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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 22 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: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney


Four Seasons Hotel Sydney 5 nights from 1,955 per person
Four Seasons Hotel SydneyChic and cosmopolitan, with a dynamic sense of diversity, Sydney is one of the world's great capitals. The city was founded in 1788 when a fleet of 11 ships arrived in Australia from England with a contingent of convicts and free settlers. They came ashore at Sydney Cove, now known as Circular Quay and the site of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Successive waves of immigrants from many countries have had a defining influence on the culture and personality of the city, now with a population of over four million people.

As a business centre, Sydney is the driving force of Australia and an important hub of the Asian-Pacific region. For recreation, the city pulses with a vibrant social scene and inspiring possibilities for outdoor adventure. Few cities of such urban sophistication can also claim 37 beautiful beaches. Legendary Bondi Beach is an easy 20-minute drive from downtown.

Four Seasons is situated in the oldest and most desirable area of Sydney – the historic district of The Rocks. Lined with cobblestoned streets, the neighbourhood offers fascinating shops, a weekend market, outdoor cafés, and galleries of Aboriginal arts and crafts. Nearby, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, tropical flowers bloom in the heart of the city. The Hotel is just a short walk from major shopping and business areas, and is equally close to great museums, theatres and the Sydney Opera House. Ferries whisk you across the water to key attractions, such as Taronga Park Zoo and the renowned Sydney Aquarium.
Learn more about Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

The hotel features the city’s most sophisticated accommodations with modernized guest rooms complete with updated, contemporary fixtures to present a contemporary luxurious residential feel. The layout of each room allows guests to make use of the stunning views which take in the city, Sydney Opera House and the unmistakable Harbour Bridge. Each room is equipped with the latest technology, including 42-inch LCD televisions, Bose speakers, WiFi, an iPod docking station and free Appellees toiletries. Slippers and Chinese tea can be provided in the rooms upon request.





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: The Dudley Boutique Hotel


The Dudley Boutique Hotel 5 nights from 1,095 per person
The Dudley Boutique HotelWelcome to The Dudley – where you can experience the ultimate in luxury, combined with our own unique blend of Australian hospitality.

The Dudley, built in 1908 has been fully renovated to become an elegant luxury boutique hotel with exemplary service and host to an impressive permanent collection of contemporary art. The Dudley Cottage on the same property provides absolute privacy and luxury.

From 2013 – 2016 The Dudley has been refurbished to a luxury standard with all rooms fully renovated to a 5-star standard.

The Dudley is a Small Luxury Hotel of the World: one of only 7 in Australia and the only SLH in Victoria. Luxury, redefined.

In 2015 and again in 2016 The Dudley won Luxury Boutique Hotel of the Year in Victoria and has been named as one of the 10 Most Luxurious Getaways in Australia.

Our talented team harness a united vision and passion and their continuing dedication brings the indulgence of The Dudley to our guests each and every day. I hope you enjoy your experience.
Learn more about The Dudley Boutique Hotel

Daily housekeeping
Limo/town car service
Terrace
Coffee/tea in a common area
Air conditioning
Garden
Library
Snack bar/deli
Multilingual staff
Concierge services
Gift shops/newsstands
Picnic area





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: Majestic Roof Garden Hotel


Majestic Roof Garden Hotel 5 nights from 4,444 per person
Majestic Roof Garden HotelThe Majestic Roof Garden Hotel is the award winning flagship property of Majestic Hotels. Opened in Adelaide in 2004 and awarded Expedia's Best Value Hotel in 2009 and Trip Advisor's 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award, it has been created with the discerning traveller in mind and despite its upmarket appearance, provides great deals on accommodation.

All 120 rooms at the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel feature modern bathrooms, king size beds, full mini-bar, 24-hour room service and FREE unlimited WiFi. Plus all the usual conveniences you would expect from a 4.5 star hotel.

The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel is situated right in the heart of Adelaide, with many of the city's attractions located within walking distance.

Just 50 meters away is cosmopolitan Rundle Street, with a colourful array of cafes, restaurants and shops. You can eat your way around the world on one street. With restaurants serving Greek, Indian, Italian, delicious pub fare, as well as everything Asian, you won't be short of a choice. And for those sunny Adelaide afternoons, select one of the many outdoor tables at a range of pubs and hotels including the Austral, Exeter or Stag or any number of licensed cafes and bars.

Representing the best of Australian fashion, you could easily spend your day browsing the racks of designers such as Alannah Hill, Lisa Ho, Morrison, sass & bide, Zimmermann, or for the men, don't miss Jack London and Calibre. Rundle Street also plays host to a bookshop, convenience stores, travel agent, jewellery shops, hairdressers, beauty salons and a day spa.

On nearby North Terrace, you can discover Adelaide's cultural boulevard. Here you'll find the Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum, State Library, along with other museums and many historical and contemporary sculptures. A little further down North Terrace, but still only 20 minutes walk from the Majestic Roof Garden Hotel, you will find the Adelaide Casino and the expansive Adelaide Convention Centre. This magnificent, modern riverside building plays host to most of Adelaide's major conferences and conventions.

At the junction of North Terrace and King William Street, you might like to see what's playing at the Adelaide Festival Centre or few minutes' walk to the north you could take a tour of the historic Adelaide Oval. Widely regarded as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world, this historic icon of Australian culture is a leisurely stroll from all of the Majestic apartments and hotels in Adelaide.

A delight for the young and young-at-heart, the Adelaide Zoo is a perfect chance to get close to some of Australia's most famous and unique wildlife. Visit the children's zoo to have a hands-on experience with kangaroos, koalas and much more. Not to be missed are the two resident Giant Pandas. You can walk to the Zoo from your hotel or take a free connector bus.

Two other places of interest that are within walking distance are the Adelaide Botanic Gardens on North Terrace and the Adelaide Central Market near Victoria Square. The Central Market is the place to buy the freshest produce and sample some amazing local delicacies.
Learn more about Majestic Roof Garden Hotel

Parking available
Free WiFi
Gym
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
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: Lizard Island


Lizard Island 5 nights from 9,265 per person
Lizard IslandIt begins with a special place. Your place - your own personal island retreat on the Great Barrier Reef. Beautiful, natural and wild and the most northern Great Barrier Reef resort, Lizard Island is a place reserved for the fortunate few.

The beaches are plentiful, 24 in all, with fine powdery white sand, undisturbed but for the occasional footprints. Your island is for snorkelling, if you choose, or deep-sea game fishing, or diving at The Cod Hole, one of the world famous dive sites just a short boat ride away. Enjoy secluded picnics on private beaches, five star cuisine and indulging spa treatments.

It's for splendid accommodation - room for only a few but a choice between private villas, suites, or a pavilion. Watching the sunset on a day-bed overlooking the water, it's easy to be lulled into the deep peace that comes with being in your own beautiful world on Lizard Island.

Little wonder your island consistently makes the Top 10 Hotels of the World list.
Learn more about Lizard Island

At the northern most resort on the Great Barrier Reef, and a member of the Luxury lodges of Australia, Lizard Island is truly secluded from the rest of the world. Offering a range of 40 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, this all-inclusive resort offers guests the opportunity to escape to their own private beach for a day exploring the reef.





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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