Best Time of Year to Visit Australia

Seasonal Planning for Australia Travel

Australia's size means that somewhere is always in season, but timing your trip depends on matching your destination to the weather. The tropical north (like Northern Queensland) is best in the dry season from May to October, while cities such as Sydney and Melbourne shine in spring and fall, when temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing.

Summer brings serious heat across much of the country, with southern regions reaching 104°F (40°C) and the Red Centre becoming blistering. Coastal Queensland stays humid, and bushfires are a real possibility from spring through fall, so flexibility and awareness of local conditions are essential. Winter, meanwhile, can be surprisingly cool in the south—Tasmania, Melbourne, Adelaide, and even Sydney often see crisp days and chilly nights, with skiing possible in nearby mountains.

A simple way to plan is to think in three regions: the tropical north (wet/dry seasons), the temperate south (four seasons, cooler winters), and the inland desert (extreme year-round temperatures, best in winter and early spring). In short, choose spring or fall for the most balanced conditions, visit in summer for beach time and lively cities (but avoid the tropical north), and go in winter for the clearest, driest conditions in Australia's top wilderness regions.

For ideas on planning your Australia trip, check out these tours and itineraries.

Spring in Australia (September to November)

Spring is one of the most rewarding times to visit. Expect mild to warm temperatures, blooming landscapes, and active wildlife. It’s ideal for hiking in Tasmania, exploring Sydney and Melbourne, and enjoying the Margaret River wine region. The Great Barrier Reef has good visibility before summer rains arrive, and beaches aren’t yet crowded.

November will be more suitable than September if sea swimming or spending time on a beach is important to you. Head to Southern Queensland (Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast), Northern New South Wales (Noosa, Byron Bay), or the Perth area later in spring for the best swimming options. Read this article to discover Queensland in eight days.

Now is the time for big-city sightseeing. Places like Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane are excellent choices for travel. These cities are close to beautiful national parks, beaches, and offshore islands (except for inland Canberra), offering opportunities to explore when the weather is fair. They also have many galleries, museums, shopping opportunities, and excellent restaurants for cooler or rainy days. Meanwhile, the Australian outback (less busy now that it's low season) offers Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, and the national parks of the Northern Territory, like Kakadu and Litchfield.

Early spring is also a good time for a long-distance road trip when the weather isn't too hot, heating up the inside of your rental. Depending on how much time you have, you can drive the Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne or follow the northern New South Wales coast between Sydney and Brisbane. (Check out this fun self-driving tour of the Great Ocean Road.) If you have more time, then Adelaide to Perth, Adelaide to Uluru/Darwin, Brisbane to Cairns, or Brisbane to Uluru are epic options. By late spring, temperatures will be getting too hot for a comfortable road trip through the desert.

Events in Spring

King's Park Festival, Perth (September). This festival features a range of walks, art exhibits, talks, and plant-related attractions.

Floriade, Canberra. This is one of Australia's largest flower shows, typically running from mid-September to mid-October.

The Melbourne Cup, Melbourne (November 5). Horse racing enthusiasts won't want to miss the biggest race on the Australian calendar, the Melbourne Cup. 

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Australia in September
Australia in October
Australia in November

Summer in Australia (December to February)

Australian summer brings hot weather to most regions and a mix of sunshine and tropical rains in the north. It’s prime time for beach destinations like the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, and cities buzz with festivals and outdoor events. However, the far north (Cairns, Darwin) enters wet season—think heavy rain, humidity, and occasional cyclones—making reef trips and outdoor adventures more weather-dependent. 

Be prepared for the heat and keep outdoor pursuits to a minimum, except if planning to hit the beaches. In the tropics, be sure to look for beaches with "stinger nets" for a swim free of deadly jellyfish. Most cities have attractive, accessible, and clean city beaches. Check out Fremantle in Perth, Manly and the Northern Beaches of Sydney, and St. Kilda in Melbourne. For more remote beach adventures, head to southern Western Australia, the long coastline between Sydney and Brisbane, or the south coast of New South Wales.

The southern cities can get hot in summer, but they're also full of air-conditioned indoor spaces. If you want to enjoy big-city attractions with a bit of air-conditioning, the museums, galleries, shops and restaurants, theme parks, zoos, and aquariums of Australia's cities are top-notch. Families might want to head to the Gold Coast, which boasts numerous amusement parks, including water parks, that kids will enjoy.

Tasmania remains cooler than most of mainland Australia in summer (although it also experiences heat waves and bushfires) and is an outdoor lover's paradise—it's the best place to be in the summer if you like to hike. A large proportion of the island comprises forested, mountainous national parks or preserves. Alternatively, the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, are an excellent place to retreat during the heat of summer.

Events in Summer

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (December). This prestigious yacht race begins on December 26 and can be viewed from Sydney Harbour. 

