What is best to visit Australia completely depends on what area of Australia you plan to visit. Considering this is the world’s sixth-largest country and there are both deserts, snow, and tropical rainforests to be seen within the same country when you visit will depend on where you are going. The northern half of Australia is the driest, featuring destinations such as Alice Springs and Darwin. These parts are especially dry between April and September and a better time to go compared to the humid and rainy season to follow. Here you can visit national parks, see camels, visit red sand beaches and even see crocodiles! Whether planning to visit Australia with friends or visiting Australia alone, this is one amazing country worth exploring.
If you are heading south try to go in the summer ( December to February, to enjoy this part at the max, the other months of the year are still nice but slightly colder than you would expect. In the southern parts, there is more of a “business” and city vibe, here you can experience to clubs and party hubs, grape harvest farms, festivals hiking in places like the blue mountains and lovely beaches.
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Climate In The Different States In Australia
Australia is divided into six states, seven if you count the island of Tasmania that is a part of Australia. The six states have completely different climates and feels like different countries altogether. Each state has an amazing offering, whether into surfing, beaches, hiking, wine and more. Whether you are looking for best time to visit Australia for a honeymoon or just looking to explore from coast to coast its best to have an idea with areas in Australia interest you the most.
There are also many tours that take you exploring through Australia. Contiki Tours offers over 30 different trip itineraries to Australia. G Adventures tours also run tour itineraries from ranging from 5 days to 34 days. The shortest being a trip from Melbourne to Adelaide road trip.
Victoria
Victoria’s climate is as diverse as the state itself. The climate in this state ranges between hot in the northwest to cooler temperatures along the coast side and along the mountains. This state is the most southern state of Australia’s mainland and the weather is slightly colder and wetter than the rest of Australia’s mainland.
If spending summer in Victoria with falls between December to February, expect warmer days filled with sun. Autumn is in March to May and winter between June to August offers colder weather with random rain spurts. You will definitely need a jacket and a hat during the winter months. Depending on what your plans are for Victoria if looking for the best time to visit Melbourne or Great Ocean Road, you want to weigh up your activities vs what weather you want to do them in.
New South Wales
This is where you will find Sydney, so if looking for the best time to visit Sydney to would be NSW climate you want to explore. Along the New South Wales coast you will experience a subtropical climate zone, this zone experiences four distinct seasons much like European countries. In the central part of NSW you can get prepared to experience more humid weather conditions while the south coast offers slightly colder weather. In New South Wales, you see hot summers with an average of 26 °C and colder winters with temperatures as low as 7°C.
Queensland
Queensland is famous for the Gold Coast, Great Barrier Reef and Hamilton Island. Queensland offers a subtropical, humid climate divided into two seasons. Expect humid and rainy weather October to May and more dry season June to October. Temperatures vary between around 29 °C in the warmer months and a minimum of 9°C in the colder winter months. For the best time to visit Great Barrier Reef, best time to go to Gold Coast and the best time to visit Brisbane would be in the warmer months. The best time to visit Queensland is in the dry months between June and October. Something those heading for Great Barrier Reef diving would need to be aware of.
Northern Territory
The northern territory offers a tropical climate with a dry season and a wet season, much like Queensland. The dry season runs between May and October and that is when most people choose to visit the northern territory, the humidity is low with an average temperature of 32°C. Between November and April, you will experience a lot of thunderstorms and humidity of up to 98%! If want to know the best time to visit Ayers Rock(Uluru) then look to visit between May and October.
South Australia
South Australia offers mild winters and warm, dry summers. The southern summers run from December to February, the average temperature ranging around 28 degrees. South Australia gets most of its rainfall during the winter months being June, July and August, the temperatures during this time often gets below 10 degrees celsius.
Western Australia
Western Australia offers a wide range of climates, the climate is temperate, during the winter months june – august you will experience rainfalls. In the north, the climate is tropical with a dry and a wet season April – November. Along the northern coast of Western Australia you can experience clean sunny skies during the summer months, April to September with nightly temperatures of 24 °C and daily temperatures of 34°C.
