WINTER HOLIDAYS
TO WARM YOU UP
Winter holidays to warm you up: top destinations in Australia
When the temperature begins to drop, the colder winter months settle in and the woolies come out of the wardrobe, you couldn’t be in a better place than Australia to get away for a winter holiday. From the warmth of the tropical north, our top end and red centre to the snow-capped mountains, vibrant wineries, and cultural delights down south, the options are endless to make the most of this time of year.
So, whether you like to embrace the cold head on and get amongst it or escape to warmer grounds, we have a few suggestions you might like to think about when you begin your search for winter holidays, Australia.
Queensland always offers the warmest welcome.
It’s one of the go-to places for winter holiday destinations in Australia to escape the cold. From the warm southeast to the tropical far north, Queensland’s winter getaways range from lush rainforests, white sandy beaches to glorious reefs.
The Whitsundays is one of so many perfect spots with average temps of 24-25 ºC. Sail, swim, snorkel, dive, island hop and even get in some whale watching. With the whales heading to warmer waters to give birth to their calves, there’s a number of cruises to choose from around Hervey Bay and the Sunshine Coast.
THE WHITSUNDAYS IS ONE OF SO MANY PERFECT SPOTS WITH AVERAGE TEMPS OF 22 TO 23 ºC DURING JUNE AND JULY. SAIL, SWIM, SNORKEL, DIVE, ISLAND HOP AND EVEN GET IN SOME WHAL
Up Port Douglas way is the gateway to the 140million year old Daintree Forest where you can immerse yourself in the indigenous customs, and the crystal-clear waters of the Mossman Gorge where you can go for a swim or stand-up paddle.
Or you can hit the vibrant Gold Coast for some of the world’s most famous surf spots and super-fun theme parks, always a favourite for a family winter holiday in Australia.
West Australia to get way away from the winter cold
Head west for winter. The wild rugged and remote coast of W.A. offers some of the country’s most picturesque and uniquely Australian places to escape the colder months.
The Kimberley region is a perfect example of the breathtaking beauty of the outback, rich in Aboriginal culture, stunning waterfalls and gorges, and the stark wilderness. And there’s no better way to experience the majesty of it all than a flight over the Bungle Bungle Ranges.
Broome is the gateway to the Kimberley with the endless sweeping white sandy beaches with the likes of Cable Beach and balmy evenings spent sipping sunset cocktails.
If you’re after something a little more refined, head south to Margaret River where you can cosy up in a luxury cabin and partake in some of the country’s best wines and food.
Australia’s Red Centre takes you back a few billion years
The outback has played such a pivotal part in the story of Australia and is home to one of our country’s most iconic places in Uluru. Winter is the dry season and is the perfect time to stargaze the constellations with the clearest of night skies, but it can get a little chilly at night.
Trek the Larapinta Trail and immerse yourself in our indigenous history, take a camel ride or helicopter around Uluru and marvel at the Field of Light with 50,000 solar installations that light up the desert nights.
The Northern Territory and our top end have so much to offer with the likes of the Kakadu, Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge, and the incredible sunsets of a rich multicultural Darwin.
Wrap up warm for ski season, head for the snowfields of Victoria and NSW
So this is for those who grab winter by the horns, where the colder it gets, the more snow falls, the better the holiday becomes for ski season.
The snowfields of Victoria have plenty to offer with Mt Hotham rated one of the best in Australia for the powderhounds. Falls Creek is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country for skiing and snowboarding with plenty of activities to keep the kids busy and some pretty steep terrains for the more experienced. There’s also Mt Buffalo for cross country and gentle downhill and Mt Buller more for the toboggan fun.
The Snowy Mountains in NSW are the highest in Australia with Mt Kosciuszko boasting the highest mountain. Thredbo offers a well-known alpine village with plenty of runs for all levels of skiers. Perisher is a buzzing ski resort, with Charlottes Pass getting some of the most consistent snowfalls, perfect for all abilities and offering all manner of accommodation.
FALLS CREEK IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SKI RESORTS IN THE COUNTRY FOR SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING WITH PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY AND ALSO SOME PRETTY STEEP TERRAINS FOR THE MORE EXPERIENCED
South Australia’s wine region is worth raising your glass
Stone cottages, toasty open fireplace, a plate of artisan cheeses and glass of Shiraz in hand. The wine region of South Australia is made for getting cosy in the colder winter months.
The rolling hills of the Barossa’s lush green countryside is peppered with vineyards, and while you can visit throughout the year, wintertime just seems to draw you in.
Wine festivals, celebrations and events happen all throughout winter with a host
of cosy shelters to stay the night or a few days and numerous award-winning restaurants in the area serving up hearty meals from the fresh local produce and artisan foods. This is definitely where you might put on a few winter pounds but well worth every mouthful.
