Embrace the cold

Ice Skating

Don’t miss your chance to go ice-skating at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach this winter. Located right on the sand, the ice-skating rink is the centrepiece of the Bondi Winter Festival (28 June to 15 July). The festival has expanded to include a rink on the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral in the Sydney CBD, as well as rinks in Brisbane and Melbourne with the promise of more to come. Starting at just $15 per adult or $10 per child including skate hire, there are also many packages on offer, including our personal favourite: $45 for 45 minutes of skating, skate hire and a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne. 
www.winterfestival.com.au

Tubing

In Brisbane, King George Square will be transformed into a winter playground from 7-24 June. Not only is there a snow bar, ice rink, winter markets and demonstrations by ice-skating pros and hockey players – for the first time, you can experience the new ice slide! Young and old can grab a rubber tube, take a deep breath of crisp winter air and rocket down a hill made of pure ice. At just $5 per ride, that is a lot of winter fun for your buck. 
ticket.winterfestival.com.au

Skiing

Just 350km from Melbourne and serviced by an airport, Mt Hotham is Australia’s most accessible ski resort. With flights from Melbourne taking just under 45 minutes (80 minutes from Sydney), there is no easier way to escape the city winter blues and hit the slopes for the weekend. The resort offers 13 lifts, 72 runs, four terrain parks and 20 bars and eateries – that’s your next long weekend sorted! 
www.mthotham.com.au