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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: Duxton Hotel Perth


Duxton Hotel Perth 5 nights from 770 per person
Duxton Hotel PerthLocated in the heart of Perth city, at 1 St Georges Terrace, the 5 star Duxton Hotel is the perfect accommodation venue for travellers staying in Perth, Western Australia.

For leisure guests, you will discover Perth's major shopping, entertainment and restaurant centres only a few minutes walk away. With the hotel situated just a short stroll from the Swan River, Barrack Street Jetty, Hay Street and the Bell Tower, you can also enjoy the rare beauty of nearby central parklands and riverside walkways.

Enjoy a short boat trip across the river to South Perth, where there are many waterfront restaurants to choose from or visit the Perth Zoo. You can also choose to catch a boat for a glorious wine river cruise to the Swan Valley, or take a trip to Fremantle.

For business clients, the Duxton Hotel is located in walking distance to the main business hub of the city and the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, or take advantage of the complimentary chauffer transfers along St Georges Terrace through to the business district in West Perth.

Due to our central location and our choice of accommodation rooms, the hotel is also ideal for delegates attending a conference in house or at a nearby venue.

Occupying the site once known as Christian Brother's College and formerly the Perth Taxation Office, the facade of the hotel provides an aura of culture and sophistication. The hotel is a well known landmark in the City of Perth.

The Duxton Hotel offers easy access for vehicles of any type, due to the spacious driveway with it's own taxi rank, and large porte couchere. Buses travelling along St Georges Terrace are free if you are heading into the city centre.

The hotel is the perfect choice when you stay in Perth Western Australia, whether your visit is for business or leisure.
Learn more about Duxton Hotel Perth

Reserve now, pay later
323 sq ft
Free WiFi
Sleeps 2
1 King Bed





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: 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





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: 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





 



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: Islington Hotel


Islington Hotel 5 nights from 1,425 per person
Islington HotelIslington is a very special luxe hotel in Hobart, a blend of contemporary and period architecture and stunning landscaped gardens against a backdrop of magnificent Mount Wellington.

Built in 1847, these intimate lodgings showcase the property’s original glory, updated to include the little necessities and amenities our forebears overlooked, such as a glass enclosed mountain-view pavilion and a cellar stocked with the finest Tasmanian wine.

The hotel public spaces and suites alike feature fine art and antique furnishings. Islington appeals to those who desire the very best in life, personalised service delivered in an atmosphere of serenity, luxury and tranquillity.

<b>Services & Amenities</b>

<i>Hotel</i>

– individually styled sitting & meeting rooms
– the conservatory a la carte restaurant
– secure off-street parking
– extensive wine cellar
– accommodates children 15 years and over

<i>Rooms</i>

– in-room iPad with complimentary wifi
– under floor heating throughout
– custom made king sized Islington Angel beds
– complimentary mini-bar/ tea / barista coffee
– daily housekeeping
Learn more about Islington Hotel

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Room service
Coffee shop/cafe
Business center
Terrace
Coffee/tea in a common area
Garden
Library
Computer station
Lobby fireplace





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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