The best time to visit Australia for a first trip combining Sydney, the Red Centre and the Great Barrier Reef is the southern spring (September to November) or the southern autumn (March to May). Temperatures are mild in the south, the heat is bearable at Uluru and the tropical north is dry or becoming so. For the north alone (Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu), aim for May to October, the dry season. To locate Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu and Uluru, see the map of Australia.
The seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere: the southern summer runs from December to February, winter from June to August. The country is as large as Europe and covers several climates: temperate in the south, desert in the center, tropical with a wet season in the north. To decide when to go to Australia, you therefore need to think region by region: this guide details the climate of Australia month by month based on the official normals of the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), the Australian weather service.
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When to go to Australia at a glance
- Best compromise for the whole country September to November and March to May
- Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania October to April for warmth and the beach; winter (June–August) stays mild in Sydney (about 18 °C (64 °F) in the afternoon)
- Tropical north (Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu) May to October; the wet season runs roughly from December to April, with very heavy rain and a risk of cyclones
- Red Centre (Uluru, Alice Springs) April–May and September–October; over 35 °C (95 °F) in December–January, nights close to 4 °C (39 °F) in July
- Most expensive periods late December to late January (Australian summer holidays) and local school holidays
- Keep in mind bushfires (higher risk from October to February according to the UK FCDO), tropical cyclones (usually November to April), rip currents and dangerous marine animals
When to go to Australia by priority
- Best weather: September to November and March to May to combine regions; May to October for the tropical north
- Cheapest: May–June and August–September, outside local school holidays, for the south and the center
- Fewest crowds: May, June and August in Sydney; the wet season in the north, from December to April, is the quietest
- Events: Australian Open in Melbourne in January, Australia Day on January 26, Vivid Sydney in May–June, Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November, New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour
To compare with other destinations, see our selection of where to go in May.
Australia: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: January, February, March, April, may, September, October, November, December
Sydney weather month by month
The table below gives the normals for Sydney, the arrival point for most trips and representative of the southeast coast. As the arrival point for most trips, the city deserves several days: our guide to visiting Sydney covers districts, beaches and ferries.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.7 °C (82 °F) | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | Very high (summer holidays) | Very high | ✅ Midsummer, beach and long evenings |
| February | 27.1 °C (81 °F) | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Hot, a few thunderstorms |
| March | 25.8 °C (78 °F) | 18.5 °C (65 °F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Early autumn, sea still warm |
| April | 23.3 °C (74 °F) | 15.2 °C (59 °F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | Moderate (Easter) | Moderate | ✅ Mild and pleasant |
| May | 20.6 °C (69 °F) | 12.1 °C (54 °F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | Low | Low | ✅ Cool evenings, good for sightseeing |
| June | 18.1 °C (65 °F) | 9.8 °C (50 °F) | 126 mm (5.0 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Mild winter, wettest month |
| July | 17.7 °C (64 °F) | 8.5 °C (47 °F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | Moderate (Northern Hemisphere school holidays) | Moderate | ⚠️ Coolest month |
| August | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 9.3 °C (49 °F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cool but often sunny |
| September | 21.6 °C (71 °F) | 11.9 °C (53 °F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Spring, dry weather |
| October | 23.6 °C (74 °F) | 14.4 °C (58 °F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Very good month, the driest |
| November | 24.6 °C (76 °F) | 16.5 °C (62 °F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Start of summer |
| December | 26.4 °C (80 °F) | 18.4 °C (65 °F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | Very high (holidays) | Very high | ✅ Summer, New Year’s Eve on the harbour |
In Sydney it rains all year, but without a real rainy season: rainfall stays between 55 to 130 mm (2.2 to 5.1 in) per month. The real timing constraints are elsewhere: the center’s summer heat, the wet season in the north.
Australia’s seasons: pros and cons
In the south of the country there are four seasons, shifted six months from the Northern Hemisphere. In the tropical north, people speak instead of two seasons: the dry season (roughly May to October) and the wet season (roughly December to April), with transition months between the two.
