There are certain easy things that make one’s summer, and then there are others that we resolve to achieve year after year, and never quite get to. We can, like clockwork, be relied on to be on first-name basis with the local ice cream maestros come February and find ourselves with a pile of dog-eared books at the bach. Riding a surfboard, though, or finally figuring out how to rock a kaftan? Those are the to-dos that never quite get ticked off the list.
And so, to celebrate the end of 2025, we’ve rounded up the 25 things to make it your mission to achieve this summer. Lace up your shoes, leave the Jodi Picoult on the bookshelf, and lather on the SPF — you’re going to be booked and busy.
One thing’s for sure, though, any one of these 25 things is bound to, er, change your summer — most likely for the better (we promise). And for those who make it their mission to complete the entire list: we salute you.
01.
Master the Waterskiing Pyramid
And impress fellow water enthusiasts
Let’s start with an easy one — take the challenge to attempt the most retro of water tricks: the water skiing pyramid. To begin, you’ll need a mix of strong, burly types for the base and nimble pixies for the top. We suggest you start dockside with the top-tier climbers sitting on the shoulders of the burly basemen or women, and push out onto the water from here. Practise your pyramid on land before you get pulled behind a boat at breakneck speed, as ending up on the internet as ‘that hilariously disastrous waterskiing pyramid attempt’ is not the aim of the game. Competitive types can be spurred on by the prospect of achieving Guinness World Record status. You only need to exceed a modest 93 participants on a pyramid to take away the prestigious title. Simple.
02.
A Private Boat Charter
Fake it till you make it
Swap your leather lace-ups and stilettos for bare, freshly manicured feet and set sail for the open seas this summer. If you don’t happen to own a boat, do the next best thing and charter one — or take an opportunistic stroll around Westhaven. You’ll be away laughing with sunsets, champagne, and undiscovered waters to look forward to. Salty sea air is good for the soul, and we guarantee you’ll return to the mainland feeling renewed and refreshed.
03.
Pull Off Chic Resort Wear
Make this summer’s best-dressed list
Every summer, we convince ourselves this is the year we’ll put effort into our ensembles before inevitably reaching for the same pair of denim shorts. Make 2025 your year and kit yourself out in this season’s newest resort wear. Any item from Gucci’s latest collection is bound to make a splash; so team it with a pair of elevated aviators for that undercover celeb look and introduce some well-needed St Barts glamour to our local beaches. It’ll look right at home at your bach’s local dairy.
04.
Take Up Paddleboarding
Paddle away into the sunset
The thought of hitting the gym while the sun is shining outside is an unappealing one, so why not give stand-up paddleboarding a go? An activity that requires little skill and no surf at all, paddleboarding is a genius full-body workout that tones your arms, legs and abs while you explore the outdoors. And, as a remarkably solo activity, it’s the perfect way to escape when your family inevitably become too much.
05.
Hang Lanterns in the Garden
Transform your backyard into an al fresco wonderland
Who said this list had to be full of completely unachievable items? Look, here’s one to help make it easier for you. Summer is a season best celebrated outdoors, and while we make the most of it by lounging on sun-soaked beaches, there’s nothing quite like returning home to the enchanting sight of gorgeous lanterns strung around your garden. Bonus points if you get the kids to do it while you project manage from the deck with a glass of rosé
06.
Attempt Homemade Ice Cream
Enjoy an unlimited supply of this delicious summer treat by mastering the art of crafting it at home
While your neighbours take regular trips to the dairy, dragging sticky toddlers along by their collars, channel your inner Nara Smith and satisfy your kids’ frozen cravings yourself. It’s a notoriously simple process, one that’s made even easier with the plethora of ice cream makers on the market. Who knows, you may be discovered as the next Rush Munro.
07.
Buy a Floating Pavilion
Construct an intricate ocean fun park
The days of the rickety wooden raft are over. This summer, we’re imagining our own grand floating pavilion complete with ladders, slides, slippery bits and a trampoline or two. Gather a gang of fun folks, some icy refreshments and let the good times begin. Bombs, double-bouncing and spontaneous wrestling matches are encouraged.
