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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: Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa


Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa 5 nights from 1,290 per person
Kewarra Beach Resort & SpaA romantic nature resort and spa on the beaches of the Great Barrier Reef.

The resort accommodation at Kewarra Beach Resort and Spa is unique, exclusive and special. Beautifully appointed individual deluxe bungalows and spacious suites are discretely situated throughout the 30 hectares of lush tropical gardens. Arrive in Cairns and relax in beach front resort accommodation nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the pristine tropical rainforests of North Queensland.

At Kewarra Beach Resort and Spa you will enjoy private beach front accommodation or deluxe rainforest nature accommodation in a beautiful tranquil environment that reflects the very essence of tropical Australia.

We are the only private beach resort spa of this kind within easy reach of Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas, and we pride ourselves on being ranked #1 on Trip Advisor for the Cairns district in Queensland Australia.

We look forward with great pleasure to welcoming you soon to our tropical paradise.
Learn more about Kewarra Beach Resort & Spa

A secluded tropical hideaway in North Queensland set on 38 acres of lush botanical gardens this private beachfront resort provides the ultimate Australian vacation experience.





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: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney


Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney 5 nights from 855 per person
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel SydneyFor a first-class experience, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney offers 338 rooms and 26 suites with boutique-style charm and modern amenities like free Wi-Fi. After client meetings in Sydney’s CBD, unwind in a Business Class room and enjoy exclusive access to our Business Class lounge. On a romantic getaway? Upgrade to our one-bedroom spa suite for features like an extra-deep jetted tub in the marble bathroom. For added convenience, adjoining and accessible rooms are available upon request, and a rollaway bed can be added for a fee. Since your health and safety is our top priority, our team members have implemented new cleaning and safety protocols to ensure you have a relaxing stay in Sydney.
This hotel has accessible rooms that may include the following accessible features:

Amenities within accessible range to reach
Audio emergency warning devices
Closed caption decoder (standard channels)
Controls operable without grasping or twisting
Grab bars alongside toilet
Lever hardware
Roll-in shower
Bench seat in shower
Wheelchair-accessible lobby
Wheelchair-accessible public entrance
Wheelchair-accessible public restrooms
Wheelchair available on request
Wider bathroom doorways
100% non-smoking facility
Learn more about Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

Daily housekeeping
2 restaurants and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Breakfast available
Health club
Steam room
Valet parking
Spa tub
Room service
Massage/treatment rooms
Business center





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: Pullman Brisbane King George Square


Pullman Brisbane King George Square 5 nights from 820 per person
Pullman Brisbane King George SquareThe Pullman and Mercure Brisbane King George Square is a contemporary 5-star hotel in Brisbane, located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, offering guests a wide range of luxury accommodation options. Guests may select between 210 5-star luxury guestrooms and a Mercure tower with 228 4-star hotel rooms.

THE BEST MEETING AND CONFERENCE VENUES IN BRISBANE
Boasting the largest hotel conference facilities in Brisbane, the Pullman King George Square offers an impressive setting for hosting up to 1,000 delegates.

The luxury concept of our hotel translates into amazing meeting rooms and conference venues, perfectly adequate for any type of event: corporate meetings, celebrations, social events.
All Pullman Brisbane conference venues boast state-of-the-art technology and a personalized service to guarantee the success of any event.

Dining options include a sophisticated restaurant, a sleek and vibrant bar and café and a new Rooftop Bar overlooking King George Square and City Hall (opening late 2016). Additional guest facilities include a recreation deck with rooftop pool and fitness centre.

The Pullman King George Square hotel is a short walk to Brisbane’s top entertainment (Southbank), dining (Southbank & Eagle Street Pier), shopping (Queen Street Mall) and sporting (Suncorp Stadium) precincts, as well as key public transport (Roma Street Train Station, Central Train Station & King George Square Bus Station) options.

With 24-hour guest service and a recent renovation that showcases a new look lobby, conference rooms and an Executive Lounge, the Pullman and Mercure Brisbane King George Square is the ideal hotel for working, resting and playing in Brisbane.
Learn more about Pullman Brisbane King George Square

Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and 2 bars/lounges
Breakfast available
WiFi in the lobby
Fitness center
Valet parking
Self parking
24-hour room service
Coffee shop/cafe
Business center
UNESCO Sustainable Property





 



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: Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection


Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection 5 nights from 895 per person
Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph CollectionDiscover the beauty of Sydney Harbour at our boutique hotel

For a truly unique experience, look no further than the luxury Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection. Our boutique hotel is perfectly located on the waterfront, near the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You are just steps away from world-famous landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and the historic Rocks district. Elegant hotel rooms and suites offer sophisticated, soothing decor and boutique amenities including pillow top mattresses. Treat yourself to sweeping Sydney Harbour views in one of our waterfront suites, or experience the grandeur of our eastern facing Heritage rooms. The Gantry Restaurant, located here at the hotel, offers a chic waterfront atmosphere and panoramic Walsh Bay vistas. Those interested in hosting an event here in Sydney Harbour will be delighted with our boutique hotel's stunning, versatile venue spaces and expert catering services. The luxury getaway you have always dreamed of is waiting for you here at Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection.
Learn more about Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Valet parking
Room service
24-hour business center
Conference center
Business center
9 meeting rooms
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Car rentals on site





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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