Best time to travel Australia

Valuable information about the climate and weather Down Under

The best time to travel to Australia is usually from October to April. However, Australia is a vast continent; it must be divided into different climatic zones and territories to provide more accurate timings. Let’s go down under!

Since Australia is located in the southern hemisphere of the earth, its seasons are in direct contrast to the European seasons. So, Australian winter is our summer, Australian summer is our winter, etc. You get the idea. The division into territories is inevitable since defining the best time to travel to Australia is impossible.

So, let’s break down the continent and take a closer look at the individual holiday destinations in Australia. This table lists the best destinations for travelling to Australia and their respective travel times.

Month	Temperature (°C)	Hours of sunshine	Rainydays
January	18 – 26	8	10
February	18 – 27	7	9
March	17 – 24	7	10
April	14 – 22	7	10
May	11 – 19	6	9
June	9 – 16	6	8
July	8 – 16	6	8
August	9 – 17	7	8
September	11 – 19	8	8
October	13 – 22	8	8
November	16 – 23	8	9
December	17 – 25	8	9

Weather and climate in Australia

As Australia is located in the southern hemisphere of the earth, its seasons are the exact opposite of the European seasons. So, if you want to escape the cold and wet European winters, head to Australia! As a single climate table for Australia would be too extensive, below you will find a climate table for Sydney.

Holiday destination	Best time to travel	Air temperature
Canberra	October – April	up to 29 degrees
Sydney	October – May	up to 27 degrees
Cairns	July – September	up to 26 degrees
Melbourne	November – April	up to 26 degrees
Brisbane	April – January	up to 30 degrees
Perth	October – May	up to 33 degrees
Adelaide	November – March	up to 29 degrees
Alice Springs	all year round	up to 36 degrees

The best travel months by destination

Climate in Northern Australia

The north of Australia begins. This is where the Northern Territory is located, with the popular resorts of Darwin and Alice Springs. The climate in the north of Australia is tropical, meaning hot summer months when the thermometer ranges between 35° and 40°C. When I say summer months, I refer to the European winter months (December to February).

Tropical climates are also characterised by low-temperature fluctuations all year round. This means that even in winter (June to August), the thermometer rarely drops below 30°C. October to March is the rainy season in the Northern Territory. Heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and cyclones can literally flood your holiday. The best time to visit northern Australia is from April to September.

Climate in Eastern Australia

The East is one of the most popular holiday destinat East in Australia. It is home to the sunny state of Queensland, also called the Sunshine State. That says it all, right? Like the north, the climate in the east of Australia can also be categorised as troEastl. In the summer, daytime temperatures are around 35°C. The temperature is still 25°C in winter when the thermometer stops.

The Cairns Resort on the Great Barrier Reef is located in the east of Australia, which is another reason why this area is particularly popular with tourists. You can admire the world’s natural heritage during a diving tour. However, you should be careful to protect the environment: corals are susceptible and die at the slightest touch! The death of corals is irreversible.

The summer months (November to March) are the rainy season in eastern Australia. The result is heavy rainfall and humid, oppressive heat. The best time to travel to east Australia is from June to October. The temperatures are pleasant and not too hot, but you don’t have to worry about sudden downpours.

Climate in Southern Australia

The journey continues to the south of Australia, which is also a popular destination for holidaymakers and tourists. The further you follow this destination, the more familiar places you will notice. Adelaide and Melbourne, as well as the Australian capital Canberra, are located in the southern part of the Australian continent.

The climate in southern Australia is temperate. It is characterised by very warm or hot summers and fairly cool winters. It can even snow in the higher areas.

If you are thinking of travelling to this part of the Downunder, I can recommend the months of October to March. It can boil during the summer, especially in December and January. If you are not intimidated by the heat, you can travel to South Australia now.

Climate in Western Australia

There is only one area in the west of Australia: Western Australia. It is home to the thriving metropolis of Perth, perfect for planning a beach holiday in Australia. The beautiful sandy beaches are close to the capital of Western Australia and invite you to sunbathe and swim in the water.

The Western Territory covers a vast area, sost all climatic zones are here. Further north, you’ll find a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and a distinct rainy season.

Further south, around Perth, you’ll find subtropical to temperate climates. So here you will find a hot summer and slightly cooler winter months with plenty of showers.

Further south, you will find a Mediterranean climate, which is very similar to our European summers in Italy and Spain. During the summer months in Australia, temperatures rise to 35°C —perfect for a beach holiday.

As you can see, the climate in Western Australia is challenging to define due to the different climate zones. However, I recommend October and November and from March to April.

Australia's rainy season

Unlike our four seasons, Australia has only two true seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The rainy season mainly affects Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. It lasts from October to March in the northern parts of these territories.

Australia’s rainy season is not a good time to travel, as heavy downpours are expected in the afternoon and evening. Tropical storms and thunderstorms are constant companions. Sometimes, downpours can be so heavy that entire streets and areas are flooded. Added to this is the abnormal heat, which creates hot and humid air and is more than unpleasant.

January and March should also not be considered a time to travel as cyclones can occur in addition to heavy downpours. Cyclones during the rainy season are uncommon and reported by the relevant meteorological authorities on radio and television. Interesting fact: Australians call the smaller specimens “Willy-Willy”.

Visit Australia at the best time to travel

As you have noticed, determining the best time to travel to Australia is challenging. I hope this article has helped you and that you now know everything you need to know about the climate and weather in the Lower Underground. In my travel search engine, you will find current holiday deals to Australia that will get you to the Red Continent for a bit of money. Browse through my offers and if you are lucky enough to find the right deal for your next holiday in Australia.