Best Time of Year to Visit Australia

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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• Airfare by month
• Travel specials
• See all resorts in Australia
• Temperature by month
• Precipitation by month
• Best time to go by region
• High season/low season prices
• Map of all resorts

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: Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort 5 nights from 1,410 per person

Nestled in 45-acres of magical subtropical rainforest, Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, is a celebration of nature, responsible luxury and the local environment. Located only five minutes south of Byron Bay, the resort allows visitors to enjoy restaurants, shopping and vibrant atmosphere of this beachside township and then retire to a setting of peace and luxury.

Stroll along the boardwalks through the sub tropical rainforest and for access to Tallow Beach, perfect for a morning walk while the sun rises over the ocean. Relax by the 25m infinity pool or poolside sauna or experience the ultimate indulgence in the luxurious day spa. If you are feeling active you can play a game of tennis or work out in the fully equipped gymnasium. The resort also offers complimentary yoga each morning – the perfect way to start the day.

The spacious luxury accommodation comprises 92 one bedroom air conditioned suites. Each suite contains a kitchen, separate lounge and dining area, plasma TV as well as two enclosed balconies. Luxurious bathrooms have deep free standing bathtubs and separate shower and the California king beds ensure dreamtime really does exist. Each suite has been designed to capture the essence of being nestled amongst the sub tropical rainforest.

All suites are designated non-smoking. We appreciate your co-operation to ensure the comfort of all our guests.

Learn more about Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Terrace
Library
Fitness center
An outdoor pool
Full-service spa
Outdoor tennis court
Sauna
Massage/treatment rooms
Steam room

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: Reef View Hotel

Reef View Hotel 5 nights from 1,210 per person

The Reef View Hotel has many amenities, including a 35-metre swimming pool, the Reef Lounge bar, and in-house Pool Terrace Restaurant serving buffet breakfast, light lunches and à la carte dinner menu. Reef View Hotel guests have complimentary use of non-motorised water sports and the hotel has a Tours and Activities desk, lobby shop and fully serviced Business Centre.

Choose from a range of rooms and suites at the four-star Reef View Hotel Hamilton Island. All rooms are spacious and well appointed, with a furnished balcony, internet access and bathroom with separate bath and shower. Garden View rooms have leafy views and ocean glimpses, while each Coral Sea View room has spectacular views over Catseye Bay and nearby Whitsunday Island. The Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island is the perfect destination for your next Great Barrier Reef holiday or Whitsunday Island getaway.

Learn more about Reef View Hotel

Daily housekeeping
On the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Free airport shuttle
Free area shuttle
Free ferry terminal shuttle
4 outdoor tennis courts
Fitness center
Sauna
Beach towels

Best time of year to go to different parts of Australia

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.

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.

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: Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection

Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection 5 nights from 895 per person

Discover the beauty of Sydney Harbour at our boutique hotel

For a truly unique experience, look no further than the luxury Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection. Our boutique hotel is perfectly located on the waterfront, near the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You are just steps away from world-famous landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and the historic Rocks district. Elegant hotel rooms and suites offer sophisticated, soothing decor and boutique amenities including pillow top mattresses. Treat yourself to sweeping Sydney Harbour views in one of our waterfront suites, or experience the grandeur of our eastern facing Heritage rooms. The Gantry Restaurant, located here at the hotel, offers a chic waterfront atmosphere and panoramic Walsh Bay vistas. Those interested in hosting an event here in Sydney Harbour will be delighted with our boutique hotel's stunning, versatile venue spaces and expert catering services. The luxury getaway you have always dreamed of is waiting for you here at Pier One Sydney Harbour, Autograph Collection.

Learn more about Pier One Sydney Harbour Autograph Collection

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Valet parking
Room service
24-hour business center
Conference center
Business center
9 meeting rooms
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Car rentals on site

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: Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns 5 nights from 820 per person

Located in the heart of the city, the Hilton Cairns hotel is the perfect base for exploring the diverse wonders of this truly unique region, famous as the meeting place of two natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforest. Having emerged from major refurbishment as one of Cairns' most contemporary hotels, the iconic Hilton Cairns hotel offers unparalleled style and innovation in an awe-inspiring, tropical setting.

Our modern and inviting Cairns hotel rooms and suites are luxurious oases of comfort and convenience, offering pristine new bathrooms and spacious balconies with views of Trinity Inlet or Cairns Esplanade and the unique cityscape and blue-green mountain ranges beyond. Stay connected with the latest technology in the fully-equipped business centre. Enjoy relaxed, alfresco dining at the award-winning Mondo Café Bar and Grill on the waterfront, or discover exotic Asian flavors at Jimmy Shu's renowned Hanuman restaurant the Hilton Cairns hotel.

Deliver the wow factor when you hold your special event at this Cairns hotel. Choose from a range of unique and versatile meeting spaces, waterfront and outdoor venues, while the charming Hilton Blue Horizon Chapel provides a romantic backdrop for an elegant and memorable wedding celebration.

Learn more about Hilton Cairns

Reserve now, pay later
Sleeps 3
Mountain view
30 sq m
2 Double Beds

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.

Map of all resorts in Australia