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.

Photo credits: [Temp chart: ilaria] [RT recommends: Kyle Taylor] [Tjungu Festival: Graham Crumb]