Need expert help?

Piper Fenton   Meet Piper, one of our travel experts for Australia.


Piper is the founder of honeymoon specialty travel company Remarkable Honeymoons, and an award-winning agent with almost 30 years experience. She's a Virtuoso agent, and winner of WeddingWire's Couples Choice awards every year from 2014-2022. She is well versed in international travel after having visited dozens of countries in her career, and also through her studies abroad living in both Mexico and France. From the Orient Express, to tenting in Nepal, to flying the Concord, she's had many wonderful travel experiences.


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 22 years, currently on the board of the Greater Bend Rotary Club. Here's his LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Skip to:

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: The Sebel Harbourside Kiama


The Sebel Harbourside Kiama 5 nights from 640 per person
The Sebel Harbourside KiamaOverlooking Kiama Harbour, this stylish 4.5 star South Coast resort reflects both the modern and the historic aspects of Kiama. By combining the beautifully restored 1871 heritage-listed bluestone Infants' School building as a conference and meeting centre, with a sleek resort building of contemporary waterfront accommodation, the resort is the perfect year-round holiday, recreational and event getaway.

Offering 88 beautifully detailed guestrooms over 3 levels including 77 king rooms, 8 two bedroom, fully self-contained apartments and 3 disability guestrooms, all apartments offer a delightful choice of ocean, garden or town views.

This South Coast resort is located just a short stroll from the famous 'blowhole', the stunning Bombo Headland and historic terrace shops, and is surrounded by magnificent examples of Victorian architecture. This wonderful recreational region also provides several well-known surf beaches and coves, and the spectacular Carrington Falls, Seven Mile Beach and Minnamurra Rainforest are in close proximity.


<b>Destination</b>
The Sebel Harbourside Kiama is characterised by the regions dramatic coastline, pristine beaches, beautiful harbour and Kiama's natural unspoiled environment.


Kiama Blowhole:

The Kiama Blowhole is a blowhole in the town of Kiama, It is the town's major tourist attraction. Under certain sea conditions, the blowhole can spray water up to 25 meters in the air, in quantities that thoroughly drench any bystanders.


Markets:

Kiama Seaside Markets - held on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9am – 3pm at Black Beach with a fantastic array of local arts, crafts and collectables. For Stall bookings please phone 0457 773 063 to book your stand or for further information contact Kiama Visitors Centre on 02 4232 3322

Kiama Produce Markets - held on the 4th Saturday of each month at Black Beach from 8am – 1pm with delectable gourmet food and produce. Phone for stall bookings on 02 4232 0464


Kiama Coast Walk:

A stunning 22km pathway accompanying our sparkling coastline! With its spectacular ocean views, inviting detours and proximity to amenities and public transport, the Kiama Coast Walk is the perfect way to explore and enjoy our region.


Wineries & Food Tours:

The Shoalhaven Coast wine region has been strongly developing over the last 15 years, with 15 vineyards scattered over the area.

Crooked River Winery in Gerringong is a great place to start, with it's favourite Chocolate Pajama Wine (Port) it can be found just off the Princes Highway on Willow Vale Road. Roselea Vineyard on the Princes Highway at Gerringong invites visitors to enjoy private wine tasting by appointment. If your heading further south, pop into the award winning Coolangatta Estate Winery.


Jamberoo Action Park:

Splash into Jamberoo Action Park , for a slipping and sliding day of fun of jam-packed, heart racing water rides and attractions.


Illawarra Tree Top Walk:

The Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is the only one of its kind in New South Wales and one of only a handful of steel canopy walks in the world. Located just outside the village of Robertson, a trip to the Fly is a perfect day trip. The gentle walk commences on the rainforest floor and continues onto the steel walkway and into the rainforest canopy (averaging 30m from the forest floor) offering a unique experience that captures the beauty of the regions native fauna and flora.


