Australia is a huge country with a wide variety of climates. Therefore, depending on the season, you can undertake various types of trips and activities. You just have to know which regions are best at which time of the year! In this article, we provide an overview of the different climate zones and seasons in Australia. With this in mind, you will know when to visit Australia and can plan to be in the right place at the right time. And for anyone planning to do some fruit picking on their trip, our guide will help you figure out the best season to find a job.
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Australia’s climate and seasons
Australia being in the southern hemisphere means the seasons are reversed compared to the northern hemisphere. Here, Christmas is celebrated in summer, with good weather and pretty high temperatures!
All year round, Australia is a country where life is good. The south of Australia has four seasons, while the tropical north has only two distinct seasons: one is wet and the other dry.
The entire northern part of Australia (northern Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland) enjoys a tropical climate. During the dry season, from April to September, temperatures are hot and the weather is dry. On the other hand, when the wet season comes, from October to March, the heat is humid, the weather is stormy and often accompanied by very heavy rain.
In the southern part of the country (southern Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales), the climate is temperate and oceanic. Spring runs from September to November and summer from December to February. Autumn is from March to May, then winter from June to August.
Finally, in the central region of the country, an arid climate prevails. Rainfall is rare. The coolest time of year is between March and August. The hottest period is between September and February, when the temperatures can be stiflingly high. Be careful though, because the nights are always cold.
Now you begin to understand why it is important to learn about the Australian climate before you arrive in the country. This information also gives you an idea of the best time of year to harvest fruit and vegetables. Farm work will help you get the famous 88 days needed to apply for a second Working Holiday visa. Knowing the Australian climate makes it easier to plan and get a job.
Below is a map that shows the different climates in Australia:
Climates in Australia’s major cities
Weather in Sydney
Sydney is located in the southern, and therefore temperate, part of the country. The city experiences hot summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is around 20°C. The hottest month is January and the coldest is July. The climate in Sydney is therefore pleasant all year round, but the best time to discover this part of the country is in spring.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 19 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| Max (°C) | 27 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 26 |
Weather in Melbourne
Melbourne is located in Port Phillip Bay. The ocean allows for an oceanic and temperate climate. Weather in Melbourne can be very unpredictable at times. People often say that Melbourne experiences “four seasons in a day”. It could be very hot in the morning, then a few hours later the temperature could drop by 10°C and it could suddenly start raining!
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Max (°C) | 26 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 24 |
Weather in Perth
The capital of Western Australia, Perth is located in southwestern Australia. With a temperate and dry climate, this city is pleasant to live in all year round. The summers are hot, with sometimes extreme temperature spikes. The winters are cold. Perth is less humid than the east coast at this latitude.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min (°C) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Max (°C) | 31 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 27 | 29 |
Weather in Adelaide
Located in the southeastern part of the country, Adelaide enjoys a mild climate all year round. Like other cities in South Australia, it experiences four seasons. The best times to visit are the half-seasons (between March and May, or October and November). In midsummer, the UV is high so be sure to protect your skin from the sun. Mid-winter is cold (it freezes for a few weeks) and rainy. Beware of the southern chill and don’t forget your sunscreen all year round; the ozone layer is non-existent there. Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min (°C) | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 15 |
| Max (°C) | 29 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 27 |
Weather in Hobart
The island of Tasmania, south of mainland Australia, is not to be missed. Although its temperatures are cool almost all year round, the city of Hobart is worth a visit. The best time to visit is when temperatures are highest, in late January. For lovers of cool temperatures, Hobart’s chilly, snowy winters will delight you.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min (°C) | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 15 |
| Max (°C) | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 |
Weather in Darwin
The capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is “the place to be” during the Australian winter. The north of the country is renowned for its tropical and humid climate. Its hot, humid summers are nevertheless a challenge to get through without air conditioning. Ten minutes of walking outside in summer in Darwin and you’ll be covered in sweat! If you are not drenched enough, the wet season (November to April) will take care of that for you.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Min (°C) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 15 |
| Max (°C) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
Cairns – average temperatures
Located in the tropical region of Australia, Cairns has only two seasons. The dry season extends from May to October. This period is pleasant and warm. The wet season, from December to March, includes hot days and daily thunderstorms.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
| Max (°C) | 31 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 |
Alice Springs – average temperatures
In central Australia and the arid parts of Australia, temperatures are cold in the winter months and hot in summer. The peculiarity of the climate of the red centre is its cold summer nights. It can be very hot in summer in these desert areas so remember to protect yourself and drink water regularly. We strongly advise you to have some in stock and to stock up often.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 22 | 21 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 21 |
| Max (°C) | 37 | 36 | 33 | 29 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 34 | 36 |
Source: www.bom.gov.au
For more information on real-time weather, visit the Australian Government website.
