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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: InterContinental Adelaide


Special rate and daily breakfast
InterContinental AdelaideThis iconic Adelaide hotel on the River Torrens connects guests with everything that’s special about the city. Culinary feasts await at two award-winning restaurants: enjoy fresh seasonal cuisine at Riverside and Japanese specialities at Shiki. An ideal city retreat, this Adelaide hotel boasts an outdoor pool and luxurious suites with breathtaking views. Step outside and you’re a short stroll from the cultural boulevard of North Terrace, Adelaide Festival Centre and redeveloped Adelaide Oval.
Learn more about InterContinental Adelaide

Enjoy a special rate and daily breakfast.





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: InterContinental Hotel Sydney


InterContinental Hotel Sydney 5 nights from 1,750 per person
InterContinental Hotel SydneyInterContinental Sydney is a true expression in luxury. Positioned on the edge of the world's most stunning harbour, just moments walk from the famous Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, the ferries from Circular Quay and exclusive shops. Built around the restored Treasury Building of 1851, the hotel's 509 contemporary designed guest rooms each with a picture frame view, include a collection of 28 suites that have been home to world leaders and celebrities from across the globe for more than two decades. For the ultimate Sydney experience, upgrade to a Club InterContinental guest room and receive access to our exclusive Club InterContinental lounge with wrap around outdoor terrace that captures panoramic views across sparkling Sydney Harbour. Inside, luxurious furnishings and latest technology ensure a private retreat perfect for conducting business or simply relaxing.

<b>DINING SUMMARY</b>

Set within breathtaking 19th Century architecture, Cafe Opera undoubtedly forms the perfect venue for any occasion. Enjoy a truly unique, seasonally inspired, interactive buffet with live cooking stations and theatrical dessert display or sample the delights from our creative French-inspired à la carte selection.
<ul><li>Number of restaurants : 2
<li>Room Service Available 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM</ul>

<b>SPA FACILITIES</b>

Relax and unwind with a massage on level 9 at Odyssey Massage. Choose from a selection of treatments including relaxation, remedial, deep tissue, sports, reflexology & shiatsu. Sebastian Salon also on level 9 offers an array of hair and beauty treatments.

<b>HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER (ON-SITE)</b>
<ul><li>Odyssey Health Club is a boutique privately managed facility offering a complete range of health and fitness services complimentary to InterContinental Sydney guests. Facilities include, equipped gymnasium, heated indoor pool, sauna and Personal Trainers.
<li>Health/Fitness Center On-Site
<li>Year Last Renovation Of Equipment: 2010
<li>Fitness Centre Type: EXTENSIVE</ul>

<b>BUSINESS SERVICES</b>
<ul><li>Business Center
<li>Business Centre Staffed Between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM
<li>Copying
<li>Courier Service
<li>E-mail & Internet
<li>Facsimile
<li>PC available
<li>Service Provider:
<li>Printer
<li>Wireless Data Connection
<li>Alternative for business services

<li>Please note the Business Centre is open from 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays. Internet available 24 hours for in-house guests at applicable charges.</ul>
Learn more about InterContinental Hotel Sydney

Nestled in the renowned dress circle of Circular Quay with unparalleled views across the Harbour City, InterContinental Sydney has been an icon of choice for more than 30 years. Set within the restored Treasury Building of 1851, 509 guest rooms, including 28 suites, showcase picture frame view of the city skyline, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House or the Royal Botanic Gardens





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: 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





 



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: Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto


Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto 5 nights from 760 per person
Intercontinental Melbourne The RialtoHERITAGE AND STYLE IN THE HEART OF MELBOURNE
Located on legendary Collins Street in the heart of the Central Business District, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto is one of the city's leading world-class hotels. Steps away is the vibrant Southbank, the Yarra River, the ever changing Docklands, leading tourist attractions, exclusive shops and boutiques and some of the best restaurants this cosmopolitan city has to offer. Completed in 1891 when Melbourne was the richest city in the world, the Rialto is as grand today as it was back then. The hotel's 253 elegant rooms blend style with comfort. Beyond your guestroom, discover the outstanding Alluvial Restaurant, Rialto Bluestone Bar and Market Lane Bar. The 24-hour fitness centre offers a variety of cardiovascular, exercise and weight-training equipment whilst the indoor pool, featuring a spa bath, is the perfect place to relax.
Learn more about Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto

Daily housekeeping
2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Breakfast available
Health club
Sauna
Steam room
Valet parking
Spa tub
24-hour room service
24-hour business center





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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