October is in the middle of Australia’s Spring season, so be prepared to see blossoming flora, curious fauna and enjoyable weather as the country continues to transition out of winter and move closer to those beautiful Summer days.

Travelling within the month of October is common practice due to the Australian school holidays running into the beginning of the month, followed closely by those eager to escape the school crowds and travelling in the later part of the month. As a result, many tourist destinations’ popularity rise and fall over the month, making it one of the best times to plan your trip! As a shoulder season before the Christmas rush, October brings with it lower prices, higher availability and more comfortable temperatures.

Barossa Valley, SA

The beautiful Barossa Valley, about 60 kilometers northeast of Adelaide, is one of Australia’s oldest and most famous grape-growing regions. Fertile soils and a gentle climate, with hot summers and wet winters, nurture a bounty of high-quality, fresh produce, making this a hot spot for foodies. You can feast your way around the valley, dining in award-winning restaurants and sampling scrumptious fruits, hand-crafted cheeses, smoked meats, and traditional German breads and pastries.

In addition to all the gastronomic treats, you’ll find plenty of other things to do here. Carved by the North Para River, this fertile valley was settled by German and British immigrants in the 1840s, and its villages are steeped in European charm. Heritage buildings, antique stores, stone cottages, cafés, and craft shops line the leafy streets, and you can explore the key landmarks on scenic heritage trails.

Barossa Valley attractions for the family include hiking in the nearby conservation parks, sampling local treats at the farmers markets, visiting local art galleries, and even a whispering wall.

Exploring the valley is easy. Sightseers can follow a scenic drive, bike the trails, or hop aboard a hot air balloon or helicopter for an eagle’s-eye view of the verdant landscapes. Driving from Adelaide to the Barossa Valley takes about 50 minutes.

Discover the best things to do in this picturesque region with our list of the top attractions in the Barossa Valley.

ATTRACTION

• Seppeltsfield
• Big Rocking Horse
• Hentley Farm
• National Motor Museum
• Pindarie
• Torbreck Vintners
• Para Wirra Conservation Park
• Two Hands Wines

Melbourne, VIC

October is a special time in Melbourne as spring brings with it comfortable temperatures and the social scene focuses on fascinators, frocks and fillies. Yes, Spring Racing Carnival is in full swing during October and is one of the main drawcards for socialites and fashionistas to the Victoria capital throughout the month.

While the race that stops the nation isn’t until the first Tuesday of November, the social calendar is filled with race days and events every weekend and some weekdays in the lead-up. These events are held at various different race tracks around the city including Flemington, Caulfield, Cranbourne and Seymour, and if you can snatch a ticket to one of these events during October you’ll be in for a treat!

If you want to keep the horse theme going but don’t want to head to the races, there are numerous other kid-friendly activities that are sure to be a hit! In the city you can climb into a carriage to explore the streets with a horse and Carriage Ride, or you can head to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula for a Horse Ride around the region.

Melbourne’s top attractions are also great options during October, especially once school holidays have finished if you don’t want to join the school crowds. The likes of Werribiee Open Zoo, SEA Life Melbourne Acquirium, and Melbourne Zoo are great for those looking to come face-to-face with wildlife and marine life, while the Eureka Skydeck and Melbourne Star observation Wheel  are awesome ways to take in views of this beautiful city.

In the theme of spring, florals are a big part of Melbourne in October, this is in large part due to the Tesselar Tulip Festival being held just under an hour out of the city. With more than a million tulips on display, you’ll be blown away by the vibrant colours of the seemingly never-ending fields. Like any good festival, there are also live performances, market stalls, games and more to keep all visitors entertained and occupied.

ATTRACTION

• Federation Square
• Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – Melbourne Gardens
• Eureka Skydeck
• Yarra River
• Queen Victoria Market
• Puffing Billy Railway
• Melbourne Zoo
• National Gallery of Victoria

Gold Coast, QLD

Built for pleasure and remaining a place dedicated to sun, surf and the body beautiful, this strip of coast is possibly Australia’s most iconic holiday destination. Its shimmering high-rises can, when glimpsed from afar, resemble a make-believe city, and its reputation for tackiness is occasionally deserved. But this is far outstripped by the area’s youthful spirit and startling physical beauty: some 52km of pristine sand with countless epic surf breaks, stunning sunsets, blissful water temperatures and 300 sunny days a year.

While Surfers Paradise’s malls and mega-clubs entertain the party-hard kids, the other neighbourhoods have distinct charms of their own, from booming culinary scenes and coastal chic to retro beach holiday nostalgia and laid-back local flavour. Not to be overlooked is the lush, misty subtropical rainforest of the hinterland – a good place to get in touch with the spirit of the traditional owners of this land, the Yugambeh people.

ATTRACTION

• Sea World
• Warner Bros. Movie World
• Dream World
• Skypiont Observation Deck

Broome, WA

October falls at the end of Broome’s dry season, meaning it’s the last time you can enjoy the region without the downpour until April the following year. Think warm days, clear blue skies and balmy nights, who would want to miss out on that?! October temperatures fluctuate between 17 degrees Celsius and 30.8 degrees Celsius during the day with relatively low humidity levels, cooler evenings and little rain.

There is so much to see and do in Broome and you can easily fill your schedule with activities, tours and adventures, however, one thing you won’t want to miss is the acclaimed Staircase to the Moon. A natural attraction that occurs from March to October, the Staircase to the Moon is when the moon reflects on the low tidal flats creating an illusion of a staircase.

As this phenomenon begins in March, many people flock to see it over the first two months, so if you’re visiting in October you most likely won’t have the hassle of large crowds gathering.

As an added bonus the 6th and 7th of October play host to the Staircase to the Moon Markets, so you can take in the impressive natural phenomenon, browse a few market stalls, meet a couple of locals and have an enjoyable and relaxing evening on the beach.

October in Broome is generally considered to be out of peak season, as many southern tourists travel to the northern destination from May to September to escape the cooler temperatures. A favourite time amongst the local communities, October welcomes fewer people meaning you will most likely be able to secure accommodation without having to book months in advance and without the inflated price tags.

ATTRACTION

• Broome Historical Museum
• Cable Beach
• Broome Courthouse Markets
• Broome Town Beach
• Japanese Cemetery
• Streeter’s Jetty
• Gantheaume Point
• Chinatown Broome