welcome to
summer 101
Summer in Australia isn’t a season. It’s a sweaty, sun-baked, festival-fuelled adventure you either ride hard or wilt in. From scorched pavements to desperate shade hunts, this is Christmas Down Under: messy, loud, and proudly unapologetic.
Inside this issue, we’ve mapped the ultimate Aussie summer for every kind of adventurer. Chase the beats with our Festival Hitlist, survive NYE in Sydney without losing your mind, and uncover hidden nature escapes closer to the city than you’d think. We hit the dirt at Australia’s best 4x4 park, meet the legends behind the lens like Mitch Lowe capturing festival chaos, and roll with Kat and Stu to see how life on the road proves that less stuff often equals more freedom.
We’re covering everything from wildlife’s extreme heat hacks to stress-free fishing spots, giving you all the tools to live summer like a true Roam Legend.
Summer 101 is your cheat sheet for surviving - and thriving Australia's festive season!
Before we kick things off, let’s set the scene for our overseas readers: forget being rugged up by the fire while it’s snowing outside... Here’s a quick look at a typical Aussie Festive Season
vibe check
why christmas in australia is elite
First, an urgent cultural correction: “Put a shrimp on the barbie?” Stop. No one actually says that. Ever.
The only true Aussie mantra you need this time of year is: “Need a beer, mate?” Forget the cinematic fluff of a White Christmas. We’ve done the research (forced to watch The Holiday every year) and can confirm the superior version is humid, 35°C, burnt feet, and obsessive cooler checks.
The scene is simple: hot concrete, icy prawns, beers in hand, and a desperate half-naked hunt for shade. Decorations? Your car collection parked on the lawn. Outfit? Sunscreen plus sweat. It’s chaotic perfection.
We ditch the roast turkey before midday. Real rituals involve icy seafood, lukewarm potato salad, and that weird dessert your grandma makes every year that somehow disappears by the afternoon. The descent into chaos is the charm: pool to patio, trading tragically hilarious Christmas cracker jokes, laughing until you snort said dessert. Meanwhile, Uncle Dave is half-dressed in a sweaty red polyester Santa suit, holding a warm beer, explaining politics nobody asked for. There’s always more booze than baubles.
It’s messy. Loud. Authentic. Exactly the kind of chaos that is summer in Australia.
Now, what you do next is up to you: hit festivals, elbow through Sydney’s streets on NYE, or vanish into some remote corner while the masses sweat it out. North? Hot, humid, dripping. South? Classic beach vibes. Middle? We sent someone to check last Christmas. Haven’t heard from them, so probably fine.
Disclaimer: We’ve cross-referenced all facts against the ultimate Aussie test - cold prawns + cold beer = elite. Verdict: confirmed.
On a serious note, we’ve done Christmas all over the world. Cozy white Christmases have their charm, but nothing beats: shirt off, beers in hand, sand under your feet. That’s elite.
Happy Summer,
- Jayden
Right, aircon on, tunes cranked, and coordinates locked to “hell yes” - summer festivals, we’re coming for you.
festival roadtrip hitlist
Summer in Australia isn’t a season - it’s a marathon of sunscreen, servo ice-creams and music festivals you swear you can afford “if we just split petrol.” So pack the van, plan a loose route, and pretend you’ve definitely washed your sleeping bag. Here are five festivals worth chasing across the map.
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good things festival
Early December - Melb / Syd / Bris
Vibe: Australia’s annual pilgrimage for heavy music fans, emos, and people who still own a studded belt “ironically.” Good Things tours the East Coast like a big loud family road trip, except your dad’s not driving - a metalcore band is, and they’re flooring it.
#1
#2
subsonic music festival
Early December - Monkerai, NSW
Vibe: Bush doofs, river swims, techno in a forest… it’s basically a three-day reminder that you could’ve run away and joined the hippies, but this will do for now. Expect deep beats, art installations, and that one stranger who becomes your festival best mate before you forget their name forever.
field day
1 January - Sydney
Vibe: New Year’s Day for people who refuse to sleep through the hangover. Indie, hip hop, dance, and the occasional person still wearing last night’s glitter like a badge of honour. It’s the fresh start you pretend counts as “fitness,” because dancing is technically cardio.
#3
#4
beyond the valley
28 Dec – 1 Jan - Vic
Vibe: A camping festival that feels like a small city discovered partying. Wellness areas, arts, giant stages, lakeside sunsets… it’s half rave, half cute-retreat, and 100% worth showering with a biodegradable wet wipe for four days straight.
spilt milk
Mid December - Multiple Cities
Vibe: A huge, colourful, pop-leaning party that rolls through Aus like a travelling carnival with better outfits. It’s the perfect stop-over if you want less head-banging, more sing-along bangers, and the type of crowd that plans outfits like they’re sitting exams.
