The best time to travel in Australia

You can travel to Australia year round. In spite of the differences in climate between the different regions, the most pleasant seasons for a visit are generally spring and autumn. It's best to stick with this suggestion if you set out to discover the outback or the beautiful waterfalls of the country. On the other hand, if swimming and surfing is on the agenda, choose the summer months: December, January and February.

At a glance

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You can visit Australia in any season, even if it is better choose the date of your departure according to the climate of the region visited. You can visit any region of Australia in spring and autumn: the climate there will be all the more pleasant. Summer, from December to February, is a very pleasant period in the south, and the winter climate is very pleasant in different regions. Check the climate of your specific destination before you leave.

The Northern Territory

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Prefer the dry season from April to September to visit the north and centre of Australia. The north of the country offers exuberant animal life and is the home of Kakadu National Park. You will discover the famous city of Alice Springs, a unique centre in the heart of the desert, and its many historical sites. It is the driest and least populated territory of Australia, which makes it absolutely fascinating.

Queensland

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This is the region of the surfing beaches of the Gold Coast and the tropical forests populated by wild animals! You can visit Queensland in any season. Nevertheless, prefer the European spring and autumn: the temperatures are fine and warm and you can enjoy the beach, whereas box jellyfish make bathing dangerous from December to March. There may also be abundant rainfall during this period. The months of June to September are windy but are the ideal time to observe migrating whales.

Southern Australia, Victoria and Tasmania

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It is best to avoid the coast from Christmas to the end of January as well as at Easter: these are school holidays so the beaches are crowded and access to hiking trails is restricted. The climate is ideal in February and April, as well as in November when the flowers grace the countryside around Melbourne. You can visit Tasmania year round. A contributor to world gastronomy, the island abounds with small local productions and offers a very pleasant tour for amateurs of fine cuisine. It can be crowded in December and January: so prefer the months of February, March, April, October and November. During the rest of the year, snowfall can close down some trails.

New South Wales

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Sydney, the sophisticated, sunshine city and economic capital of Australia, has a lot to offer: you'll love it. Visit the oldest town and the most diverse city of Australia in spring or autumn if you have the choice. There can be a lot of rain between November and March. Admire the architecture of the very famous opera of the most populated city in Australia, discover its skyscrapers but also its many parks and all the other treasures that the city is bursting with.

Nature travel

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Australia is a vast territory which deserves to be explored from coast to coast, especially for its many wild natural regions. Close to Sydney, the Blue Mountains National Park is a must: a succession of canyons and cliffs as far as the eye can see and eucalyptus forests make for a magnificent landscape. The Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia is also fascinating. In Tasmania, you can visit Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, and observe the wildlife in the Sturt National Park in New South Wales. As always, prefer the spring and autumn for hiking in these beautiful landscapes.

Cascades and waterfalls

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Obviously, the Blue Mountains falls to the west of Sydney are the first to come to mind. Don't miss these huge cascades with their wonderful display of rainbows under any pretext. In Tasmania, the less-known Liffey Falls take more time to reach but offer an opportunity for a quiet walk, off the beaten tourist paths. You might even come across some opossums! Still in Tasmania, you will shiver with fright on the suspension bridge of the superb Montezuma Falls. Prefer spring and autumn to discover these falls. Florence Falls and Edith Falls are two must-see waterfalls in the Northern Territory: for the latter, go during the dry season between April and September.

Western Australia

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Head for Western Australia during the dry season, i.e. between April and September. Between wild beaches and absolutely superb nature, the region will take your heart away. Its landscapes are highly diversified and adventurers will jump at the opportunity to trek through this magnificent part of Australia. You can cycle, walk and even climb the trees to observe the nature, there is something for everybody!

Beaches and sun

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Of course, Bondi Beach in Sydney inevitably comes to mind, where you can dive into the waves or just relax. Wineglass Bay in Tasmania requires a little effort: a climb will take you up to this beautiful expanse of sand. In Queensland, Whitehaven Beach is one of the most notable beaches. In New South Wales, Crowdy Head offers golden sandy beaches as far as the eye can see... You will have understood by now that Australia is a paradise for surfing or swimming. Prefer the summer for this type of trip, i.e. the months of December, January and February, when the sun hits hard and the waters are warm.

Tiphaine Leblanc

78 contributions

Updated 26 October 2018

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