When to go · Australia
Australia, month by month
The best months for Australia: Mar.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodPeak summer in the south: beaches, holidays and high prices; the north is in full wet and cyclone season.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: best weather · Tropical north: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGoodSchools back, still hot and settled in the south; Tasmania at its best; avoid the tropics.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: best weather · Tropical north: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium
- MarchGreatWarm seas, calmer crowds in the south; the north is still wet.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: best weather · Tropical north: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodAutumn colour, Easter holidays; the north begins to dry out late in the month.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: fine · Tropical north: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGoodShoulder month: dry season starts in the north, the Red Centre cools, the south is crisp.South-east coast: fine · Tasmania: cool · Tropical north: best weatherCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGoodBest for Cairns, Darwin and Uluru; the south is cool with short days; Vivid in Sydney.South-east coast: cool · Tasmania: cool · Tropical north: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- JulyGoodPeak in the tropical north and the Red Centre during school holidays; ski season in the south-east.South-east coast: cool · Tasmania: cool · Tropical north: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGoodDry and sunny north, whales along the east coast, wildflowers in WA.South-east coast: cool · Tasmania: cool · Tropical north: best weatherCrowds: Medium
- SeptemberGoodSpring in the south, still dry in the north; one of the best months to combine both.South-east coast: fine · Tasmania: cool · Tropical north: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- OctoberGoodWarm south, building heat in the north; the good compromise month before stinger season.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: fine · Tropical north: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberMixedSouth is pleasant; the north turns humid with storms, stingers arrive and some roads close.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: fine · Tropical north: hotCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedSummer holidays begin; bushfire risk and heatwaves in the south, wet season in the north; book everything early.South-east coast: best weather · Tasmania: best weather · Tropical north: rainyCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-east coastSydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best |
| TasmaniaHobart, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | OK | Best |
| Tropical northCairns, Port Douglas, Darwin, Kakadu, Kimberley | Storm | Storm | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet |
| Red CentreUluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs | Hot | Hot | Hot | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Hot | Hot |
| South-westPerth, Margaret River, Rottnest | Hot | Hot | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best |