If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Australia, you might first assume that summer is the obvious answer. However, Australia is an enormous country, with a number of different climates and micro-climates that create entirely different experiences, from coast-to-coast, year-round.

Australia can have extreme weather, which can make or break your trip, making picking the best time to visit Australia important, for your specific travel destinations.

The good news is, that no matter what time of year you’re visiting Australia, you’ll be able to find somewhere that is truly at its best at that time of year. Winter is best in the north, and summer is better in the south, and most places are pretty good to visit in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn.

Read More: Australia Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

I’m Australian, have lived here for more than 30 years and have travelled widely across the country, throughout different months and seasons. I’ve written this guide to the best times to visit Australia, by season and by month, to help you decide when to visit where (or where to visit, when!).

Australia is an enormous country with endless things to see & do, so in many ways, the weather creates guidelines which can help narrow down your long list of places to see.

Tip: Weather is highly changeable, so check the latest forecasts before making plans, and stay flexible.

Quick Answer — When is the Best Time to Visit Australia?

Best Overall Time to Visit Australia

The best all-round time to visit Australia is autumn and spring, specifically May (autumn), September & October (spring). This is because this periods are dry season in the tropics, but aren’t too cold in the southern cities. 

I personally think the very best time is October, but no matter what time of year you visit, you can find somewhere that shines at that time of year in Australia!

Best Time for Beaches & Islands

The best time to visit Australia’s islands and beaches in the southern half of the country, including the Gold Coast & Sydney, is in the warmer months between October – March. March is the beginning of autumn, but often the ocean temperatures are still warm enough to swim, after a long, hot summer. 

Be prepared for scorching temperatures in summer, and plan to head to the beach very early in the day.

To visit Australia’s tropical islands & beaches, like the Whitsundays and to go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, the best time to visit is June to October, during dry season. It’s the best place to be in Australia in winter!

Best Time for the Outback

The best time to visit Australia’s Outback is during the dry season, which runs from May to October.

Best Time for Wildlife & Nature

September is the best time of year for seeing wildflowers & spring blooms in Australia.

Humpback whales can be spotted along the east coast of Australia from June to November. Koalas can be found year-round, but are most active in the warmer spring and summer months.

Kangaroos can be spotted year-round, you’re most likely to see them in the cooler hours of the day between dawn and dusk. Avoid highway driving during these dusky hours, as they have a terrible habit of jumping directly in front of cars, which is extremely dangerous for both human and kangaroo.

Cheapest Time to Visit Australia

Winter, particularly June, is low season in most parts of Australia. Expect fewer crowds and lower prices, except in the tropics, where it will be high season.

Understanding Australia’s Seasons

Southern Australia (Four Seasons)

In the southern parts of Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, South Australia and Perth, you’ll get the traditional four seasons of the year. Summer tends to be hot and dry, spring tends to be mild with some rain, winter is cold and sometimes wet, and autumn has beautiful, crisp days and some rain. 

Northern Australia (Wet & Dry Seasons)

In Australia’s north, including North Queensland (Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Whitsundays), Darwin, the Red Centre and northern Western Australia (Broome), there is wet and dry season.

Dry season runs from May to October and is the best time to visit, with typically dry weather and more comfortable temperatures. Wet season is low season, due to extreme heat and humidity, summer storms and risks of cyclones.

Best Time to Visit Australia by Season

Summer in Australia (December–February)

Average Temperatures: 20°C to 37°C (68°F to 99°F) in major cities

Summer in Australia spans from December to February, and typically has soaring temperatures. With the longest period of school holidays falling through December & January, this is one of the most popular times of year for domestic travel in Australia, making it the high season in the southern half of Australia.

Itinerary: 2 Weeks in Australia in Summer

Best Summer Experiences in Australia

The best way to enjoy summer in Australia is to stick to the southern half of the country. Start in Sydney or the Gold Coast, before heading south to Melbourne & the Yarra Valley, and Tasmania.

