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Best Time of Year to Visit Australia

Explore > Travel Planning Articles > Best Time of Year to Visit Australia

Date published:
2023-05-07


Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru
Ayers Rock, photo courtesy Pete Edgeler on Flickr.


Michael Cottam  

About the author, Michael Cottam


Founder of Visual Itineraries, Michael lives in Bend, Oregon. He's an avid traveler, scuba diver, photographer, and a private pilot, and also the founder of Bright Yonder, which offers marketing tools to travel agents. He's been to Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Seychelles, Kenya, France, England, New Zealand, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Mexico, and the major islands in French Polynesia. He's been in Rotary for 23 years, currently on the board of the Greater Bend Rotary Club. Here's his LinkedIn and Pinterest.

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Australia is enormous, with a wide range of climates. The northern states are typically warm year-round, while the southern states have cooler winters. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Pullman Cairns Reef Casino


Pullman Reef Hotel Casino 5 nights from 1,290 per person
Pullman Cairns Reef CasinoWelcome to the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, the successful winner of the "Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation 5 Star+" award at the 2008 QHA Awards of Excellence.

The Pullman Reef Hotel Casino complex is a world of fun, food and entertainment. It boasts one of Australia's finest boutique casinos, a multitude of dining experiences and bars, extensive conference and banqueting facilities, elite entertainment in Vertigo or the Casino Sportz Arena and the luxurious five star Pullman Hotel with 128 beautifully appointed rooms.

Nestled alongside Trinity Inlet, the five star Pullman Hotel is tropical North Queensland's most prestigious hotel.

The cool and stylish lobby provides a glimpse of the simple elegance of the hotel, which is also reflected in the 128 luxuriously appointed rooms. The rooms and suites are unmistakably Tropical North Queensland style with plantation shutters and light timbers.

Each room has its own spa bath and private garden balcony overlooking the city or water views. Hotel facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, sauna and a gymnasium.

There are a variety of conference and function rooms available as well as a fully equipped business centre. The hotel is a short walk from the Cairns Convention Centre and the popular Cairns Esplanade.
Learn more about Pullman Cairns Reef Casino

Located in the heart of the city, the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino overlooks Trinity Bay and the departure point for the Great Barrier Reef. The 128 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites are unmistakably Tropical North Queensland style with plantation shutters and light timbers. Each has a spa bath and walk in shower and private garden balcony with city or water views. Enjoy innovative and award-winning contemporary fusion cuisine in Tamarind, or dine at one of the three other restaurants and bars. Hotel facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, sauna, gym, the Cairns Wildlife Dome, bar and live entertainment.





Typical airfares from LAX to Sydney, Australia




Airfares vary by season, but also day of week, and are definitely affected by holidays. The chart above shows the typical minimum and maximum fares for a economy class ticket from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD), by month.

 
TRAVEL SPECIAL: Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort


Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort 5 nights from 800 per person
Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection ResortStay with Riley, a five-star luxury hotel in Cairns, and rediscover fun. Live in the moment and indulge in the little luxuries. Leave your worries at check-in and stake your claim by the pool. Welcome to the great escape - stay a while.

Learn more about Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Housekeeping once per stay
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
24-hour fitness center
Self parking
Pool bar
Spa services
Massage/treatment rooms
6 meeting rooms
24-hour front desk
Air conditioning





Best time of year to go to different parts of Australia



The famous Sydney Opera House
Photo courtesy Jon Haase.


Sydney, in New South Wales, is in Australia's temperate zone. The Great Dividing Range is a major climate factor, as it creates 4 distinct zones: the coastal strip, the highlands, the Western Slopes and the flat countryside to the west.

Sydney typically sees about 340 sunny days a year, with humidity in summer around 65%.

Pictured above is the famous Sydney Opera House.

Cairns, in Queensland, is pretty tropical--summers are hot and humid, and winters are dry and mild.

Along the coast, you can get cyclones from November through May.

Cairns is one of the places from which you can access the Great Barrier Reef, pictured at right.

Ayers Rock, seen at the top of this page, is in the Northern Territory (which isn't actually the northernmost part of Australia--that's referred to as the "Top End"), has a distinctly different climate, with a wet season running from October to April and a dry season May to September. In winter, nighttime temperatures can fall below freezing; in the summer, daytime temperatures can approach 100F, with cool, dry nights.

 

The Great Barrier Reef

Photo courtesy ynwa2005 on Flickr.

Barossa Valley, wine country northeast of Adelaide
Photo courtesy Amanda Slater on Flickr.
 

Adelaide, in South Australia, has mild, wet winters (averaging about 60F) and hot, dry summers (averaging 84F).

June is the wettest month, but still averages only a little over 3 inches of rain. In the summer, it's not uncommon to have months with no rain.

At left is Jacob's Creek vineyard in the Barossa Valley, one of the important wine regions of Australia.


Melbourne, in Victoria, has a reputation for changeable weather, but generally the climate is temperate with warm summers (averaging 77F), mild spring and fall seasons, and cool winters (averaging 57F).

Pictured are the limestone formations known as the Twelve Apostles, located on the Great Ocean Road about 100 miles west of Melbourne.

