When the winter weather takes a turn for the worst in the Northern hemisphere, the allure of hopping on a plane and enjoying a sun soaked summer is very strong. Swap your hat, coat and gloves for shades, sandals and sun cream by visiting Australia from the UK this winter. Here are three activities you should take part in when you get there.

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Visiting Australia from the UK

The Ashes

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, you’re probably aware that Australia is fighting to reclaim The Ashes on home soil. The Gabba in Brisbane is the venue for the opening match, with further fixtures following in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. What better way to tour the country, and enjoy the heated team rivalries, than exploring the country and seeing each match.

During your down time between matches, why not take a trip to the scorching gold coast and enjoying a leisurely game of cricket on the beach? Strap on your best cricket pads and challenge a few Aussie beach goers to a friendly game. Millet Sports also has a wide range of cricket clothing if you intend to do a spot of more serious training while you’re there.

Sydney Opera house HDR Sydney Australia

Sydney Harbour bridge climb

There is a multitude of fantastic adventure and outdoor activities to do in Sydney. From kayaking in the Harbour, to hiking the Blue Mountain, there is no shortage of options available for adrenaline junkies. Make sure you read our in-depth adventure city guide for more expert insider tips.

For those that are looking to complete their bucket list, we’d recommend taking the popular Sydney Harbour bridge climb. Incredibly popular amongst tourists, the climb is led by informative and energetic guides who will motivate you as you climb to the summit. Once there, you can expect to see some of the most stunning views across the city.

Great Barrier Reef

Cairns in North Queensland is the gateway to the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. Australia has always been a country that is bursting with indigenous wildlife, but there is no place where that is more true, or concentrated, than at the majestic reef. There are number of activities you can take part in while you’re there: snorkel, dive or take a helicopter ride to appreciate the scale of the largest coral reef system in the world.

Diving Cairns offer a variety of water activities to suit visitors of all skill levels. They provide introductory lessons, advanced training and relaxed snorkelling trips. Regardless of what you choose, pack an underwater camera and capture some stunning photos of this under-the-surface wonder.

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