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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: Pacific International Cairns


Pacific International Cairns 5 nights from 570 per person
Pacific International CairnsWelcome to the Pacific International Hotel in Cairns, Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

The Pacific International, Cairns boasts a magnificent location, personalised service and award winning hospitality. Contemporary, and with a tropical ambience, befitting a bygone era - an era when great service and friendly hospitality were the rule rather than the exception.

This is the best location in Cairns - ideal for visitors who wish to explore and enjoy all the attractions Cairns has to offer. The Esplanade Lagoon and Parklands, the Sea Port, the Reef Fleet Terminal , the Reef Casino, Art Galleries, shopping and dining are situated right at the hotel's front door.

All 176 rooms and suites feature balconies with superb views of the harbour and parklands. We invite you to consider the Hotel, and our new Bushfire Restaurant & Sugarcane Rhumbar complete the picture of a boutique style hotel with a strong focus on guest comfort, and excellent customer service.
Learn more about Pacific International Cairns

Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Self parking
Room service
24-hour front desk
Air conditioning
Computer station
Front-desk safe
ATM/banking services





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: Quay West Suites Sydney


Quay West Suites Sydney 5 nights from 1,015 per person
Quay West Suites SydneyLocated in the historic Rocks precinct, at the doorstep to Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay and Sydney's key recreational attractions, Quay West Suites Sydney offers a unique and luxurious hotel experience.

Each apartment boasts separate living areas, bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, laundry and many feature spectacular views over Sydney Harbour or the city skyline, along with all of the conveniences and services of a 5-star hotel.

Unwind after a hard day of sight seeing in the hotel's recreational facilities which include a stunning sunken Roman style heated swimming pool with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as a spa, sauna, gymnasium and outdoor sundeck.

Harrington Restaurant & Bar provides a warm, relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy the finest contemporary Australian cuisine.

For meetings and events, choose from 3 meeting rooms catering for up to 100 delegates or guests, each offering an abundance of natural light.
Learn more about Quay West Suites Sydney

90 smoke-free apartments
Weekly housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Indoor pool
Breakfast available
Fitness center
Sauna
Valet parking
Room service
Coffee shop/cafe
UNESCO Sustainable Property
Terrace





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: Quay West Suites Melbourne


Quay West Suites Melbourne 5 nights from 970 per person
Quay West Suites MelbourneQuay West Suites Melbourne is a stylish Southbank hotel set amongst the picturesque Southbank promenade, overlooking the Yarra River. A leisurely stroll from Melbourne's CBD and within walking distance to:
<ul><li>Victorian Arts Centre and Hamer Hall
<li>Melbourne Theatre Company
<li>Southgate restaurant, dining, art and leisure precinct
<li>National Gallery of Victoria
<li>MCG, Etihad Stadium and AAMI Park
<li>Melbourne Aquarium
<li>Flinders Street Station
<li>Melbourne's Casino
<li>National Tennis Centre
<li>Rod Laver Arena</ul>

Quay West Suites Melbourne features 100 one, two or three bedroom Melbourne serviced apartment suites ideally positioned in Southbank promenade. Facilities include: Valet grocery service, 24-hour reception, in-suite dining and concierge. A stunning heated indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, fully equipped gymnasium, valet parking and the dining delights of Jarrah Restaurant & Bar.
Learn more about Quay West Suites Melbourne

109 apartments
Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Indoor pool
Breakfast available
Fitness center
Steam room
Self parking
Spa tub
UNESCO Sustainable Property
Terrace
24-hour front desk





 



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: 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





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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