Winter in Australia offers up a host of different things to do and something for everyone whether you like the beaches, the tropics, the mountains, or the whales. Winter also means fun festivals across the country. Today, we will be highlighting Vivid Sydney, Arnhem Land’s Garma Festival, Darwin Beer Can Regatta, Canberra Fireside Festival, the Imparja Camel Races, and Byron Writers Festival.
Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Vivid Sydney Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney’s Vivid Live is an annual festival of lights, music, and ideas that brightens Sydney’s winter nights every year. As you can see, you can enjoy the lights all along Sydney Harbour and Darling Harbour. In addition to those outdoor viewing areas, you can also celebrate the Vivid Festival at the Taronga Zoo, the Royal Botanic Garden, and The Galeries on George Street. Guests will witness more than 60 projections and installations throughout Sydney including Circular Quay, Sydney Opera House, and Walsh Bay.
Hiring a Car in Sydney
Sydney Map Photo Credit: Google Maps
Sydney Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
It’s convenient and easy to hire a car in Sydney at one of many convenient locations. If you flew into Sydney on holiday, you can hire a car right at the Sydney Airport. Other locations in Sydney where you can rent a car at a great price include Sydney east location in Alexandria, or the Sydney southwest location in Ravensby. Click through any of the links to get a quick and easy rate quote for the best car rental rates in Sydney. Be sure to let your car rental agent know your travel itinerary so that they can ensure you have the best vehicle for your trip, especially if there is a possibility of snowy or icy weather conditions. Our helpful car rental agents can also assist you with local maps, holiday tips and pointers, and travel safety information. While in Sydney, in check out these other holiday ideas from our blog:
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: Greater Blue Mountains
Scenic Drives in the Snowy Mountains
Snow Valley Way: A Delicious Scenic Drive
Things to Do on Holiday in Sydney
Sydney Holiday Ideas for Families with Kids
Free Things to Do in Sydney
A Spectacular New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Places to See in and Around Sydney
5 Day Trips from Sydney
Sydney’s Famous and Secret Beaches
Scenic Drive from Sydney to Melbourne
Experience the Vast Beauty of Wollemi National Park
Royal National Park
Summertime is the Perfect Time for Sydney’s Outdoor Pools
Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Sydney
Arnhem Land’s Garma Festival
Garma Festival Photo Credit: http://www.yyf.com.au/
Garma Festival Photo Credit: Australia.com
The Garma Festival takes place in the Top End of the Northern Territory in the Arnhem Land. It is an Aboriginal festival celebrating the dry season and the Yolngu culture. The festival takes place in August and includes the traditional Yolngu song, ceremonial dances, clan designs, spear making, and hunting.
Darwin Beer Can Regatta
Darwin Beer Can Regatta 1977 Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By kenhodge13 – originally posted to Flickr as Darwin’s Beer Can Regatta August 1977, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9980382
Darwin Beer Can Regatta Floating Ship Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Bjørn Christian Tørrissen – Own work by uploader, http://bjornfree.com/galleries.html, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7133376
The Darwin Beer Can Regatta takes place each year in Darwin since 1974. Participants use empty beer cans, soft drink cans, soft drink bottles, and milk cartons. Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory. The Beer Can Regatta is one of the most popular events in Darwin that draws out most of the residents as well as visitors from all over the world. The event emphasises recycling and takes place every July.
Hiring a 4WD to get around the Northern Territory
Northern Territory Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
You will need a four wheel drive vehicle to get around the Northern Territory and the Top End. You can hire a 4WD vehicle in Katherine, or you can hire a car in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. There are two car rental options in Darwin. Either hire a vehicle at the Darwin Airport or rent a 4WD in Darwin City. All of this remote and rugged terrain driving means taking precautions and being prepared. Travellers should always have updated maps with you and plenty of emergency supplies, petrol, and drinking water. Let someone know where you will be, when you will return, and what your exact itinerary is. Consult with our friendly and knowledgeable representatives and they will help you find the right vehicle for your needs and offer up safety tips and local travel ideas. While travelling through Australia’s Top End, check out these other blog posts about this region:
Australia’s Largest National Park Kakadu National Park
Rivers of Kakadu National Park
National Parks and Reserves in the Northern Territory Near Darwin
Outdoor Destinations in Northern Territory near Katherine
Things to Do Near Darwin
Nitmiluk National Park Carved by Nature
Experience a Remote Holiday at Bullo River Station
Journey to Judbarra / Gregory National Park
Road Trip Adventures in the Northern Territory:
The Savannah Way Part One: Daintree Rainforest to Karumba, Queensland
The Savannah Way Part Two: Normanton to Katherine
The Savannah Way Part Three: Katherine to Broome
The Gibb River Road Part One
The Gibb River Road Part Two
Canberra Fireside Festival
Canberra Fireside Festival Photo Credit: VisitNSW.com
Poachers Way Fireside Festival Photo Credit: ThePoachersWay.com.au
Each August, visitors to Canberra can take to the Poacher’s Way and warm up during winter’s Fireside Festival. This event truly celebrates the chill of winter with fire, food, and wine. The month long festival includes degustation dinners, wine tastings, performances, special exhibitions, and packages with a winter theme. The festival features hearty winter food, hot chocolate, and gluhwein across the Canberra Region.
