australia

Australia Travel Weather

Trek Zone

When Is the Best Time To Visit Australia?

The answer to the question of what is the best month to visit Australia depends on what you are interested in doing during your stay. Here you can see an overview of each month and its typical weather conditions.

Tourist Season in Australia

Tourist season month by month. Legend

Tourist season - time period with sightseeing-friendly weather (or sunbathing in the case of small island countries) for the average tourist. For countries with a large geographical spread, the most visited places were taken into account and the data were averaged. For selected countries, seasonal holidays were also taken into account, as long as they significantly affect the tourist traffic in this period.

The best time to travel, you can count on very good weather.

A good time to travel, however, sometimes there can be some weather conditions that make the visit a bit difficult.

Travel possible, but it is not the best time. The weather at this time can be very unpredictable, with a tendency to be bad.

Travel is not recommended, the weather at this time can make sightseeing/resting very difficult or even impossible.

Popularity among visitors based on actual visits to popular tourist attractions (based on the average for 52 cities).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Average temperatures throughout a year for Sydney (°F)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Sydney and Melbourne are best visited during the summer from December to February. If you want to avoid the crowds go during spring from March to May or fall from September to November.
  • The Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed year-round, however, the best diving conditions are from May to early December.
  • Uluru is best seen between March and May and between September and November.

Due to the large area of Australia, the weather in individual parts of the country can vary significantly.

Season and weather by month

March - May

Mar
Apr
May

Australian autumn is sunny and cheerful. It's a very good time to travel to most regions on the continent, especially for those who want to avoid the hottest days and biggest crowds of tourists. The heat gradually subsides, with temperatures settling between 20°C and 28°C. There may be occasional rainfall, but it is not oppressive.

A lot of sunshine can be found on the coasts: south-eastern (Sydney), southern (Melbourne, Adelaide), as well as western (Perth area). These regions are also an attraction for wine lovers; autumn is the time of the grape harvest (including in the Barossa Valley), tastings of local products and festivals associated with this event. March is also the time of the Formula One Melbourne Grand Prix.

This is also a good time to visit the mid-continent (Alice Springs, Uluru). Temperatures are comfortable, averaging 22°C - 27°C during the day then, and nights are still reasonably warm and pleasant.

In the northern part of Australia, the rainy season is gradually disappearing, bringing less rainfall and plenty of sunshine. Access to more remote locations improves, nature is at its most beautiful during this time and attracts masses of tourists. Queensland's rainforests are surprisingly colorful, and the rivers and waterfalls of Kakadu National Park make for spectacular views. It's also an ideal time for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, including whales off the coast of Victoria, Kangaroo Island and whale sharks near Ningaloo Reef.

Beginning in April, along the northeastern coasts of the mainland, the water becomes clearer, creating better conditions for admiring the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.

Holidays and observances in Australia

  • 03 May 2024 - AGFEST
  • 06 May 2024 - May Day
  • 06 May 2024 - Labour Day
  • 27 May 2024 - Reconciliation Day

June - August

Jun
Jul
Aug

The months encompassing the Australian winter are the coldest and rainiest of the year. However, even then you can count on some sunny and cloudless days.

This is a very good time to visit the northern part of the country (Darwin, Cairns, York Peninsula), which is warm and rain-free during this period. This is the peak season for diving and snorkeling off the Great Barrier Reef. Clear water and mild currents create the best conditions for admiring the underwater world. Only then can you observe the migration of the southern cetacean.

Areas of central Australia (Alice Springs, Uluru) and western Australia (Perth) are also available at this time of year, although it is cooler, about 20°C, but you can not complain about the lack of sun. It should be remembered that in semi-desert and desert areas at night the temperature can drop below 0°C.

The east coast (around Sydney, Brisbane) remains warm, but there may be more rainfall here.

In contrast, the south coast (around Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania) is very rainy and cold, sometimes windy and frigid with temperatures close to 0°C.

Winter sports enthusiasts will find very good conditions in the Australian Alps and the Snowy Mountains, where most of Australia's ski resorts are located.

Holidays and observances in Australia

  • 03 Jun 2024 - Western Australia Day
  • 10 Jun 2024 - King's Birthday
  • 05 Jul 2024 - Alice Springs Show Day
  • 12 Jul 2024 - Tennant Creek Show Day
  • 19 Jul 2024 - Katherine Show Day
  • 26 Jul 2024 - Darwin Show Day
  • 05 Aug 2024 - Picnic Day
  • 14 Aug 2024 - Ekka Wednesday
  • 16 Aug 2024 - Borroloola Show Day

September - November

Sep
Oct
Nov

Australian spring is the season before the arrival of summer heat and a flurry of tourists. The number of sunny days increases throughout the country, and temperatures rise to around 20°C - 30°C. This is a very good time to visit most areas on the continent. There may be some fleeting rains, but they are not as frequent and intense as in winter.

The northern regions (Darwin, Cairns, Peninsular York) remain still dry and are only slowly preparing for the rainy season. The diving season off the Great Barrier Reef is underway, and underwater visibility remains very good. It is only since November that rainfall increases in the region and storms appear.

You can visit the areas of central Australia (Alice Springs, Uluru) without worrying about the weather. Warm sunny and rainless days guarantee a comfortable visit to this region.

