Best Time to Visit Australia

The seasons in Australia are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with summer going from December to February, autumn in March to May, spring in September to November, and winter from June to August.

Depending on the goals of your trip, there are certain times of the year that might be better than another.

High Season: December • January • February

December and January represent Australia’s high season offering the perfect months for you to visit Australia’s southern states like New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.

The warm summer weather is great for beaches and can take you away from the winter blues of the Northern Hemisphere. You can also experience the celebrated outdoor lifestyle of famous Australian cities. Summer is also when most schools are closed for the holidays, which means plenty of Australian tourists traveling nationally.

As you consider your plans, the tropical climate of Queensland and the Northern Territory’s combination of tropical and desert terrain can make these destinations a bit too hot or rain, so these regions are less ideal.

Low Season: June • July • August

June and July represent the low travel season but also the best of Australia’s winter giving you access to the diversity of activities and adventures that capture the Land Down Under.

Tropical beaches are warm and inviting while ski slopes are blanketed with snow. The cooler weather makes it much easier to visit the Outback deserts or dive in the Great Barrier Reef. The main thing to keep in mind is that the temperatures will differ from state to state and especially from north to south.

Australia’s size creates a lot of different ecosystems that change dramatically from north to south, with the north feeling more tropical and the south feeling more temperate, creating unique opportunities for visiting during the different seasons.

Shoulder Season: March • April • September • October

Australia generally has mild temperatures across the country in March and April, as well as in September and October, making these the shoulder season for travelers. Many states celebrate the changing weather with festivals and blossoming wildflowers.

In September and October, winter is thawing or giving way to the wet season, which means some places become great for the beach while others still have slopes blanketed with snow. Desert flowers and jacarandas bloom, the Top End has the end of its dry season, and unique experiences like birdwatching and the Staircase to the Moon take place.

Across Australia in March and April, you can find comfortable temperatures for an ideal exploration across the various states, especially for activities like hiking or typical Australian outdoor adventures. The tropical wet season around northern states calms down while the temperatures of the southern states cool for great autumn colors but persistent and consistent beach weather. The lack of Australia’s infamous extreme temperatures makes March and April a fantastic time to explore, no matter your destination.

Best Months: March • April • September • October

Spring and autumn are really the best time for sightseeing in Australia. Both spring and fall give you the chance to experience more of Australia in one trip because of the mild temperatures found across the country.

While summer may be better for visiting southern states and winter better for the more tropical regions, the spring and autumn give you a great balance between weather, cultural activities, and access to Australia’s famous remote landscapes.

From the shifting colors of the Red Centre to the Yellow Water Billabong of Kakadu National Park, the sandy shores of Whitsunday Island to the stark-white sales of the Sydney Opera House, there is much to enjoy.

Learn more: 2 Week Australia Tours

Best Months: March • April • September • October

Spring and fall are arguably the best time to visit Australia’s beaches, specifically around March, April, September, and October.

Spring and fall have the mildest temperatures around the country, making the supreme pearly sands of the famous East Coast accessible, and the world-famous Sydney shoreline at places like Bondi Beach or even Adelaide’s Henley Beach.

You can discover incredible beaches and remote possibilities by exploring our best secret islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Best Months: February • March • April • May

Summer and early fall are the best times for surfing in Australia.

While the best surf changes depending on the area, the wet season in the tropical north helps feed a wave break along the eastern shoreline, while peak waves fill the winter months along the south coast.

Whether at the Gold Coast or Noosa Heads, Bells Beach or Winkipop, Margaret River or Bondi Beach during a Sydney tour, winter and early spring handle massive swells and smaller breaks perfect for surfers of different skill levels.

Best Months: June • July • September • October

The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is in the Southern Hemisphere winter and spring months of June, July, September, and October.

Winter is the dry season for tropical Queensland, which means less rain and clear water for better visibility. Because of the area’s tropical climate, the water is always warm, but nights along the coastline often drop for refreshingly cool temperatures.

The Great Barrier Reef is not solely diving sites either and consists of a large network of idyllic islands like the Whitsundays, which are known for pristine white-sand beaches, coves, and seaways. Learn more about the Great Eight and where to find them during your visit to the Great Barrier Reef.

Learn more: Great Barrier Reef Tours and Vacations

Best Months: June • July • August • September

The Southern Hemisphere’s winter is the best time to truly experience the Northern Territory especially in the months of June, July, August, and September.

