difficult round played in 2024 according to GIN ranking
Moonah Links - two fun 18 hole golf courses
Trumans Driving Range - Super fun and casual place to grab a beer, pizza and try hit some metal cows, or a 6 in aussie rules
Pubs:
The Sorrento (drinks / lunch / dinner- book for dinner)
The Portsea Pub (drinks / lunch / dinner)
The Conti (drinks / lunch / dinner- book for dinner)
Ocean Beach Pav (drinks)
Restaurants/ Coffee / Bakeries
Baked in Portsea & Baked in Sorrento (coffee, breakfast, sweet treats)
St Paul's General Store (coffee, breakfast, sweet treats)
Buckley's (coffee, sit down breaky)
Stringer's (coffee, sit down breaky, dinner)
Beaches / Walks:
Sorrento Front Beach
Sorrento Back Beach
Shelley Beach
Portsea Back Beach / London Bridge Lookout
Diamond Bay
Millionaire's Walk
Point Nepean National Park
Wineries/Breweries:
Pt Leo Estate
Jackalope
Montalto
Merricks General Store
Ten Minutes by Tractor
Foxeys Hangout
Bass and Flinders Distillery
St Andrews Brewery
If you want to (and we absolutely recommend) explore Melbourne, and see some more of the amazing sites Victoria has to offer, check out my short list of spots to see. (More to come, closer to the date :) )
Melbourne:
CBD Shopping at Melbourne Central / Emporium
Crown Casino for some 5 star restaurants and 1 - 5 star gambling
The Tan, St Kilda Beach
MCG to catch a cricket game, or see the set up (or even stay a little longer for) the Aussie Open
Around Victoria:
Yarra Valley has heaps of incredible wineries to check out, about 1 - 1.5 hours out of Melbourne, absolutely worth the drive!
Great Ocean road - can take the Ferry from Sorrento, or drive from Melbourne and check out the Twelve Apostles, some stunning Surf Beaches, more wineries and great food
If You Love Wineries & Amazing Food
Australia kills it when it comes to wine regions, and the food scene is next-level.
Barossa Valley, SA
Home to some of Australia’s best big, bold reds (Shiraz heaven).
Eat at: Appellation or Fino Seppeltsfield—some of the best regional dining.
Cool thing to do: Long lunch at Hentley Farm or a private tasting in an old wine vault.
Yarra Valley, VIC
A quick drive from Melbourne with lush rolling hills and Pinot Noir galore.
Eat at: Innocent Bystander for casual vibes or Oakridge Wines for something fancier.
Cool thing to do: Wine-hop between boutique producers & stop at the Four Pillars gin distillery.
Margaret River, WA
Bordeaux-style reds and world-class Chardonnay, plus unreal beaches.
Eat at: Vasse Felix or Leeuwin Estate for a vineyard lunch with a view.
Cool thing to do: Wine-tasting mixed with a stop at stunning coastline cliffs and caves.
McLaren Vale, SA
Wine meets beach—think Mediterranean vibes but in Australia.
Eat at: The d’Arenberg Cube (a winery/art gallery hybrid) or Star of Greece for cliffside seafood.
Cool thing to do: Hop between funky small-batch wineries with a designated driver (or stay in an Airbnb near the vines)
For Golf Lovers
Some of Australia’s best courses also happen to be in insanely beautiful locations.
Barnbougle, TAS
One of the world’s top golf courses on the rugged Tasmanian coast. Think Scottish links-style golf meets epic ocean views.
Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Home to multiple world-class courses, including St. Andrews Beach, The Dunes, and Moonah Links.
Bonus: Play a round, then hit up the Peninsula Hot Springs for a soak.
King Island, TAS
Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes are jaw-dropping coastal courses.
Worth flying in just for the experience (and the seafood).
Gold Coast, QLD
Royal Pines and The Palms at Sanctuary Cove offer a tropical, resort-style golf experience.
If You Want to Relax on Some of Australia’s Best Beaches
We’re spoiled when it comes to beaches. Here are a few top picks that aren’t too touristy
Hamilton Island & The Whitsundays, QLD
Postcard-perfect beaches and luxury island vibes.
Do this: Take a boat to Whitehaven Beach (pure white sand and crystal-clear water)
Where to stay: Qualia (if you’re feeling fancy) or Reef View Hotel for something mid-range
Byron Bay, NSW
Trendy, laid-back surfer town with great food, cool shops, and stunning beaches
Do this: Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse for sunrise
Eat at: Three Blue Ducks for farm-to-table deliciousness
Robe, SA
Underrated coastal town with epic beaches, great wine, and fewer crowds.
Do this: Chill at Long Beach or take a scenic drive along the Limestone Coast.
Rottnest Island, WA
Turquoise water, white sandy beaches, and the famous quokkas (adorable little animals).
Do this: Rent a bike and beach-hop your way around the island.
For the Outdoorsy Adventurers
Australia’s got some insane landscapes—from rainforests to rugged mountains.
Port Douglas & Daintree Rainforest, QLD
Home to the oldest rainforest in the world + gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Do this: Snorkel or dive the reef, then do a river cruise through the jungle to spot crocodiles.
Cradle Mountain, TAS
Jaw-dropping hiking destination with alpine lakes and incredible wildlife.
Do this: The Dove Lake Circuit for an easy but stunning walk.
Blue Mountains, NSW
An easy trip from Sydney with epic hiking trails and waterfalls.
Do this: Check out the Three Sisters rock formation, then hit a bushwalk
Cool Cities & Trendy Neighborhoods
Sydney, NSW
Bondi & Manly: Iconic beachside spots with great cafes, beach walks, and people-watching.
Surry Hills: Hipster-central with cool wine bars and boutique shopping.
Newtown: Edgy, artsy, and great for a night out.
Melbourne, VIC
Fitzroy & Collingwood: Think vintage stores, hidden bars, and amazing coffee.
South Yarra & Prahran: Trendy restaurants, cocktail bars, and stylish boutiques.
St Kilda: Beachside suburb with a fun, slightly chaotic vibe.
Adelaide, SA
• Port Adelaide: Historic area with cool distilleries, breweries, and waterfront views.
• East End: The best food and nightlife in the city.