Hiring a Car in Canberra
Canberra Map Photo Credit: Google Maps
Canberra Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
The Australian Capital Territory is located within New South Wales Territory. Situated 280 kilometres south-west of Sydney and 660 kilometres north-east of Melbourne. There is plenty to see and do within the city and surrounds, so hiring a car is the best way to be able to get around and see the sights on your own time. There are car rental locations in Canberra City, the Canberra Airport, as well as places to hire a car in both Sydney or Melbourne. Canberra is located in the northern part of the ACT and is one of the largest cities in Australia. Check your maps and consult with your car rental agent for driving tips for the locations you plan on driving to since many areas just outside of the city can be rugged and rural. You want to make sure you have the right all-terrain vehicle. While in Canberra, check out from our blog:
Things to Do in Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory
Soar High in Namadgi National Park
Scenic Drives in the Snowy Mountains
The Top 10 Australian Ski Resorts
Top 10 Things to Do in Canberra
Canberra Walking Trails Part One
Canberra Walking Trails Part Two
The Camel Cup Camel Races
Camel Cup Photo Credit: CamelCup.com.au
Camel Cup Photo Credit: CamelCup.com.au
The Camel Cup is an annual camel race that takes place in Alice Springs on the 2nd Saturday in July each year. It’s a fundraiser event that combines family fun with crazy camel riders and attracts over 5,000 people from all over the world. The event is made up of nine camel races. In between the races, there of plenty of entertainment like rickshaw races, kid’s hobby camel races, rides, belly dancers, food stalls, bars, and Mr and Miss Camel Cup contests. All proceeds go to local charities.
Hiring a Car in Alice Springs
Alice Springs Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
If tour buses aren’t your thing, hire your own 4WD vehicle to drive yourself around the Northern Territory. Click through the link for the best rate on car rentals in the Northern Territory. You can hire a car in Alice Springs, or rent a vehicle right at the Alice Springs Airport. Looking for other destinations to visit with exploring the Northern Territory? Check out these other blog posts:
Alice Springs, the City in the Outback
Uluru / Ayer’s Rock
Highlights from Uluru and Surrounds
Glamping in Australia
Top 10 Wedding Destinations in Australia
Byron Writers Festival
Byron Bay Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) By Travis.Thurston – Photo, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25418908
Byron Bay Lighthouse Photo Credit: (Wikipedia) CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1698921
Byron Writers Festival happens each August in Belongil Beach. While Byron Bay’s Main Beach is a popular tourist spot, Belongil Beach is more of a quiet beach known to the locals and perfect for some relaxing winter reading. Byron Writers Festival is a 3 day annual event where writers, poets, and their fans come together to celebrate the written word, discuss different topics, and spend quiet time reading or writing.
Hiring a Car in Byron Bay
Byron Bay Car Rental Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
Byron Bay is located on the northern coast of New South Wales not too far from the border to Queensland. There are quite a few places to rent a car from Budget in New South Wales. Coffs Harbour is the closest car rental location to the starting point of Bellingen. Closest to Byron Bay, you can rent a car at the Ballina Airport or you can hire a vehicle at Lismore or the Lismore Airport. Here are some other things to do close to this New South Wales road trip adventure:
Best Places to Get Married in NSW and Victoria
Whale Watching
The Legendary Pacific Coast Scenic Drive
Quirky Places to Stay in NSW
Swim, Surf, and Shop in the Seaside Village of Lennox Head
The Waterfall Way
Washpool National Park
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: The Rainforest Way
6 Australian Summer Holiday Road Trip Ideas