Best Time to Visit Australia

A big country, no single best month

Australia is huge, and the seasons flip from north to south. Your best month depends on where you're going. Remember too that seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere, so summer runs December to February.

In the south, summer is the time for beaches and long evenings. Melbourne is at its best from December to April, and Hobart peaks from January to March. Hobart stays mild, with a hottest month of only 22°C. Adelaide and Sydney do well in autumn and spring, when it's warm without the summer heat. Perth is pleasant from October to May, but its winters are wet, and July is the soggiest month.

The tropical north runs on a different clock

Cairns and Darwin don't have four seasons. They have a wet and a dry one. January is the wettest month in both, with heavy rain and thick, sticky air. Darwin's dry season, May to August, is the sweet spot for outdoor trips. In Cairns, August and September are best for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest. Brisbane and the Gold Coast sit in between. Their winter months, July to September, are dry and sunny, while summer brings humid afternoons and storms.

Holidays, crowds and prices

High season is the southern summer, from mid-December to late January. Schools are out, and coastal towns and beaches fill up. Christmas, New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour and Australia Day on 26 January are all busy. Easter and the school breaks that follow also push up demand. Melbourne gets busy in January for the Australian Open tennis.

If you'd rather avoid crowds, aim for the shoulder months. Autumn in Sydney or spring in Adelaide gives you good weather and more space. In the tropical north, the wet season is the quiet time. Some tours slow down then, and a few roads can close, so it's best only if you're flexible.

Canberra is easy to fit in at either end of the shoulder season. April and October are its best months, with mild days and fewer visitors.