Don’t get left out in the cold when it comes to travel benefits
Putting your entire winter holiday on your American Express® Credit Card is a smart way to enjoy a number of travel benefits that comes with your dream trip.
Depending on the Card you are holding, you can earn Membership Rewards Points on virtually every dollar you spend1. The points you earn can even help you pay for your next summer jaunt2. Your flights, your stays, your sunset cocktails and even your alpine glühwein’s at places all around Australia can all count toward building your points.
It’s also a smart play to book your getaway through American Express Travel Online. The benefits are many which might mean that extra glass or two of red next to the fireplace.
And why not use your points towards our travel and hotel partners and save yourself some spending money that can perhaps go toward this season’s ski jacket.
Some Cards come with a complimentary flight or Travel Credit3, and you could also tick ‘Travel Insurance’ off your trip checklist if you book and pay for your return trip with an eligible American Express Card4.
And for eligible Card Members, why not start it by relaxing in the American Express Airport Lounge, or in one of our partner lounges in over 1,400 destinations around Australia and the world5. Grab a drink and snack, enjoy the complimentary Wi-Fi and rejuvenate before your flight.
So, don’t hibernate this winter. Get out there, get amongst it, use it as an excuse to get away and see parts of this great country you might not have considered. Even in the dead of winter, the welcome will be warmer than ever.”
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- Membership Rewards Program. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. The following merchants have been classified as major supermarkets: Bi-Lo, Coles, Fishers, Food For Less, Fresh Provisions, Harris Farm Markets, IGA, Macro Wholefoods, Safeway, Supabarn, Thomas Dux, Woolworths. The following merchants have been classified as major petrol stations: Ampol, BP, Caltex Woolworths, Gull, Metro, Peak, Safeway Petrol, Shell, United, Woolworths Petrol, 7 Eleven.
Exceptions may apply if an individual merchant trading as one of the above named retailers does not accept American Express as a form of payment. Purchases at major supermarket & major petrol station retailers are only eligible for additional points if the transactions are made in Australia.
Certain transactions will earn 2 points per dollar spent, including the use of foreign currency overseas and overseas online payments. Additional points for major supermarkets, petrol stations and foreign currency may not apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example, a payment made to a major supermarket processed through a payment aggregator may not earn the additional points. - Points for Travel. When redeeming Points for Travel for Online Travel Bookings, a single amount will be debited from the Card Member's Membership Rewards account per booking. The Card Member can keep track of the Membership Rewards points debited by checking the Membership Rewards section in Online Services.
- Travel Credit. If your Card has a Travel Credit benefit, the Primary Card Member is eligible for an annual Travel Credit, subject to the full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions. The Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking by selecting the Travel Credit when you checkout. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. Eligible travel includes flights, hotels and car hire when you prepay in advance. The Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date and cannot be used past the expiration date. To check the expiration date of your Travel Credit if you have not already redeemed it, please visit americanexpress.com.au/travel; log in and click ‘Travel Credit . If your booking is cancelled, and your Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued. You need to be able to spend on the Card to access the Travel Credit benefit and it should be credited to your Card Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. Your account must be in good standing and you must have paid the annual fee and minimum payment by the due date. If you cancel your Card, change your rewards program or Card type, you will no longer be eligible for the Travel Credit.
For full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions refer to your product’s Terms and Conditions:
American Express® Platinum Card
amex.com.au/platinumtravelcreditterms
American Express Explorer®
amex.com.au/explorer-travelcreditterms
American Express® Platinum Edge Credit Card
amex.com.au/platinumedge-travelcreditterms
American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card
amex.com.au/platinumreserve-travelcreditterms
Qantas Travel Credit. Qantas American Express Ultimate Primary Card Members are eligible for an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, subject to the full Qantas Travel Credit Terms and Conditions. The Qantas Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking for Qantas Flights (i.e. a QF flight number on your ticket) by selecting the Qantas Travel Credit when you checkout. All Qantas Flight travel is subject to Qantas Conditions of Carriage. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. The Qantas Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date and cannot be used past the expiration date. If your booking is cancelled, and your Qantas Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Qantas Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued. You need to be able to spend on the Card to access the Qantas Travel Credit benefit and it should be credited to your Card Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. - Travel Insurance. American Express Card Insurances are underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Access to this insurance is provided solely by reason of the statutory operation of section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Card Members are not a party to the group policy, do not have an agreement with Chubb and cannot vary or cancel the cover. American Express is not the insurer, does not guarantee or hold the rights under the group policy on trust for Card Members and does not act on behalf of Chubb or as its agent. American Express is not an Authorised Representative (under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) of Chubb.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection
Access to the American Express Lounges
The following Terms and Conditions govern the entry to the American Express Centurion® Lounges at the Sydney International Airport and the Melbourne International Airport.