Perth, in Western Australia, the rainfall is greatest from May to September. The hottest month is February, averaging 88F; winter temperatures average about 65F. A cooling breeze known as "The Fremantle Doctor" blows in from the sea to keep the city comfortable.

  The Twelve Apostles, about 100 miles west of Melbourne
Photo courtesy Rich Mulvaney on Flickr.

Tasmania, the island southeast of the main continent, the climate is mild and temperate. With no part of the island more than about 75 miles from the water, the ocean has a big effect on the climate. Because it's much farther from the equator than the rest of Australia, the seasons are more distinct. January and February are pretty dry, with temperatures averaging about 70F.

See the Australia tourism website for a detailed description of the seasons in Australia.


TRAVEL SPECIAL: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley


Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley 5 nights from 10,905 per person
Emirates One&Only Wolgan ValleyEmirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is a scenic three-hour drive from Sydney, located on Australia's Great Dividing Range between the Wollemi National Park and the Gardens of Stone National Park, within the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains. The resort occupies just one percent of its own 2,800-hectare conservancy. The Wolgan Valley is approximately 26 kilometres long and seven kilometres wide. Steep cliffs contrast with the gentle curve of the valley floor and a picturesque road winds along the river to reach the resort on the eastern end.

Over golden-green plains, bubbling creeks, and dramatic ridgelines, you’ll find a sanctuary devoted to nature. Nestled among Australia’s World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains, you can seek refuge and find adventure; enjoy the freshness of summer and the unique magic of winter. Committed to the preservation of the surrounding environment and its native wildlife, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is home to over 7,000 acres of conservation reserve. Perfect for horseback riding, campfires, stargazing, gourmet picnics, and rediscovering your equilibrium amidst the epic landscape.

We are very proud to be supporting Tourism Australia with their ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign, encouraging Australians and international visitors to support bushfire affected communities. Simone Brooks, our Activities and Conservation Manager discusses the impact of bushfires, the resilience of Australians and the land, and the incredible opportunity for visitors to witness the regeneration of nature.

Your lofty, homestead-style villa is beautifully crafted in sandstone and natural wood with a crackling fire for cosy nights. Windows all around flood the space with light, framing never-ending views of the valley as it transforms. Watch the sun set on rugged mountains from your secluded timber terrace or slip into your private pool and savor the solitude. Don’t mind the locals, they may hop by.
Learn more about Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley

Free parking
Pool
Free WiFi
Gym
Non-smoking
Air conditioning





 



Storms in Australia

In Cairns, on the coast of Queensland, tropical cyclones can occur sometimes between November and May. Around Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, you can see thunderstorms, hail and dust storms in the spring months. In Western Australia, tropical cyclones can occur between November and April--most commonly though in January and February.




TRAVEL SPECIAL: Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach


Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach 5 nights from 795 per person
Crowne Plaza Coogee BeachExperience dedicated service and laid-back coastal living at the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney hotel.

Sweeping Pacific views give our contemporary beachside hotel the wow factor. Step through the polished marble Lobby and out into our sparkling pool, or breathe in the invigorating sea air with a stroll along the Coogee-to-Bondi coastal walk. Wireless Internet at Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney means you can work anywhere, even on your own private balcony.

The relaxed coastal ambiance of Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney is within easy reach of Sydney's Central Business District. Regular buses service the CBD while Sydney International Airport is around 20 minutes away by taxi. Cool off with a dip in the seawater pool at Wylie's Baths, which overlook the famous Wedding Cake Island, 5 minutes' walk from the hotel.

Our magnificent seaside location makes the hotel's conferencing facilities an inspiring choice for your brainstorms and board meetings. Break out on the beach and mingle with colleagues over white chocolate martinis in the Bluesalt Bar. The adjacent Bluesalt Restaurant serves up fresh local seafood and fine Pacific views.

From sophisticated sea-view dining to rugged coastal walks to Bondi Beach, the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney provides an authentic experience of Sydney's Seaside Village. Choose our stylish Coogee Beach hotel for your next trip.
Learn more about Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach

Daily housekeeping
On the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Self parking
Beach bar
Room service
Babysitting
Conference center
11 meeting rooms
Terrace





Airfare and Resort Prices

High season is from about Christmas through the end of January, when children are on their summer holidays, and the popular resorts fill up with the locals. In the north, June through August is peak season as Australians from the southern areas travel north to escape winter. Typically the airlines will discount airfares April through June.

Water temperature, SCUBA diving and surfing in Australia

On the Great Barrier Reef, you can dive year-round, although the best conditions for diving are from late August to early December. For liveaboard diving, the best time to go is July through November. In the Coral Sea, the visibility is best in June and in September. If you want to see the Minke whales, they're seen mostly from June to August. From April through June, the whale sharks can be seen near Ningaloo, in Western Australia. Australia Tourism has an excellent reference on dive locations and regions here.




How we work with you to plan the perfect trip:

  • We'll talk with you to find out what you're looking for, what you like/don't like, etc.
  • We'll use our first-hand knowledge of the destination to pick out a handful of resorts we think you'd like
  • We'll create a custom mini website for you, with photos, videos, maps, etc. of the resorts we are recommending
  • We'll follow up with you to help you make your decision
  • We'll go to work with our suppliers to get you the best deal available on what you've decided on.
 

Map of all resorts in Australia



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