#5
Five festivals. One van. Countless questionable dance moves. Take it slow, chase the music, and remember: deodorant doesn’t count as a shower, no matter how “natural” it smells. See you in the crowd.
After hopping across a few of Australia’s loudest parties and a vanload of questionable dance moves, let’s see summer from a different angle - we went behind the lens to catch what makes these festivals unforgettable.
After hopping across a few of Australia’s loudest parties and a vanload of questionable dance moves, let’s see summer from a different angle - we went behind the lens to catch what makes these festivals unforgettable.
FROM HOUSE PARTIES TO THE MAIN STAGE
The not-so-overnight rise of music photographer Mitch Lowe
If you grew up on the Sunshine Coast in the late 2000s, you probably remember two things:
house parties that got shut down early, and a kid with a camera taking photos while someone lost a shoe in the pool.
That kid was Mitch Lowe. Before he was shooting giant festival crowds and stadium headliners, he was dodging drink spills while photographing teenage chaos with SaveTonight — back when a “gig” meant a mate’s cousin’s DJ set in a garage that smelled like lynx deodorant and goon.
He didn’t plan on becoming one of Australia’s go-to live music photographers. He just kept turning up. One house party → one nightclub → one local gig → one festival → suddenly, he’s pointing a lens at Kendrick Lamar. As you do.
more than flashes & stages
Mitch’s career didn’t start on a big stage - but Splendour in the Grass 2014 changed everything. One minute, he’s quitting his car rental job against his parents’ wishes. The next, he’s onstage at Splendour, sharing space with Violent Soho and Danny Brown, wondering if someone is going to tap him on the shoulder and ask for his ticket.
He stayed with Splendour every year until Covid, turning it into his personal Christmas - loud, chaotic, everyone covered in glitter and dirt, and somehow still wholesome.
Then came the billboard moment: a massive Apple campaign across Brisbane City. Imagine driving past your own work, printed bigger than actual buildings. That’s peak “mum, I told you” energy.
But ask him his real highlight? It’s not the headliners, the festivals, or the publications.
“Honestly, making this a career in the first place.”
No dramatic quotes. Just the truth - turns out quitting the car rental job worked out alright.
How To (Actually) Get Into Music Photography
Here’s Mitch’s guide to surviving and thriving in music photography, minus the Instagram delusion:
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Get weird. Try angles, colours, edits, and moments that aren’t obvious.
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Be a good human. People want to work with people they like, not robots who own cameras.
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Work hard. Late nights, long gigs, weird hours. Sleep is a luxury item.
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It’s all who you know. Be there, show up, meet bands early - relationships outlast trends.
And here’s the big one:
Don’t ask for arena access if you’ve never shot a local gig.
Everyone wants to shoot the big names, but most touring photographers started by shooting local bands in tiny pubs. One gig leads to another. The work builds. The connections build.
So if you’re dreaming of the big stage?
Start with sweaty back rooms, sticky floors, and unknown bands with cheap pedals. That’s where the real story begins.
WHAT MITCH IS SHOOTING THIS SUMER
Summer is looking loud. Mitch is shooting Rolling Sets across Tweed and the Central Coast over the next couple of weekends. After that, he’s hoping to catch shows from:
- Knocked Loose
- TV On The Radio
- Grinspoon
- Molchat Doma
And he’s kicking off 2026 with Turnstile.
MORE THAN A MAGAZINE
THE MISSION:
When the Roam Aus crew first put this magazine together, our mission was simple: Inspire, Experience, and make an Impact.
INSPIRE
Get you, the Legend, out there to make the most of this beautiful country.
EXPERIENCE
Offer the community the ultimate cheat code - discounts on over 4,000 adventure products and experiences.
IMPACT
With every single issue, we give back.
That last part is non-negotiable. Every time a new issue hits your screen, we use a portion of the revenue to back a selected charity or organisation.
Why? It's our way of helping protecting what we love and ensuring the landscapes and wildlife we chase stay thriving for the next generation.
Got a cause you care about? If there’s an organisation doing the hard yards that you think we should be backing, let us know.
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Honestly, there’s no shortage of epic festivals in summer, but if city beats are starting to blur together, it’s time to swap the glow sticks for cowboy boots.
Pull up your boots,
Shine your belt buckle
the Tamworth Country Music Festival is coming!
