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Best time to visit Australia: month by month
Short answer
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) suit most of the country, with Sydney highs of about 21-24°C. Uluru is best from May to September, and the tropical north (Cairns) is driest from June to October. Summer (December to February) is the busiest and most expensive period in the south.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°C | 19°C | 16 | very high |
| Feb | 25°C | 19°C | 17 | high |
| Mar | 24°C | 18°C | 19 | medium |
| Apr | 22°C | 14°C | 11 | high |
| May | 19°C | 11°C | 10 | low |
| Jun | 17°C | 8°C | 7 | medium |
| Jul | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | high |
| Aug | 19°C | 9°C | 7 | medium |
| Sep | 21°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Oct | 23°C | 13°C | 13 | high |
| Nov | 23°C | 15°C | 14 | medium |
| Dec | 25°C | 17°C | 11 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Sydney warms from about 21°C to 23°C with lows of 11-15°C; a good time almost everywhere, before the northern wet season.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and busy in the south, with Sydney highs of 25-26°C and 11-17 rainy days a month; wet season in the tropics and over 40°C at Uluru.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Sydney cools from 24°C to 19°C; stable weather, fewer crowds and warm seas into April.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Sydney highs of about 17-19°C with lows near 8°C; peak season at Uluru and in the dry tropical north.
Events worth planning around
- Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks over the Harbour, 31 December
- Australian Open tennis in Melbourne, January
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, February-March
- Vivid Sydney light festival, around late May to June
- Melbourne Cup horse race, first Tuesday of November
When to avoid
Late December to January brings school holidays, peak prices and heat in the Outback. The tropical north from December to March has heavy rain, cyclone risk and stingers, so plan reef trips for the drier months.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Australia?
September to November and March to May work for most of the country. Choose May to September for Uluru and June to October for the tropical north.
When is the wet season in northern Australia?
Roughly December to April, with heavy rain, humidity and cyclone risk around Cairns and the Top End.
Is it worth visiting Australia in winter?
Yes. June to August is mild in Sydney (about 17°C) and ideal for Uluru and the reef, with fewer tourists in the southern cities.