Introducing: A few notes about the Southern Hemisphere
- Summer in the Southern Hemisphere runs from December to February, while the winter months are June, July and August.
- On March 21, the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere celebrate their spring and fall equinoxes, respectively.
- The Southern Hemisphere includes Australia, Antarctica and parts of Africa and South America.
- The Southern Hemisphere is 80% water and home to 10% of the global population.
- Australia and New Zealand are among the countries in the Southern Hemisphere, as are Brazil, Chile and Peru.
Australia
In Australia – both a continent and a country – winter runs from June to August, with cool, sunny days turning into frigid nights. The southern area of the country is even cooler; if you’re planning a trip to southern Australia between June and August, pack warm clothing. Our suggestions for places to visit during a summer/winter trip to Australia include the following.
- Falls Creek is the perfect site to discover Australia’s distinctive ski tourism and other winter activities. This is Victoria’s largest skiing and snowboarding area; winter sports aficionados can ski, snowboard, sled and enjoy other slope-based activities. Falls Creek also has world-class mountain biking and hiking routes, and it makes for an excellent winter holiday with lodging, dining and shopping facilities.
- Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers visitors a chance to explore the country’s wild and rural landscapes. This incredible park spans 20,000 square kilometers and contains dramatic waterfalls, ancient sites and hiking trails, as well as boating areas. The park is also a habitat for many different animals, including various bird species, sharks and aquatic reptiles. Furthermore, the land is traditionally owned by Australia’s Indigenous people, the Aboriginal people.
- Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city, is a terrific place to spend a summer or winter holiday, offering numerous winter celebrations to brighten the wet, dark days. The Royal Botanic Gardens’ light shows are among the city’s most popular attractions. We also recommend the East Gippsland Winter Festival, which highlights food, music, art and culture. From June to July, Adventure Park, Victoria’s largest water theme park, hosts the stunning Winter Glow Festival, a memorable winter vacation activity. Last but not least, explore Melbourne’s venues with fireplaces, hot springs and ice-skating events.
- Whale migration in Australia typically occurs between May and November, when whales come to swim in the temperate waters off South Australia and Victoria. There are numerous whale-watching destinations near Hobart, Perth, and Sydney.
Without further ado, browse our affordable flights to Australia page and begin organizing your trip.
New Zealand
Because of its remote location, New Zealand is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna – the country is also renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. However, if snow activities are your preferred holiday goals, we suggest visiting this scenic island nation during its winter. New Zealand houses numerous skiing and snowboarding areas; the most snowfall occurs in July and August. Turn to New Zealand for a Southern Hemisphere winter vacation experience:
- Queenstown is in the heart of New Zealand’s breathtaking mountain ranges and thus a popular destination for ski tourism throughout the winter months. Welcoming visitors with crisp mountain air and snowy vistas, Queenstown is near four prominent ski resorts. Winter in the region also features numerous events, including festivals, live music, light shows, cultural activities and sports matches.
- Visit Tongariro National Park to see some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery up close. Tongariro, the country’s first national park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural significance, as well as its exceptional natural beauty. Many scenes from the Lord of the Rings film series were shot in the park, which contains woodland, rivers and snow-capped mountains.
- A popular winter holiday destination for adventure enthusiasts, Wānaka offers a variety of activities including parachuting, hiking, climbing, mountaineering, canoeing, lake tours and more.
- New Zealand is also home to a number of hot springs, where you can soak away the winter chill in thermal waters. Thermal tourism destinations around the country include Queenstown, Whitianga, Te Aroha and Ōmarama.
Argentina
In June, July and August, visitors to Argentina discover an ideal winter destination. From tango shows in Buenos Aires to the stunning landscapes of the southern grasslands, Argentina has a variety of activities – including skiing. If you’re planning a summer winter vacation in Argentina, check out our suggestions:
- San Carlos de Bariloche is one of the top winter tourist destinations in Argentina. Located in Patagonia, San Carlos de Bariloche is home to one of Latin America’s top ski resorts, with slopes of varying difficulties for every skier’s skill level. Activities such as snowmobiling, trekking and 4×4 mountain safaris are also available in San Carlos de Bariloche.