Tired of sweaty warehouses and the same synthetic beat dropping at every summer festival? It might be time to trade your glow sticks for a gold buckle and your city accommodation for the heart of the country.
Every January, when the rest of Australia is battling for space at raves, the New South Wales city of Tamworth transforms into the undisputed country music capital of the Southern Hemisphere. This is the Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) - the second-largest country music festival in the world, stretching over ten electric days in the summer heat. For the 54th instalment, scheduled from Friday 16 to Sunday 25 January 2026, over 300,000 people will converge on North West NSW to chase a more authentic tune. This is a ten-day escape for your soul, your wardrobe, and your eardrums.
the city is the stage (and the afterparty)
The TCMF isn’t confined by a single entry gate; the entire city is the stage, using over 40 venues - from huge entertainment centres to tiny local pubs to host over 4,000 performances.
The energy of the festival lives on Peel Street. The main thoroughfare is shut down to become a massive pedestrian carnival of sound. This is the nation's biggest open-mic night meets a street party, where hundreds of buskers - from seasoned professionals to fresh-faced talent - are literally performing their way toward a career. You can bet your bottom dollar the musician you saw busking at 2 PM is opening a venue show by 7 PM.
The programming is famously accessible:
Toyota Park: Every evening, this Bicentennial Park stage hosts spectacular free concerts featuring major national acts. It’s your nightly dose of high-quality entertainment without needing a mortgage.
The Prestige: The festival culminates in the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards (Saturday, 24 January 2026). It’s the Australian industry's 'night of nights' and the only time you’ll see that much star power in one room outside of the Logies.
Camping is Your Postcode: Forget driving in circles for a room. Your easiest win is rolling into the Riverside Camp Grounds, located near the CBD. We encourage camping! It's the official festival postcode for a full-immersion experience.
Festival Executive Producer Peter Ross says anticipation is already building for another huge festival.
“The Toyota 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival features a diverse line up of artists and shows, with something for every audience. It’s wonderful to see so many returning artists in the line-up, along with many new names.”
the lineup
While the classic country twang is the anchor, the festival’s sheer volume ensures its musical palette is surprisingly broad. The line-up regularly weaves in influences of blues, folk, rock, and Americana. You’re not just seeing the icons; you’re being given a comprehensive masterclass in the craft of songwriting.
The TCMF is best known as the ultimate career launchpad. The busking stages and the Toyota Star Maker Quest are serious business. As Peter Ross noted, the festival has "given emerging artists a platform to take their music career to the next level." For visitors, this means you are not just seeing a show; you are witnessing the next generation of Australian music being minted live on the streets. It's exhilarating and, frankly, much cooler than seeing another DJ hit play.
Ready to trade the city crush for some serious country flair?
Here's what you need to know:
Accommodation: Hotels and motels are a competitive sport (book months ahead!). Your best bet is utilizing the extensive Riverside Camp Grounds for an easy stay near the action.
Dates: The Toyota 54th Tamworth Country Music Festival runs from Friday 16 to Sunday 25 January 2026.
Tickets & Info: Most events are free, but headliner shows require pre-booking.
If the country twang has got your boots tapping, don’t hang up your hat just yet - there’s a whole other corner of NSW where sequins, sideburns, and hip-shaking reign supreme.
When 25,000 Elvises Take Over a Town:
The Parkes Elvis Festival
Aussie summer festivals have something for everyone - from massive stadium concerts to quirky, offbeat shindigs tucked away in regional towns. But the Parkes Elvis Festival? Well, when we first imagined 25,000 people dressed as Elvis roaming the streets of a sleepy NSW town, we knew we had to check it out. Running 7–11 January 2026, Parkes transforms into a full-blown rock ’n’ roll playground. With the theme “Love Me Tender,” it’s five days of hip-shaking, sequins, and good vibes that are impossible to forget.
Based on the Gold Coast, Josh got his start the way most legends do: with a serious case of envy.
"It all started after seeing a crazy video of kayakers paddling off the coast when a large orca surfaced beside them," Josh recalls. "I was super jealous that nothing like that ever happens to me. I quickly had to laugh at myself - I had literally never put myself in a position for any such experience to happen."