Australia Day, Nationwide (January 26). The country's national holiday commemorates the beginning of European settlement in Australia in 1788. In recent years, it's become a day for Indigenous Australians and their allies to highlight the injustices and inequalities they continue to face. It has unofficially been renamed "Invasion Day." You're likely to see Invasion Day events and rallies in cities like Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

Chinese New Year, Sydney (February). Australia, especially Sydney, has a large Chinese population, and the Chinese New Year is celebrated with enthusiasm. Sydney's Chinatown is an excellent place to check out the festivities. The festival often falls in February, although it's sometimes in late January. 

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Australia in December
Australia in January
Australia in February

Fall in Australia (March to May)

With spring, fall is another standout season, offering warm, dry days and crisp evenings across much of the country. It’s perfect for road trips, wine tasting in South Australia, and exploring the Red Centre without intense summer heat. Water clarity is excellent for diving, and wildlife sightings are reliable. Crowds thin out after summer, making it easier to book top experiences, too. Most travelers will feel more comfortable sticking to the coastline of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, or southern Western Australia. And in many ways, autumn is ideal for planning a big trip around Australia⁠—by road or air⁠—as many locales are accessible and comfortable. 

Travelers interested in a beach vacation should stick to the start of the season. Sydney might have the odd cooler day, but conditions will generally be pleasing and sea temperatures warm. If you want to venture to northern areas in early autumn (including north Western Australia and Northern Queensland), know that deadly box jellyfish will still be present in the sea until about May. Conditions are also great for city sightseeing. Don't overlook the underappreciated bush capital, Canberra, which has some of the best galleries and museums in the country, like the National Gallery of Australia and the War Memorial Museum. 

Fall is also a good time to embark on certain road trips. The Great Ocean Road south of Melbourne is a scenic option at any time of year. If you'd like to cross the outback, conditions in the desert this season are still pretty hot in the daytime, but if you have an air-conditioned vehicle and take emergency supplies, this is a safer time for a road trip than the summer. Alternatively, you could fly to Alice Springs and then join an overland tour to Uluru, such as on this excellent outback adventure.

Events in Fall

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney. The Sydney Mardi Gras starts in February but often extends into March. It's a huge, colorful celebration of queer pride. 

Moomba Festival, Melbourne (March). This festival offers family-friendly events and entertainment along the Yarra River.

ANZAC Day, Nationwide (April 25). ANZAC Day is a significant holiday in Australia (and New Zealand) that commemorates those killed in war. Travelers interested in history, especially military history, might want to be in Canberra on ANZAC Day when a dawn service is held at the Australian War Memorial.

Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney. This fun, family-friendly event runs for two weeks around Easter. It's been running for almost 200 years (the first show was in 1823) and is Australia's largest annual event. Although it started as an agricultural show, you can expect fairground rides, music, dance, and other forms of entertainment.

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Australia in March
Australia in April
Australia in May

Winter in Australia (June to August)

Winter varies dramatically depending on where you go. The tropical north enjoys its dry season with clear skies, lower humidity, and excellent conditions for exploring Kakadu, Kimberley, and the reef. Southern regions like Melbourne, Tasmania, and Adelaide cool down with rainier weather—but this also means cozy cafés, winter festivals, and even skiing in the Snowy Mountains. It’s also prime whale-watching season along both coasts.

"Stinger season" in tropical Australia generally ends in May; you'll no longer find the deadly box jellyfish in the sea by June (yet check local conditions before taking the plunge). To lounge on a beach, head to northern Western Australia (such as Broome) or Northern Queensland (the Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, and Port Douglas are perfect). Resorts in these places are likely to be busy with domestic travelers, especially around school holidays. (In contrast, the Northern Territory beaches are generally a no-go because of the presence of crocodiles.) Experience the best of the tropical north on this weeklong tour that includes Port Douglas and Cairns.

For a different winter experience, skiing is possible in some mountainous parts of southeastern Australia, including Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. Although Australia's mountains aren't as high as many others around the world⁠—Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, is just 7,310 feet (2,228 m)⁠—the nearby ski fields provide enough snow for skiing from mid-June.

Events in Winter

Peak Festival, Snowy Mountains (June). This festival at the Perisher Ski Field in New South Wales kicks off the ski season in early-mid June. Australian musicians entertain, and ski pass/festival ticket combos are available.

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations, Coonawarra (October). Wine enthusiasts may want to head to South Australia, where the Coonawarra wine region (southeast of Adelaide and just north of Mount Gambier) holds a monthlong wine festival.

City2Surf Run, Sydney (August). Keen runners could also check out Sydney's City2Surf run, held on the second Sunday in August. You can enter the 8.5-mile (14 km) race competitively or just for fun.

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Australia in June
Australia in July
Australia in August

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