Tasmania
The best time to visit Tasmania is between December and February, the summer season. This is the time when the crowds are the largest and the room rates are the highest but these months offer the best temperatures and chances for outdoor activities. August is the cheapest month but also the coldest, you will need boots, a jacket, and mittens due to the chilly temperature and light dust of snow.
The Best Months to Visit Australia
Considering the seasons of Australia are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere usually the best time to visit is during the summer months, December through to February.
Are you looking to travel the popular east coast, which is generally considered to be the stretch from Melbourne through to Cairns, September and October are the best months weather-wise. Do be prepared for a trip with crowded beaches and many backpackers, book hostels in advance, this is the prime time to travel to the east coast.
Whilst traveling the east coast, don’t forget to check out the great barrier reef! Around the reefs weather is usually warm all year round, the wet season being in summer and spring which slows the stream of tourists. This is still a good time of year to go, and you get the benefit of fewer crowds.
Are you there for the beaches you need to keep a note of what the weather conditions are like when you choose to visit? In some seasons you are not allowed to go swimming in the ocean due to box jellyfish, crocodiles sharks and strong rips and currents. There are usually always lifeguards on-site to help you out, pay attention to signage and ask lifeguards to make sure it is safe to swim!
Did Anyone Say Wine?
Do you like wine? Yes, most people like drinking wine, but are you interested in wine culture and winemaking? In Australia there are many wine regions such as hunter valley and swan valley, there are actually more than 60 wine regions in this country! Throughout the year, many wine festivals are held, usually in the late autumn when harvest time comes along. So are you a wine fan, plan your visit for April, May or June.
The Worst Times To Visit Australia
Looking at the best times to visit why not take a quick look at the worst times to visit the massive country of Australia. Most people tend to avoid the chilly winters of the south and the super hot and humid, wet summers of the north. From mid-December to late January students get a break from school and the dreaded “schoolies” begin. This means packed beaches and masses of partying teenagers, something to consider when you book your holiday.
The Cheapest Times to Visit Australia
Wondering just when’s the best time to travel to Australia without blowing the bank account? If you are on a budget, you might be interested in what the cheapest times to visit Australia might be. Let’s begin by stating December and January are the most expensive times to travel to Australia, this is mainly due to the new year’s celebrations and the prime of the summer months. The cheapest months to travel to Australia tend to be September and October, this is still part of the summer months and a good time to go to Australia.
Top Events in Australia Not to Miss!
Wondering when the best month to travel to Australia is? Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and therefore it is not surprising that it offers plenty of world-class events throughout the year! This massive country is famous for its love of sports featuring events such as the Australian Tennis Open, Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup. Down below we have featured some of the main events in Australia occurring yearly in different parts of this widespread country! If you are wondering what the best time of year to travel to Australia for different events, here is a month by month look at what not to miss.
January
- The Australian Tennis Open and Australia Day
- The Australian tennis open is a tennis tournament that occurs annually in Melbourne over the last fortnight of January. This tournament is the first of four grand slam tennis events held each year with a prize money year 2019 as high as A$62,500,000!
- On Australia Day you will experience partying like never before, this is the day the Aussies celebrate the founding of their nation. All over Australia, from early hours til late night people will be seen partying with plenty of alcohol and plenty of noise, join the fun!
February/March
- Adelaide Fringe Festival & Mardi Gras
- The Adelaide Fringe Festival is held annually in Adelaide, this arts festival is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest arts event and the second largest fringe festival in the entire world!
- Mardi Gras is one of the biggest gay pride events in the world! This gay pride event crowds the streets.
March
- Australian Grand Prix & Melbourne Comedy Club
- Both some of the funniest comedians in the world and yet undiscovered acts can be seen on this third largest comedy event in the world, held in Melbourne.
- Are you a fan of cars? Then the Australian Grand Prix is something that will rock your boat! This motor race is held annually and is currently under contract to host Formula One until 2023. This is the second oldest surviving motor racing competition held in Australia after the alpine rally, first held in 1921.