That moment was the switch. Soon after, he made a promise: he would cast any fears aside and start getting out there. After learning to scuba dive at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, he invested in his first professional underwater system in 2016. Today, his passion is a professional pursuit: meticulously researching new locations and seasons in his hunt for rare, big animal encounters.
all things elvis
This isn’t just a festival - it’s a proper Elvis takeover. Over 200 events packed into five days mean there’s more of the King than you can shake a hip at. Feature concerts showcase special guest artists alongside hundreds of live performances, while the streets themselves become a stage: vintage cars, glittering floats, and countless Elvis impersonators strut past. Couples can renew their vows Elvis-style, the Miss Priscilla competition celebrates glamour, and markets and busking offer Elvis-themed art, crafts, and memorabilia. Family-friendly activities mean there’s something for everyone, from tots to grandparents.
festival highlights
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Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest: Winner represents Australia in Memphis
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Feature Concerts: Special guest artists and hundreds of live performances
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Street Parade: Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations parade with floats, vintage cars, and Elvis impersonators
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Renewal of Vows Ceremony: Couples can say “I do” again, Elvis-style
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Miss Priscilla Competition: Celebrating Priscilla Presley’s glamour
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Markets & Busking: Elvis-themed stalls, art, and photo exhibitions
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Family Focus: New emphasis on young families with inclusive activities
more than just an excuse to dress up
The Parkes Elvis Festival is a mix of nostalgia, Aussie summer fun, and community. Nomads and travellers can easily detour through Parkes, with caravan parks, showgrounds, and pop-up sites ready to host festival-goers. Surrounding towns like Trundle, Peak Hill, and Tullamore add their own Elvis-themed touches, making it a regional adventure as well as a festival.
Whether you’re reliving your youth or discovering Elvis for the first time, the festival is as much about music as it is about connection. Walking the streets alongside thousands of fellow fans, you’ll be immersed in a town-wide party that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Alright, let’s talk New Year’s Eve. If you’re braving Sydney, for front row seats to the fireworks here’s how to make it legendary - not miserable.
NYE in Sydney:
how to do it without losing your mind
Let’s be real - New Year’s Eve in Sydney has a reputation. Crowds, traffic, overpriced drinks, and everyone trying to look calm while secretly panicking about missing the fireworks. But here’s the secret: if you plan smart, pick your spots, and embrace the chaos, it’s actually epic. Here’s how to nail it like a pro, without spending the night stuck in a tram queue or waking up questioning all your life choices (tequila being most of them).
1.
lock down your accommodation early
Sydney is a concrete jungle during NYE, and prices spike faster than the Harbour fireworks. Hotels near Circular Quay and The Rocks are prime real estate - think “wake up with the bridge in your window” prime. Airbnb options can be quirky but make sure you check distance and transport options.
Pro tip: Staying within walking distance of the main events saves you from battling the post-midnight crush. Pre-booking isn’t just wise - it’s survival.
2.
choose your nye hq wisely
Sydney has more than one way to watch the iconic fireworks:
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Harbour Bridge & Circular Quay: Classic. Get there early, claim your patch of pavement, and prepare for thousands of fellow humans.
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Barangaroo Reserve: A bit more chill, with harbour views and food trucks to keep you fuelled.
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Mrs Macquarie’s Chair: One of the best vantage points for photos, sunsets, and the fireworks themselves. Pack snacks, water, and patience.
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Rooftop bars or boats: Expensive, yes. But unbeatable views, zero crowds, and bonus points for heated areas.
Pro tip: Decide on your spot before the day hits. NYE in Sydney is the busiest day in the city - pre-planning = stress-free vibes.
3.
don't miss the fireworks showcases
Yes, the Harbour fireworks are iconic, but there’s more:
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Harbour Bridge Fire Prism: Lights, colours, the works. Aim to arrive a couple of hours early for the best views.
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Local Foreshore Displays: Darling Harbour and other foreshore points offer smaller, more intimate fireworks.
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Private rooftops or boats: If you’ve got connections, nothing beats seeing the city from the water.
Pro tip: Combine a smaller vantage point for sunset with the main event at midnight — two celebrations for the price of one.
4.
pace yourself: fuel, hydrate, repeat
NYE in Sydney isn’t a sprint - it’s a marathon. Between walking, bar-hopping, and crowds, go too hard too early and you’ll be flat on your face before midnight.
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Snack smart: Grab water and bites early - nearby stores sell out fast.
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Fuel up: Food trucks at Barangaroo, The Rocks, and Darling Harbour keep you going without long queues.
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Hydrate & pace the booze: Walk, stand, and cheer without turning into “that person” fainting mid-countdown. Go easy on the beers early - celebrate hard later when the fireworks hit.
Pro tip: Treat the night like a long playlist - pace yourself, save energy for the finale, and make it to midnight smiling.
5.
take it all in!
Capture it, don’t stress it: Photos are great, but the real magic is soaking in the energy, skyline, and collective scream at midnight.