Southern summer (December to February): beach season in the south
This is high season for Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania and Perth: long days, warmer sea, full terraces. Perth is the driest major city at this time, with less than 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain per month from December to February. It is also the time of the Australian summer school holidays.
- Pros: beach, hiking in Tasmania, New Year in Sydney, the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne in January
- Cons: prices at their highest; very strong heat in the center (37.1 °C (99 °F) average high in January at Alice Springs); wet season and risk of cyclones in the north; risk of bushfires
Southern autumn (March to May): the best compromise
Temperatures fall in the south while remaining pleasant (23.3 °C (74 °F) in the afternoon in April in Sydney). In the center, the heat becomes bearable. In the north, the wet season ends: in Darwin, rainfall goes from 314 mm (12.4 in) in March to 21 mm (0.8 in) in May.
- Pros: decent conditions almost everywhere, lower prices than in summer (outside the Easter holidays), sea still warm on the east coast in March
- Cons: in the north, March and April remain rainy and some roads or tracks may still be closed
- Who is it for? A complete Sydney – Uluru – Cairns circuit, preferably in May
Southern winter (June to August): the dry season in the north
Winter is mild in Sydney (17.7 °C (64 °F) in the afternoon in July) and cooler in Melbourne (14.1 °C (57 °F)) or Tasmania. Perth receives most of its rain at this time (147 mm (5.8 in) in July). On the other hand, it is the best season for the north: in Cairns, less than 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain falls per month from June to September, and in Darwin almost none from June to August.
- Pros: Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu and the tropical coast in their best season; mild days at Uluru
- Cons: cool and sometimes gray south, sea too cold for swimming in Sydney; cold nights in the center (3.9 °C (39 °F) average minimum in July at Alice Springs)
- Who is it for? July–August travelers who focus on Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Red Centre
Southern spring (September to November): the other good window
It warms up in the south and becomes drier: October is the least rainy month in Sydney (56 mm (2.2 in)). The north is still in the dry season in September, but heat and humidity rise noticeably in October–November, before the rains arrive.
- Pros: good balance across all regions, particularly in September–October; moderate prices outside school holidays
- Cons: Uluru already exceeds an average high of 30 °C (86 °F) in October; in the north, November is hot and sticky
- Who is it for? A first complete trip, in October for example
When to go to Australia by region
Comparison of the normals for six cities, from the tropical north to the temperate south:
| Month | Sydney | Melbourne | Cairns | Darwin | Alice Springs | Perth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.7 °C (82 °F) / 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26.6 °C (80 °F) / 43 mm (1.7 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 389 mm (15.3 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 471 mm (18.5 in) | 37.1 °C (99 °F) / 49 mm (1.9 in) | 31.4 °C (89 °F) / 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| February | 27.1 °C (81 °F) / 117 mm (4.6 in) | 26.5 °C (80 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 31.5 °C (89 °F) / 476 mm (18.7 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 412 mm (16.2 in) | 35.8 °C (96 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| March | 25.8 °C (78 °F) / 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) / 367 mm (14.4 in) | 32.3 °C (90 °F) / 314 mm (12.4 in) | 33.5 °C (92 °F) / 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| April | 23.3 °C (74 °F) / 98 mm (3.9 in) | 21.0 °C (70 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) | 29.6 °C (85 °F) / 178 mm (7.0 in) | 33.0 °C (91 °F) / 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29.3 °C (85 °F) / 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26.0 °C (79 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 20.6 °C (69 °F) / 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17.5 °C (64 °F) / 51 mm (2.0 in) | 28.0 °C (82 °F) / 81 mm (3.2 in) | 32.3 °C (90 °F) / 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23.6 °C (74 °F) / 18 mm (0.7 in) | 22.4 °C (72 °F) / 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| June | 18.1 °C (65 °F) / 126 mm (5.0 in) | 14.6 °C (58 °F) / 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26.6 °C (80 °F) / 43 mm (1.7 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) / 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19.5 °C (67 °F) / 127 mm (5.0 in) |