Eligible Cards
(a) The Cards listed below that are current and issued by American Express Australia Limited and American Express International (NZ), are eligible to enter The Centurion Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne International Airports: American Express® Centurion Card
American Express® Platinum Card
American Express® Platinum Business Card
American Express® Corporate Platinum Card
American Express® Qantas Corporate Platinum Card
American Express Explorer® Credit Card
American Express Business ExplorerTM Credit Card
American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card
David Jones American Express Platinum Card
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
American Express Airpoints Platinum Card
American Express® Elevate Premium Credit Card
(b) Internationally issued American Express® Centurion and American Express® Platinum Cards that are current are eligible to enter The Centurion Lounge. At the discretion of American Express, other American Express Card Members may also enter The Centurion Lounges.
Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner. This benefit is available to the Platinum Card. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Platinum Account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members receive complimentary access to any US location of the Escape Lounges. Card Member must present their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring up to two companions as complimentary guests. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and their guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Escape Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Escape Lounge locations are subject to change.
Delta Sky Club Access. The Platinum Card Member must present his or her valid American Express Platinum Card, government-issued ID, and same-day corresponding airline ticket to club ambassador. Access to Delta Sky Club partner lounges is not permitted. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age to access Delta Sky Club, and 21 years of age to access locations with a self-service bar, unless accompanied by a responsible, supervising adult who has access to the lounge. Platinum Card Members must adhere to all House Rules of participating clubs. Participating airport clubs and locations subject to change without notice. Additional guest access and fees subject to terms and conditions of participating airport clubs. For the most current Delta Sky Club access and pricing policy, please visit delta.com/skyclub. All Delta Sky Club rules apply to Delta Sky Club membership and use. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/skyclub
Plaza Premium Lounges. This benefit is available to Primary, Additional and Employee Platinum Card Members. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Platinum Account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members receive complimentary access to any global location of Plaza Premium Lounges. The Platinum Card Member may bring up to 2 guests into the lounge at no additional cost. All lounge access fees for additional guest visits will be charged directly to the Platinum Card Member’s Card, and at the prevailing retail rate, per person, per visit. Lounge access for infants under two years of age is complimentary. To access the Plaza Premium Lounges, the Platinum Card Member must present their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. Failure to present this documentation may result in access being denied. The Platinum Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian where there is a self-service bar. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Plaza Premium Lounge reserves the right to remove any person from a lounge for inappropriate behaviour or failure to adhere to lounge rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive or violent. Access is subject to space availability and is not guaranteed. The full Plaza Premium Lounge Facilities Terms and Conditions are available at plaza-network.com/terms. Facilities, amenities, services and hours of operation may vary among locations and are subject to change. Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice.
Virgin Australia Lounge Access for Platinum Card. Access is complimentary for Primary Platinum Card Member and one complimentary guest only. The Primary Platinum Card Member and guest must be travelling with Virgin Australia domestically. Access is to Virgin Australia-branded lounges in Australia only. Name on boarding pass must match the name on the Platinum Card. The Platinum Card Member and guest must present his or her valid Card and same-day departing flight boarding pass (containing your Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer number and status) to Virgin Australia lounge agents. One guest per Primary Platinum Card Member permitted, children are classified as a guest. Guest must be travelling on same Virgin Australia flights and present boarding pass. All access is subject to space availability. This benefit is subject to change. The Virgin Australia lounge is operated by Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd in selected domestic airports and entry is subject to the Virgin Australia lounge Terms and Conditions, available here and as amended from time to time.
Virgin Australia Lounge Access for Velocity Platinum Card. Two Single Entry passes to the Virgin Australia lounge will be activated on the Primary Card Member's Velocity Membership Card annually on or after each annual Card fee renewal date. Virgin Australia lounge entry passes are subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions. Single entry passes are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. The Virgin Australia Lounge is operated by Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd in selected domestic airports in accordance with the Virgin Australia Lounge Terms and Conditions, and Lounge Rules as amended from time to time. Visit the Virgin Australia website for up-to-date information on Virgin Australia’s Lounge network.
Priority PassTM. These Terms and Conditions govern American Express Platinum Card Members’ participation in and use of the Priority Pass™ program. Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge access program. Your Priority Pass benefit is limited to airport lounge access only. Non-lounge airport experiences in the form of credits for restaurants, cafes and bars are not available. Primary Platinum Card Members and one nominated Additional Platinum Card Member per Account are eligible for Priority Pass membership. At any visit to a Priority Pass lounge that admits guests, you may bring in 1 guest for no charge. You will be charged the prevailing retail rate for any additional guests. Some lounges do not admit guests. By enrolling in Priority Pass, you agree that you will be responsible for any additional accompanying guest visits and that your Card will be automatically charged after you have signed for the additional guest visit and it has been reported to Priority Pass by the participating lounge. Additionally, you acknowledge and agree that American Express will verify your Card account number and provide updated Card account information to Priority Pass. Priority Pass will use this information to fulfill on the Priority Pass program and may use this information for marketing related to the program. Once enrolled, Platinum Card Members whose Card account is not cancelled may access participating Priority Pass lounges by presenting your Priority Pass card and airline boarding pass. In some lounges, Priority Pass member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Priority Pass members must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Amenities may vary among airport lounge locations. Conference rooms, where available, may be reserved for a fee. Priority Pass lounge partners and locations are subject to change. All Priority Pass members must adhere to the Priority Pass Conditions of Use, which will be sent to you with your membership package, and can be viewed at prioritypass.com. Upon receipt of your enrollment information, Priority Pass will send your Priority Pass card and membership package which you should receive within 4-6 weeks.
