Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens - Photo: Tourism Australia
From sunny sands to wintery wonderlands, Australia is a country for all seasons, each promising a magic of its own to travellers.
While many are currently vacationing in domestic destinations, it’s never too early to set your sights on a future holiday Down Under, and what better way to begin planning your trip than to get to know what each season has in store for travellers?
Most of the country experiences four seasons throughout the year, with the climate varying greatly from one region to the next.
In the far north of Australia in the Top End and Tropical North Queensland, there are two seasons; the wet and dry season.
Also, when planning your next trip Down Under, it’s important to remember that the country’s seasons are at opposite times to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
December, January and February
One of Australia’s main draws is its spectacular beaches, the perfect holiday for every type of vacationer – be it families, couples or a group of friends.
Explore the gorgeous coast in Sydney, which is home to plenty of family-friendly swimming beaches and surfing spots. The city’s famous beaches such as Bondi, Bronte, Coogee all offer stunning coastal walks with proper pathways and plenty of spots to stop and take in the coastal views.
Head to Esperance, a remote town on the coast of Western Australia, to experience some of the whitest sands you’ve ever seen.
In Byron Bay, kayak with pods of dolphins and over in Queensland, go diving and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef.
Meet adorable Quokkas on Rottnest Island – photo: Tourism Australia
Rottnest Island, a 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle near Perth, is a not-to-be-missed experience, home to a fascinating ecosystem, including the adorable resident quokkas. Rent a bicycle to tour the island on wheels.
The scenic Rim Trail by Spicers Retreat – photo: Spicers Retreat/Great Walks of Australia
Another activity to do in various picturesque locations in Australia is to take a hike or chill out in the wilderness.
With tons of national parks open to nature buffs, you could spend an entire week just finding things to do in these vast protected areas.
One way to experience all that nature has to offer is to go on a multi-day guided walk, ranging from treks in the outback to hikes through World Heritage-listed national parks. Great Walks of Australia is a collection of multi-day guided walks, where one can embark on independently-owned hikes that cover some of the country’s most iconic destinations.
Experienced guides will lead you in small groups along scenic walking trails - from Tasmania’s untamed mountain wilderness and beaches to the ruggedly beautiful Victorian coastline.
Experience wondrous sights at the ancient volcanic plateaus and rainforest in Queensland, as well as the magnificent outback of South Australia.
March, April, May
Autumn is when visitors to Australia get to experience the country in brilliant hues of orange, red, ochre and gold as temperatures cool.
Usually, many of the country’s biggest festivals take place at this time, however, there are plenty of other things to do during this time of social distancing.
In Canberra, the season is marked by the changing of the leaves, and the best way to see, feel and photograph everything is by taking a stroll along the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin to see the colours reflected in the water, while sipping on a glass of delicious mulled wine from pop-up bars.
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens – photo: South Australian Tourism Commission
Schedule a visit to the National Arboretum to make videos or take photos of the birch forest as it transitions from green to vibrant reds and oranges.
A hot air balloon ride over the city is the perfect vantage point to take in all the beautiful landmarks Australia’s capital has to offer.
South Australia’s Adelaide Hills is a prime location for autumn foliage viewing, where the deciduous orchards, trees and vineyards flaunt their vibrant colours. You’ll also be able to pick your own figs, apples and strawberries at orchards and strawberry patches laden with fruit during Autumn.
Take a stroll through the streets of the picture perfect townships of Stirling and Hahndorf, and make a trip to Mount Lofty Botanic Garden in Crafers, one of the best places to see autumn leaves en masse.
Bring your walking shoes to explore the trails and paths of this cool paradise, or pick a spot for a picnic.
Take a hike through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. – photo: Sean Scott Photography
In Tasmania, nature lovers and photographers will enjoy the unique “turning of the Fagus” experience, when the Tasmanian Deciduous Beech tree transforms from green to vibrant reds, oranges and golds.
