Australia is home to tropical, subtropical, desert and temperate climates – we’ve got green rainforests, sandy plains, snowy alps and sunny beaches. Temperature and climate are important when planning your trip or packing your bags (we’re the land Down Under, so our seasons are the opposite to the Northern Hemisphere). But don’t forget to think about peak seasons, striking wildlife events and exciting festivals that could influence your decisions on when to visit Australia.
Best Time to Visit Australia For Ideal Weather
The Best Time to visit Australia depends on the area you plan to travel to in Australia. Australia is the world’s largest country with some different climate zones. While Northern Australia has a more hot-influenced climate which is hot and humid in summer and quite wet and dry in winter, the Southern parts of Australia are cooler with clement and sometimes rainy winters.
Best Time to Go Hiking in Australia
Australia's National Parks and wilderness areas are linked with hundreds of amazing hiking trails, many of which are best addressed at exact times of the year. As the summer months can be unacceptable hot in Australia's Red Center, walks in places like Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are most comfortable and safely take on from April to September.
Best Time to Go Surfing in Australia
Like many other Surface places around the world, the best months for surfing in Australia don't always clash with the best months for swimming. If you're just learning how to surf, there's normally no bad time to take a lesson in Australia, though you'll be more comfortable spending hours in the water during the Australian summer months — mostly in Victoria and southern Western Australia. Offshore winds combined with more consistent swells during the Australian winter months tend to offer the best conditions around the country, though there are some exceptions. Storms can still make big waves at any time of the year.
Best Time to See Wildlife in Australia
One of the best things about visiting the east and west seaboard of Australia between May and November is the opportunity to spot migrating whales, which make their way up and down each coast during those months. The best time for a Whale-watching tour is generally in August and September. If you've always wanted to see an orca on the chase, aim to be in Western Australia's Bremer Bay between January and April.
Cheapest Time to Visit Australia
Flying to Australia is usually one of the biggest cost problems, but if you're ready to opt for a layover in New Zealand, China, Singapore, or another regional hub, good deals can be found. Airlines like Jetstar (Qantas' low-cost carrier) and Virgin Australia often advertise great domestic deals, and deal prices can drop significantly in low and shoulder seasons, which differ from region to region. City breaks in southern cities are often cheaper in the winter, when there's still plenty to see — particularly Vivid Sydney, during which iconic buildings are illuminated by incredible light installations for some weeks.