Australia in December

Summer holidays begin; bushfire risk and heatwaves in the south, wet season in the north; book everything early.

• South-east coast · Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaidebest weather

  Summer is beach season and school-holiday peak; Melbourne swings between cool and 40 °C in a day. Winter is mild and sunny in Sydney, grey and cool in Melbourne.

• Tasmania · Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Freycinetbest weather

  Walking season is Nov–Apr; snow is possible in the highlands any month.

• Tropical north · Cairns, Port Douglas, Darwin, Kakadu, Kimberleyrainy

  Dry season May–Oct is the window: roads open, no stingers in most of it, waterfalls still flowing early on. Nov–Apr brings humidity, monsoon floods, cyclones and box jellyfish.

• Red Centre · Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springshot

  Winter days are clear and 20 °C with nights near freezing; summer passes 40 °C and some walks close from 11:00.

• South-west · Perth, Margaret River, Rottnestbest weather

  Dry, hot summers with afternoon sea breeze; wildflowers north of Perth Aug–Oct.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year big impact

  31 Dec – 1 Jan

  Sydney Harbour fireworks: vantage points ticketed or claimed from morning; beds book out months ahead.

• Summer school holidays big impact

  Mid-Dec to late Jan

  Coast, campsites, ferries and Tasmania fill; prices peak.

• Christmas and Boxing Day big impact

  25–26 December

  Shops closed on Christmas Day; Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the Sydney–Hobart yacht race start.

• New Year's Eve

  Dec 31 · Sydney

  Harbour foreshores close to walk-ups; transport is crowded and hotels sell out.

Crowds · Australia

High

Prices · Australia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• South-east coast

  Best weather of the year (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide)

• Tasmania

  Best weather of the year (Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet)

• South-west

  Best weather of the year (Perth, Margaret River, Rottnest)