08.
Swim in the Critter-Free Pool
Tether your own saltwater pool smack bang in the middle of the ocean
Sick of being bothered by pesky jellyfish or sea creatures whenever you try to take a plunge in the ocean, but don’t want to suffer from chlorine-damaged hair? Game the system and get yourself a floating pool (such as those available via funair.com), allowing you to dive into the glittering ocean without a care in the world. Designed to be tethered behind boats or anchored in exotic swimming spots, this handy creation utilises a fine mesh to keep animals out, making it an essential accessory for those who enjoy the benefits of saltwater swims but loathe squirmy sea creatures.
09.
Take a Nap in a Hammock
For the ultimate summer snooze
It’s been a long, hard year — we know that. You need a good rest. Take advantage of the hot, endless days and take a below-average nap in a hammock under a tree. You’ll likely find it impossible to get into, even harder to get comfortable and inevitably wake up covered in foliage, but, hey! It’s the thought that counts. Sway the afternoon away beneath the soothing shade of summer leaves and pretend you’re on your very own private island, dozing away to the tranquil rhythm of the lapping waves beyond.
10.
Hire a Convertible
Go topless and channel your inner James Bond
Sunny summer days are meant to be spent topless. No, not that kind. The automobile kind. Take your top off a less offensive way and rent, borrow or steal a classic convertible. Zoom around the waterfront with the wind in your hair while you commune with nature at an exhilarating speed. To really drive home that transformation from average Joe to suave, enigmatic daredevil, you have to rev the car as loudly as possible every time you’re stopped at the traffic lights. We promise the general public will thank you for the peaceful reminder of your presence.
11.
Infuse Your Own Vodka
Create your very own summer tipple
It’s scientifically proven that the best way to drink as much vodka as you want without judgmental looks is to infuse it yourself. No one will criticise you for sipping on your fourth martini when you let them know you made the tomato, parmesan tipple in a true labour of love over the course of three days this December. Slice up a bit of fruit, crush a few berries, sprinkle in some aromatic herbs and call yourself a mixologist.
12.
Catch the Sunrise
Experience the dawn of a new day
While summer is more commonly associated with glorious sunsets, there’s something special — and extremely self-satisfying — about waking up at an ungodly hour just to see the sun rise. Find a cosy spot facing east, pour yourself a cup of coffee, snuggle up and keep warm as you await the first golden rays. For the night owls among us, the experience can be just as rewarding when undertaken at the end of a very long night.
13.
Learn How to Start a Fire from Scratch
The impressive survival trick
Any old sod can start a fire when armed with matches and firelighters, but it takes tireless hands and gritty determination to start one au naturel. Keep your idle hands busy this summer, teaching yourself the knack of the friction-based hand drill method, the flint and steel, or even the magnifying glass lens trick. Once appropriately honed, break it out at the next beach bonfire and soak up the inevitable compliments at your flaming finesse.
14.
Invest in a Film Camera
For grainy nostalgia
Summer fun tends to fade as quickly as a redhead’s dye job after a trip to the local swimming pool. Capture the best holiday moments in the most nostalgic of ways by shooting your summer snaps film-style. Once you’ve taken your roll of 35mm to the local photo shop, you’ll have a collection of keepsakes that you can look at without the glaring screen of your phone getting in the way. Oh — and they’ll make you look particularly artsy when shared on Instagram.
15.
Buy a Portable Projector
And host your own film screenings
Take the movie to the garden and arrange an outdoor film night. Transform your backyard into an alfresco cinema or transport it to the bach and watch movies on the dunes. We’ve even heard of folks setting up floating projector screens so they can splash about in the ocean while enjoying a classic flick. Just make sure you pick a movie that doesn’t involve prowling psycho killers or man-eating sharks, or you’re likely to scare yourself silly.
16.
Have an Outdoor Bath
Lather up and relax
Getting sick of constantly having to wash yourself inside? Simply move your tub outside — don’t worry about the overflowing pipes, the plumber will deal with those. It’s much more fun to stare at constellations than the bathroom ceiling, plus there’s that secret thrill of being outdoors buck naked. Light a fire nearby and drop a few essential oils into the bath water to dial up the magic.