Take the easy two-hour Loop Track walk in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, which circles Dove Lake and passes through some patches of Fagus.
June, July, August
Fancy a white winter vacation in the middle of the year? Then head to the Australian Alps, where one can indulge in plenty of outdoor pursuits.
The mountain range spans the states of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, where 16 national parks and reserves are located.
Hit the slopes at one of the many ski resorts or try out other snow activities such as snowmobiling, tubing, wildlife spotting, tobogganing and dog sledding.
Snowboarding in Perisher is a thing to do in winter. – photo: Tourism Australia
In Melbourne, head up to Mt Buller or Mt Baw Baw for similar activities, and thaw out with a soak in a thermal hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula.
For something fun to do with the whole family, check out Sovereign Hill for the Winter Wonderlights Festival.
If you feel like a change of scene during your trip, Australia’s Kimberley region in the north west offers warmer weather as winter in this area is the dry season.
Take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Ranges or escape to luxurious El Questro Homestead.
The Staircase to the Moon – photo: Tourism Australia
Check out Broome’s pearl farms and its spectacular show known as The Staircase to the Moon. Every full moon, from March to October as the moon rises, its light reflects off the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay, creating a “staircase” that leads up to the heavens.
September, October, November
In Sydney, spring blankets the city in vibrant purple jacaranda blossoms, which can be experienced on walks through suburbs such as Lavender Bay, Mosman, Cremorne or Paddington, with the rural town of Grafton holding a festival dedicated to jacarandas.
Find beauty in a picturesque landscape on a scenic walk from Bondi to Tamarama as it is transformed into a stunning temporary sculpture park for Sculpture by the Sea, which is in October.
In Melbourne, take a drive on the Great Ocean Road where wildflowers can be spotted, and check out the Mornington Peninsula, the perfect spot for a stroll on the beach.
As the sun sets, relax in heated thermal pools at the Peninsula Hot Springs.
Tasmania is home to plenty of places to take a scenic hike, including the Three Capes Track, where you may be able to spot migrating whales out at sea.
During the spring equinox, be sure to head outside of the city for a chance to see the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) light up the night sky.
For a bit of adventure, head to the Franklin River for the start of rafting season or take a boat cruise to Bruny Island for some wildlife spotting.
Maruku Arts, Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park – photo: Tourism Australia
Awe-inspiring desert landscapes in Alice Springs and the remarkable Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are best explored during spring when the native flora is at its most impressive.
Australia’s unique wet and dry seasons
Most travellers are familiar with the seasons of Summer, Spring, Autumn and Winter, but Australia is also home to two unique seasons: the “wet” and “dry” seasons.
The Top End (including Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land), Broome, the Kimberley and Tropical North Queensland (Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Daintree Rainforest) experience a “wet season” (November to April) and a “dry season” (May to October).
November to April
Head to Katherine in the Northern Territory at the end of the wet season to see the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge at full flow.
Many areas may be closed due to floods, but you can still see the thundering waterfalls of the area on a scenic helicopter flight.
In Tropical North Queensland, storms are quite common, but it very rarely rains all day and you’ll usually enjoy sunny days with a storm in the afternoon or evening.
It’ll be worth it to throw on a raincoat and experience the colours of the rainforest, which are at their brightest, the waterfalls full and spectacular.
The Great Barrier Reef is calm at this time of year, so it’s great for snorkelling and diving, although you do have to wear a wetsuit to protect from stingers.
May to October
Head to the Top End during the dry season, which is when many visitors find is the best time to come, when everything is still lush and green.
In Tropical North Queensland, the daily temperatures are lower, but still reach the high 20s (Celsius) and rarely drop below 17 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall is low and you can expect gorgeous sunny days, making it the most popular time to visit the region. The ocean is free of marine stingers during this time, so you can swim almost anywhere without nets or suits for protection.
For more ideas to help you plan your Australian holiday, visit BE INSPIRED @ Australia.com.