Perth gets extremely hot in summer, but with plenty of city beaches and ice-cold waters off Rottnest Island, you’ll find ways to cool down.

A summer Christmas might feel strange, but a balmy New Year’s Eve is the best way to ring in the New Year. Wherever you are for New Year’s Eve, plan your night in advance to make sure you have the best view of the fireworks. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Darling Harbour are world-famous, but you’ll find spectacular shows all over Australia, including fireworks over the ocean on the Gold Coast (my favourite!).

Thousands of tennis fans flock to Melbourne in January for the Australian Open, which is one of the best-run sporting events in the world. A range of activations in the grounds around the main arenas mean you can really make a day of it.

Read More: Visit Melbourne in Summer

Summer might seem like the obvious time of year to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, but it’s actually not the best time to visit Australia’s tropical north. Summer is the wet season in Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Northern Territory, which brings heavy summer storms, extreme heat and humidity, risks of cyclones & stingers (jellyfish). While this means less crowds and lower prices, there’s a greater chance your travel plans will be interrupted by wild weather.

Travel Tip: Summer brings bushfire season, which can be deadly. I personally avoid travelling to bushfire-prone areas and national parks in summer, to minimise the risk of cancelled plans. Check with local authorities for bushfire danger during your trip.

Autumn in Australia (March–May)

Average Temperatures: 17°C to 35°C (63°F to 95°F) in major cities

Autumn is one of the best and most beautiful times to visit Australia, spanning from March to May. Early autumn can still feel a lot like summer, with plenty of sunshine and long days. Autumn in Australia brings more comfortable weather on the east coast, beautiful autumnal foliage in Victoria & Tasmania, and the beginning of dry season in the tropics, which starts in May.

Best Autumn Experiences in Australia

Autumn is also peak festival season in Australia, with a range of cultural festivals and events on from coast to coast. It’s an especially perfect time to explore Australia’s major cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and make a night of it with events like Melbourne International Comedy Festival or Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Autumn is harvest time in Australia’s wine regions, which sees a flurry of activity as the vineyards turn bright gold. This is a great time of year to visit some of Australia’s best wine regions, like Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and the Mornington Peninsula.

The 11 Best Wineries in the Yarra Valley

Autumn also brings Easter in Australia, which is a four-day long weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday. This is one of the most popular weekends for family holidays, as it also falls on school holidays, so expect crowds, higher prices and to book in advance if you’re travelling over Easter.

Winter in Australia (June–August)

Average Temperatures: 11°C in southern cities to 30°C in the tropics (52°F to 86°F)

Winter in Australia spans from June to August, bringing dry season in the north and typical cold winter weather in the south. The weather in the north is typically warm, sunny and dry, which makes it the perfect time to escape the cold in the southern states. 

In Southeast Queensland, winter is a beautiful time of year to visit the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which enjoy mild, dry and sunny winters. 

Best Winter Experiences in Australia

Winter is one of the best times to visit Australia’s natural icons, like the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and Uluru.

It’s also a great time to take a break on one of the idyllic Whitsunday Islands, such as Hayman Island or Hamilton Island, and day trip to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach.

Better yet, it’s also whale watching season on the east coast of Australia. Spot humpback whales migrating along the east coast from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Hervey Bay, for one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in the country.

You’ll feel the cold in Sydney, and even more so in Melbourne, Tasmania and South Australia, but in every state and city you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained indoors. It’s also a great time of year to soak in Victoria’s natural hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula and near Daylesford, and curl up by a fire with some big Barossa reds in the Barossa Valley.

Read More: The Best Wineries in the Barossa Valley

It doesn’t snow in much of Australia, but you can find snow in the Australian alps and ski fields in Victoria and New South Wales, at Thredbo, Perisher, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.

Spring in Australia (September–November)

Average Temperatures: 17°C in the south to 35°C in the north (63°F to 95°F) 

Spring in Australia spans from September to November, and is one of the best times to visit. Dry season ends in October, so there’s time to visit the Great Barrier Reef & Uluru, as well as enjoy the warmer days in the southern cities, and spring blooms across the country.

