Australia is a country that is on many travelers’ bucket list and that for a good reason! This huge country is full of exotic locations, diverse people, wildlife and food which attract tourists from all over the world. Australia may be the smallest continent in the world but it has so much to offer to its visitors. From Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef to the 12 Apostles, Australia is home to many awe-inspiring landmarks. In addition to breathtaking sceneries, Australia offers great weather throughout the whole year. Due to its chilly winters, hot summers and colorful springs, Australia has different weather every month. So, what’s the best time to visit Australia?
Well, it depends on what you want to enjoy most in Australia. Summer season from December to February usually makes it hard to roam around in most of the cities. On the other hand, fall from March to May has ideal weather and these months also have the biggest numbers of tourists. June to August are the coldest months but not too cold to go outside. You can visit pretty much any place in Australia during winter season. Spring,from September to November, is anothergreat time to visit Australia. It is also a great time to witness all the sports events happening in the country. Though there is no specific time to enjoy your Australian vacation, there are still many tourists who prefer to visit the country in their favorite season. To help you out, we are going to give you month-by-month guide of the Australian weather.
January
January is the hottest month of the yearand is visited by many tourists who visit the country for water adventures. Most of the cities are usually dry and hot in this month,but in Darwin, you can witness a little bit of rainfall. In this month, many festivals take place across the country including Sydney Festival and the Australian Open. The temperature in January usually varies from city to city with Perth being the hottest at 32 °C, followed by Brisbane with 29 °C. On the other hand, the temperature in Sydney and Melbourne remains slightly cooler between 25 and 27 °C.
February
February has the most popular weather of the Australian locals, who love to visit the countless beaches and islands. This month also marks the end of summer season. If you like hot climate, then Sydney is the ideal city to visit in February because the temperature remains around 23 °C. Bush fire can also occur in some parts of rural Australia. You’ll witness big crowds of tourists all across the country specially in big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Make sure to attend summer festivals or parties which are being held all across Australia.
March
In March begins the beautiful fall season,which is a great time to visit Australia. Though the weather will vary according to the area,the hot days start coming to an end in March. The weather remains pleasant in Western Australia and Tasmania, whereas it’s still hot in Northern Queensland and New South Wales. This month, you’ll also see rainfall in major cities with maximum rainfall in Cairns, Darwin and Gold Coast. However, the rainfalls in Adelaide and Hobart aren’t that heavy and bearable for tourists so they can easily enjoy a walk around the city.
April
The weather in April is very pleasant but a few cities can still be quite warm on some days. You may also experience rainfalls in cities such as Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart. It is recommended to pack different types of clothing if you are planning to visit Australia in April. You can pack summer clothes along with a jacket in case you want to visit any colder place. Remember that the weather can get little cold in Melbourne with temperatures around 14 °C. If you want to swim in the ocean and relax at the beach, then Melbourne is not the perfect destination. However, you can head off to Gold Coast where the weather is still warm.
May
May is the last month of fall and marks the beginning of winter season in Australia. It is also the best time to visit Australia as there will be a smaller number of tourists. A few cities may still be warm during this month, including Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast and Darwin. Sydney’s weather is also very pleasant during May, as there are generally around 16 °C. You can also witness little rainfall in this month in Perth, Cairns and Sydney. Tasmania on the other hand is a bit colder than all other cities of Australia.
June
Welcome to the winter season in Australia. In June, the temperatures begin to drop, however don’t imagine it to be too cold in any part of Australia. Though you won’t be able to swim much in the ocean, you can enjoy many other activities such as hiking or skiing. Cities such as Darwin and Cairns still remain tropical in June. You will experience rainfall in Hobart, Canberra and Melbourne. However, Brisbane and Sydney are gong to be less rainy. You can enjoy many outdoor activities in this month including diving in the popular Great Barrier Reef.
July
July is the coldest month in Australia and is great for you if you are coming from a warmer place. If you are into snow activities, then July is the best time to visit Australia. Make sure to visit the Blue Mountains in NSW which are covered in snow during the winter months. Other parts of Australia where you can enjoy snow include Tasmania and Alpine Region of Victoria State. The temperatures rarely drop into the negative range, except for in the mountainous regions.Hence you can still enjoy your vacation without worrying about too much cold. However, make sure to cover yourself enough to handle the strong breeze.
August
Just like July, August is chilly in most parts of Australia. While some parts of Australia, such as Tasmania, can be quite cold with temperature going down to 6 °C, there are a few cities that have mild weather including Gold Coast where temperatures range between 13 and 22 °C. If you are planning to visit Melbourne in this month, be prepared to experience sun, cold and rain all in one day. Darwin is the only city in the northern territory where the weather is really warm with22 °C.
September
September marks thebeginning of the beautiful spring season in Australia. During this month, you’ll experience pleasant weather which will be neither too hot nor too cold. There will be little rain in some parts of the country but that won’t affect your tour at all. You can still roam around and enjoy all the outdoor activities. Make sure to attend one of the flower festivals. The most famous ones are held in Canberra, Perth and Sydney.
October
October is undoubtedly the best time to visit Australia when the weather is warm, and flowers are in their full bloom. You’ll see stunning and colorful landscapes all across Australia. This month is perfect for those who want to spend their time on exotic beaches. If you are planning to visit Australia in October, it is recommended to pack lighter clothes with one or two sweaters for cold nights in some cities. Big cities such as Sydney offer a perfectly warm temperature at daytime which drops at night.
November
Australia’ November weather gets warm and rainy. Plan your trip in this month carefully as it may rain in a few cities while others remain dry and warm. We think that the best city to visit during this weather is Adelaide, where the mornings can be sunny,and it gets colder at night. Overall, the temperatures of the main cities range between16 and 28 °C.
December
The weather in December gets extremely hot,but the sea breezes can save you from the blustering heat of the cities. Perth and Brisbane witness the hottest temperatures ranging between 20 and 29 °C. December is also the best time to visit Australia for those who are into beach activities. You can enjoy surfing, swimming, jetboating, snorkeling and many more fun activities at famous beaches of Australia including the jaw-dropping Bondi Beach in Sydney. Additionally, you can enjoy colorful New Year’s parties across the country including fireworks at beaches. The best fireworks can be seen in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.
CONCLUSION –THE BEST TIME TO VISIT AUSTRALIA:
Determining which month is best to visit Australia is pretty hard as each month has different weather. We recommend you to plan your trip according to your preferences of weather and the things you want to do in Australia. If you are a winter person, the months from June to August are the best time to visit, as the weather will not be harsh and there will be less tourists than in summer.
If you’re looking for more information on Australia or any other country you’d like to visit, take a look at Backpackertrail. The German start-up knows everything about backpacking and will help you with planning your adventure, so you to get the best out of your travels and experience the world’s diversity and beauty. Find information about climatic conditions, the best beaches, activities and so much more. Have a nice trip!