The Best Time to Visit Australia: Where to Go for Every Season

Australia is a year-round destination with a complex climate. So, the time you choose to go really depends on what you'd most like to do, and which regions you'd like to visit.

For example, summer is known for its heat and sunshine in the south, making it the season of choice for beach lovers. In contrast, the more temperate and quieter spring and autumn shoulder seasons are best for active adventures. Meanwhile, winter is the dry season in the north, so anyone looking to dive into the outback will likely opt for these months.

Below, we break down each season - what to expect, where to go, and the standout experiences - to help you decide when is the best time to go to Australia on your holiday.

Getting to Australia in any season with Emirates

Australia might be one of the ultimate long-haul flights from the UK. But, with Emirates, you'll arrive feeling relaxed and refreshed when you fly Business Class, with lie-flat seats, gourmet dining and access to the airline's exclusive airport lounge.

Or, upgrade to First Class and have a restful flight in your own enclosed suite.

December to February – Australia’s Summer

Australia’s summer is peak travel season for many regions, with December, January and February typically the hottest three months of the year.

Across the southern half of the country, in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, temperatures in cities range from 20°C to 37°C, while Tasmania and the southwest region of Western Australia are also in their prime. The beaches across these regions are soaked in summer sunshine, drawing in surfers from across the world.

The only downside is that with the bright skies, the most iconic sites tend to get quite busy. However, when you plan with experts like our Travel Specialists, your itinerary can be designed to include quieter spots too, so you can make the most of the summer without feeling like you're following the crowds.

Remember, Australia's summer also includes Christmas and New Year, so if you want to soak it up, be sure to book well in advance.

On the flip side, the northern regions are in the wet season, so summer might not be the best time to visit if you want to experience the Outback or the Great Barrier Reef at their prime - though snorkelling is still possible with a wetsuit, and it will be far less crowded than the busier winter season.

Summer in Australia: Best for beaches, cities & summer adventure

So, if you have your heart set on an Australian summer, where is best to go?

Much of Australia is at its liveliest at this time of year - particularly the coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, which are a hive of summer activity.

Sydney is a natural starting point for many, where you can soak in some of the country's most iconic sights and experiences.

During your time here, you can try surfing lessons on Bondi Beach, take it easy with a private cruise from Sydney Harbour to Watsons Bay, enjoy a backstage tour of Sydney Opera House or feel the thrill of scaling the heights of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Finally, why not take the scenic Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach coastal walk, rounded off with fish and chips while you kick back on the sand and spot surfers on the waves?

Your next stop could be Melbourne, another thriving city, and a jumping off point for Tasmania; this island state is a natural playground, offering ample opportunity for embracing the great outdoors under summer skies.

While Tasmania may be Australia's smallest state, it's packed full of National Parks thriving with forests, waterfalls and wildlife. See it all with a Mt. Field & Derwent private day tour, or visit Freycinet, where, for something really special, you can take a scenic flight over its wild coastlines, followed by a gourmet lunch. January to February is also prime time for spotting baby wombats, though it's not all about nature; Tasmania’s charming towns, like Hobart, brim with art galleries, boutique properties and food-and-wine hotspots.

Over in South Australia, summer is the perfect time to explore Adelaide before venturing into the Barossa Valley. Expect exceptional cellar-door tastings, multi-course winery lunches, and exclusive experiences that reveal the region’s famous shiraz and red blends - such as a helicopter tour over the Barossa vineyards.

If you're in South Australia for summer, be sure to include a visit to Kangaroo Island, often called 'Australia's Galapagos'. With rugged beaches, windswept walking trails and a bounty of seafood to savour, you should opt for at least two nights to really make the most of this unique outpost.

While here, you can take a full day tour of Kangaroo Island to delve into its thriving wildlife, spotting free-roaming wallabies, kangaroos, koalas and parrots. Or explore Flinders Chase National Park, one of South Australia's oldest national parks, to see long-nosed fur seals basking on the rocks and the giant granite boulders of the Remarkable Rocks.

Holiday ideas for summer in Australia

March to May – Australia’s Autumn

Autumn is one of the most balanced times to visit Australia, with warm days, cooler evenings, fewer crowds, and spectacular seasonal colours in the southern regions.

With temperatures easing from summer highs, Australia’s autumn is perfect for hiking. Many vineyards enter their harvest period, making it an ideal time to explore the country’s prestigious wine regions.

The cities that thrive in summer are just as delightful at this time of year — and it’s festival season, so you’re likely to encounter vibrant cultural events as you travel.

Rains linger in the Northern Territory for much of autumn, but if you visit toward the end of the season in May, you’ll catch the sweet spot at the start of the dry season when crowds are lighter.

Autumn in Australia: Best for wine tasting, festivals & hiking

If you're looking to visit Sydney in autumn, be sure to plan a day trip to the Blue Mountains. Set just outside the city, this National Park offers some truly breathtaking views along its walking trails, with iconic landmarks like the Three Sisters, Jamison Valley and Govett's Leap. If you're lucky, you might catch the spectacular display of the maple trees transforming into shades of russet and gold.

Back in the city, you'll catch Sydney's Mardi Gras in February, with the main parade rounding off a month of festivities on either the last Saturday of February or the first Saturday of March. Or, dip your toe into New South Wales' wine scene and head out to nearby Hunter Valley for a wine-tasting masterclass with cheese.