| July | 17.7 °C (64 °F) / 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) / 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26.2 °C (79 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 1 mm (0.0 in) | 20.7 °C (69 °F) / 13 mm (0.5 in) | 18.5 °C (65 °F) / 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| August | 19.1 °C (66 °F) / 63 mm (2.5 in) | 15.3 °C (60 °F) / 51 mm (2.0 in) | 27.0 °C (81 °F) / 27 mm (1.1 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 1 mm (0.0 in) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) / 4 mm (0.2 in) | 19.2 °C (67 °F) / 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| September | 21.6 °C (71 °F) / 59 mm (2.3 in) | 17.5 °C (64 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28.7 °C (84 °F) / 28 mm (1.1 in) | 33.1 °C (92 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28.8 °C (84 °F) / 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20.6 °C (69 °F) / 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| October | 23.6 °C (74 °F) / 56 mm (2.2 in) | 19.8 °C (68 °F) / 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29.9 °C (86 °F) / 63 mm (2.5 in) | 33.8 °C (93 °F) / 69 mm (2.7 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) / 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| November | 24.6 °C (76 °F) / 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) / 85 mm (3.3 in) | 33.7 °C (93 °F) / 144 mm (5.7 in) | 34.4 °C (94 °F) / 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26.8 °C (80 °F) / 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| December | 26.4 °C (80 °F) / 67 mm (2.6 in) | 24.3 °C (76 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 186 mm (7.3 in) | 33.0 °C (91 °F) / 279 mm (11.0 in) | 35.7 °C (96 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29.6 °C (85 °F) / 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Sydney and the New South Wales coast
Temperate, sunny climate, with no season that is really not recommended. For the beach, aim for November to March; for sightseeing and hiking in the Blue Mountains, spring and autumn are more comfortable. Winter (June–August) stays mild, with minimums around 9 °C (48 °F).
Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road and Tasmania
Cooler and more changeable than Sydney. Melbourne rarely exceeds an average high of 15 °C (59 °F) in winter, and can see several kinds of weather in the same day. The best period runs from November to April, also for the Great Ocean Road and Tasmania, which is cooler still.
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
Tropical Queensland has a marked wet season: in Cairns, 389 mm (15.3 in) of rain falls in January, 476 mm (18.7 in) in February and 367 mm (14.4 in) in March. The ideal period runs from June to October: dry weather, about 26 to 30 °C (79 to 86 °F) in the afternoon, generally calmer seas for reef trips. Jellyfish are among the dangerous animals the UK FCDO lists for Australia (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026): follow the posted signs and local advice before entering the water.
Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End
It is hot all year in Darwin (31 to 34 °C (88 to 93 °F) in the afternoon), but everything changes with the rain: more than 400 mm (15.7 in) per month in January and February, almost nothing from June to August. Aim for May to September. During the wet season, roads and national park sites can be closed by flooding: check with the parks before booking. The north is also exposed to cyclones: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026), the cyclone season normally runs from November to April, mainly affecting Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Uluru, Alice Springs and the Red Centre
Desert climate, with large differences between day and night. In summer, highs exceed 35 °C (95 °F) from December to February at Alice Springs; in winter it is about 20 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon but less than 5 °C (41 °F) at night in June–July. The best periods are April–May and September–October.
Perth and Western Australia
Perth has a Mediterranean-type climate: hot, very dry summers (less than 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain per month from December to March), mild, rainy winters (147 mm (5.8 in) in July). The best period runs from October to April for the coast and beaches of the region.
