When To Travel Where In Australia

Planning a trip to Australia can be confusing because there are so many unique destinations spread out across a range of different climates. You have the tropical north, the Mediterranean coastal regions, the alpine south, the arid desert centre, and more. Cairns feels like an entirely different world from Tasmania, and the state of Western Australia is large enough to hold at least 4 different climate zones. 

So let our team of travel experts tell you when to travel where in Australia! We’ll take all the guesswork out of it and provide the perfect seasons for Australia’s top destinations. 

When Is The Best Time to Visit Australia? A Complete Guide To All Regions

Here is a detailed guide to the best months to visit Australia, based on region. The thing is, there is no bad time to visit Australia as a whole. No matter what month you visit, you can always find somewhere that has a favorable climate. The key is knowing where to go at each time of year. 

When planning your trip, it’s important to note that Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere! So for travellers coming from Northern destinations such Europe, North America, China, or Japan, remember that the seasons are reversed. 

Australia’s seasons are:

• Summer - December, January, February
• Autumn - March, April, May
• Winter - June, July, August
• Spring - September, October, November

However, these seasons may not be that distinct all over Australia. For example, the tropical north only really has a wet and a dry season. But we’ll get into all the specifics shortly.

Here is your guide for when to travel where in Australia!

Summer in Australia

December, January, February

Best places to travel - Southern destinations such as Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide

For Australia’s hot, steamy summers, head south! Australia has notoriously strong sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and refreshing ocean waters, making summertime a dream. However, the northern parts of Australia can be extremely hot, humid, and rainy in summer. Places like the Outback are not recommended due to the intense heat and monsoons as well. 

If you head south in summer, you’ll find hot but not scorching temperatures that are perfect for beach days, camping trips, boat rides, and outdoor adventures. This is generally the most popular time to visit Australia, but the natural beauty of the southern destinations is irresistible at this time of year. 

Top things to do in summer in Australia

• Road trip along the coast from Sydney to Melbourne
• Go hiking in Victoria’s Grampians Mountains
• Sightsee in Melbourne
• Try surfing in Torquay and Bells Beach
• Drive along the Great Ocean Road
• Visit Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade
• Hike and camp in Tasmania
• Take trips to Bruny Island or Maria Island
• Tour Adelaide
• Go wine tasting in the Barossa Valley

Autumn in Australia

March, April, May

Best places to travel - West coast destinations like Esperance, Margaret River, Perth, and Exmouth

Autumn is generally a lovely time to visit anywhere in Australia as it is the shoulder season. You can find fewer crowds and cheaper prices than in summer as well as pleasant temperatures all over the country. But autumn is like a dream on the west coast! 

Whether you’re road-tripping along the entire epic coastline, seeking out the best surf breaks, spending some time in Perth, or visiting the pristine reefs of the Ningaloo Coast, autumn is a fabulous time to tour Western Australia. 

Top things to do in autumn in Australia

• See kangaroos on the beach in Lucky Bay
• Visit white sand beaches around Esperance
• Surf and go wine tasting in Margaret River
• Watch the sunset on the Busselton Jetty
• Explore Perth
• Take a quokka selfie on Rottnest Island
• Visit the Pinnacles Desert
• Road trip up the West Coast
• Swim with whale sharks in Exmouth
• Snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef

Winter in Australia

June, July, August

Best places to travel - Desert regions of the Red Centre and the Top End such as Broome, the Kimberley, Uluru, and Darwin

Winter is a unique time to visit Australia because it can be very cold and even snowy in some places, but still warm, sunny, and dry in others. Though you can head south if you’re looking for a skiing or snowboarding getaway, winter provides ideal conditions for exploring the raw, rugged Outback! 

The intense heat of the desert diminishes in winter, providing warm, clear days and chilly nights in places like the Red Centre. This is also a great time to hike, camp, and 4WD through the lush national parks of the Top End such as Nitmiluk, Litchfield, and Kakadu. Enticing destinations in the north of Western Australia such as Karijini National Park or Broome are also gorgeous in the cooler winter months. 

Top things to do in winter in Australia

• Explore the gorges of Karijini National Park
• Visit Broome
• Ride a camel at sunset on Cable Beach
• Road trip through the Kimberley
• Explore Darwin
• Venture through Kakadu National Park
• See the sunrise over Uluru
• Hike through Kings Canyon
• Admire the rock formations of Kata Tjuta
• Camp and road trip through the Outback

Spring in Australia

September, October, November

Best places to travel - East Coast destinations like Cairns, the Whitsundays, K'gari, Noosa, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney

Spring, like autumn, is a dreamy time to visit lots of places in Australia. The mild temperatures and medium level of crowds are pretty consistent all over the country. But there is never a better time to explore the world-famous East Coast of Australia! The summer crowds and heat haven’t yet hit, and the weather is excellent for road-tripping, hiking, camping, surfing, and snorkelling. 

Spend your spring hitting the highlights of the East Coast, starting with Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef and ending with the stunning beaches of New South Wales. Iconic cities like Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sydney are beautiful in spring, and you’ll also get perfect sailing conditions for places like the Whitsundays. 

Top things to do in spring in Australia

• Explore Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
• See koalas on Magnetic Island
• Sail through the Whitsunday Islands
• Surf in Noosa
• 4WD across K’gari (Fraser Island)
• Visit Brisbane
• Beach hop in Gold Coast or Byron Bay
• Sandboard in Port Stephens
• Tour Sydney and Bondi Beach
• Hike and camp in the Blue Mountains

Contact our travel experts if you need more advice, planning tips, or tour recommendations for your adventures in Australia!