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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: Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort


Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort 5 nights from 1,365 per person
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas ResortSparkling blue lagoons with pure white sandy shores will greet you at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort. A haven of 5 star luxury, our resort is uniquely nestled between two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. We’re conveniently located just 1 hour from Cairns International Airport and only minutes from the picturesque seaside village of Port Douglas with shopping, galleries, restaurants, marinas, and more.

Perfectly poised on Four Mile Beach, our resort is the only 5 star beachfront resort in Port Douglas. Set in 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens with 2 hectares of magnificent swimmable blue lagoons, our location is matched only by the standard of indulgence, opulence, service and style that Sheraton Mirage is renowned for.

Our 294 superbly appointed rooms and suites, plus over 100 split-level villas offer a seamless blend of comfort and style. Settle in and enjoy your surroundings—every inch of our rooms and suites have been designed with your comfort in mind. Resort rooms feature king or twin double beds, spacious sitting areas, marble bathrooms, High Speed Internet Access, and stunning views of the lush tropical gardens, landscaped golf course, or sparkling blue lagoons. Some rooms feature private lagoon terraces or balconies and Jacuzzi spas.

Connect with loves ones and share a delicious meal with a tropical North Queensland twist in our tempting array of restaurants and bars. Be simultaneously challenged and inspired at our stunning 18-hole championship golf course at the Mirage Country Club.

A spectacular location combined with innovative venues and first class service make our resort an idyllic setting for any world class event. Our range of unique venues include the pillarless Glade Pavilion, the largest resort conference facility in tropical North Queensland. Or, if you are planning your dream wedding, imagine beginning your lives together in a tropical paradise and exchange vows in our beachfront Crystal Wedding Chapel.

Come and see why readers of Luxury Travel & Style Magazine continually rank us as one of the Gold List’s “Best Australian Resorts” and "Best Australian Golf Resorts.” Reconnect with what’s most important to you and make some great new memories with family and friends at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort.
Learn more about Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort

Daily housekeeping
Golf course
Near the beach
5 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges
Full-service spa
12 outdoor pools
Breakfast available
2 outdoor tennis courts
Fitness center
Valet parking
Swim-up bar
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: Spicers Peak Lodge


Spicers Peak Lodge 5 nights from 4,990 per person
Spicers Peak LodgeLocated on 8000 acres at the peak of the ridge, with breathtaking views of the World Heritage listed Main Range National Park and Scenic Rim, Spicers Peak Lodge is Queensland's highest mountain lodge retreat. This architecturally stunning lodge is an eclectic mix of contemporary and classic design.

With ten luxurious suites and two Private Lodges, Spicers Peak Lodge serves as an intimate and relaxing accommodation experience in one of South East Queensland's most beautiful wilderness areas.

All meals and beverages, including its celebrated degustation dinner menu, are included at Spicers Peak Lodge where guests enjoy privacy, intimacy and very high levels of service. Lodge facilities include an infinity edge swimming pool, library with billiard table, massage room and an extensive lounge and dining area.

There is a range of experiences designed to give guests access to this strikingly beautiful part of the Australian wilderness including rainforest bushwalks, mountain biking adventures, and wine tasting at the nearby Granite Belt wine region. There are also guided four day treks ending in a night of luxury at the lodge.

Offering a unique blend of luxury accommodation and fine dining, Spicers Peak Lodge is an intimate destination for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
Learn more about Spicers Peak Lodge

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Outdoor pool
Outdoor tennis court
Room service
Massage/treatment rooms
Business center
Terrace
Air conditioning
Garden
Library





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: Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square


Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square 5 nights from 705 per person
Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac SquareLocated in the heart of Brisbane's CBD, Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane overlooks the evergreen Anzac Square memorial gardens and is directly opposite Central Railway Station. The hotels superb location allows guests direct and easy access from their Brisbane accommodation to everything the city has to offer.

Beautifully restored, this inner city hotel presents a contemporary feel whilst exuding true old world grace, making every stay a most enjoyable experience. Rendezvous boasts 135 elegantly appointed hotel rooms in Brisbane's CBD, including studio rooms as well as spacious one and two bedroom apartments. With many special touches, like the charming guest library adjoining the foyer, this hotel is much more than stylish Brisbane accommodation, its an absolute pleasure.

Rendezvous' Value Promise offers all guests free local phone calls, complimentary Wi-Fi access for three hours each day, low priced mini-bar items and low priced laundry services.

The hotel offers intimate escapes for lovers, corporate comfort for busy executives and classical escapes for families. It is the perfect place to rest your mind and body, with lavishly appointed hotel accommodation, impeccable service, and a magnificent location in Brisbane's CBD. When you find yourself heading to Brisbane, stay at Rendezvous for an experience to remember.
Learn more about Rendezvous Hotel Brisbane Anzac Square

75 smoke-free apartments
Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Valet parking
24-hour front desk
Library
Front-desk safe
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
Multilingual staff
Concierge services
Luggage storage





 



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: Ovolo Woolloomooloo


Ovolo Woolloomooloo 5 nights from 1,050 per person
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Learn more about Ovolo Woolloomooloo

Parking available
Pool
Free WiFi
Gym
Non-smoking
Air conditioning





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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