Minnamurra Rainforest Centre:

The Minnamurra Rainforest is a multi award winning attraction located in Budderoo National Park, a short fifteen minute drive west of Kiama past the village of Jamberoo. Visitors can experience the spender and beauty of this rare remnant of subtropical and warm temperate rainforests which is representative of the once extensive rainforests of the Illawarra region.
Learn more about The Sebel Harbourside Kiama

Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
24-hour fitness center
Room service
UNESCO Sustainable Property
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Garden
Snack bar/deli
ATM/banking services





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: Green Island Resort


Green Island Resort 5 nights from 2,330 per person
Green Island ResortSituated on one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef, is another of nature's rare gifts – beautiful Green Island. This ancient coral cay is home to over 120 species of native plants, colourful bird and marine life and beautiful coral gardens to explore.

With just 46 luxurious suites nestled amid lush rainforest and secluded from the day visitor facilities, one of the hallmarks of Green Island Resort is its unique reef and rainforest setting. Green Island is the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest.

One of the most eco-sensitive developments in the world, Green Island Resort passionately balances the needs of our guests and the protection of our World Heritage environment.

As a national park located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Green Island has been a popular day visitor destination for generations with guests from around the world experiencing this unique World Heritage area every year. By night, experience the pure serenity of your own tropical island retreat.
Learn more about Green Island Resort

Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
2 outdoor pools
Breakfast available
Pool bar
Room service
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Air conditioning
Garden
Computer station





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: Hilton Sydney Hotel


Hilton Sydney Hotel 5 nights from 800 per person
Hilton Sydney HotelAccommodation and more in the heart of Sydney CBD

With exceptional facilities for business or leisure, Hilton Sydney is superbly located right in the heart of the city, with magnificent views and convenient access to Sydney's favourite attractions , including Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.

The Hilton Sydney hotel also boasts stylish bars, with dining by celebrity Chef / Restaurateur Luke Mangan at the famous glass brasserie . Or relax with a cocktail on the rooftop terrace at Zeta Bar and enjoy live music at the iconic Marble Bar.
Learn more about Hilton Sydney Hotel

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and 3 bars/lounges
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Nightclub
Rooftop terrace
Breakfast available
WiFi in the lobby
Health club
Sauna
Steam room
Valet parking





 



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: Best Western Bakery Hill Motel Ballarat


Best Western Bakery Hill Motel Ballarat 5 nights from 460 per person
Best Western Bakery Hill Motel BallaratStay at this Ballarat motel located in the Ballarat CBD on historic Bakery Hill and only a short distance to Sovereign Hill, Lake Wendouree and Botanical Gardens.

Welcome to the Best Western Bakery Hill Motel, central to all theatres, entertainment venues and restaurants in Ballarat. Stay in comfort in our 100% non-smoking rooms featuring queen size beds, cable TV and high speed Internet access. This Ballarat motel also offers room service and a la carte breakfast.

Guests staying at the Best Western Bakery Hill Motel will be able to discover Ballarat's unique heritage in tourist attractions such as the gold mining town on Buninyong, the Eureka Trail, Sovereign Hill, "Battle of the Southern Cross" and the Mining Exchange. Stay to enjoy the region's award winning wines or head to the nearby Pyrenees and Grampians wine regions.

For superior customer service and a convenient location in Ballarat, make a reservation at Best Western Bakery Hill Motel today and save!

Features:

The BEST WESTERN Bakery Hill Motel offers spacious and quality accommodation, together with friendly assistance from our most co-operative staff.

• Centrally located but quiet
• 14 luxury units with queen size beds
• Ground floor accommodation
• All facilities
• Whisper quiet heating and air-conditioning
• Continental breakfast
• Full Room Service
• A selection of restaurants including McDonalds and Pizza Hut available across the road from the motel
• Electric blanket, tea and coffee facilities provided
• High speed internet access

Amenities

100% Non-Smoking
Air-conditioned Rooms
Cable or Satellite TV - Free
FREE Internet
Free Wi-fi
Onsite Parking
Onsite Parking - Free
Physically Challenged Facilities
Restaurant Nearby
Safe Deposit Box
Wi-fi
Learn more about Best Western Bakery Hill Motel Ballarat

Daily housekeeping
Room service
Air conditioning
Self-serve laundry
Luggage storage
Limited hour front desk





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



X

abc

xyz

X

abc

xyz