Best Time to Visit Australia
The best time to visit Australia is generally September–November & March–May. This season-by-season guide covers peak, shoulder and low season, the weather you can expect, the festivals that fill hotels and what to pack.
Weather in Australia
Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere. Southern cities have warm summers and cool winters; the tropical north has a dry winter season and a wet, humid summer.
Peak, shoulder and low season
Peak season runs December–February (southern summer) and school holidays, with the highest flight and hotel demand. Shoulder season (September–November and March–May) offers similar conditions with thinner crowds. Low season (June–August in the south; the tropical north is at its best then) is the cheapest, with less predictable weather or reduced opening hours at some attractions.
Festivals and holidays
Christmas and January are the busiest domestic weeks. Major sporting events cluster in January and the southern autumn.
What to pack for Australia
Strong sun protection all year, plus a warm layer for southern winters.