Region-by-region summary: the right month depending on the part of the country you are targeting.
| Month | Sydney and the southeast coast | Melbourne and Tasmania | Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef | Darwin and Kakadu | Uluru and the Red Centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ✅ Midsummer | ✅ Summer | ❌ Wet season | ❌ Wet season | ❌ Over 35 °C (95 °F) |
| February | ✅ Hot, thunderstorms | ✅ Summer | ❌ Wettest | ❌ Wet season | ❌ Over 35 °C (95 °F) |
| March | ✅ Sea still warm | ✅ Mild autumn | ❌ Wet season | ❌ Wet season | ⚠️ Still hot |
| April | ✅ Mild | ✅ Autumn | ⚠️ End of the rains | ⚠️ End of the rains | ✅ Ideal |
| May | ✅ Cool evenings | ⚠️ Cool | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Ideal |
| June | ⚠️ Mild, rainy winter | ⚠️ Cool winter | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Mild by day, cold nights |
| July | ⚠️ Coolest | ⚠️ Cool winter | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Mild by day, cold nights |
| August | ⚠️ Cool, sunny | ⚠️ Cool winter | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Mild by day |
| September | ✅ Spring | ⚠️ Changeable spring | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Dry season | ✅ Ideal |
| October | ✅ Driest | ⚠️ Changeable spring | ✅ Dry season | ⚠️ Hot and sticky | ✅ Ideal |
| November | ✅ Start of summer | ✅ Start of summer | ⚠️ Humid heat | ⚠️ Humid heat | ⚠️ Very hot |
| December | ✅ Summer | ✅ Summer | ⚠️ Arrival of the rains | ❌ Wet season | ❌ Over 35 °C (95 °F) |
✅ favorable conditions, ⚠️ possible with caveats, ❌ to avoid. Summary based on the normals cited on this page and the regional advice above.
When to go to Australia by trip type
| Your trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (Sydney, Uluru, reef) | September–October or April–May | Sydney, Uluru, Cairns |
| Diving and the Great Barrier Reef | June to October | Cairns, Port Douglas, Whitsunday Islands |
| Beach in the south | December to March | Sydney, Perth, New South Wales coast |
| Great Ocean Road trip | November to April | Melbourne and the Victoria coast |
| Outback and northern parks | May to September | Kakadu, Litchfield, Uluru |
| July–August trip | July–August | Tropical Queensland, Northern Territory, Red Centre |
| Hiking in Tasmania | December to March | Cradle Mountain, Freycinet |
| Budget | May–June, August–September (outside local holidays) | The south; the north in May or September |
Major events to build into your trip
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve fireworks on the harbour | Sydney |
| January | Australian Open tennis | Melbourne |
| January 26 | Australia Day, national holiday | Nationwide |
| May–June (dates vary) | Vivid Sydney, festival of light | Sydney |
| First Tuesday of November | Melbourne Cup, horse race | Melbourne |
Australia month by month
January: Midsummer in the south, school holidays and prices at their highest. Very hot in the center, wet season in the north (389 mm (15.3 in) of rain in Cairns).
February: Still summer in the south, slightly fewer people once the Australian school year resumes. The wettest month in Cairns (476 mm (18.7 in)).
March: A good month for Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The north stays in the wet season, the center begins to cool.
April: Mild autumn in the south, conditions improving at Uluru. End of the wet season in the north, beware of the Easter holidays.
May: One of the best months for a complete circuit: south still pleasant, center comfortable, north moving into the dry season.
June: Start of winter in the south, the wettest month in Sydney. Excellent time for Darwin, Kakadu and Cairns. Vivid Sydney in some years.
July: The coolest month in the south. Ideal in the tropical north and at Uluru by day (cold nights).
August: Same situation as July: aim for Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Red Centre. Rain still significant in Perth.
September: Spring returns in the south, still dry in the north. A very good month to combine regions.
October: The driest month in Sydney. Uluru starts to heat up, the north becomes sticky and humid late in the month.
November: Start of summer in the south and a good time in Perth. In the north, humid heat and the first heavy rains. Melbourne Cup.
December: Summer, holidays and very high prices. New Year in Sydney. Wet season settling in the north, over 35 °C (95 °F) in the center.
High and low season: the cheapest period
Peak tourist season corresponds to the southern summer, from mid-December to late January, when the holidays coincide with the long Australian school holidays. In the tropical north, the logic is reversed: the dry season (June to October) is the most in demand, the wet season the quietest.