In spring, start north and travel south, to maximise your opportunity for the best weather at each destination along the way.

Best Spring Experiences in Australia

Spring is one of the best times of year to enjoy Australia’s national parks and great outdoors, before it gets too hot for the year. Whether you’re hiking in Freycinet National Park or Wilsons Promontory, road-tripping along Waterfall Way or winery-hopping in the Yarra Valley, spring is a beautiful time to get outside.

You’ll also find flower festivals around the country, including Floriade in Canberra, Tesselaar Tulip Festival outside Melbourne and Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in Queensland.

The major cities come to life in spring, buzzing with energy after a winter slumber. Melbourne particularly embraces spring, launching into footy finals season followed by the spring racing carnival and Melbourne Cup, which sparks a flurry of social events.

Itinerary: 3 Days in Melbourne For First Time Visitors

Visiting Australia: Month by Month

January in Australia

January is in the middle of the Australian summer, and for many Australians, a peak summer holiday period. The first half of January is especially popular for domestic travel, coinciding with school holidays, which can drive peak crowds and prices. 

It’s a great time to visit Melbourne, which typically enjoys some of the best weather of the year, alongside the Australian Open and the annual “summer blockbuster” exhibition at the NGV.

In January 2026, the NGV’s summer blockbuster is a world premiere fashion exhibition, Westwood | Kawakubo, creating a retrospective of two global fashion icons, British designer Vivienne Westwood and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo.

Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart are also good options in January, but come prepared for a potential heatwave.

Wet season is in full swing in the tropics, making it low season in the Great Barrier Reef & the Whitsundays. Subtropical Brisbane & the Gold Coast frequently experience summer storms, and occasionally, flooding.

Major Events: Australian Open in Melbourne, Sydney Festival, Westwood | Kawakubo at the NGV

Visit Melbourne in January: Best Things to Do, Weather & What’s On

February in Australia

February is the last official month of summer in Australia, and often the hottest! School holidays are over, which can make this a better time to travel as crowds and prices start to ease. This is still a great time to hit the beach & enjoy long, sunny days in the southern half of Australia.

Chinese New Year is a major celebration across many Australian cities, especially in Sydney and Melbourne which have some of the largest celebrations. Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the biggest parties in Australia, and Adelaide Fringe Festival kicks off near the end of the month.

Major Events: Sydney Mardi Gras, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Chinese New Year 

March in Australia

March is the beginning of autumn in Australia, and an excellent time to travel as the days are still warm and sunny, but become much more mild. This is a great time of year to enjoy Australia’s subtropical beach towns and regions, like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, and to enjoy major cities, which see a flurry of cultural festivals and events.

Make the most of the pleasant weather & explore Australia’s best wine regions, like the Barossa Valley, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Adelaide Hills.

Major Events: Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne

April in Australia

April is a beautiful time of year in many parts of Australia, as the days become crisp and cool. This is one of the best times of year for hiking in the southern half of the country, while it’s not too hot and not yet too cold. The Grampians, Wilsons Prom and the Blue Mountains are all popular options. 

April is also a great time to discover Australia’s most charming country towns in the southern states, many of which are within arm’s reach of a stellar wine region. Some of the best are Beechworth, Hahndorf, Ballarat & Daylesford.

In 2026, the Easter Long Weekend is from Friday 3 – Monday 6 April, which will mean higher prices, more traffic on the highways & accommodation will book out faster.

Major Events: Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

May in Australia

May heralds the beginning of dry season in Australia’s north, making it a great time to visit Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays and Uluru.

Further south, the end of autumn is when you’ll find peak autumn foliage in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, which adds even more charm to weekends spent in the countryside.

Near the end of May, Vivid Sydney lights up Australia’s largest city for 23 days and nights of arts, culture and spectacular light shows. The 2025 line up included events with Nigella Lawson, Martha Stewart and Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman.

