Weather in Australia
Australia is a huge continent, and its weather varies depending on whether you're traveling to the north, south, center, east, or west of the country. Some regions have only two seasons: the wet season and the dry season, while others have all four: summer, fall, winter, and spring. Generally speaking, the weather is always nice somewhere in Australia.
You just have to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We've compiled our knowledge of the country, along with the questions we regularly receive, to create this weather page. Enjoy!
What is the best season to travel to Australia?
Is it very hot in summer in Australia?
Does it rain a lot in Northern Australia?
Is winter cold in Sydney and Melbourne?
Can you swim all year round on the Great Barrier Reef?
What is the temperature in the Australian desert depending on the season?
Where to go in July and August in Australia?
Where to go for Christmas in Australia?
Where to go for Easter in Australia?
What is the best season to travel to Australia?
Australia can be visited year-round; the weather will always be nice, whether it's December or January, July or August, or during spring and fall.
Before giving a straight answer about the best season, it's important to remember that Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, and therefore the seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. When it's summer here in Australia, it's winter in Europe. Moreover, the northern part of Australia is tropical, so there aren't four seasons, but only two: the dry season (May to October) and the wet season (November to April).
The best season is autumn and spring; temperatures are pleasant in most of the country, and it's the dry season in tropical regions.
If you don't want to go to the North or the Central Hemisphere, our summer months, between November and March, are excellent.
We therefore advise you to avoid going:
- To the North during the rainy season (November to March)
- To the South in winter (June to August) unless you plan to ski
- To the center in the height of summer (December to February)
Is it very hot in summer in Australia?
Yes, it's very hot in summer, but it depends on where you are going.
In the central region, the desert, it's extremely hot in summer, and we don't recommend traveling to this part of the country between December and February. In the rest of the country, depending on the region, the average temperature in summer is between 20°C and 37°C.
Does it rain a lot in Northern Australia?
The north of the country is tropical or semi-tropical, so there is a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season is between May and October, and the rainy season (tropical summer) is between November and April. During the rainy season, temperatures are hot, between 25° and 33°, and it is very humid. It rains a lot, with a risk of cyclones. This is not a season chosen by travelers because of flooding and humid heat, but it is still possible to visit. Be careful, many activities and tourist operators are closed during this season. Vehicle depots are also closed.
Is winter cold in Sydney and Melbourne?
MELBOURNE: The winter between June and September is quite cold in Melbourne. Temperatures average between 12° and 14°C. There are some beautiful sunny days, but it's still a real winter like the ones we know in Europe.
SYDNEY: The winter between June and September is quite mild in Sydney. Temperatures are pleasant, averaging between 14° and 20°C. You should still have a fleece jacket or a good sweater, but no warmer. Note that these are the wettest months.
Can you swim all year round on the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes, it is possible to swim at any time of year on the Great Barrier Reef. The water temperature is always warm all year round. Now, there is a very good chance that you will be required to wear a jellyfish wetsuit between October and May. This is because this period is jellyfish season. There is nothing to worry about; your tour operator will provide you with a wetsuit suitable for this period so that you can make the most of this adventure.
What is the temperature in the Australian desert depending on the season?
The Australian desert is a region of extreme temperatures.
In summer, it's extremely hot, with average daily temperatures of 35°C (95°F) and can reach over 40°C/45°C (104°F/113°F). Nights are pleasant, averaging 20°C (68°F). This season also brings thunderstorms, with or without rain. Note that fewer tour operators are open during this season.
In winter, it's quite cold. Daytime temperatures are pleasant at around 20°C (68°F), but at night they drop above 5°C (41°F). At this time of year, you'll need your entire wardrobe: shorts and a T-shirt for the day and a heavy jacket and hat for the evening.
Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit the Red Center. Temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold (between 20°C (68°F) and 30°C (86°F))
Where to go in July and August in Australia?
Without hesitation, northern Australia is the dry season. You can start your itinerary in Darwin and end in Cairns, or vice versa. The temperatures will be pleasant with little rain.
If you want to try skiing in Australia, July and August are excellent months. In this case, the Australian Alps in Victoria and New South Wales are the preferred destinations.
Where to go for Christmas in Australia?
You have many options available to you. Christmas is summer in Australia, the weather is nice and hot almost everywhere in the country except in tropical areas where it is the rainy season. So we recommend you visit the East Coast from Brisbane to Melbourne. You can also enjoy South Australia between Melbourne and Adelaide. Visiting Tasmania is also a great idea. It will be nice and hot there. You can also go to Western Australia but don't go too far north above Perth because it will be very hot.
Where to go for Easter in Australia?
Western Australia is ideal for this time of year, autumn. The days are warm and the nights cooler. It's therefore perfect for hiking, cycling, and exploring the region's vineyards. Daytime temperatures are around 30°C (86°F) and nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F).
The east coast from Sydney to Cairns is ideal. The weather is nice but not too hot. Temperatures rise the further north you go. It will be around 23°C (73°F) in Sydney and around 28°C (82°F) in Brisbane.
