Best time to visit · Oceania
When to go to Australia
Seasons are reversed. The south (Sydney, Melbourne) is best October–April. The tropical north and Great Barrier Reef are ideal May–October (dry season).
Best: September–November, March–MayPeak: December–February (summer holidays)
Month-by-month
Jan
Good
19°–26°C · 100mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Australian Open; school hols
Feb
Good
19°–26°C · 115mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Mar
Great
18°–25°C · 130mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Apr
Great
15°–22°C · 125mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
May
Good
12°–19°C · 120mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Tropical north dry season starts
Jun
Okay
9°–16°C · 130mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low
Crowds low · Prices low
Winter in south; ideal for tropics
Jul
Good
8°–16°C · 95mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
School holidays; ski season
Aug
Good
9°–17°C · 80mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Whale watching season
Sep
Great
12°–20°C · 65mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Wildflowers in WA
Oct
Great
14°–22°C · 75mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Nov
Great
16°–24°C · 85mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Crowds medium · Prices medium
Dec
Good
18°–25°C · 80mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high
Crowds high · Prices high
Christmas + NYE in Sydney
Festivals worth timing your trip around
May–Jun
Vivid Sydney
Spectacular light installations transforming the Sydney Harbour.
Nov
Melbourne Cup
Australia’s iconic horse race and cultural event.
Dec
Sydney New Year’s Eve
World-famous fireworks display over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
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Common questions about Australia
- When is the best time to visit Australia?
- September–November, March–May. Seasons are reversed. The south (Sydney, Melbourne) is best October–April. The tropical north and Great Barrier Reef are ideal May–October (dry season).
- When is the cheapest time to visit Australia?
- Prices bottom out in May, Jun — typically 20-40% below peak-season rates on hotels and flights.
- What months should I avoid in Australia?
- There's no single "avoid" month — every season in Australia has something to offer.
- When is peak tourist season in Australia?
- December–February (summer holidays)
See also the full Australia climate deep-dive with temperature heatmap and daily-rainfall breakdown.