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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: Novotel Darwin Atrium


Novotel Darwin Atrium 5 nights from 460 per person
Novotel Darwin AtriumNovotel Darwin Atrium is conveniently located in the city centre, overlooking Darwin Harbour. This 4 star hotel is a short stroll from the Mitchell Street dining and entertainment precinct and is equally suited for business trips and holidays. Boasting 140 spacious rooms and conferencing facilities, Novotel Darwin Atrium features a magnificent tropical indoor rainforest, complete with cascading vines and palm trees. Try the famous cocktails in the bar or enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant.

The hotel is well positioned close to local attractions including the wharf precinct, shopping, the Darwin Entertainment Centre, botanical gardens and casino. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and a Jacuzzi.

From breakfast to lunch, dinner or a tasty little snack, Novotel provides balanced choices and a la carte service 24/7 at all its hotels. At Novotel, you can count on enjoying a relaxing meal in a friendly, stylish setting.

At Novotel, you're assured of a warm welcome and flawless service. You'll find areas for relaxing and places to work, along with numerous other first-rate amenities.
Learn more about Novotel Darwin Atrium

Free WiFi
Sleeps 4
2 Queen Beds





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: Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide


Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide 5 nights from 750 per person
Hotel Grand Chancellor AdelaideHotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide on Currie, a four star boutique style hotel, is located in the heart of Adelaide's CBD. The hotel is within walking distance to the city's major cultural attractions, shopping precinct's and entertainment centres.

The uniquely styled restored Neo-Georgian property is reminiscent of the Grand Mansions of yesteryear, mixing traditional charm with contemporary elegance; featuring 64 well-appointed rooms, an indoor heated swimming pool, spa and gymnasium.

Adelaide is known as the city of food and wine, a place to experience the buzz, culture and convenience of a big city without big city frustrations. The city centre, surrounded by parklands, is a charming blend of historic buildings, wide streets, numerous shops, street cafes and restaurants.
Learn more about Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Fitness center
Sauna
Self parking
Spa tub
24-hour room service
24-hour front desk
Library
Computer station





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: Palm Bungalows


Palm Bungalows 5 nights from1,265 per person
Palm BungalowsThe Main Pool and Catseye Beach are a two-minute walk away. The Palm Bungalows reception operates 24 hours a day (Reef View Hotel reception), and are serviced daily. Guests staying at the Palm Bungalows have complimentary use of non-motorised water sports equipment, including catamarans, paddle skis, snorkelling equipment and windsurfers.

On-island transport includes unlimited use of the scheduled Island Shuttle service and complimentary Hamilton Island airport to Palm Bungalows transfers on arrival and departure. Guests have access to the Kids Stay & Eat Free program (conditions apply).

The Palm Bungalows are freestanding island bungalows situated in a tropical garden setting, each with its own balcony and outdoor furniture. Guests staying here can enjoy many amenities and facilities

<b>Hotel services / facilities</b><ul><li>24 hour reception
<li>Access to Kids Stay and Eat Free Program (conditions apply)
<li>Complimentary return Hamilton Island Airport/Marina to hotel transfers
<li>Unlimited use of the scheduled 'Island Shuttle' service (7:00am-11:00pm daily)
<li>Beach towels provided
<li>Access to Internet
<li>Air-conditioning & ceiling fan
<li>Private balcony
<li>Ensuite bathroom with shower
<li>Television
<li>Telephone
<li>Bar fridge & mini bar
<li>Tea & Coffee making facilities
<li>Iron/ironing board
<li>Rooms serviced daily
<li>Accommodation bungalows at Palm Bungalows are non-smoking</ul>

<b>To see and do on Hamilton Island</b><ul><li>Central location to all pools and amenities
<li>Complimentary use of catamarans, paddle skis, windsurfers and snorkeling equipment
<li>Complimentary use of the gym, spa, sauna, tennis and squash court hire
<li>Over 20km of bushwalking trails
<li>Koala Gallery Wildlife Experience
<li>Access to over 40+ activities including golf driving range, parasailing and quad bike tours</ul>

<b>Nearby attractions surrounding Hamilton Island</b><ul><li>Day trip to Hardy Reef, home to Heart Reef on the Great Barrier Reef
<li>Whitehaven Beach, voted on of the top ten beaches in the world by BBC
<li>Hamilton Island Golf Club, located on neighbouring Dent Island</ul>
Learn more about Palm Bungalows

Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
4 outdoor pools
Breakfast available
Free airport shuttle
Free area shuttle
Free ferry terminal shuttle
4 outdoor tennis courts
Sauna
Pool bar
Swim-up bar





 



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: Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa


Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa 5 nights from 1,700 per person
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and SpaThe award-winning Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa couples quiet luxury with spacious accommodation and intuitive service, providing an unforgettable hotel experience for guests here on the Gold Coast. Tucked amidst sparkling lagoons, white sandy beaches, and cascading waterfalls, our 304 room fully integrated resort offers amenities to please the entire family - from quiet pool zones and unique aquatic experiences to bike rentals and a Kid's Club. Our immaculately appointed hotel accommodation offers floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms, and pillow top mattresses. Step out onto your balcony and revel in the beauty of your Gold Coast surroundings. Treat yourself to superb cuisine at Misono, Citrique, or Chapter & Verse bar and lounge, or book a day of pampering at Ruby Spa. Those planning events here on the Gold Coast can make use of our expansive function room space, including the stylish Marriott Ballroom. Expect the unexpected at Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, we're famous for it.
Learn more about Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa

Parking available
Pool
Free WiFi
Airport transfer
Gym
Air conditioning





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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