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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: Coral Sea Resort


Coral Sea Resort 5 nights from 870 per person
Coral Sea ResortPositioned on the absolute ocean front and just a short stroll via seaside boardwalk to the enchanting Airlie Beach resort village; with its relaxed atmosphere and collection of eclectic shops and cafes; lies the Coral Sea Resort, your Airlie Beach Accommodation. A stroll in the opposite direction crossing a separate boardwalk with the sea below is Abel Point Marina, your direct access to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

Whitsundays accommodation at Coral Sea Resort is comprised of a range of hotel suites, superior apartments and luxury penthouses. All our Whitsundays accommodation is serviced daily with the full range of facilities and inclusions expected of a boutique hotel of this quality and standard.

There is a uniquely nautical feeling in each of the spacious suites and penthouses, which reflect on the wonderful yachting heritage of the Whitsundays. Soft nautical colours, historic boating prints, polished timber and yachting memorabilia adorn many of the Resort's rooms and dining areas complete our superior Whitsundays accommodation. The adjoining marina, linked by a boardwalk to the Resort, offers those with salt in their veins a chance to wander through the amazing array of charter yachts and luxury vessels to work off breakfast, lunch or dinner, indulged in at our award-winning restaurant.
Learn more about Coral Sea Resort

Daily housekeeping
Marina
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Beach towels
Room service
Coffee shop/cafe
In-room childcare
Conference center





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: Alassio on the Beach Palm Cove


Alassio on the Beach Palm Cove 5 nights from 1,155 per person
Alassio on the Beach Palm CoveAlassio Palm Cove is a selection of self-contained luxury holiday apartments right on the beachfront. The apartments have been crafted around ancient melaleuca trees, coconut palms and a freeform lagoon pool.

Palm shaded Mediterranean style balconies overlook the pool and Palm Cove beach.

The property is located at the northern end of the beach and you will find that this part of the cove is exceptionally convenient to all of your holiday needs.

You are within 5 minutes walk of great shopping, bistros, restaurants and bars ... and of course Palm Cove beach itself is right on your doorstep.
Learn more about Alassio on the Beach Palm Cove

Housekeeping (on request)
On the beach
Restaurant
Outdoor pool
Children's pool
Spa tub
Room service
Coffee shop/cafe
In-room childcare
Airport shuttle
Terrace
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: Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour


Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour 5 nights from 685 per person
Four Points by Sheraton Sydney,  Darling HarbourMake Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour your base for exploring this sizzling city down under. Whether you're here for work or play, you'll love our great location, close to popular tourist spots and major corporate offices. Check out the live shark feeds at Sydney Aquarium, stroke a possum at Sydney Wildlife World, or explore Sydney's Maritime history at the National Maritime Museum – all just steps from our door.

If retail therapy is more your speed, visit any one of the major shopping districts including Pitt Street Mall, Queen Victoria Building, and Chinatown located just a short walk away. Need directions? Ask our award-winning concierge team.

We are also close to public transport, so you'll have no trouble getting around. Catch a train from Town Hall Station or the monorail from Darling Harbour Station or take a ferry from outside Sydney Aquarium. You'll see Sydney in no time. The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre is only a 10-minute walk away.
Learn more about Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
24-hour fitness center
Self parking
24-hour room service
24-hour business center
Business center
7 meeting rooms
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Computer station





 



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: Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square


Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square 5 nights from 705 per person
Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac SquareLocated in the heart of Brisbane's CBD, Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane overlooks the evergreen Anzac Square memorial gardens and is directly opposite Central Railway Station. The hotels superb location allows guests direct and easy access from their Brisbane accommodation to everything the city has to offer.

Beautifully restored, this inner city hotel presents a contemporary feel whilst exuding true old world grace, making every stay a most enjoyable experience. Rendezvous boasts 135 elegantly appointed hotel rooms in Brisbane's CBD, including studio rooms as well as spacious one and two bedroom apartments. With many special touches, like the charming guest library adjoining the foyer, this hotel is much more than stylish Brisbane accommodation, its an absolute pleasure.

Rendezvous' Value Promise offers all guests free local phone calls, complimentary Wi-Fi access for three hours each day, low priced mini-bar items and low priced laundry services.

The hotel offers intimate escapes for lovers, corporate comfort for busy executives and classical escapes for families. It is the perfect place to rest your mind and body, with lavishly appointed hotel accommodation, impeccable service, and a magnificent location in Brisbane's CBD. When you find yourself heading to Brisbane, stay at Rendezvous for an experience to remember.
Learn more about Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square

75 smoke-free apartments
Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Valet parking
24-hour front desk
Library
Front-desk safe
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Multilingual staff
Concierge services
Luggage storage





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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