What Is The Cheapest Time Of Year To Visit Australia?

Gabby Boucher

April 19th, 2024

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5 minute read

Winter is the cheapest time to visit Australia! The months of June, July, and August see a drop in temperatures, crowds, and tourism, which leads to cheaper prices. And the best part? Australia is absolutely gorgeous in winter, which means you can still have an incredible experience but you'll spend less money than you would in summer.

Whether you want to embrace the cold and head south to the snow, or chase the sunshine and head north to the tropics, Australia is magical in the wintertime! 

What Is The Cheapest Time Of Year To Visit Australia?

Winter, or June, July, and August, is generally the cheapest time of year to visit Australia. Because of cooler temperatures, domestic and international tourism tends to drop. So winter could also be called "off-season". Any budget travellers out there know that off-season is usually the best time to travel because you get cheaper prices and fewer crowds!

Australia's winter is arguably the best time to visit, simply because you have more options for your trip. With cheaper flights and accommodations, you can afford to travel longer or more luxuriously. Plus, tours won't sell out as quickly as they do in summer, meaning you can choose your favourite experiences and often find tour discounts as well.

Winter weather in Australia also brings more diversity to the landscape. You can hike through the Outback, snowboard in the mountains, or continue to seek sunshine with a sailing trip or reef tour in the tropics!

8 Reasons To Visit Australia In Winter

If you're not yet convinced to visit Australia in winter, let's break this down even further. Not only will you save money and have more tour options if you visit Australia in winter, you'll also have a wide range of travel experiences to try in Australia's different climates. Here are 8 reasons to consider visiting Australia in winter!

1. Cheap Flights

Cheap flights always provide a little extra incentive to travel anywhere! If you're coming to Australia from North America, South America, Europe, or many other places in the world, flights can be pretty expensive because Australia is so far away. But you can score incredible flight deals in wintertime, which gives you more money to spend on your adventures Down Under!

2. Fewer Crowds

Because winter is technically off-season, many popular tourist destinations become less crowded. Places that are generally swarming with tourists, such as Bondi Beach, Uluru, Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, or Melbourne, will be much less crowded in winter than during the peak travel season. So winter provides a more laid-back experience at Australia's top destinations!

3. Discounted Tours

Fewer tourists in Australia means less demand for the best experiences and excursions around the country, which is a good thing for travellers! In peak travel season, tours must be booked far in advance before they fill up. If you wait too long to book, your favourite Great Barrier Reef diving tour or K'gari (Fraser Island) 4WD tour may be completely sold out. Tours are still popular in winter, but they don't sell out as quickly and operators sometimes offer winter discounts which gives you more options upon booking.

4. Cooler Weather

Temperatures in Australia drop in winter, though that doesn't necessarily mean the weather will be cold! Australia is massive, so the climate varies in different areas and you can seek out the perfect temperature for you. If you still want sun, warmth, and beach weather in winter, just head to northern Australia! Cairns, Darwin, Mission Beach, Magnetic Island, Broome, and even Noosa, Gold Coast, or Brisbane have tropical climates with warm weather even in winter.

Temperate places in NSW or southern WA, like Byron Bay, Sydney, or Perth, will have cool, breezy, sunny days that are still lovely for outdoor adventures. Southern destinations like Tasmania or Melbourne will be chilly but not freezing - perfect weather for hot coffees and campfires!

5. Skiing and Snowboarding

Speaking of cooler weather, June is the beginning of the snow season in the Snowy Mountains of NSW and VIC. So if you are someone who appreciates cold weather, head into the mountains to go skiing or snowboarding! Many travellers aren't aware of the snow season in Australia. But if you are a snow lover, the opportunity for winter sports is just another reason to visit Australia in winter! 

Photo from Unsplash

6. Whale Watching

Anyone who loves animals should definitely consider visiting Australia in winter because of the annual whale migration. Starting in June each year, thousands of whales migrate north along Australia's East Coast. They travel from Antarctica to the warm waters of the Tropical North where they can breed and nurse their young. In September/October, the whales head back down south.

So throughout the winter months, you can see magnificent whales breaching, nursing, and playing all along the coast of Australia! It is an absolutely magical sight. Some of the best ways to see whales in Australia are sailing through the Whitsunday Islands or booking a whale watch from Byron Bay or Hervey Bay.

7. Excellent Hiking Conditions

Hiking enthusiasts can find some of the best hiking conditions in Australia in winter. In most coastal locations around the country, winter brings cooler temperatures but also drier weather. Dry, mild weather is ideal for wilderness exploration because the tracks will be in better condition. It's also just more comfortable to hike when the heat, humidity, and the sun are less intense. Whether you're doing an easy day hike or a challenging multi-day trek, winter is a great time for hiking in Australia. 

8. Winter events

To combat the drop in tourism, lots of places around Australia host fun winter events to excite locals and international travellers! For example, Sydney has the Vivid Lights Festival in May and June every year, where all of Sydney Harbour is lit up in colourful light displays. In the Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef Festival in August brings fireworks, art installations, parades, and educational reef talks to Airlie Beach. So winter is a great time to engage with local communities in Australia!

Winter is the cheapest time to visit Australia, but it's also arguably the best time!

Check out our epic itineraries and tours, or live chat with our travel experts to plan your ideal getaway in winter.