The bottom line
Yes, NYE in Sydney is a little cliché. But with a van full of friends, a smart plan, and a dose of patience, it’s one of the best ways to ring in the new year. Hit the streets, pick your vantage, and get ready to toast 2026 under the fireworks - the city’s chaos never looked so good.
The city knows how to throw a party - crowds, lights, fireworks, the whole shebang. Once you’ve soaked it in, the next move isn’t slowing down… it’s switching gears. Ready to kick off the year with something a little more scenic?
find your wild
Kiriana’s Guide to Moreton Bay region’s Hidden Gems
think you know the brisbane region?
For local adventurer and photographer Kiriana Johnson(@thewanderer_bris), the city limits are just the starting line for a secret world of waterfalls and rainforest - all within easy reach.
Kiriana's story is relatable: after working in retail and the beauty industry, she realized she was missing the good stuff. "I missed nature and the disconnection from reality," she says. Inspired by her mum's old stories of creeks and waterfalls near Samford, Kiriana became obsessed with finding her own unlisted gems. It all started when she rescued a Ridgeback, who quickly became her trusted hiking buddy. As she puts it: "I saved him but he saved me too." She’s now dedicated two years to finding secrets that haven't hit the standard guidebooks, all while striving to "capture the simplicity and beauty in the little things."
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the wanderers hitlist:
Kiriana’s Favourite Day Trips
You don't need a three-week road trip to find true wilderness. Kiriana specializes in adventures just outside the city limits, proving that a little effort earns massive reward.
Northbrook Gorges, Mt Glorious (Daguli)
Kiriana’s Take: "The hidden world of Northbrook awaits. With its massive historic boulders and trails leading through caves and gorges, you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into a movie when you arrive here."
Pro Tip: "Bring an extra charging dock as all your batteries will be drained in this area. Spooky, I know. Maybe it's the gorges, maybe it's just bad reception."
Northbrook Gorges, Mt Glorious (Daguli)
Kiriana’s Take: "This is my all-time favourite trail because it holds so many special memories for me... It took me over two years to make my own trail, locate over 50 cascades, and find the beginning of it all at Love Creek Falls."
Pro Tip: "Be sure to pack some very comfortable shorts, as you’re guaranteed to land on your bum doing this hike - the rocks are the slipperiest little suckers ever. If you climb to the top, bring spare clothes; you'll get soaked, but the valley views are the best you’ll ever see."
The Ultimate Scenic Rim Grind (Lamington NP)
Kiriana has tackled epic trails like the Elbana Falls and Box Log Falls routes. Kiriana’s Take on Larapinta Falls: "This hike was by far my favourite trail in Lamington NP... I saw a massive tower of beaming white - it took my breath away and the beauty was so captivating."
Dusk Reminder: "After nine hours on the trail, I was walking back to my car at dusk, heard a noise, and turned around - a dingo had been following me. Scary, right? Welcome to Australia, where even the wildlife wants to check out the views!"
The Guide’s Path: Time to Share the Secret Stash
After years of solo missions, Kiriana realized the only thing better than finding a secret waterfall is sharing it. She recently qualified as a guide and registered her business, The Wanderer Bris.
She persisted through the qualification process because, as she says, she wants people to "join her in experiencing all the beauty Queensland has to offer." Starting next year (2026), she will be offering guided waterfall tours - your official chance to skip the map fumbling and see the 50+ cascades she personally mapped out. Bonus: She’s a photographer and videographer, meaning she'll offer a photography package add-on so you can get high-quality shots without dropping your phone in the creek.
follow the wanderer
Kiriana's dedication to uncovering the wild heart of the region has been widely recognized. Her work was recently highlighted by Australian Geographic for their "Through the Land" series, and she just had her first exhibition, "Waterfall Wandering," showcasing her best shots.
Slow down, speedy
the wildlife can't read signs
Summer in Australia means road trips, beach runs, and car snacks melting faster than your SPF. But while you’re cruising for the perfect playlist, our wildlife is busy crossing the bitumen like it’s their own highway system. Kangaroos bounce through traffic with zero indication of giving way, lizards sunbake right in the middle lane, and wedge-tailed eagles? They treat roadside roadkill like an all-you-can-eat buffet, mid-traffic.
The easy fix? Just tap the brakes. Drive a little slower, let the locals (the furry and feathered ones) do their thing, and you might just save a life - maybe even your bumper.
If you think your summer air con bill is rough, spare a thought for the wildlife. The Aussie summer is brutal and uncompromis