Australia is a massive place! Looking to travel to Downunder but not sure when? Finding the best time to head to Australia often depends on what areas you are hoping to see. With inviting summers, mild winters and gorgeous scenery year-round, there are truly no dates of the year to avoid Australia. We have highlighted all 4 of Australia’s seasons to hopefully help make your decision a tad easier! Check out to find the best time to visit:
SUMMER (December-February)
From December to February you can experience the season of summer throughout Australia. Many would argue that Melbourne and Sydney are the best cities to visit during Australia’s summer with their vibrant festival seasons. Sydney is an incredible spot to spend New Year’s with its world-class fireworks display. Can’t make it for New Year’s Eve? You’ll have another opportunity to catch fireworks over Sydney Harbour on Australia Day, which falls every late January. Melbourne’s summer is also crammed with events including Chinese New Year and the Australian Open. Often time hotel prices spike around these event dates so book in advance for the best rate and largest selection. Keep your jackets on hand through December and until at least New Years as Melbourne is notorious for having unpredictable weather at this time and can vary up to “four seasons in one day”. Outside of these two popular cities, summer brings the peak travel season for the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast as well. Hit the beach and soak up all of the golden rays. Across Australia, you’ll often find outdoor movie screenings during this time of the year in places where the weather is right.
FALL (March-May)
With tourism season and crowds thinning out, fall is a great season to visit anywhere across Australia. From March to May you can still experience the occasional ‘summery’ days across the big cities and enjoy a beach day along the east coast. Like summer, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are once again popular destination options but expect to experience them without the high crowds and prices. Take note, this is the ideal time to visit the surrounding regions of both Perth and Adelaide. Both areas face cold, dry winters and extremely hot summers, so fall is the sweet spot for visiting. While other cities are slowing down their festival celebrations, Adelaide’s festival season is just gaining momentum. Expect lots of lively wine, food and culture celebrations. If swimming with whale sharks interests you, hop on a boat trip to the Ningaloo Reef, located on Western Australia’s coast, between April and May for your best chances of spotting these beautiful creatures of the ocean. Rent a car and road-trip to any of these locations and take in the stunning autumn views of the colorful changing scenery around you.
WINTER (June-August)
Winter in Australia runs from June to August and depending on where you are from, your weather experience will most likely be more pleasant than the winter you are used to back home. At this time Northern Australia is experiencing its dry season which means sunny days accompanied by warm temperatures. The Great Barrier Reef tends to have calm currents that make for excellent snorkeling conditions for spotting all of the underwater wildlife. Avid hikers should head to the South of Australia for temperate weather and excellent hiking conditions. Or you can choose to head inland and explore rural areas such as the Flinders Ranges since they are typically too hot to visit over the summer months. If you are absolutely set on a true winter experience in Australia and plan on skiing, yes, it is possible. Head to The Snowy Mountains for some fun and easy slopes. If looking for some more impressive runs down the mountain, head to Australia’s neighbor, New Zealand. Festival lovers can check out Adelaide in June for the world’s largest cabaret festival. If you can’t make it to Adelaide’s, Melbourne has the second largest in the world immediately following.
SPRING (September-November)
Similar to Fall, Spring is a fabulous time to visit practically anywhere in Australia since it is in between two of the harsher weather seasons. Expect mild crowds and temperatures across the country. Separate from Fall, Spring in Australia means it is sports season. Big game dates can mean increased hotel accommodation prices and limited availability. Look out for the Melbourne Cup which is an annual horse race that takes place in November. It is often referred to as “the race that stops the nation”. Have some fun and dress up for the event. Taking a turn, hikers should take advantage of the well-marked trails in the Blue Mountains throughout October before the rush of summer crowds arrive. Foodies should check out the Margaret River region in November to enjoy its delicious food and wine festival.
BONUS: Cheapest Times to Visit Australia
While many know Australia is an expensive country, we have decided to give you a few insider tips on scoring the best deals throughout the year. As expected, December and January bring the highest prices due to the many holidays and pristine summer weather. When flying to Australia, New York City brought in the cheapest flights from September to October and the cheapest month from LAX was November. We hope these tips help and always recommend planning in advance for finding the best deals!
Which season sounds the most appealing to you? Let us know below! Once you’ve chosen your dates for your Australian adventure with Acanela, start your packing with this ultimate Australian packing guide and you’ll be on your way in no time!
Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak