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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: Novotel Melbourne on Collins


Novotel Melbourne on Collins 5 nights from 620 per person
Novotel Melbourne on CollinsLocated in the heart of Melbourne, the contemporary Novotel Melbourne on Collins is perfectly positioned on stylish Collins Street, right in the centre of the city. Be it the diverse range of heritage listed buildings, theatres, boutiques, large department stores or renowned parks and gardens, the best of Melbourne is easily accessible by foot or a short tram ride away. The iconic MCG, Rod Laver Arena, Tennis Centre, Telstra Dome, Princess Theatre, Her Majesty's Theatre, Regent Theatre and Federation Square are all within close proximity to the property.

The hotel offers 380 beautifully appointed rooms and suites - each peaceful space designed for natural living. Comprising nine dedicated conference and event spaces, business centre, Michel's Restaurant & Bar, fitness centre and direct access to Australia on Collins shopping centre, Novotel Melbourne on Collins is a preferred destination for both business and leisure travellers.
Learn more about Novotel Melbourne on Collins

Daily housekeeping
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Indoor pool
Breakfast available
Fitness center
24-hour room service
Coffee shop/cafe
In-room childcare
24-hour business center
Conference center
5 meeting rooms
UNESCO Sustainable Property





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: Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach


Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach 5 nights from 795 per person
Crowne Plaza Coogee BeachExperience dedicated service and laid-back coastal living at the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney hotel.

Sweeping Pacific views give our contemporary beachside hotel the wow factor. Step through the polished marble Lobby and out into our sparkling pool, or breathe in the invigorating sea air with a stroll along the Coogee-to-Bondi coastal walk. Wireless Internet at Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney means you can work anywhere, even on your own private balcony.

The relaxed coastal ambiance of Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney is within easy reach of Sydney's Central Business District. Regular buses service the CBD while Sydney International Airport is around 20 minutes away by taxi. Cool off with a dip in the seawater pool at Wylie's Baths, which overlook the famous Wedding Cake Island, 5 minutes' walk from the hotel.

Our magnificent seaside location makes the hotel's conferencing facilities an inspiring choice for your brainstorms and board meetings. Break out on the beach and mingle with colleagues over white chocolate martinis in the Bluesalt Bar. The adjacent Bluesalt Restaurant serves up fresh local seafood and fine Pacific views.

From sophisticated sea-view dining to rugged coastal walks to Bondi Beach, the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach-Sydney provides an authentic experience of Sydney's Seaside Village. Choose our stylish Coogee Beach hotel for your next trip.
Learn more about Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach

Daily housekeeping
On the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Self parking
Beach bar
Room service
Babysitting
Conference center
11 meeting rooms
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: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains MGallery by Sofitel


Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains MGallery by Sofitel 5 nights from 755 per person
Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains MGallery by SofitelRelax, explore and engage your senses at the Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. Located just 90 minutes west of Sydney in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, it features 222 comfortable rooms and 15 flexible event spaces, indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, billiards room, three kids games rooms and five stunning onsite dining locations. Enjoy scenic walking tracks along Australian bushland, golf at the adjacent Leura Golf Course or attractions such as Leura Village and Wentworth Falls.

Guests looking for hotels in the Blue Mountains should look no further than Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. With its spectacular location within the Jamison Valley, the hotel offers guests access to the many wonders of this beautiful region. Guests stayin g at this exceptional Blue Mountains hotel can take a Segway tour, play a round or two at Leura Golf Course or explore the charming villages in the area. There are plenty of walks, or for those seeking adventure, try canyoning, abseiling or rock climbing.
Learn more about Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains MGallery by Sofitel

Daily housekeeping
3 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges
Full-service spa
Indoor pool and outdoor pool
Breakfast available
WiFi in the lobby
2 outdoor tennis courts
Fitness center
Sauna
Spa tub
Room service
Coffee shop/cafe





 



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: Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas


Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas 5 nights from 905 per person
Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port DouglasThe latest Sea Temple creation is located in one of Australia's most celebrated international tourism destinations.

Nestled between Tropical North Queensland's rainforest-covered mountains and the Coral Sea, Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas provides easy access to world-renowned natural attractions, such as the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, and the cosmopolitan dining, shopping and entertainment facilities of Port Douglas's trendy Macrossan Street.
Learn more about Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas

75 apartments
Daily housekeeping
Near the beach
Restaurant and bar/lounge
Full-service spa
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
WiFi in the lobby
24-hour fitness center
Children's pool
Spa tub
Pool bar





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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