Where to go in Australia according to the seasons?
On your road trips in Australia, follow the sun! Start with the South of the country in spring and summer. Then, the North and the Center are recommended in autumn and winter.
Some periods are absolutely to be avoided; summer in the Red Centre (November to February), the rainy season in northern Australia (November to April) and winter in southern Australia (June and August). Indeed, the Australian summer can be dangerous. Unless you plan to melt in the sun thanks to heat or humidity, we do not recommend northern and central Australia at this time.
Road Trip itineraries in Australia
All the most popular road trip routes in Australia. Information and advice on the best times to go, spots to visit and the budget you’ll need.
When is the best time of year to visit Australia?
The best season to visit Australia depends on your preferences and what you want to see and do. In general, here are some things to consider:
- If you want to enjoy the beaches and the surf, the hottest months are from December to February.
- If you want to see wildlife like kangaroos and wallabies, the best months are from March to May as they tend to be most active in cooler temperatures.
- If you want to see wildflowers and green landscapes, the best months are from September to November as it is spring and the rainy season in some areas.
- If you want to avoid the tourist crowds, the less crowded months are June through August as it is winter in the southern hemisphere.
It should also be taken into account that Australia is a vast country and that climatic conditions vary considerably from region to region. It is therefore important to check the weather forecast for the region you wish to visit before you leave.
Beware of travelling during school holidays and public holidays! Prices will skyrocket during these times and holiday destinations get very busy.
Natural hazards
The diverse and extreme climate of Australia sometimes leads to natural hazards and even to catastrophes.
Due to the high heat and dry climate, bushfires can happen very quickly. Remember the out-of-control fires in the state of Victoria and the South of the country in 2020. Many wildlife species, especially koalas, have still not recovered from this natural disaster. Periods of drought are also often significant and accentuated due to global warming. Rising temperatures and the degradation of the ozone layer are very present phenomena in Australia.
Severe storms and cyclones are also a risk. This time, it is the North of the country that is most often affected. Darwin was completely leveled by Cyclone Tracy in 1974, as was part of the Karratha region of Western Australia in 2021.
More recently, the east coast of Australia experienced a dark period of torrential rain in February/March 2022, causing major flooding.
What clothes should I pack for Australia?
As we have explained, will find a variety of different seasons and temperatures in Australia. Be warned that even if your goal is to follow the sun on your trip, sometimes plans can change!
Remember that if you are on a Working Holiday Visa, you may end up working on a farm at some point if you want to stay in Australia for a second and/or third year. For this you will need appropriate clothing, such as reflective vests, safety shoes, gloves and other workwear. These can usually be purchased at Kmart or BigW.
And, if you miss the freshness of Europe and want to spend your visa in the south of the country; gloves, hat and an umbrella will be your friends in winter.
In an ideal world, you would only need a swimsuit, but we recommend that you pack a warm sweater and a rain jacket. Don’t panic if your travel bag is full of shorts and sunglasses. You will of course have the opportunity to go shopping in Australia, so don’t weigh yourself down too much. Two t-shirts, jeans, two pairs of shorts, underwear, a bathing suit, flip-flops, closed shoes, a towel, hat, sweater and a jacket are the essentials.
