5 winter getaway road trips perfect for August

Winter holds some of the season's most rewarding experiences. From Victoria's spa country to Tasmania’s forest cabins and southern NSW coastal lookouts, these road trips deliver authentic seasonal comfort.

These five spectacular car trips reveal why late winter getaways offer the ideal balance of crisp evening air and cosy indoor sanctuaries.

VIC: Spa town sanctuary

Melbourne to Daylesford

Distance: Approx 1.5 hours

Victoria's spa country mirrors the natural hot springs that define it: these waters can serve as the ideal antidote to winter or a flawless way to embrace the chill.

Daylesford

, with its natural mineral springs and therapeutic hot pools, is a charming historic town built around these healing waters. It wraps visitors in comfort, with boutique hotels and cottages where crackling fireplaces and in-house spa treatments extend the thermal experience indoors.

Nearby Hepburn Springs offers an outdoor thermal experience where you can soak away your cares, with delicate plumes of steam curling up from the warm mineral pools in the crisp air.

NSW: Whale watching coast

Jervis Bay to Milton

Distance: Approx 1 hour

The South Coast's winter charm lies in its ability to offer both invigorating ocean air and spectacular wildlife encounters. The cooler months mark peak whale watching

season in Jervis Bay, when thousands of humpback and southern right whales migrate north along the coast. From dramatic headlands and pristine white beaches, visitors can witness these magnificent creatures breaching and playing in the crystal-clear waters, often just metres from shore.

The journey to historic Milton winds through quiet fishing villages and rolling dairy country, creating that heady seaside-meets-hinterland combination that makes cool-weather coastal drives so appealing.

TAS: Forest retreat and food trail

Hobart to Cockle Creek via Huon Valley

Distance: Approx 4 hours round trip

This Tasmania driving holiday takes you to the end of Australia's southernmost road, winding through ancient forests and Tasmania's apple country before reaching one of the continent's most isolated destinations.

The Huon Valley unfolds first, where mist drifts between towering trees and architecturally designed cabin retreats like Hunter Huon Valley

offer the ultimate refuge, with three cabins set across 36 acres of rugged bushland. The valley's renowned food trail

becomes even more appealing in cooler months. Farm gates sell fresh produce, cider houses beckon with wood-fired warmth, and artisan producers offer everything from whisky to handcrafted chocolates.

As the road continues south, civilisation gradually falls away until you reach Cockle Creek, one of Tasmania's most untouched coastal spots. Here, the wilderness meets the Southern Ocean in dramatic fashion, with walking trails leading to secluded beaches and historic sites.

VIC: Highland family snow escape

Melbourne to Warburton and Mount Donna Buang

Distance: Approx 1.5 to 2 hours

Among the best road trips from Melbourne, this journey into the Yarra Valley's forested highlands offers families a blissful mix of mountain adventure and fireside comfort.

Warburton sits surrounded by dense mountain ash forests, where family-friendly walking trails wind through fern gullies and historic timber mills tell stories of the region's logging heritage. And Mount Donna Buang delivers the snow-magic families crave. Historically the snowiest in August, gums are dusted in white and panoramic views stretching back toward Melbourne's skyline. The mountain's accessible walking tracks make it ideal for children, while the summit's snow play transforms this into one of the most beloved family winter holiday destinations in Victoria.

NSW: Chasing waterfalls and historic towns

Kiama to Southern Highlands via Kangaroo Valley

Distance: Approx 1.5 to 2 hours

This inland journey from the coast cuts through some of southern NSW's most distinctive countryside, climbing from dairy farms into the cool-climate highlands.

Kangaroo Valley

sits in a natural basin between sandstone cliffs, where country cottages and rural estates overlook the Kangaroo River and working farms before the road climbs toward the Southern Highlands. Here, spectacular waterfalls like Fitzroy Falls plunge 81 metres into the forest below, while Carrington Falls cascades 90 metres over the escarpment.

Historic towns like Bowral and Moss Vale invite exploration of converted buildings housing craft stores, local galleries showcasing regional artists, and picturesque tree-lined streets to stroll between cultural discoveries.

Set the mood for your end of winter getaway

Every good getaway needs the right soundtrack. We’ve pulled together a playlist of road-ready tracks to pair perfectly with misty mornings, winding drives and that final fireside stop.

• Frozen, Madonna
• Snow (Hey Oh), Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• Flame Trees, Cold Chisel
• Cardigan, Taylor Swift
• Cold as Ice, Foreigner
• Cold Heart, Dua Lipa and Elton John
• 15 Feet of Snow, Diesel
• Shivers, Ed Sheeran
• Come Away With Me, Norah Jones
• Cool, Jonas Brothers

_Disclaimer
^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}