January is mid-summer in Australia, and that means throughout the country temperatures range from pleasant to hot (and to blazing hot). Travelers seeking a sunny beach holiday won't be short of options around the coast. Cities can be scorching, but they're also air-conditioned; and for other outdoor adventures, Tasmania is a cooler option.
February is mid-summer in Australia, so temperatures across the country range from warm to incredibly hot. But, as many Australians will have returned to school and work after their holidays in January, some tourist hot-spots will be a bit quieter, and although it's still peak season, you can avoid the highest of the peak season prices.
March is the first month of autumn in Australia, and while conditions vary enormously throughout this large country, temperatures begin to cool everywhere. In the southern cities, this is an ideal time to go sightseeing, and beaches still have great conditions for swimming. If Easter falls in March, expect plenty of fellow travelers, international and domestic alike.
April is mid-autumn in Australia, but as the country is so large and has such huge climatic variation, this can mean everything from crisp fall days (Canberra, Melbourne, Tasmania) to heat and humidity that's only marginally less than in summer (Darwin, north Queensland). April is a great time to travel in Australia because parts of the country that are too hot to comfortably visit in summer become more accessible, and conditions in the southeastern cities are generally fine.
May is the final month of autumn in much of Australia, but in the tropical north, it's also the start of the dry season. Whether you prefer cool crisp weather or hot and dry, May in Australia offers something for all preferences. From city sightseeing in the south to national park adventures in the Top End, here's what you need to know about traveling in Australia in May.
June is the beginning of winter in southern parts of Australia, but the middle of the dry season in the tropical north. While Australia isn't known for its cold temperatures, many visitors will be surprised by how cool it can get inland in the south, with snow possible in some places. But, if you'd rather avoid that, northern Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia are at their best in June.
July is mid-winter in much of Australia, and the middle of the dry season in the tropical north. But, as the country is so huge, temperatures and conditions vary enormously. From snow sports to swimming in warm tropical seas, Australia in July is whatever you want it to be.
August is the last month of winter in much of Australia, and the middle of the dry season in the tropical north. Temperatures make a slow increase from the lows of July, but conditions are generally good in most places for all sorts of activities. Whether you want to ski, laze on a beach, browse city museums, or road trip across the country, it's all possible in August.
September is the first month of spring in most of Australia, and still the dry season in the tropical north. Temperatures increase throughout the country, but are only slightly higher than in August, and rainfall is still low in the north. Conditions are good for traveling to the various climatic zones around the vast country.
October is the middle of spring in most of Australia, and the end of the dry season in the tropical north. Temperatures are creeping up after the cool of winter, and rainfall is generally low throughout the country. Conditions are good for most kinds of activities, from city sightseeing to outback road trips, although avoid the sea in the tropical north in October, as this month is the start of the dreaded 'stinger season'.
November is the last month of spring in southern parts of Australia, and the start of the rainy season in the tropical north. Travelers seeking warm weather, beaches, and sunny skies are in luck, as temperatures are high but not as scorching as they'll becoming in summer (although the tropics are best avoided). Here are some important things to know about traveling to Australia in November.
December is the first month of summer in most of Australia (and the rainy season in the tropical north). It's a busy time of year with school holidays around Christmas and New Year, and an increase in international visitors who come to experience Australia's famously hot weather. And, despite temperatures being very hot in some places, there are also plenty of places to cool down and avoid the heat, if you prefer.