Major Events: Vivid Sydney

June in Australia

June is the beginning of winter in Australia. It’s one of the best times of year to explore the tropical north & red centre, which enjoys mild and dry winters. 

Alternatively, take advantage of the cool, crisp skies and go stargazing at the River Murray Dark Sky Park in South Australia. It’s  only a 90-minute drive from Adelaide, making it one of the most easily accessible dark sky parks in the world.

In the major cities, cultural festivals give locals and visitors alike a reason to venture out of doors. Sydney lights up for Vivid Sydney, the National Gallery of Victoria will open its annual Winter Masterpieces exhibition, and Hobart comes alive after dark for the notorious arts festival, Dark Mofo.

Major Events: Vivid Sydney, Dark Mofo in Hobart

July in Australia

In July in Australia, dry season continues to offer near-perfect conditions for visiting Uluru, Kakadu National Park, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest & the Whitsundays.

I visited Hayman Island in the Whitsundays in July, and enjoyed perfect balmy weather and sunshine. It’s the perfect break from winter weather!

In the southern parts of the country, lean into the magic of the cold. Head to regional Victoria’s spa country to soak in natural hot springs, like at Alba Geothermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula, or Hepburn Springs in the Macedon Ranges.

Major Events: NAIDOC Week, Ballarat Winter Festival, Illuminate Adelaide, National Indigenous Art Fair

August in Australia

While peak season continues in Australia’s north in August, low season continues in the southern states, offering less crowds and lower prices.

August is the peak whale watching season in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The season runs from June to October, but you’re likely to see the most sightings in August. Book a humpback whale watching tour in Brisbane, Sydney, Hervey Bay or the Gold Coast for your chance to spot one of these beautiful creatures in the wild.

This is also a great time to visit Australia’s ski fields in regional Victoria & New South Wales, such as Thredbo, Perisher, Falls Creek & Mount Hotham.

Major Events: Hamilton Island Race Week, Melbourne International Film Festival

September in Australia

September is one of the best times to visit Australia, offering the best of both worlds. Dry season continues in the tropics & the Outback, but the weather also starts to improve in the southern states. Just don’t expect Melbourne to jump on the sunshine bandwagon in the first couple of weeks.

September is one of the best times of year to visit Brisbane, during the Brisbane Festival. Riverfire is a spectacular fireworks show on the final night of the festival and one of the most anticipated nights of the year.

This mild weather is perfect for exploring Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as for enjoying Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast beaches before peak heat sets in. Spring flower festivals start to bloom across the country, including the Tesselaar Tulip Festival in the Yarra Valley.

Watch out for September school holidays, which can cause peak prices and congestion.

Major Events: Riverfire in Brisbane, AFL Grand Final in Melbourne, Floriade in Canberra, Sydney Marathon, Swell Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast, Tesselaar Tulip Festival

October in Australia

Like September, October is truly one of the best months to visit Australia. By now, you can expect warm-enough weather and plenty of sunshine in the southern states, which makes it a great time to enjoy the great outdoors.

Australia’s wineries come to life in spring, so whether you’re enjoying the ocean views on the Mornington Peninsula or are surrounded by rolling hills in the Yarra Valley or McLaren Vale, there’s a wine region with your name on it.

This is a great time to road trip through Australia’s national parks, before school holiday crowds surge and the heat sets in. A few days along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, or between Hobart, Freycinet National Park and Launceston in Tasmania is the perfect way to get outside.

3 Days in East Coast Tasmania: Launceston & Freycinet National Park

Keep an eye out for bushfire warnings, but in the southern parts of Australia this typically becomes more likely from November onwards.

Major Events: Floriade in Canberra, Grafton Jacaranda Festival, Melbourne Festival, Sculpture by the Sea in Sydney

November in Australia

November is the beginning of wet season in Australia’s northern tropics, which brings high humidity, summer storms and risks of cyclones. In saying this, I personally have visited Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef & the Whitsundays in November, and we had good luck with the weather – it was extremely hot! We wore stinger suits when snorkelling, and kept a keen eye out for jellyfish. It’s not the best time to go, but it’s not impossible.