In Melbourne, explore vibrant neighbourhoods and shop local designers during Fashion Week before delving into the stand-out food scene, made even better when combined with a trip out to the Yarra Valley's best wineries. Then, venture out along the Great Ocean Road, either by car or via a private scenic flight over the Twelve Apostles.

South Australia’s Barossa Valley is similarly rewarding, and autumn also brings a calendar of festivals to nearby Adelaide, including the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

For outback adventure, South Australia's Flinders Ranges are at their most inviting in autumn, spring and summer alike — though winter should be avoided. The four-day Arkaba Walk takes you through sculpted mountain ranges and dramatic gorges, with March to April offering the best chance to spot red kangaroos. Staying at the Arkaba Homestead, you'll be truly immersed in the beauty of the outback.

From May, the Murray River Walk opens, perfect for a tranquil journey along one of Australia’s longest rivers. The wetlands here thrive with wildlife, including emus, koalas and echidnas, along with around 300 bird species. Take safari cruises, try gourmet 'bush tucker' and reside in boutique luxury lodgings, like The Frames.

Holiday ideas for Autumn in Australia

June to August – Australia’s Winter

Winter brings cool temperatures to the south, so expect cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to be a little chillier and not quite as sunny as the other seasons.

On the flip side, the northern half of the country enters its dry season, making places like Darwin, the Kimberley and the Red Centre much easier to explore.

Plus, the Great Barrier Reef has its lowest humidity levels, and whale season is at its peak, making it one of the best times to explore the country's marine wonders.

Australia's winter: Best for The Kimberley, the Red Centre & reef snorkelling

While southern cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart cool down — and Tasmania may even see snowfall — winter is the ideal time to head north.

The Kimberley Region and the northern coast of Western Australia enter their dry season, with warm days perfect for exploring the outback.

Starting in Broome, you can opt to self-drive to Darwin, stopping to explore El Questro Wilderness Park, Purnululu National Park, Kununurra, Katherine, Kakadu National Park and Finnis River. Across these stunning landscapes, you'll see a whole new side to Australia, from plunging gorges to hidden swimming holes and steaming thermal springs. Highlights include the Bungle Bungle Range, where bee-hive shaped hills create a unique skyline, and Echidna Chasm, where the path through the gorge walls is barely a metre wide.

In the Red Centre, winter means comfortable hiking temperatures, though desert nights can be icy. This is a spectacular season to visit Uluru, especially with immersive experiences like the Field of Light, which illuminates the desert after dusk, or a 'sound of silence' dinner, where your meal winds down into a glittering stargazing experience. Combine your time here with a stop in Darwin, connecting the two with a journey on The Ghan, an iconic luxury rail journey.

Winter is also one of the best times to experience the Great Barrier Reef islands. Experience it by spending a day sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, stopping for a barbecue on the sands. Winter is outside stinger season, so you can safely snorkel or dive, plus visibility is excellent and it coincides with peak whale season.

Alternatively, on the opposite coast in Western Australia, the Coral Coast and Ningaloo Reef offer an equally stunning and more intimate diving experience. Stay at the frankly magical Sal Sali Ningaloo Reef to camp in an eco tent along the sand, just steps away from the water. From March to July, you'll have the chance to swim alongside whale sharks and go diving through the world's largest fringing reef.

Back on the east coast, around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, whale-watching tours are in full swing, while the Daintree Rainforest, which is older than the Amazon, in northern Queensland, thrives with wildlife, from saltwater crocodiles to rare rainforest marsupials.

Holiday ideas for winter in Australia

September to November – Australia’s Spring

Spring brings mild temperatures, colourful landscapes and excellent conditions across much of the country, making for a classic shoulder season with broad appeal. It's something of a sweet spot, so depending on what you'd most like to experience, you can cover almost all of the country without encountering much by way of bad weather.

The Northern Territory's dry season extends to around October, so if you'd really like to see Uluru or the Kimberley, try to time your trip for early spring to avoid heavy rains.

Australia's spring: Best for a taste of everything

Temperate weather makes spring ideal for exploring southern cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Rooftop bars reopen, vineyards are in bloom and rainfall is minimal.

So, in spring, why not delve into Western Australia's state capital, Perth?

From here, you can hop over to Rottnest Island in the spring sunshine, cycling around to spot cute resident quokkas. Even better, it's baby season in the wild, so you might see newborn critters across many of Australia's wildlife hotspots.

Then, you can head on to Margaret River, which explodes with over 12,000 species of wildflowers in spring, making this season one of the best times for hiking the Cape to Cape Track through headlands, caves and pristine beaches. This is also a premier wine region, so be sure to visit the Voyager Estate to taste excellent organic wines and locally-sourced light bites.

Spring remains excellent for Cairns and the Whitsundays, with warm weather, low rainfall and stinger season not yet underway. So, to get yourself back over to the east coast, why not board the Indian Pacific Train? You'll cruise the 2,700 miles over to Sydney in style, watching outback landscapes glide by as you savour more regional food and wine on board.

You could, instead, head north from Perth towards Broome, taking an adventure through the outback, including a stop at mystical Pinnacles Desert, a hike through Kalbarri National Park and some snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef.

Or, in the Red Centre, as nights begin to warm again, you have a comfortable window for exploring Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the desert landscapes that surround them.

Holiday ideas for spring in Australia

Ready to Plan Your Australia Holiday?

Whether you’re chasing summer sunshine, wild outback adventures, whale-filled oceans or world-class wine, Australia has a season to match. Our Travel Specialists can help create a tailor-made itinerary that combines the best regions at the best time, ensuring you see Australia at its most extraordinary.