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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: Pullman Cairns Reef Casino


Pullman Reef Hotel Casino 5 nights from 1,290 per person
Pullman Cairns Reef CasinoWelcome to the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, the successful winner of the "Best Deluxe Hotel Accommodation 5 Star+" award at the 2008 QHA Awards of Excellence.

The Pullman Reef Hotel Casino complex is a world of fun, food and entertainment. It boasts one of Australia's finest boutique casinos, a multitude of dining experiences and bars, extensive conference and banqueting facilities, elite entertainment in Vertigo or the Casino Sportz Arena and the luxurious five star Pullman Hotel with 128 beautifully appointed rooms.

Nestled alongside Trinity Inlet, the five star Pullman Hotel is tropical North Queensland's most prestigious hotel.

The cool and stylish lobby provides a glimpse of the simple elegance of the hotel, which is also reflected in the 128 luxuriously appointed rooms. The rooms and suites are unmistakably Tropical North Queensland style with plantation shutters and light timbers.

Each room has its own spa bath and private garden balcony overlooking the city or water views. Hotel facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, sauna and a gymnasium.

There are a variety of conference and function rooms available as well as a fully equipped business centre. The hotel is a short walk from the Cairns Convention Centre and the popular Cairns Esplanade.
Learn more about Pullman Cairns Reef Casino

Located in the heart of the city, the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino overlooks Trinity Bay and the departure point for the Great Barrier Reef. The 128 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites are unmistakably Tropical North Queensland style with plantation shutters and light timbers. Each has a spa bath and walk in shower and private garden balcony with city or water views. Enjoy innovative and award-winning contemporary fusion cuisine in Tamarind, or dine at one of the three other restaurants and bars. Hotel facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, sauna, gym, the Cairns Wildlife Dome, bar and live entertainment.





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: Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa


Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & 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





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: The Louise


The Louise 5 nights from 3,635 per person
The LouiseThe Louise, an idyllic luxury vineyard retreat, encompassing acclaimed restaurant Appellation, is situated on a gentle hill surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines, with breathtaking vistas across the world renowned Barossa Valley. Just fifteen luxuriously appointed suites, each with its own terrace, are sited to provide guests with complete privacy. The look is soft contemporary, with inspired design and artworks a focus in every suite.

Understated elegance, contemporary design and exquisite surrounds greet you at The Louise. Relax in spacious comfort, experience pure indulgent luxury and sophisticated design whilst enjoying food and wine that compliments the picturesque surrounds. Here at The Louise we want to make your stay as relaxing as possible, offering you complete privacy and breathing space.

For those of you venturing out and about, our professional, attentive staff at The Louise have excellent local knowledge about Barossa wineries, specialist private tastings and touring options such as hot air ballooning, private guides and heritage sites. With special arrangements specifically developed for our guests with premium winemakers, and other attractions and businesses in the Barossa, The Louise can open the door to the essence of the Barossa experience and lifestyle.

Home to more than one hundred wineries and over seventy premium and boutique cellar doors, the Barossa region showcases world class wine tasting and memorable food and wine experiences. Numerous private tastings and winemaker introductions may be arranged for guests of The Louise. Enjoyable diversions include hot air ballooning, scenic helicopter rides, cycling, hiking, a relaxing massage, the acclaimed Barossa Farmers' Market, Breakfast with the Kangaroos, and much more.

Just over one hour from Adelaide, The Louise is the food + wine + luxury accommodation destination for discerning travellers to Australia's most highly regarded wine region.
Learn more about The Louise

1076 sq ft
Free WiFi
Free breakfast
Half board
Free self parking
Sleeps 3
1 King Bed





 



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: Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney


Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney 5 nights from 860 per person
Harbour Rocks Hotel SydneyIn the heart of Sydney lies the Harbour Rocks Hotel, an intimate four star, 55 room boutique hotel steeped in the history of the famous Rocks precinct.

The Harbour Rocks Hotel is the perfect Sydney hotel accommodation choice, a popular home for many travellers and the perfect base from which to explore the city.

Ideally located in 'The Rocks' and just a short stroll from some of Australia's best icons the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House.

This Sydney boutique accommodation offers a variety of rooms to choose from to suit the needs of both the business and leisure traveller.

Learn more about Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Breakfast available
Fitness center
Self parking
Coffee shop/cafe
Babysitting
UNESCO Sustainable Property
Terrace
24-hour front desk
Coffee/tea in a common area
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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