The Best Time To Visit Australia (2025 Guide)

The best time to visit Australia depends on what kind of holiday you want, from skiing in the Snowy Mountains to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. 

With a country as massive as Australia (three different time zones and two climates), timing your trip can make all the difference.

If you’re outdoorsy, you might want to visit Australia when it has the best weather, meaning comfortable temperatures, sunny days, and blue skies. It could be tricky, considering the climates vary depending on where you are in the country.

The northern regions experience a tropical climate, while the southern half has temperate weather.

In other words, Northern Australia only has two seasons: dry and wet. In contrast, the southern states typically undergo all four seasons.

In addition, Australia’s diverse landscapes, from luxuriant rainforests and arid deserts to sun-kissed capital cities and snow-covered mountains, create varied weather patterns.

And Australia, being in the Southern Hemisphere, has utterly opposite seasons to most countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Don’t expect hot weather in June or August (at least in New South Wales and other southern states), as it’s the Australian winter.

Visiting in December or January? You’re most likely going to deal with heat waves instead of snow storms. After all, it’s the peak of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer.

So, when’s the best time to visit Australia? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that. 

But if you’re looking to travel when the crowds are smaller and the prices cheaper or planning your trip around the weather, here’s a roundup of what to expect every season.

When is the Best Time to Visit Australia?

The best time to visit the southern parts of Australia is generally during the shoulder seasons, spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May). 

You’ll enjoy perfect weather, fewer tourists, and potentially lower prices. Plus, nature’s putting on a bit of a show. Think wildflowers in spring and golden foliage in autumn.

If you’re exploring areas in the north (i.e., Northern Territory, Kimberley Region of Western Australia, or Tropical North Queensland like Cairns), the best time to visit is during the dry season from May to October.

That said, every season has its perks. We’ll go as far as to say there’s never really a bad time to visit Australia. It’s a year-round destination,…