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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: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley


Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley 5 nights from 715 per person
Crowne Plaza Hunter ValleyWelcome to the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley hotel, your private space for successful business and soothing retreats in wine country.

Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is in the heart of Australia's oldest wine region, and our bright Lobby seems to have been carved from its hills and vineyards. After your check-in, you can explore our landscaped grounds or celebrate your arrival with a Hunter vintage in the Vista Lounge.

You'll find Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Wine Country Drive in Lovedale, 8km north of Cessnock. We're 2 hours from Sydney and 1 hour from Newcastle Airport. Leave your car in our complimentary car park and let our Concierge arrange transport to the Tyrrell's, Waverly, Brokenwood, Pepper Tree or Petersons wineries, all within 8km of your hotel.

Our event packages make it easy to stage celebrations and conferences. The complimentary kids' club will entertain the children while you sharpen your swing with the PGA pro at Hunter Valley Golf Club or head to Tea Tree Spa for luxurious treatments.

We'll help to combine your stay with Hunter Valley activities, so you can toast business success at a cellar door or savour the view from a hot air balloon. Saddle up to explore the Brokenback Mountains or discover our signature dishes on Redsalt's tasting menu. With so much to do at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, you'll look forward to your return before you even arrive.

Ideal for romantic getaways, family accommodation and everything in between

With 316 spacious and stylish guestrooms to choose from, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley offers a wide range of accommodation options to meet the needs of every guest.
Each room boasts modern furnishing, spacious bathroom with full sized bath and separate shower, high speed Wi-fi access and plasma TV. Step out onto your private balcony or courtyard and enjoy views of the vineyards, scenic golf course or sparkling resort pool.

Romantic Getaway
Planning a romantic weekend getaway for two? The Hunter Valley is the premier romantic destination in NSW. Make the most of your stay with wine tasting, a luxury treatment at the Tea Tree Day Spa, or a round of golf. Cuddle up to your loved one in a romantic Deluxe Room or luxurious Suite with our dedicated 'Special Moments' couples package. With our fine Villa dining options or healthy Body and Soul in-room dining menu you won't have to go anywhere, except perhaps to Tea Tree Spa if you both need a little extra spoiling.

Family Accommodation
If you're looking for family friendly accommodation in the Hunter Valley, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley offers self-contained, serviced apartments with 2 and 3 bedroom villas that can offer separate bedrooms for parents and children.

Being close to all the attractions and events of the Hunter Valley makes it easy for your family to get around. Our Hunter Valley hotel has great child-friendly facilities in the dedicated kidzone and our staff specialised in making the kids happy and entertained with The Water Dragons Kids Club, a fully supervised activity centre for the little ones. For parents requiring child minding outside of our Kids Club opening hours, our resort can organise a babysitter for you for a 3 hour minimum booking. Treat the family to a getaway they will always remember with our 'Family Focus' package, including accommodation, full buffet breakfast and entry to the Hunter Valley Gardens for 2 adults and 2 children.

Small Groups Accommodation
For groups, colleagues or friends travelling together, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley offers the perfect mix of Hunter Valley accommodation and activities for small groups. Our resort is located right in the centre of all the major Hunter Valley attractions with a range of accommodation options from Deluxe Rooms, Suites to contained apartments with 2 or 3 bedrooms.

Whether you are arranging a pampering hen's spa experience, a lad's golf weekend, or a group of friends taking advantage of one of the great concerts in the vines, take the hard work out of your weekend and let the concierge team manage activities like group tours of the vineyards, tasting our hand-brewed beers at the Lovedale Brewery, Tea Tree Spa specials and golf bookings.
Learn more about Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

Winery
Golf course
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
2 outdoor pools
Free water park
Breakfast available
3 outdoor tennis courts
Health club
Sauna
Steam room
Spa tub





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: Fitzroy Island Resort


Fitzroy Island Resort 5 nights from 495 per person
Fitzroy Island ResortFitzroy Island is a 45 minute ferry ride (about 30kms) from Cairns in Queensland, and is surrounded by a reef system that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, making it the perfect accessible base for snorkelling, diving and exploring the reef.

Idyllic white sandy beaches lead into the safe, sheltered waters, which are also ideal for swimming and water sports as well as yachting and boating.