November is one of the best times to enjoy Australia’s major cities and southern states, which are enjoying warm weather and sunshine. Whether you’re planning to visit Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart or Perth, you can expect sunny weather and an extra sunny disposition from the locals at this lovely time of year.

It’s also a great time of year to enjoy the beaches of the Sunshine Coast, before the school holiday crowds descended in December.

Melbourne gets spring racing fever during the Spring Racing Carnival, the largest event of which is the Melbourne Cup. It’s still known as the “race that stops the nation”, but the “Nup to the Cup” movement is growing every year, in protest of horse racing.

Major Events: Melbourne Cup, Perth International Jazz Festival

December in Australia

It’s only the beginning, but summer is already in full swing in December in Australia. “Silly season” has begun, which is when a flurry of social activity and Christmas parties block out everyone’s calendars. 

Wet season sets in, in the northern states, and the southern states enjoy typically dry, warm weather. Subtropical Brisbane and the Gold Coast frequently experience heavy downpours and summer storms, in contrast to the otherwise hot, sunny weather.

A summer’s New Year’s Eve makes it easy to spend the evening outdoors, in search of the best view of NYE Fireworks. Sydney’s NYE fireworks are world class, but you’ll also find spectacular fireworks over the ocean on the Gold Coast, over the Brisbane River and the Melbourne CBD skyline.

Major Events: Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Boxing Day Test (Cricket)

Best Time to Visit Australia by Region

Tropical North: Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays & Darwin

Australia’s tropical north has two seasons: wet season & dry season. 

Dry season is the best time to visit, spanning from May to October. This is when you can expect warm & dry weather, with less chance of rain. As an added bonus, it’s not “stinger season” during dry season, which reduces your chance of a run in with deadly stingers (jellyfish). 

The peak of the season is in June and July, which makes it the best time for escaping cold winters in the southern part of the country.

Find hotels in Cairns

East Coast: Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast

The best time to visit Australia’s major cities on the east coast is from March-November, but there’s generally no reason not to visit them year-round. 

Sydney is at its best in spring, from September – November, with the best chance of sunshine, without the extreme summer heat or crowds. 

Find hotels in Sydney

Southeast Queensland, which includes Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is at its best from March-November. Even in winter, you’ll get warm, dry days in the sunshine. For “summer weather” with less chance of storms, floods and stifling humidity, visit in March, October or November.

Find hotels in Brisbane

South: Melbourne, Tasmania & South Australia

The best time to visit Melbourne, Tasmania and South Australia is in autumn (March-May) and spring (September-October), if you want to enjoy the major cities as well as the national parks. The weather is mild, and you’ll have spring blooms or golden autumn foliage as an added bonus. 

Find hotels in Melbourne

If you’re sticking to the cities, summer is also a great time to visit, but I recommend avoiding making plans in national parks during summer due to bushfire risk.

Find hotels in Hobart

The Outback: Uluru & Red Centre

Like the tropics, the Red Centre has a wet and dry season, and the best time to visit is dry season, from May-November. This brings bearable daytime temperatures, but come prepared as the night time temperatures can still be very cold!

Find hotels near Uluru (Ayers Rock)

West: Perth & Western Australia

The best time to visit Perth, Fremantle & southeast WA is autumn (March-May) and spring (September-October), with mild weather, and wildflowers in spring.

The northern half of the state, where you’ll find The Kimberley and Broome, has a wet and dry season. Dry season is the best time to visit.

Find hotels in Perth

Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Visit Australia

The best time to visit Australia ultimately depends on your destination and your interests. With a diverse range of climates and micro-climates, you’ll be spoilt for choice for destinations at their absolute best, year-round.

Many destinations can be visited in off-season, but weather events are more likely to impact your travel plans.

While the best times to visit Australia are broadly in spring (September – November) and autumn (March-April), you can make the most of the winter months by visiting the tropics and the summer months by visiting the southern half of the country.

Further Reading

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