Best time to visit Australia
TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL
When to visit Australia
& when not to
A month by month guide
January and February are hot and humid in northern Australia so head to Tasmania, Perth or Melbourne for a much more comfortable climate. School holidays, Australia Day and Chinese New Year all mean time off for Australians so public parks and beaches will much be busier in January.
After the tropical rains die down in March, the north is at its most luscious, with rainforests in Queensland alive with colour and places like Kakadu National Park featuring vibrant wetlands, bulging rivers and tumultuous waterfalls.
March is also the start of whale watching season off the Victoria coast with Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Barossa Valley all great locations to visit.
Although temperatures are starting to drop during April and May it's hardly noticeable for visitors from the Northern Hemisphere with whales still appearing off Victoria while the east coast, either side of Brisbane, tends to be dry, clear and sunny.
Autumn is in full swing during June and July with Sydney's parks and nearby wine regions, such as Hunter Valley, ablaze with fiery foliage.
The decreasing temperatures make this the best time to visit Australia's Northern Territory with Uluru, Nitmiluk National Park and Darwin all much more comfortable over the winter months. Winter is also the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef for clearer water and milder currents, and whales make the journey north from New South Wales into Queensland.
The best time to visit Western Australia is in August and September as wild flowers appear across the countryside around Perth as spring kicks into gear. Spring is also a great to visit Sydney and the Blue Mountains as temperatures are creeping up but hiking is still pleasant before the warmer months of October and November.
November is notorious for schoolies on the Gold Coast so avoid New South Wales and head south to South Australia or Tasmania, especially before things really start to get busy during December.
After the tropical rains die down in March, the north is at its most luscious, with rainforests in Queensland alive with colour and places like Kakadu National Park featuring vibrant wetlands, bulging rivers and tumultuous waterfalls.
March is also the start of whale watching season off the Victoria coast with Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Barossa Valley all great locations to visit.
Although temperatures are starting to drop during April and May it's hardly noticeable for visitors from the Northern Hemisphere with whales still appearing off Victoria while the east coast, either side of Brisbane, tends to be dry, clear and sunny.
Autumn is in full swing during June and July with Sydney's parks and nearby wine regions, such as Hunter Valley, ablaze with fiery foliage.
The decreasing temperatures make this the best time to visit Australia's Northern Territory with Uluru, Nitmiluk National Park and Darwin all much more comfortable over the winter months. Winter is also the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef for clearer water and milder currents, and whales make the journey north from New South Wales into Queensland.
The best time to visit Western Australia is in August and September as wild flowers appear across the countryside around Perth as spring kicks into gear. Spring is also a great to visit Sydney and the Blue Mountains as temperatures are creeping up but hiking is still pleasant before the warmer months of October and November.
November is notorious for schoolies on the Gold Coast so avoid New South Wales and head south to South Australia or Tasmania, especially before things really start to get busy during December.
Hello.
If you'd like to chat about Australia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team
If you'd like to chat about Australia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team
01273 823 700
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IN AUSTRALIA
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS
WHEN TO VISIT THE
GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef is well worth a visit all year round, though the rainy season, Jan – March, can get very hot, with a few more 'stingers', and water visibility won't be as clear due to run off from the rivers. After the rains have passed, during April and May, conditions are more comfortable and water clarity is at its best, ideal for snorkelling. The calmest seas follow in June to November to coincide with the arrival of humpback whales which migrate from Antarctica to give birth from May to September where they give birth.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA
OUR CULTURAL PICK FROM THE AUSTRALIA CALENDAR
Did you know about...?
Tjungu Festival and the Dreaming FestivalAimy Hasson, from our supplier Lekker Boutique travel, explains: “Tjungu Festival coincides with ANZAC Day to provide an Aboriginal alternative to traditional remembrance ceremonies.
Anangu people are considered to be the Aboriginal owners of Uluru, and in Anangu language ‘Tjungu’ means ‘meeting together’ with Inma dancing, bush food stalls, artists, performers, musicians and sporting events all held at the Ayers Rock Resort over a long weekend in April.
Alongside the December/January Dreaming Festival in Woodford, Queensland, Tjungu is one of Australia’s cultural highlights and not only attracts Aboriginal people from all over the
world but plenty of travellers and
white Australians too.”
world but plenty of travellers and
white Australians too.”
Australia holidays, tailor made
Explore 3 very different states of Australia
From
£5395
22 Days
inc UK flights
Kangaroo Island nature & wildlife tour, South Australia
Wildlife, wilderness and nature on beautiful Kangaroo Island
From
AU $1299
2 Days
ex flights
Great Barrier Reef & Lizard Island cruise, Australia
4 nights exploring the Great Barrier Reef & Lizard Island
From
£1325
5 Days
ex flights
B&B self drive tour of Tasmania, meet the locals
Self-drive staying in Tasmania's most charming B&Bs
From
AU $1100
14 Days
ex flights
Australia holiday with Fiji stopover
Explore 3 different states of Australia with a Fiji stopover
From
£5835
27 Days
ex flights
Great Ocean Road and Grampians 3 day tour, Australia
Diverse coast and mountain journey. Great accommodation/food
From
AU $672.5
3 Days
ex flights
Great Ocean Walk self guided tour, Australia
An Inn-to-Inn accommodated walking holiday
From
AU $1775
5 Days
ex flights
