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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: Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa


Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa 5 nights from 1,145 per person
Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & SpaEscape to the world famous World Heritage listed Blue Mountains and enjoy luxury resort accommodation at Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa. Just 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney CBD, Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spais a renowned haven for relaxation and a delight for gourmets in one of Australia’s most beautiful destinations, picturesque Jamison Valleys and escarpments, abundant wildlife and a scenic attractions right at your doorstep.

Located in the heart of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park

Whether you are planning a romantic getaway, a weekend with the girls or your mates, or a fun-filled family holiday, our luxury Blue Mountains hotel offers something for everyone. Unwind and be pampered at the onsite Lilianfels Day Spa, burn some energy on the tennis court or one of the two heated pools, and enjoy renowned local wines and produce at our fine dining multi-award winning restaurants and bars.

Explore the Blue Mountains with the whole family and sample the region’s many attractions. With a range of onsite function rooms, a spectacular backdrop and a relaxing atmosphere, our Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spais the ideal venue for weddings, corporate events and celebrations.

Our friendly, knowledgeable concierge team are experts on the region, and strive to ensure each guest has an unforgettable experience in the Blue Mountains region.

Book your stay now or purchase a gift voucher package and treat a loved one to a well-deserved Blue Mountains luxury escape.
Learn more about Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Indoor pool and outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Health club
Outdoor tennis court
Sauna
Steam room
Valet parking
Spa tub
24-hour room service





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: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast


Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast 5 nights from 875 per person
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold CoastAs the Gold Coast's only 5 star beachfront resort, we welcome you to experience the newly refurbished Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa. Fronting 27 kilometres of World famous Gold Coast beaches, the new look Sheraton includes 295 refurbished rooms and suites, accommodation corridors, lobby, reception desk, guest lifts, Port Cochere, hotel entry, pool area landscaping, Terraces Restaurant and Pearls Bar. Our rooms boast spaciousness and comfort starting at 43sqm and feature, resort, lagoon or ocean views.

The Sheraton Mirage caters to a variety of tastes through its award winning restaurants and bars, fully serviced gym, day spa, tennis courts, resort pool and extensive business, meeting and conference facilities. Sheraton Mirage is located between the majestic Pacific Ocean, spectacular Southport Broadwater and a short drive to vibrant Surfers Paradise.
Learn more about Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast

Housekeeping (on request)
Private beach
Restaurant and 2 bars/lounges
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Fitness center
Beach towels
Self parking
Children's pool
Pool bar
Swim-up bar
Room service





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: RACV Noosa Resort


RACV Noosa Resort 5 nights from 965 per person
RACV Noosa ResortStylish, contemporary and a short drive from iconic Hastings Street, RACV Noosa Resort offers smart accommodation overlooking a pristine wetlands sanctuary. Located close enough to explore Noosa's award-winning restaurants, chic cafes and bars, farmer's market and miles of pristine beach yet far enough away to enjoy the serenity of the resort's secluded location, our brand new property is ideal for business and leisure travellers.

Check into one of RACV's tasteful and affordable suites and apartments with either private courtyards, balconies or rooftop terraces overlooking the resort or across the lush sanctuary to Noosa Sound. The resort is positioned on a 15-hectare site beside the Weyba Creek, a tributary of the Noosa River. Wake to the sound of whipbirds or fall to sleep to the friendly call of our resident geckos.

All of the light-filled apartments come equipped with full kitchens with European appliances and laundry so you can self-cater. Alternatively make use of the full resort facilities, which include a lagoon pool with beach entry, cocktail bar, gym, floodlit tennis court and day spa. The five-star property also offers complete resort services such as 24-hour reception, in-room dining, dry cleaning and laundry service and return shuttle to Hastings St. There are plenty of activities to entertain guests including tennis, fitness centre, bicycle hire and eco walking track. Enjoy a cocktail in the bar before dining at the chic restaurant, which provides indoor and alfresco dining beside the pool.
Learn more about RACV Noosa Resort

171 apartments
Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
2 outdoor pools
Free water park
Free area shuttle
Free beach shuttle
Free shopping center shuttle
Outdoor tennis court
Fitness 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: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney


Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney 5 nights from 855 per person
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel SydneyFor a first-class experience, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney offers 338 rooms and 26 suites with boutique-style charm and modern amenities like free Wi-Fi. After client meetings in Sydney’s CBD, unwind in a Business Class room and enjoy exclusive access to our Business Class lounge. On a romantic getaway? Upgrade to our one-bedroom spa suite for features like an extra-deep jetted tub in the marble bathroom. For added convenience, adjoining and accessible rooms are available upon request, and a rollaway bed can be added for a fee. Since your health and safety is our top priority, our team members have implemented new cleaning and safety protocols to ensure you have a relaxing stay in Sydney.
This hotel has accessible rooms that may include the following accessible features:

Amenities within accessible range to reach
Audio emergency warning devices
Closed caption decoder (standard channels)
Controls operable without grasping or twisting
Grab bars alongside toilet
Lever hardware
Roll-in shower
Bench seat in shower
Wheelchair-accessible lobby
Wheelchair-accessible public entrance
Wheelchair-accessible public restrooms
Wheelchair available on request
Wider bathroom doorways
100% non-smoking facility
Learn more about Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

Daily housekeeping
2 restaurants and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Breakfast available
Health club
Steam room
Valet parking
Spa tub
Room service
Massage/treatment rooms
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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