More and more cloudless skies and a large dose of sunshine can also be expected on the east coast (around Sydney, Brisbane), west coast (Perth), as well as the south coast (around Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania). Gradually, the beach and sea bathing season is opening. You can also admire nature in bloom and enjoy activities such as whale watching, hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities.

Walking along mountain trails, including in the Blue Mountains, one will encounter a wealth of spring nature before the summer tourist crowds arrive.

From September to November, there is no shortage of festivals throughout the country. These range from the "Melbourne Cup" horse racing to "Sculpture by the Sea" in Bondi to the "Floriade" flower festival in Canberra.

Holidays and observances in Australia

  • 23 Sep 2024 - King's Birthday
  • 04 Oct 2024 - Burnie Show
  • 07 Oct 2024 - Labour Day
  • 07 Oct 2024 - King's Birthday
  • 10 Oct 2024 - Royal Launceston Show
  • 18 Oct 2024 - Flinders Island Show
  • 24 Oct 2024 - Royal Hobart Show
  • 04 Nov 2024 - Recreation Day
  • 05 Nov 2024 - Melbourne Cup Day

December - February

Dec
Jan
Feb

Hot summer months covering the peak tourist season. The best time for sightseeing and other forms of active recreation. Beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts will find ideal conditions for relaxation on both the southeast (Sydney), south (Melbourne, Adelaide) and west coast (Perth area) during this period.

Temperatures above 30°C, full sun and cloudless skies can be a bit of a nuisance, but the presence of the ocean lessens the feeling of the prevailing heat. Hotels and resorts along the beaches are besieged. Traveling in the summer, we can attend numerous local outdoor events or participate in lavish Christmas, New Year's or Australia Day celebrations.

Very good surfing conditions can be found around Sydney (e.g. on Bondi Beach), in the Perth area, but also on Rottnest Island.

On the other hand, a slightly less crowded area should be looked for in the south, such as Bells Beach - this is where the real board masters catch huge waves. Fans of the underwater world, on the other hand, will find their paradise on the west coast admiring the Ningaloo Coral Reef.

Summer is also the best time to visit Tasmania. Temperatures here are a few degrees cooler than on the mainland at around 25°C - 25°C, and there is no shortage of sunshine. The weather is good for hiking, so follow one of Australia's most famous hiking trails through Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park.

Central Australia (Alice Springs, Uluru) in summer is the hottest region on the continent. The heat pours from the sky and temperatures reach 40°C. Traveling then is uncomfortable, so it is recommended to organize outings in this region early in the morning, when temperatures are not yet so high.

Warm but rainy weather prevails in the northern areas (Darwin, Cairns, York Peninsula, Brisbane area). Precipitation comes in the form of sudden but short-lived downpours, and cyclones can also occur. Some areas are sometimes flooded, and roads may be impassable.

On the coasts, the sun is increasingly rare in the sky and it is not a good time for beachcombing and water sports. Visibility when diving on the Great Barrier Reef is also not the best, in addition to the appearance of venomous jellyfish, which further hinder the enjoyment of the underwater world.

Holidays and observances in Australia

  • 24 Dec 2024 - Christmas Eve
  • 25 Dec 2024 - Christmas Day
  • 26 Dec 2024 - Boxing Day
  • 26 Dec 2024 - Proclamation Day
  • 31 Dec 2024 - New Year's Eve
  • 01 Jan 2025 - New Year's Day
  • 08 Jan 2025 - Devonport Cup

Canberra

Thursday 2 May
Update 2024-05-01 14:17 CET. Powered by Visual Crossing Weather.
partly-cloudy-day
58°F
Humidity
80%
Cloud cover
40%
Wind speed
10.5 mph
Chance of rain
0%

Canberra

Friday 3 May
Update 2024-05-01 14:17 CET. Powered by Visual Crossing Weather.
partly-cloudy-day
60°F
Humidity
74%
Cloud cover
76%
Wind speed
11.2 mph
Chance of rain
0%

Canberra

Saturday 4 May
Update 2024-05-01 14:17 CET. Powered by Visual Crossing Weather.
partly-cloudy-day
62°F
Humidity
74%
Cloud cover
85%
Wind speed
9.6 mph
Chance of rain
10%

Canberra

Sunday 5 May
Update 2024-05-01 14:17 CET. Powered by Visual Crossing Weather.
cloudy
60°F
Humidity
80%
Cloud cover
91%
Wind speed
11.9 mph
Chance of rain
16%

Canberra

Monday 6 May
Update 2024-05-01 14:17 CET. Powered by Visual Crossing Weather.
partly-cloudy-day
55°F
Humidity
85%
Cloud cover
64%
Wind speed
10.9 mph
Chance of rain
13%

Climate and Average Weather in Australia

General weather conditions each month by city.

  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Cairns
  • Brisbane
  • Uluru
  • +
  • Perth
  • Adelaide
  • Hobart
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average temperature (°F)
Average rainfall (in)
RAIN - Days with precipitation
DAY - Average length of day
SUN - Sunshine hours per day (cloudless weather)

Weather Map

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SydneyMelbourneCairnsBrisbaneUluruPerthAdelaideHobart

The icons next to the month name indicate the convenience of the date for visiting the selected area/territory/ country. They are only a suggestion and should not be used as the final criterion for selecting your travel date. The season is defined as the time period with the weather favorable for sightseeing (or sunbathing - small island countries) for the average tourist. For countries with a large geographical range, the most touristic places were included.

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