When is the best time to go to Australia?

27.11.2023 - 14:11 / lonelyplanet.com / Red Centre

As the sixth-largest country in the world, Australia has landscapes that range from dry savannahs and scrubland to lush tropical rainforests.

Each season brings its own magic, depending on where you are and when. Summer can either mean comfortable temperate days, blistering desert heat, or days of extreme humidity and frequent rain. Similarly, winter can deliver both snow or sunshine, depending on your location – and preference.

In short, the best time to travel to Australia depends on what you plan to do. From festivals to whale watching and wildflowers, here’s a seasonal breakdown of what's happening through the year.

Thoughts of Australia often conjure summer scenes of clear skies, brilliant sunshine and the sparkling ocean. December to February brings the hottest months with the longest days. This is also the peak travel season, so come prepared for crowds and premium rates on accommodation, particularly during Australian school holidays (which typically run from late December to late January).

Incredible as they are, there are plenty of ways beyond the beaches to enjoy summer in Australia. As Australia’s tropical north bunkers down for the wet season (with some remote regions such as the Kimberley all but closing up business until “the Dry” returns) this is the time to head south for festivals, sports and sunshine. 

Big ticket events in January include the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne and Sydney Festival, a visual and performing arts festival. Also not to be missed are quirky regional events such as Parkes Elvis Festival in rural New South Wales, timed to coincide with the King of Rock and Roll’s birthday. 

In February, the world’s second-largest Fringe Festival (after Edinburgh) takes over Adelaide, while the streets are lined with glitter and rainbows for Sydney’s version of Pride: the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. There are also countless outdoor music festivals (both ticketed and free) across the country during this time, particularly over the New Year’s holiday period.

The shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) can mean more rain in many areas, but much milder temperatures. This makes it easier to experience city and outback life in one trip. 

During these periods, you'll find relief from otherwise scorching outback temperatures, making it the ideal time to visit destinations in the Red Centre including Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Meanwhile hiking routes, including Central Australia’s Larapinta Trail, South Australia’s Heyson Trail and Cathedral Gorge in Western Australia’s Purnululu National Park, are a lot more manageable in the cooler months.

If you’re visiting the Kimberley between March and May, you may also be rewarded with glimpses of