Read also : Pack your bag for Australia
Jobs and activities according to the seasons in Australia
The climatic diversity of Australia allows you to enjoy a multitude of different excursions and activities throughout the year.
Many of us dream of spending all our time in Australia at the beach. But the Australian winter has its advantages too. It will allow you to enjoy the aurora borealis in Tasmania or in southern Victoria. Seeing the snow in a country so famous for its warmth is also a unique experience. You may be able to see it in the two states mentioned above, as well as in the mountains of New South Wales (Mount Kosciuszko).
If you want to see whales, dolphins, sharks, and other marine animals, it is necessary to follow their migration patterns. Whales are usually spotted in winter (June to September). You can find them off the coasts of Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. You can also observe them from May to July and from September to December in Tasmania.
What would Australia be without surfing? You can enjoy its magnificent beaches all year round. Beware, however, of the crocodiles present almost everywhere in the North and the sharks found everywhere else. Each state is renowned for its surf spots, except the Northern Territory.
If you can, split up your farm work, starting in South Australia in the summer and ending in the North in the winter. That way you will find a good compromise, to avoid suffocating from the heat in summer and freezing in winter.
FAQs
What about jet lag in Australia?
In Australia, there are three different time zones throughout the country.
- GMT + 8h in Western Australia (Western Australia)
- GMT + 9:30 in the Northern Territory and South Australia (South Australia)
- GMT + 10h for the rest of the states (Queensland, Tasmania, territory of Canberra or ACT, New South Wales and Victoria).
Note that Australia changes time during the summer season EXCEPT in certain territories: Queensland, NT and WA.
What are the best places to surf in Australia?
The best spots for surfing in Australia are divided between the states of Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales. You can obviously find cool surf spots in other states, but the most famous ones are here, including the beaches of Byron Bay (NSW), Noosa (QLD), the Gold Coast (QLD), Exmouth (WA) and Broome (WA). It’s up to you to choose your destination according to the climate and the seasons!
Take a look at our article listing the 10 best surf spots in Australia.
What are the best places to hike in Australia?
If you’re a fan of hiking, you’re in luck, because Australia is full of incredible trails and walking tracks suitable for different fitness levels. You can find amazing hikes throughout the country but if we had to choose, we would recommend the following states:
- NSW (Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach, the Blue Mountains…)
- NT (Ormiston Gorge, Larapinta Trail, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Trephina Gorge…)
- TAS (Mount Wellington, Organ Pipes, Freycinet National Park, Three Capes Track, Overland Track, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires…).
If you are traveling through the other states, here are some places that are also worth a visit!
- VIC (Great Ocean Road)
- WA (Cape to Cape Track)
- SA (Flinder Ranges, Murray River…).
As with surfing, it’s up to you to choose which destination to visit depending on the weather.
What are the main weather risks in Australia?
You will find, amongst other things:
- Forest or bush fires,
- Flooding,
- Drought,
- Cyclones and strong storms (of sand for example).
Obviously, all these events do not tend to take place at the same time or in the same place. Do your research and check the news/weather forecasts before you travel. Use the information in this article to plan your road trip. This will save you from any unpleasant surprises!
Should we really rely on the seasons to find work in the harvest?
The answer is yes! Each state has its own planting and therefore harvesting seasons. Outside of these times of the year, it is pretty pointless to look for picking/packing work because you won’t find any. The ripening of fruits and vegetables is directly related to the weather and climate. However, you may still be able to find a job on a farm. Before or after the harvest periods, a few actions are necessary to prepare the trees for the next season, including planting seeds and pruning (which is done just before the harvest and which consists of unloading the trees of the smallest fruits, which will allow the others to grow properly. You may also have to do some weeding. In short, there should be plenty of work to be found!
Updated on the 01.08.23
