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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 22 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: Ovolo Woolloomooloo


Ovolo Woolloomooloo 5 nights from 1,050 per person
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Learn more about Ovolo Woolloomooloo

Parking available
Pool
Free WiFi
Gym
Non-smoking
Air conditioning





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: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort


Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort 5 nights from 1,365 per person
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas ResortSparkling blue lagoons with pure white sandy shores will greet you at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort. A haven of 5 star luxury, our resort is uniquely nestled between two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. We’re conveniently located just 1 hour from Cairns International Airport and only minutes from the picturesque seaside village of Port Douglas with shopping, galleries, restaurants, marinas, and more.

Perfectly poised on Four Mile Beach, our resort is the only 5 star beachfront resort in Port Douglas. Set in 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens with 2 hectares of magnificent swimmable blue lagoons, our location is matched only by the standard of indulgence, opulence, service and style that Sheraton Mirage is renowned for.

Our 294 superbly appointed rooms and suites, plus over 100 split-level villas offer a seamless blend of comfort and style. Settle in and enjoy your surroundings—every inch of our rooms and suites have been designed with your comfort in mind. Resort rooms feature king or twin double beds, spacious sitting areas, marble bathrooms, High Speed Internet Access, and stunning views of the lush tropical gardens, landscaped golf course, or sparkling blue lagoons. Some rooms feature private lagoon terraces or balconies and Jacuzzi spas.

Connect with loves ones and share a delicious meal with a tropical North Queensland twist in our tempting array of restaurants and bars. Be simultaneously challenged and inspired at our stunning 18-hole championship golf course at the Mirage Country Club.

A spectacular location combined with innovative venues and first class service make our resort an idyllic setting for any world class event. Our range of unique venues include the pillarless Glade Pavilion, the largest resort conference facility in tropical North Queensland. Or, if you are planning your dream wedding, imagine beginning your lives together in a tropical paradise and exchange vows in our beachfront Crystal Wedding Chapel.

Come and see why readers of Luxury Travel & Style Magazine continually rank us as one of the Gold List’s “Best Australian Resorts” and "Best Australian Golf Resorts.” Reconnect with what’s most important to you and make some great new memories with family and friends at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort.
Learn more about Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort

Daily housekeeping
Golf course
Near the beach
5 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges
Full-service spa
12 outdoor pools
Breakfast available
2 outdoor tennis courts
Fitness center
Valet parking
Swim-up bar
24-hour room service





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: Oceans Mooloolaba Beach


Oceans Mooloolaba Beach 5 nights from 2,085 per person
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach<b>Luxury Holiday Apartments on Mooloolaba Beach Esplanade</b>

Oceans Mooloolaba is the only AAA rated 5 star Mooloolaba Resort. It is perfectly positioned directly opposite Mooloolaba Beach and is in the center of the Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Our spacious and private 5 star apartments and Sunshine Coast penthouses, provide a sanctuary for you to relax and rejuvenate in style and luxury by the ocean. Our beachfront holiday resort offers 5 star facilities for families, couples and groups to enjoy.

Mooloolaba is a carefree yet vibrant seaside village atmosphere where everything is within walking distance. There are many things to do and events to enjoy in this area so treat yourself with a one of our special packages to a luxurious getaway at our private boutique beach pad.

<b>Dining</b>

Holiday time is a great excuse for indulging yourself and taking advantage of some fine restaurant dining. So it's good to know that some of the best restaurants in Mooloolaba are not far away from your Ocean's luxury accommodation.

<b>The Best Cocktails and Sundowners in and Around Booloolaba</b>

There are many ways to end a relaxing day on the Sunshine coast, but one of the most enjoyable is to seek out the best cocktails in Mooloolaba. And the secret to finding these little gems is to go where the locals go.

With some insider knowledge of the local area, you can be assured of a pleasant evening tasting new and exciting cocktails, with good service, friendly staff and tempting food.

So whether you want an evening of excitement and dancing or one of relaxation and quiet conversation – here are 5 local venues that serve the best cocktails in Mooloolaba.


<b>Beautiful Nature Walks on the Sunshine Coast</b>

The Sunshine Coast is a haven for hikers, but you don't have to be a diehard to enjoy all that the Sunshine Coast has to offer. When you stay at Oceans Resort in Mooloolaba, there are lots of great beach walks and walking tracks that are suitable for just about every level of fitness.

So here are a few beautiful walks on the Sunshine Coast which are close to Mooloolaba and Oceans Resort.

Learn more about Oceans Mooloolaba Beach

Free parking
Pool
Free WiFi
Airport transfer
Gym
Kitchen





 



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: Spicers Potts Point


Spicers Potts Point 5 nights from 1,000 per person
Spicers Potts PointAn urban oasis in the heart of one of Sydney’s most iconic suburbs.

Spicers Potts Point places the best of Sydney at your doorstep. Just a short walk to trendy cafes, Kings Cross station, Sydney city and harbour, within easy access of Sydney’s best galleries and famous Bondi Beach, and set amongst a mix of historic art deco and modern architecture, Spicers Potts Point exudes an effortless blend of classic Sydney heritage character with a fresh contemporary feel.

Whether planning a romantic getaway, holiday with friends or traveling for business our 16 stylish rooms and 4 luxurious and spacious suites provide everything you need for a relaxing and comfortable stay. Enjoy luxury amenities, including complimentary Wi-fi, in room mini bar, à la carte breakfast, off street parking (charges apply) and complimentary evening canapes.
Learn more about Spicers Potts Point

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Valet parking
Room service
Terrace
Air conditioning
Garden
Front-desk safe
Snack bar/deli
Water dispenser
Laundry service





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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