Airspace. This benefit is available to the American Express Platinum Card. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Platinum Card Account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Member must present their valid Card, government-issued I.D. and confirmed boarding pass for same-day travel. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. The Card Member may bring up to two companions into the club as complimentary guests per visit. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and their guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Airspace Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Airspace Lounge locations are subject to change.
Lufthansa. This benefit is available to the American Express Platinum Card. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Platinum Card Account are not eligible for complimentary access. Platinum Card Members have complimentary access to select Lufthansa Business Lounges (regardless of ticket class) and Lufthansa Senator Lounges (when flying business class). To access the Lufthansa lounges, Platinum Card Members must present a government issued I.D., a same-day departure boarding pass showing confirmed reservation on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian airlines) and a valid Platinum Card. For the current list of participating lounges and access requirements, please use the Lounge Finder feature in the American Express App or visit americanexpress.com.au/platinumlounges. Card Members must adhere to all rules of participating lounges. Participating lounges and locations subject to change without notice. Additional guest access and fees subject to terms and conditions of participating lounges. In some Lounges the Platinum Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. For the most current Lufthansa rules and guest access and pricing policy, please visit lufthansa.com/de/en/lounges.
Qantas Club Lounge Access. Provided you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer and have registered your Qantas Frequent Flyer number with your Qantas American Express Premium Card or the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you are eligible to receive two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations each anniversary year of your Card Membership after purchasing on selected Qantas products and services using your Qantas American Express Premium Card. Selected Qantas products and services are Qantas passenger flights with a QF flight number purchased on the Qantas merchant account i.e. with Qantas direct or some travel agents and Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club membership joining and annual fees. Excludes Jetstar, Qantas Holidays, and Qantas branded non-airfare products. Subject to the Qantas American Express Card Points Terms and Conditions. Within 1-2 weeks of purchasing selected Qantas products and services, two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations will be assigned to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account. Visit the Complimentary Invitations Portal to access your invitation, link it with an eligible Qantas flight booking or find out more information. Qantas Club Lounge Invitations are valid for a single visit by one guest to a Qantas Club Lounge and must be used prior to their expiry. Invitations are subject to the Qantas Club Terms and Conditions and are not valid for Qantas International First Class Lounges, the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge, Qantas Domestic Business and or oneworld® alliance partner or associated lounges. Qantas Club Invitations cannot be carried forward to any subsequent year and must not be sold, they may only be transferred as allowed by Qantas. Invitations may be revoked or withheld if your Qantas American Express Premium Card account is not in good standing, if the selected Qantas products and services are refunded in full or if you have not complied with these Qantas Club Invitation Conditions, the Credit Card Terms and Conditions or the Qantas Club Lounge Access Terms and Conditions
Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges. American Express offers access to additional lounges in the Global Lounge Collection where Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to participating locations. Card Members must present their valid Platinum Card, a government-issued I.D., and a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier. Guest access and associated fees are subject to the terms and conditions of the participating lounge provider. Participation, locations, rates, and policies of lounges are subject to change without notice, and Card Members and their guests will not be compensated for such changes. Access is subject to space availability, including capacity restrictions and limited hours that may be placed on the participating lounge. Amenities, services, and hours may vary by participating lounge and are subject to change without notice. American Express will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen, or damages suffered by the Card Member or guests inside the participating lounge. For participating lounges with a self-service bar, the Card Member may be required to be of legal drinking age in the participating lounge jurisdiction to enter without a parent or legal guardian. All Card Members and their guests must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. Each participating lounge may have their own policy allowing for children under a certain age to enter for free with the Card Member who is a parent or legal guardian. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Participating lounges reserve the right to remove any person from the premises for inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive, or violent. If American Express, in our sole discretion, determines that the Card Member or their guests have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with access to participating lounges in any way, or that the Card Member or their guests intend to do so, we may remove access to the Additional Lounges from the Account. American Express and the participating lounge reserve the right to revise the rules at any time without notice. For the most current list of participating lounges and access requirements, please use the Lounge Finder feature in the American Express App or visit americanexpress.com.au/platinumlounges.