- The beautiful snow-capped mountains of Ushuaia, in the country’s southernmost region, are another prominent winter destination. In addition to skiing facilities, the mountains offer numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty and length. For a leisurely alternative to adrenaline-fueled winter sports, consider a boat ride down the Beagle Channel.
- In Argentina, winter is also whale migration season, Puerto Madryn is an ideal location for viewing these magnificent creatures up close, with whales usually in the area from about June to December.
- If you want to explore glaciers, woods, and crystal-clear waterways, we recommend El Calafate, where you can walk on the ice. There are beautiful natural landscapes worthy of adventurers as well as the famed Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the best places in the region for group excursions and hiking.
Check out Argentina: the capital and other citiesfor a closer look at this Southern Hemisphere country.
Brazil
As temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere continue to rise, Brazil is one of the most popular Southern Hemisphere destinations for summer and winter vacations. While the country is renowned for its dynamic city life and beaches, there are numerous interesting places to explore in the winter. Aside from winter festivals where you can experience local culture and art up close, there are several reasons to spend a winter holiday in Brazil. Here are some of our suggestions:
- Curitiba is a Brazilian city with a cool but mild climate; there’s usually a morning frost during the months of June, July and August. Parks and forests offer expansive green spaces and the city also houses a number of theaters and cultural venues, including the stunning Wire Opera House, situated in a garden setting.
- Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro and home to the legendary carnivals, is well-known for its winter events, among them Bauernfest, a festival celebrating Germanic traditions. Bauernfest features a comprehensive calendar of activities that includes traditional folk dances and costumes along with foods and games originating from the Germanic countries.
Chile
If you’re planning a summer winter holiday in the Southern Hemisphere, do visit Chile, one of the most popular tourist destinations below the equator. From breathtaking mountain peaks to diverse flora and fauna, Chile is rich in natural wonders and offers excellent skiing options in the winter. Fjords and snow-capped mountains are found in the south, while the Atacama Desert, one of the world’s driest deserts, is in the country’s north. Other notable destinations in Chile are described below.
- A popular vacation destination, Puerto Varas and the nearby Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano provide breathtaking vistas along with ski slopes and other winter sports facilities. As well, the Festival de la Lluvia (Rain Festival) takes place during the Southern Hemisphere winter.
- Set along Lake Todos Los Santos, Peulla, with a backdrop of the forests and mountains of the Los Lagos region, is a genuine winter wonderland. Peulla is accessed by boat; popular winter activities include sledding, snowmobiling, and trekking to glaciers over snow-covered hiking paths.
- The Elqui Valley is a must-see for your Chilean summer winter adventure; in addition to charming villages and gorgeous scenery, the area offers the ideal conditions for stargazing on cloudless winter nights. Explore the observatories as you contemplate the grandeur and size of the universe.
- Finally, do include Pucón on your list of Chilean destinations for a summer winter vacation. In addition to the still-active Villarrica Volcano, skiing, sledding and snowboarding facilities. The local hot springs are terrific for post-skiing soaks.
Peru
Peru’s rich cultural heritage and distinctive cuisine attract visitors, as do the country’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include a substantial portion of the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. Furthermore, the winter months in Peru are filled with exciting events.
- You can begin your summer winter holiday in Lima, Peru’s capital. The city doesn’t get much sun from June to September and the resultant mists cast a soothing gray cover over the city. During the winter, Lima’s cultural scene features a number of exciting events, one of which is Fiestas Patrias, commemorating Peru’s independence. As well, there are numerous cultural venues with diverse programming.
- Machu Picchu is a must-see destination for many travelers. At 2,430 meters above sea level, this 15th-century Inca citadel in the Andes Mountains features remains of temples, tombs and much more. Machu Picchu is accessible via bus or train, as well as by foot.
- Finally, no winter holiday in Peru would be complete without a trip to Lake Titicaca, one of Peru’s most scenic and peaceful settings. Believed to be three million years old, Titicaca is South America’s largest freshwater lake and the highest of the world’s large lakes – and has remarkably, unusually clear water. Lake Titicaca is also known for its “floating islands”; many local communities live on these islands, which appear to float on the lake.
For more information on Turkish Airlines flights and fares to Peru, check out our affordable flights to Peru page.
