10 wholesome activities to make the most of summer
Summer brings three whole months of warm mornings, long afternoons and golden evenings stretched out ahead of us. It’s the season for slowing down, seeking sunshine and saying yes to the little things that make life feel good. Whether you want more time in nature, more time with friends or just more joy in your weekly routine, here are 10 wholesome ways to make your summer one to remember.
Watch 10 sunrises
Embrace the sunny season by catching the first light. Set your alarm, grab a coffee and make a ritual of watching the sun lift over the coastline. Whether you surf, stroll the esplanade or sit quietly on the sand, there’s something both grounding and energising about greeting the day early. Think of it like a mood-boosting bingo card.
Go camping (but make it wild)
Make the most of the sunshine – and the summer holidays – and take your camping trip to the next level. Queensland’s wildest corners – remote beaches, riverside pubs, working cattle stations – make weekend escapes feel like bucket-list experiences. Pack light, drive far enough to feel free and pitch your tent somewhere unforgettable. Here are five spots to try.
Swim every day for a week
Set yourself a simple summer challenge: seven days, seven swims. Ocean, creek, pool – anything counts. It’s an easy, restorative way to feel more alive in your own body and more connected to the season. Here are some of our favourite local pools, but you can also swim safely in the fenced-off section of Tally Creek or (if you’re more experienced) behind the breaks at most of our beaches.
Bowl at the best clubs (barefoot, of course)
Summer is barefoot-bowls season. Make a list of the clubs you want to visit – Burleigh, Tugun, Coolangatta and Broadbeach’s Gold Coast Lawn Bowls Club are some of our favourites – and work your way through them as the months roll on. Add a jug of your favourite beverage and your best mates and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect afternoon. Looking for more? Head to Coolangatta’s adorable croquet club.
Start a summer reading swap
Like a book club, but less serious. Gather a few friends and have them each bring a book they’ve loved (or want to pass on). Then meet up somewhere breezy – a shady park, a quiet beach, a verandah with cold fruit and iced tea – and trade reads, pitching your books and borrowing the ones you’re keen to read. It’s nostalgic, wholesome and sets up your friend-approved reading list for the months ahead.
Take a suburb day trip
We’re not alone in saying that the Gold Coast is tough to navigate at the moment (hopefully, not for much longer!) so instead of battling the roadworks for a quick outing, dedicate a morning or afternoon to exploring a suburb you never visit. Maybe it’s breakfast in Chirn Park, boutique browsing in Burleigh, a swim at Tallebudgera or coffee in Tugun. These mini adventures feel like tiny holidays without the fuss – and we’ve got plenty of inspo in our Suburb Spotlight section.
Hire a picnic boat
Kick off your summer of fun aboard a boat on the Gold Coast’s beautiful canals. GoBoat is the self-drive picnic boat that lets you cruise the Gold Coast waterways at your own pace – you can bring up to eight friends, stock up on snacks and enjoy a low-key day on the water. You can even rent extras like a Bluetooth speaker, esky or captain’s hat if you’re feeling a bit cheeky. And if you’re looking for more, head here for more fun on the water.
Host summer suppers
Think dinner party – but earlier. As the days heat up, there’s something refreshing about gathering friends while the sun’s still shining and serving something simple and seasonal. You finish early, you’re in bed at a reasonable hour and your body will love you for it. The oldies are onto something – early bird dinners are seriously underrated.
Plan a no-plans day
Summer is made for slow days, but the festive season can mean they’re hard to come by. Turn off your notifications, leave the house without a schedule and follow whatever feels good – a long brunch, an impulsive dip, a nap, a sunset walk. You’ll be surprised how restorative it feels to give yourself permission to drift.
Make a summer scrapbook
Start collecting the little things that define the season – ticket stubs, pressed flowers, beach photos, handwritten notes, gelato receipts. Stick them into a journal as summer unfolds. By the end of the season, you’ll have a tiny time capsule of all the small, wholesome moments that made it special. Bonus: it’s the perfect place to store your summer reading list, your sunrise bingo card and the results of your swim challenge. Now that’s a win-win.
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