Global New Trend 'Coolcation' to Escape the Heat! 6 Ultimate Summer Escape Trips to Experience in Australia, Where Seasons Are Reversed

Currently, among discerning travelers, 'Coolcation' - enjoying a vacation in a cool and comfortable overseas destination before the peak of summer - is becoming a major trend. This coined term, combining 'Cool' and 'Vacation,' is gaining attention as a new travel style for escaping Japan's harsh heat and seeking a more comfortable environment. Among these, Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere, which enters its winter or dry season when the Northern Hemisphere experiences midsummer, is the perfect destination for a 'Coolcation,' offering unique landscapes and air due to its opposite climate.

Furthermore, with the significant reduction in passport issuance fees starting July 1st this year, it's an ideal time to embark on an overseas trip. To help you fully enjoy the great outdoors, exquisite cuisine, and diverse activities in a cool and comfortable climate, we present 6 special 'Coolcation' experiences selected by Tourism Australia.

Experience a Mystical Starry Sky Tour in Sydney

In Centennial Park, Sydney, New South Wales, the 'Blue Mountains Stargazing' program offers a 90-minute celestial observation experience where you can admire the Southern Hemisphere's starry sky. Guided by expert astronomers, you'll gain a deep appreciation for Australia's vibrant night sky through explanations of constellations using laser pointers, stories related to the stars, and observations through a telescope. In particular, using state-of-the-art optical eyepieces allows for clearer views of not only the moon and planets but also diverse celestial bodies like nebulae, star clusters, and distant galaxies in vivid colors. This is a perfect nighttime activity for travelers seeking a unique evening experience away from the city's hustle and bustle during this clear-aired season.

https://www.bluemountainsstargazing.com.au/stargazing-at-centennial-park

©Tourism Australia

Escape the Summer! An Ambitious 5-Day Tour of Snow Mountains and the Sea

From the snow-capped mountains of the Australian Alps to beautiful coastlines. This is the world's first 'Snow to Surf Tour,' allowing you to experience both skiing and surfing in just 5 days. Set against the majestic natural backdrop of Victoria, you can enjoy contrasting landscapes of snow mountains and the sea in a single trip. After skiing on the finest powder snow at Mount Hotham along the renowned Great Alpine Road, you can try surfing along the Gippsland coast the next day. The tour also includes relaxing hot springs on cliffs and exquisite gourmet meals using local ingredients. It's an all-inclusive package covering lift passes and lessons. Furthermore, it offers a sustainable appeal by contributing to the conservation of the rare mountain pygmy possum, the only marsupial in the world that 'hibernates' completely.

https://wildadventuresmelbourne.com/snow-to-surf-adventure/

©Tourism Australia

A Paradise Island to Meet the World's Happiest Animal

Located about 19km off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island in Western Australia is a Class A nature reserve easily accessible by ferry. It is home to numerous unique flora and fauna, including the quokka, known as the 'world's happiest animal,' and abundant marine life. With 63 beaches and 20 bays offering crystal-clear waters, along with rich cultural heritage, you can fully enjoy its untouched nature. Perth, the gateway to the island, boasts a warm Mediterranean climate year-round and is a city where urban life and nature harmonize, often called 'the most beautiful city in the world.' It's a highly recommended destination, being the only place in Oceania selected in the 'Top 30 Destinations to Visit in 2026' by the editorial department of 'Chikyu no Arukikata,' known as the bible for overseas travel.

https://www.australia.com/ja-jp/places/perth-and-surrounds/guide-to-rottnest-island.html

©Tourism Australia

A Wellness Experience to Delight Your Senses at the Jurlique Farm

At the Jurlique farm in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, a small-group wellness experience called 'Senses in Harmony' is jointly offered by the Australian organic skincare brand 'Jurlique' and 'Beyond Wellness Co.' Amidst the tranquil farm scenery, this program blends Jurlique's plant philosophy with Beyond's movement and breathing-focused activities to provide a moment of mind-body balance. Participants fully enjoy a variety of experiences while engaging their 'five senses' with nature. After a farm walk guided by a professional facilitator, breathing exercises, and light stretching, a chef-prepared picnic breakfast is served. Following this, a tour of the gardens and herb drying rooms guided by staff, and a workshop to blend your own aroma, conclude the program, allowing you to feel a close connection with diverse plants.

https://www.beyondwellnessco.com.au/senses-in-harmony-at-jurlique-farm

©Tourism Australia

Immersive Stay Walking Through Indigenous Sacred Sites

The 'Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk' in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, is a tour developed over many years through consultations between the Tasmanian Walking Company and the indigenous Anangu people and park authorities. Over 5 days, you will trek a total distance of 54km, exploring the red desert, dunes, and plains stretching from Kata Tjuta to Uluru. Expert guides accompany you throughout the entire journey, and you will stay in environmentally friendly eco-camps and lodges. During the day, you walk the trails, and at night, you enjoy dinner under the Outback's starry sky. At various points, there are opportunities to learn about Anangu culture and the natural environment, offering an immersive experience that goes beyond mere sightseeing to respectful 'walking.' This is a residential program that allows for a deep connection with Australia's representative natural heritage and indigenous culture amidst the red earth.

https://www.taswalkingco.com.au/uluru-kata-tjuta/signature/

©Tourism Australia

Exclusive Yacht Tour of a World Heritage Sea

Departing from Cairns Marina in Queensland, the 'Alure' offers a luxurious yacht tour to explore the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef in a private setting. This 14-meter vessel is one of the few boats permitted for long-distance voyages, allowing access to untouched coral reef areas that are difficult to reach on typical group tours. You can fully enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. The schedule can be flexibly arranged according to the participants' preferences and the sea conditions of the day. Guided by a professional crew, you can enjoy the reef's spectacular scenery and marine life at your own pace. You can spend a relaxing time on board, equipped with the latest facilities, along with meals featuring local ingredients.

https://cairnsboatcharters.com/

©Tourism Australia

For more information on 'Coolcation' travel destinations in Australia, please visit the official Tourism Australia website (www.australia.com).com).