April
- Rip Curl Pro Surfing & Anzac Day
- The Rip Curl Pro surfing contest is the world’s longest-running and most professional surf competition in Australia. The Rip Curl Pro holds a very special place in surfing folklore and is usually held during the Easter long weekend.
- Anzac day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, the purpose is to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ( this is also how the day got its name), who died in honour of their country.
May
- Visiting Australia in may? Check out Australian Fashion Week
- Are you into Glam and Fashion, then plan your trip in May for it is the month of Australia’s biggest fashion event of the year, the Australian fashion week. Dress in your nicest clothes and head down for a look at all the fabulous creations walking the runway!
July
- Looking for places to visit in Australia in July? How about Lions International Camel Cup & Darwin Beer Can Regatta
- Do you like beer, and camels, then head up to Alice Springs for an international camel race along the sandy river beds
- July is the month of the beer for along with the camel cup you can also attend the Darwin Beer Can Regatta held off Mindil Beach. Get ready for live music, a great party “tinnie” boats, made out of beer cans and LOTS of beer!
August
- If visiting Australia in August book a day to check out the Henly-On-Todd Regatta
- Another boast race in northern Australia? Yes! A DRY boat race held annually in Alice Springs, typically in the dry sand beds of the Todd River. It began as a joke at the expense of the original British settlers.
November
- Melbourne Cup
- A very popular racehorse event held in Melbourne covering a distance of over 3,200 metres. Dress up fancy and lay a bet on your favourite thoroughbred horse and hope for the best.
December
- Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race & NYE Fireworks
- This glamorous boat race sets off in the fancy city of Sydney from the Sydney Harbour annually on Boxing day. This event is sponsored by Rolex and hosted by the cruising yacht club of Australia. The race distance is approximately 630 miles.
While in Sydney, make sure you stay long enough to see the new years eve fireworks that even challenge the New Years Eve fireworks by being very popular. For tips on where to stay in Sydney for NYE fireworks check out my post. Make sure to take place by the Rocks or on the Sydney Harbour bridge itself and get there in time to get a good place, it gets very crowded. People even wake up as early as 5 am to secure a good spot to see this light show!
Planning Your Trip To Australia
Hopefully, you have some more insight into when to visit Australia or the best time for your needs. Are you into beaches and sun, make sure you go in the summer months, is wine one of your main interests, book a flight for autumn, April, May or June. Are you ready to compromise slightly to get the cheapest possible price then September and August might be the time for you, the weather is still nice just not the absolute best it could be. Plan your trip around the weather, the events you would like to attend and the price to get the ultimate holiday with the best of everything.
- Check flight deals to Australia on Expedia.
- Explore the best accommodation in Australia in every budget.
- Book your day tours in Australia in advance or consider booking a guided tour around the country via Contiki or G Adventures.
- Don’t forget to buy travel insurance.
If you have already decided on the best time to visit Sydney and Melbourne, make sure you check out my trip itinerary for Sydney and Melbourne in 10 days.
Need More Tips For Visiting Australia? Also See:
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- Things To Do In Sydney
- An Unmissable Day Trip Through Great Ocean Road
- Taking A Helicopter Tour Of The Apostles
- The Best Way To Visit Melbourne In 7 Days
- The Best Markets In Sydney
- Exploring Street Art Scene In Melbourne
- The Best Brunch Spots In Melbourne
- Checking Out Hidden Gems In Melbourne
- Why You Need To Visit Brighton Beach
- How To Visit The Penguins on St Kilda Beach
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Jay Artale
I’ve almost made it to Australia three times, but each time something has gone wrong with my travel plans and it looks like I’ve really missed out. I’d love to land in one part of the country and rent a van and travel the length and breadth of this country…. but husband is less enthusiastic – he’s afraid of snakes!
Bianca
I have a crazy fear of spiders and still survived the land where spiders are as big as a toddler. Take him the snakes are kind to new visitors 😛 Really he will be fine. Australia is amazing!