Australia
The best time to visit
When to go to Australia
For Sydney and the south, go in spring, September to November, or autumn, March to May. The tropical north is best in its dry season, May to October. Remember the seasons are reversed: summer is December to February.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Sydney. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Sep.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
Australia is a continent, so the answer changes with where you go. The month ratings track Sydney, where the gentlest weather comes in spring and autumn, summer is warm and humid, and winter stays mild.
The far north works the other way around. Cairns, Darwin and the tropics have a dry season from May to October that is the time to go, and a hot, stormy wet season from November to April that brings cyclone risk to the coast.
Month by month
Australia month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Sydney.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C / 79°F | 19°C / 66°F | 100 mm | Ideal 78 | Warm with a little rain. |
| February | 26°C / 79°F | 19°C / 66°F | 120 mm | Great 70 | Warm and wet. |
| March | 25°C / 77°F | 18°C / 64°F | 130 mm | Great 66 | Warm and wet. |
| April | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 125 mm | Great 68 | Warm and wet. |
| May | 20°C / 68°F | 12°C / 54°F | 120 mm | Great 70 | Mild and wet. |
| June | 18°C / 64°F | 9°C / 48°F | 130 mm | Great 64 | Mild and wet. |
| July | 17°C / 63°F | 8°C / 46°F | 100 mm | Ideal 75 | Mild with a little rain. |
| August | 19°C / 66°F | 9°C / 48°F | 80 mm | Ideal 85 | Mild with a little rain. |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 70 mm | Ideal 90 | Mild with a little rain. Sydney hotels in September |
| October | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 75 mm | Ideal 88 | Warm with a little rain. Sydney hotels in October |
| November | 24°C / 75°F | 16°C / 61°F | 85 mm | Ideal 84 | Warm with a little rain. |
| December | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 80 mm | Ideal 86 | Warm with a little rain. Sydney hotels in December |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Sydney and the southeast
Temperate and at its best in spring and autumn. Summer is warm for the beaches, winter is cool but rarely cold.
The tropical north
Cairns and Darwin are made for the dry season, May to October. The wet season from November brings heat, storms and cyclone risk.
The Outback and Red Centre
Uluru and the desert are best from April to September, when the days are warm rather than scorching and the nights are cold.
Go for
Best time to visit Australia for
The Great Barrier Reef
June to October, the dry season, with clear water, calm seas and lower humidity. It also sits outside the worst of the stinger season.
Sydney and the beaches
December to February for warm summer days, or March to May for swimming with thinner crowds.
Uluru and the Outback
April to September, when the desert heat eases to comfortable days and crisp, cold nights.
Wine and the cities
March to May, when Melbourne, Adelaide and the wine regions glow in the autumn harvest.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Whale watching, May to November
Humpbacks migrate along the east and west coasts, easily spotted from headlands and boats.
Summer and festivals, Dec to Feb
Beach season peaks and the cities fill with open-air festivals and cricket.
Rainy season
Mar, Jun.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Australia
Compare hotels and rentals around Sydney, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Australia?
Are the seasons reversed in Australia?
When is the best time for the Great Barrier Reef?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.