17.
Take Horse Riding Lessons
Who hasn’t fantasised about galloping into the sunset?
The wind in your hair, the hypnotic thudding of the horse’s hooves – there’s something romantic about sitting astride an elegant equine as you canter away into the horizon. While the reality isn’t as effortless as it seems, the exhilarating sense of freedom that accompanies it is a timeless sensation that has garnered many fans. We recommend lessons at the beach for an unforgettable first time.
18.
Hold an Al Fresco Banquet on your Back Lawn
Enjoy a fine dining experience without leaving home
Fancy an outdoor gathering with friends, family and beautiful cuisine, but hate encountering strangers? Ditch the formal five-star restaurant setting and host the dinner at your place instead. Simply hire a good caterer, line up some chairs and tables, and decorate your garden with candles, lanterns and flowers – your guests will love the unique venue and appreciate the extra length you went to. The best part? You get to pay for restaurant-quality food and you get to do the dishes. Bonus!
19.
Walk to a Secret Waterfall
To rediscover the great outdoors
While we tend to spend copious amounts of the summer with sand between our toes and salt in our hair, some of the best days can be spent inland. Pack a picnic, don your walking shoes and head out in search of a watery oasis. If there’s no one around, embrace your inner jungle god or goddess and take the plunge in your birthday suit. Just make sure no one nicks off with your clothes, as it’ll make for a blush-worthy walk of shame home.
20.
Stay in a Teepee
Put a different spin on camping
Go bush this summer, but leave your tent behind. Book a teepee instead – it’ll make a nice change from your annual camping routine, and best of all, you’ll arrive to an already erected canvas home — because everyone knows bugs and nuclear mid-morning heat are immune to structures you didn’t have to build yourself. No more fiddling with sheets, untangling wires and hunting down tent pegs; sounds to us like the perfect way to begin a holiday.
21.
Have a Beach Bonfire
For when the sun goes down
Pile up the driftwood and light the matches (or finally show off your firemaking technique), no summer is complete without a beach bonfire. And we’re not talking about a pitiful flame that you could extinguish with a quick stamp either, make it one that will be remembered for years to come. Just make sure you’re a safe distance from any foliage to avoid being notorious for all the wrong reasons.
22.
Spend a Night Sleeping Under the Stars
Engage in a magical night of stargazing
There’s nothing quite as elemental and awe-inspiring as a night under the heavens — and the myriad mosquito bites will make it an unforgettable one. The more isolated and the darker it is, the better; a view of the night sky littered with millions of tiny glimmering diamonds is a magical one. Search out your favourite constellations, or cross your fingers and hope for a shooting star – you’ll be amazed at just how much there is to see when you are lying in the dark. Just make sure you ignore that rustling noise by your ear. And no, that’s definitely not a spider slowly crawling into your hair.
23.
Eat Freshly Caught Fish Sashimi-Style on a Boat
Don’t forget the soy sauce and wasabi
Turn your fresh catch into instant sashimi and transform the back of your boat into a pop-up raw fish bar. There’s no need to wait till you get back to shore; slice the suckers open with your expert filleting skills and prepare to dig in. Don’t forget a sharp knife, some soy sauce and wasabi, and your appetite – it’s bound to be an epic feast fit for an emperor.
24.
Build a Backyard Swimming Pool
A simple construction project to keep you busy
Already resenting the return to the hot city in January? Get ahead of your after-work evenings and build your own pool. I mean, it really can’t be that hard, can it? Dig a big hole, get yourself some easy-mix concrete, and come up with an elaborate lie for the rapidly increased water bill. And, if it all goes pear-shaped, have a few experts on speed dial. Just in case.
25.
Finally Teach Yourself How to Surf
Shaka in style
There’s nothing local surfers love more than a newbie dropping in on their waves and wiping out in front of them. Show the year-round riders your true commitment to the sport by getting out onto the whitewash on your soft top and mastering your hang ten. We’re sure you’ll come ashore with a harem of new friends loudly preclaiming your natural talent.
