Australia in January

Peak summer in the south: beaches, holidays and high prices; the north is in full wet and cyclone season.

• 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, Kimberleystorm or typhoon risk

  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, Rottnesthot

  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.

• Australia Day

  26 January

  Public holiday, beach crowds; for many First Nations people it is a day of mourning (also called Invasion or Survival Day), with marches in the capitals.

• Summer school holidays big impact

  Mid-Dec to late Jan

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

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
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

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)

Better another month

• Tropical north

  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.