The tropical wet season is long finished, the desert heat has diminished, and the wildlife is at its most active making it fee like one of the best adventure destinations in Australia.

While other states around Australia may be cold in winter, the Northern Territory and the Top End gives you a warm welcome with seemingly endless sunny skies spanning the two distinctive climates that can take you from the shifting sands of Uluru to the vast water formations and indigenous culture of Katherine.

Best Months: June • July • August • September

June, July, August, and September tend to be the best months to visit Queensland. The Southern Hemisphere’s winter in the tropical climate is dry and cool, so a good time to explore the coastline by boat, head inland in search of kangaroos, or dive into the Great Barrier Reef’s coral systems with many wildlife places to visit with family.

Queensland’s tropical climate generally offers a wet or dry season with a more temperate climate the farther south you go. But when traveling in winter, you can experience Queensland’s diversity including viewing wildlife like cassowaries, crocodiles, and dingoes.

Best Months: April • May • June

Late fall is the best time to visit Australia’s wine regions, especially in April, May, and June.

Australian wines are ranked as some of the best in the world across charming landscapes, often accompanied by exquisite food in the best wine regions in Australia that may include the Margaret River to the Barossa Valley, the Mornington Peninsula to the Hunter Valley.

With a wide variety of winegrowing and wine-producing regions across the country, late fall generally includes lively festivals and the popular harvest season.

Learn more: Australia Wine Tours

Best Months: March • April • September • October

The best time to visit Australia with your family is in the fall or the spring, specifically March and April or September to October.

Instead of the summer’s heat or winter’s possible chill, the spring and the fall give you plenty of chances for things like nature walks and cultural excursions.

From snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef to learning about Dreamtime at Daintree Rainforest, a scenic cruise of Sydney Harbour to visiting penguins in Melbourne, options abound as you enjoy perfect weather.

Learn more: Australia Family Vacations

Best Months: March • April • September • October

Fall and spring are the best times for couples to visit Australia. The mild temperatures highlight the changing landscapes for endless chances for romance.

The most romantic destinations in Australia can help you escape the crowds on a remote island like the Whitsundays or immerse you in cosmopolitan cities like Melbourne as spring brings flower festivals and autumn offers glimpses of changing leaves and seasonal cuisine.

The mild temperatures also make it easy to visit secluded places for romantic getaways into the wilderness, from Uluru to Kakadu National Park, the Kimberleys to the Blue Mountains.

Learn more: Australia Tours for Couples

Best Months: March • April • September • October

Fall and spring are the best times to visit Australia for seniors. Mild temperatures in the fall months of March and April, as well as the spring months of September and October demonstrate the natural and cultural beauty around the country in much more comfortable conditions.

An Australia tour for seniors focuses escaping the crowds while exploring the highlights across the country, from the islands of the Great Barrier Reef to the arcades of Melbourne, the cultural connection to the Daintree Rainforest to the incredible views of Uluru.

Whether looking for an adventure at your pace or interested in exploring the vineyards of one of the famous winegrowing regions, fall and spring demonstrate the best months for an all-around Australia trip.

Best Months: October • November • December

October to December is the best time to visit Australia for the Southern Hemisphere’s spring and summer activities.

Certain things to do like visiting a museum or a particular restaurant is a year-round activity but other excursions are weather-dependent. October, November, and December will give you the best weather for seasonal activities that not only depend on the weather but also the region in Australia like:

Activities: Trekking • Rafting • Island Hopping • Flower Festivals • Glamping • Wine Tasting

Fall and Winter Activities

Best Months: April • May • June • July

April to July are the best months to visit Australia in the Southern Hemisphere’s fall and winter for a completely different experience.

The changing temperatures are great for outdoor experiences across the country as the southern states transition to cooler temperatures and the northern states transition from the wet season. Fall and winter highlight the most diversity around the country for a completely different perspective on the scenery, culture, and wildlife with unique activities like:

Activities: View Turtle Hatching • Snowboarding • Skiing • Snorkel • Scuba • Nature Excursions • Cycling Expeditions

Understanding the different seasons in Australia will help you plan the type of experiences you want or the destinations you want to visit. Each season has exciting like witnessing the colors of Uluru or looking for dingoes on a white-sand beach.

Explore even further with our Australia travel guide for more information and helpful tips on how you can discover the Land Down Under. To plan a trip, you can find incredible inspiration with our sample Australia vacations and tours before you speak to an Australia travel specialist.