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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: 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





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: Hilton Sydney Hotel


Hilton Sydney Hotel 5 nights from 800 per person
Hilton Sydney HotelAccommodation and more in the heart of Sydney CBD

With exceptional facilities for business or leisure, Hilton Sydney is superbly located right in the heart of the city, with magnificent views and convenient access to Sydney's favourite attractions , including Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.

The Hilton Sydney hotel also boasts stylish bars, with dining by celebrity Chef / Restaurateur Luke Mangan at the famous glass brasserie . Or relax with a cocktail on the rooftop terrace at Zeta Bar and enjoy live music at the iconic Marble Bar.
Learn more about Hilton Sydney Hotel

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and 3 bars/lounges
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Nightclub
Rooftop terrace
Breakfast available
WiFi in the lobby
Health club
Sauna
Steam room
Valet parking





 



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: Oceans Mooloolaba Beach


Oceans Mooloolaba Beach 5 nights from 2,085 per person
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach<b>Luxury Holiday Apartments on Mooloolaba Beach Esplanade</b>

Oceans Mooloolaba is the only AAA rated 5 star Mooloolaba Resort. It is perfectly positioned directly opposite Mooloolaba Beach and is in the center of the Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Our spacious and private 5 star apartments and Sunshine Coast penthouses, provide a sanctuary for you to relax and rejuvenate in style and luxury by the ocean. Our beachfront holiday resort offers 5 star facilities for families, couples and groups to enjoy.

Mooloolaba is a carefree yet vibrant seaside village atmosphere where everything is within walking distance. There are many things to do and events to enjoy in this area so treat yourself with a one of our special packages to a luxurious getaway at our private boutique beach pad.

<b>Dining</b>

Holiday time is a great excuse for indulging yourself and taking advantage of some fine restaurant dining. So it's good to know that some of the best restaurants in Mooloolaba are not far away from your Ocean's luxury accommodation.

<b>The Best Cocktails and Sundowners in and Around Booloolaba</b>

There are many ways to end a relaxing day on the Sunshine coast, but one of the most enjoyable is to seek out the best cocktails in Mooloolaba. And the secret to finding these little gems is to go where the locals go.

With some insider knowledge of the local area, you can be assured of a pleasant evening tasting new and exciting cocktails, with good service, friendly staff and tempting food.

So whether you want an evening of excitement and dancing or one of relaxation and quiet conversation – here are 5 local venues that serve the best cocktails in Mooloolaba.


<b>Beautiful Nature Walks on the Sunshine Coast</b>

The Sunshine Coast is a haven for hikers, but you don't have to be a diehard to enjoy all that the Sunshine Coast has to offer. When you stay at Oceans Resort in Mooloolaba, there are lots of great beach walks and walking tracks that are suitable for just about every level of fitness.

So here are a few beautiful walks on the Sunshine Coast which are close to Mooloolaba and Oceans Resort.

Learn more about Oceans Mooloolaba Beach

Free parking
Pool
Free WiFi
Airport transfer
Gym
Kitchen





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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