Fitzroy enjoys a typical North Queensland tropical climate but with the added advantage of the cooling effects of the prevailing SE ocean breezes for the majority of the year. Temperatures range from 24 - 31 C (75 - 88 F) in summer and 19 - 25 C (66 - 77 F) in winter.

97 percent of the four square kilometre continental island is National Park, covered in tropical rainforest and freely accessible to Resort Guests and the public via an established network of walking tracks. The gentle, hilly terrain inland makes for great walking throughout the whole island, including to the two main beaches, the highest vantage point on the island and the historic lighthouse at the Eastern end.

Fitzroy Island has long been close to the heart of the Cairns and surrounding local community. This is hardly surprising given the close proximity of this pristine paradise and the safe, sheltered waters. The island has always been freely accessible to the public, with a number of ferry services travelling back and forth daily and local boaties and yachties making good use of the secure public moorings in private vessels. The island is less than an hour from the Cairns domestic and international airports.

Fitzroy Island is a large tropical island, with a rainforest covering and its own fringe coral reef system. It offers, in separate locations, accommodation ranging from affordable four star Resort, to Divers, to Backpackers, to Day Trippers, and Camping. The Dive & Activities Centre, the Pacific Islands Store (shop) and Foxy's Bar & Café are open to all-comers, and the island offers a unique combination of readily accessible rainforest and coral reef. Oh and the beaches are to die for.

The island has a very colourful and interesting History, starting with its original separation from the mainland (about 8000 years ago), at the end of the last Ice Age, and from then on with its continuing Aboriginal cultural links, mainly for visiting hunting trips and recreation. There were also links with England's Captain Cook and (much later) use of the island for a considerable time as a significant Chinese Quarantine Station (for the Queensland goldfields). Subsequently it was used as a Mission School and then, during World War Two, as a Coast Watch Station. The island has also been important as a significant Lighthouse Base, with the last permanent lighthouse structures on the main island still being an important community attraction. Since its closure the marine community has been serviced with an automatic lighthouse based on the adjacent Little Fitzroy Island. There has been both a Giant Clam farm at Welcome Bay and now a Tourist Resort and Day Visitor Centre.
Learn more about Fitzroy Island Resort

Housekeeping once per stay
On the beach
2 restaurants and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Children's pool
Pool bar
Coffee shop/cafe
Conference center
Ferry terminal shuttle
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: Holiday Inn Potts Point


Holiday Inn Potts Point 5 nights from 610 per person
Holiday Inn Potts PointHoliday Inn Potts Point boasts stunning harbour views and features contemporary rooms in a friendly and casual atmosphere. What makes us unique is our location – right in the hub of Sydney's cafe and dining precinct and only five minutes from the heart of the city, this area has it all. Holiday Inn Potts Point offers you everything you are looking for in Sydney, only footsteps away.

One stop on the adjacent underground train takes you right into the city centre and via the cross city tunnel you can bypass city traffic and arrive in Darling Harbour's entertainment precinct in just 5 minutes or gain fast, easy access to the Harbour Bridge and tunnel, taking you north. Grab a beach towel and a 15 minute drive lands you on famous Bondi Beach. Soak up the sights of Sydney from one of our rooms with harbour views.

Host your function in one of our 5 naturally lit meeting rooms and use the 24-hour Business Centre to prepare your presentation. Stay in touch with high speed internet in your comfortable Guest room. The hotel is a 25 minute taxi or train ride from Sydney Airport, and there's secure parking if you're arriving by car.

Sample Kings Cross' lively nightlife or head down to the harbour and take a stroll to see iconic Sydney Opera House beautifully illuminated in the evening. If you need inspiration, ask our helpful staff to recommend their favourite local attractions. Our Kids Stay and Eat Free program makes Holiday Inn Potts Point Sydney a good value choice for family breaks.

You can work out at the in-house gym, which offers a variety of cardio and weights equipment. Mingle with friends in Sirocco Bar and indulge in modern Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant.
Learn more about Holiday Inn Potts Point

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
24-hour fitness center
Self parking
24-hour room service
Coffee shop/cafe
Babysitting
24-hour business center
Business center
Terrace
24-hour front desk





 



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



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