Happening around Australia in … July

It may be winter, but there are a whole bunch of fun activities unfolding throughout Australia this July!

Grab your calendar to take note of these upcoming events, and be sure to share the news with friends and family so you can all get your road trip planning sorted together. 

Splendour in the Grass: July 24-26

A music festival to rival some of the best in the world, Splendour in the Grass in the North Byron Parklands is the place to be next month. The 2015 line up includes world renowned songstress Florence and the Machine, funky beats from Mark Ronson, sweet lyrics from Death Cab for Cutie and epic raps from Azealia Banks, to name a few. 

In addition to the music from these international acts is a raft of cool festival decor and hang-out zones, such as the Tipi Forest. Interactive art displays and beautiful light effects can be found within these tents, a great space for meeting new people. For hipster music lovers, underground musicians will be performing here, so head along and discover new sounds to groove to. 

Best of all, the fun never ends, even when you're not dancing the nights away, because there are yoga classes, circus play platforms, special dance lessons and live art classes hosted in the Global Village. All of this combined makes Splendour in the Grass a truly engaging and enticing weekend away.

Pack your festival clothes, large sunglasses and metallic tattoo stickers! You can reach Byron Bay in less than two hours from Brisbane. With the tempting sounds of big hits from this year such as 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson and classics such as 'Dog Days are Over' and 'Shake it Off' by Florence, ticking this festival off your musical bucket list is sure to make memories to last a lifetime. 

Sleep under the Sea: Saturday July 4 and 11

Families will adore this sleepover event, hosted by Underwater World Sea Life in Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast. A chance to spend the night in an aquarium is sure to delight the kids, as well as make for a unique family holiday.

Included in the package is a special behind the scenes tour, as well as a twilight tour where guests don head lamps and explore the wonders of the aquarium. A seal presentation is sure to make the young and young at heart smile, watching these friendly animals clap and play with their keepers. 

Rocky shore ramble on Mooloolaba beach is another highlight of the package, giving the kids a chance to have some active fun before they tuck in for the night. Marine life of every colour imaginable is here to be admired as you stroll along the Ocean Walk, gazing up as they swim past. 

Sleeping bags are provided by the venue, and your evening meal, supper and breakfast are also part of the deal, so you don't need to worry about packing these things. Just drive over to the event in Sunshine Coast and enjoy some quality, fishy family time!

Gold Coast Airport Marathon: July 4-5

This two-day running extravaganza is considered one of the best marathons worldwide, and has won the prestigious Gold Label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations.

International athletes travel to Australia to participate in this event, so it's likely you will be keeping strides with several sporting legends as you race along. For sports fans, the Garmin Legends Lunch is a highlight of the event as Australian champion athletes share their tips and advice on running and fitness. You can listen to the wise words of world-record marathon runners such as Robert de Castella, and Olympic medallists such as Steve Moneghetti, as you indulge in a delicious meal. 

Best of all, the sapphire blue seas and sandy shores of the Gold Coast frame your run along flat roads, so the marathon is always picturesque and visually inspiring. Because it is held in winter, the running isn't hot or bothersome. Rather, the pleasant 19 degrees Celsius temperatures of Queensland make this run a breeze. 

If completing the full marathon isn't your cup of tea, don't worry, as there are half-marathons and shorter 10 and 15-kilometre races as well. Kids can have a blast too with the 2 and 4-kilometre junior dashes, making this a lovely family-friendly weekend. 

Once you've finished running, you probably won't want to be on your feet any longer, so hire a car conveniently from the Gold Coast airport and check out all the amazing tourist attractions along these sandy shores!