- Cheapest period: May–June and August–September, outside local school holidays, for the south and the center
- Coolest month: July in the south (17.7 °C (64 °F) average high in Sydney, 14.1 °C (57 °F) in Melbourne)
- Hottest month in the center: January (37.1 °C (99 °F) average high at Alice Springs)
- Wettest month in Cairns: February (476 mm (18.7 in))
When to book your trip to Australia
For December–January, book your flights 6 months ahead or more: it is both the holiday season and the time of the long Australian school holidays. The same logic applies to July–August, also in high demand. Accommodation near Uluru, of which there is little, and domestic flights to Cairns and Darwin in the dry season should also be booked early. In the shoulder seasons, 3 to 4 months is usually enough.
Planning your trip to Australia
- Entry requirements: rules depend on your nationality; see the entry requirements for Australia before you travel.
- Customs: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026), Australia has strict quarantine rules: you must fill in an Incoming Passenger Card and declare goods considered a risk, such as food, animal products and plant material (including wooden articles). If in doubt, declare.
- Time difference: it varies by state and with daylight saving changes; see our time difference guide for Australia to compare it with your home city.
- Currency: the Australian dollar (AUD). Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere. Use our currency converter to estimate your budget.
- Health: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026) lists dengue among the health risks in Australia: protect yourself from mosquito bites. The standard of healthcare is very good but costs can be high; appropriate travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation is strongly recommended (UK FCDO; U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 13, 2026).
- Sun and sea: the UK FCDO says rip currents are the main hazard for all swimmers and surfers, and the U.S. Department of State advises swimming only between the flags where a lifeguard is present, and never alone. The FCDO also notes that Australia has many dangerous animal species, including crocodiles, jellyfish, sharks, venomous insects, spiders and snakes in many parts of the country.
For more, see our complete Australia travel guide. Hesitating over another Pacific destination? See also when to go to French Polynesia or when to go to New Zealand, often combined with Australia. Also think about your travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Australia?
For a trip combining Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, May, September and October are the most balanced months: mild in the south, bearable in the center and dry in the north.
Can you visit Australia in July or August?
Yes. It is the southern winter: about 18 °C (64 °F) in the afternoon in Sydney and 14 °C (57 °F) in Melbourne, but it is the best season for Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu and Uluru by day. Focus your itinerary on the north and the center.
When is the best time to see the Great Barrier Reef?
From June to October, during the dry season. From December to March, Cairns receives more than 350 mm (13.8 in) of rain per month, with a risk of cyclones and jellyfish, which the UK FCDO lists among Australia’s dangerous animals.
When should you visit Uluru?
April to May or September to October. In December–January, the average high exceeds 35 °C (95 °F) at Alice Springs; in July, nights drop to around 4 °C (39 °F).
What is the most expensive time to visit Australia?
From mid-December to late January, when the end-of-year holidays coincide with the long Australian summer school holidays. July–August is also in high demand.
When should you not go to Australia?
There is no bad season for the whole country, only regions to avoid depending on the month: the tropical north from December to April (wet season, cyclones), the center in midsummer, and the south in winter if you want to swim.
What is the cheapest time to visit Australia?
Outside local school holidays, May–June and August–September are generally more affordable for the south and the center. Avoid mid-December to late January, the most expensive period.
What is the coldest month in Australia?
July in the south: 17.7 °C (64 °F) average high in Sydney and 14.1 °C (57 °F) in Melbourne. In the center, nights drop to around 4 °C (39 °F) at Alice Springs. The tropical north stays warm all year.
Our sources
- Bureau of Meteorology (BoM, Australian weather service): 1991–2020 normals for the Sydney Airport, Melbourne (Olympic Park), Cairns, Darwin Airport and Alice Springs Airport stations; normals published by the BoM for the Perth Metro station
- Safety, health and customs information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Australia (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Australia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 13, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
