Cambodia
By November, the monsoon has finished its soggy business in Cambodia and the dry season has firmly settled in, making the weather beautifully reliable. If you’ve been dreaming of visiting the ancient ruins of Angkor, now is your moment. Cycle between these iconic sites on a sunny day, feel every bit like Indiana Jones amongst the giant tree trunks and round off the day on Siem Reap’s lively Pub Street.
Cambodia may be small, but it’s got far more up its sleeve than Angkor. If you visit Phnom Penh in November, you can catch the Bon Om Touk Water Festival, which celebrates the reversing flow of the Mekong River. It’s a unique natural phenomenon. For 72 hours non-stop in Cambodia’s capital, you’ll find thronging pop-up food stalls, fireworks, boat races and parades, giving you a brilliant glimpse of the local culture.
Melbourne and the Great Southern Touring Route
Do you own a flamboyant hat? If so, hop on a plane to Melbourne in November and head for the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Australians are mad about the Melbourne Cup and it’s one of the highlights of their calendar, so you can expect all kinds of music acts, races, food stalls and very silly hats. Forage out your fascinator, summon up your party spirit and make your way to the racecourse.
November is also a brilliant time to drive the Great Southern Touring Loop from Melbourne. This includes the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road and ballsy kangaroos on the golf courses of Anglesea, as well as vast vineyards and beautiful beaches at Port Fairy. The loop includes the gorgeous Grampian Mountains too, which are covered by swathes of swaying wildflowers in November. It’s a winner.