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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.

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Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments 5 nights from 1,335 per person
Mandalay Luxury Beachfront ApartmentsFor the perfect Port Douglas luxury beachfront accommodation, Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments offer a unique foreshore location with all the facilities and services you expect on your tropical holiday.

Located in quiet seclusion, the cool apartments of Mandalay Port Douglas are nestled amongst lush tropical vibrant gardens. Access to the seemingly endless stretch of Port Douglas beach is through an easy walkway framed by tropical beach flora.

Mandalay Port Douglas luxurious and comfortable apartments exemplify the beach style and relaxed elegance which make Port Douglas one of the most sought after destinations in the world.
Learn more about Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments

Mandalay Luxury Beachfront Apartments is a relaxing, 5-star retreat in Port Douglas, within easy walking distance of the wonderful restaurants in and around the Marina Mirage and Macrossan Street.





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.

 
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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.





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.


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The Reef House Palm Cove MGallery by SofitelThe Reef House Palm Cove MGallery by Sofitel

Boutique hotels with personality for a remarkable travel experience
Located just 25 minutes north of Cairns in the secluded Palm Cove, an upscale boutique beachfront experience awaits guests at Reef House Palm Cove MGallery by Sofitel.The resort offers a warm, personalised service for all guests and together with its comprehensive range of resort facilities, The Reef House is the perfect getaway for couples seeking romantic bliss or simply a holiday in sheer relaxation.

Situated within Palm Cove Village, The Reef House Palm Cove, MGallery is a secluded hideaway less than half an hour from Cairns Airport. Guests staying at this spectacular Palm Cove hotel can easily while away the days relaxing in the resort and exploring the village, with its restaurants, shops, bars and cafés. Guests who want to get out and explore the area can discover the many attractions of Tropical North Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Atherton Tablelands & the Daintree Rainforest.
Learn more about The Reef House Palm Cove MGallery by Sofitel

Daily housekeeping
On the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
2 outdoor pools
Breakfast available
Free use of bicycles
Beach towels
Spa tub
Room service
Massage/treatment rooms
Business center





 



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: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins


Sofitel Melbourne on Collins 5 nights from 1,090 per person
Sofitel Melbourne on CollinsMelbourne. The world's most liveable city. An international destination of 19th century grandeur renowned for its vibrant cultural life, leading events and festivals, sport and racing, high fashion and dining.
In its very centre, beautiful Collins Street, a tree lined boulevard of grand heritage, international fashion houses, historic churches and magnificent theatres.

Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, located at the prestigious 'Paris end' of Collins Street, provides a central address surrounded by galleries and gardens, architectural masterpieces and the city's finest attractions.

Learn more about Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Fitness center
Valet parking
24-hour room service
Coffee shop/cafe
24-hour business center
Conference center
Business center
UNESCO Sustainable Property
24-hour front desk





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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