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Best time to visit Australia? Where's good in Aussie winter (June to August)
If you're thinking about the best time to visit Australia for a holiday, the good news is that it really is a year-round destination. Holiday prices will vary during the seasons and although Aussie winter season officially starts on the 1 June and ends 31 August (the opposite to Europe), I think winter is a perfect time to visit. Let me explain why and where I think you should visit.
Australia is so vast that it’s always warm somewhere and in fact, Aussie winter/European summer is actually the best time to visit some states. Families often find British summer is the best time to holiday in Australia during the long school break and since June is still considered low season by most airlines, if you can begin your journey in June, you may also bag a bargain flight – ask us for more advice. So where should you go for the best winter holidays in Australia and why?
June - August
North Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef
June to August marks the dry season in northern Queensland, so rainfall is at its lowest and temperatures are predictably warm and sunny.
It’s the perfect time to swim in the sea, to dive and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, sail the Whitsundays and explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. If you go in July, you’re definitely likely to be having better weather than your friends back home.
This Sydney, Red Centre & Top End holiday explores the full diversity of Australia and maximises your time here with internal flights; see Sydney’s iconic harbour, bridge and opera house; visit the Red Centre and Uluru (Ayers Rock - packed with Aboriginal history) before heading to the beaches of Queensland to explore the Great Barrier Reef - this holiday definitely covers all bases.
December to February
Northern Territory, 'Top End' & the Red Centre
Just like Far North Queensland, winter in Australia is one of the optimum times to visit the Top End of Australia; with dry, sunny days and less of the humidity you’ll find here in the Aussie summer (December to February).
The winter months of June to August are also the time when the roads to the National Parks are fully open and touring is in full swing. In winter, the Red Centre also experiences cooler day time temperatures, so it’s the perfect time for actively exploring around Uluru and Alice Springs.
This 2 week action-packed Australia family holiday starts in the very 'Top End' of Australia in Darwin. You'll meet fearsome crocs and loveable wallabies, uncover Aboriginal art and swim in waterfall plunge pools; camp beneath the stars and watch sunrise and sunset over the mighty Uluru before heading to the beach to snorkel amongst an array of rainbow fish on the Great Barrier Reef.
June - December
Western Australia
If you’re keen to visit the Kimberley region, I definitely recommend you do it in June - December in the Aussie winter. The roads will be fully open for a 4WD adventure along the Gibb River Road and it’s going to be perfect t-shirt weather throughout the state.
Further south in Western Australia, foodies and wine buffs can explore the vineyards of Margaret River away from the crowds and nature enthusiasts will be wowed by the wildflowers on display around WA. You’ll also have the incredible opportunity to swim with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef.
This luxury self-drive holiday through Western Australia that gives you a few days to explore Perth followed by a week’s luxury campervan hire. Far less busy than Australia's east coast, look forward to secluded beaches and wildlife spotting as you travel either north towards the Pinnacles, Ningaloo reef and the Coral Coast or south towards Margaret River, Denmark and Albany – the choice is yours.
Victoria & South Australia
Don’t be put off visiting these southern states during winter in Australia; although the temperatures will be cooler in the south, you’ll be enjoying many clear, sunny days. Winter sports fans can even get a fix of ski-ing in Victoria’s alpine resorts.
It’s a great time to visit the Outback of South Australia in a 4WD and explore the Simpson Desert and Flinders Ranges. Beside this, the opportunities to spot whales along the coastline of both these two states are incredible.
Our tailor-made Australia holiday makes a fine introduction to South Australia, with stays in Adelaide and a self-drive through the Barossa Valley wine region. We've also included a 3-day stay in Kangaroo Island, home to the 'Remarkable rocks' and rich in Aussie wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies and plenty of bird life.
Sydney & New South Wales
Sydney is a stunning city whatever the season, and in winter you have the added advantage of doing some whale watching too – humpback whales make their way up the East Coast from May to November. Just 90 minutes from Sydney, you could experience Yulefest in the Blue Mountains for a mid-year ‘Christmas’ treat.
This itinerary with luxury campervan hire lets you explore Australia’s east coast from Sydney at your own pace and in comfort. Ideal for independent holiday makers including couples or families, the stay on Heron Island will appeal to keen scuba divers and snorkelers who want to see the Great Barrier Reef for themselves.
Plan the best winter holiday in Australia
We can arrange your perfect winter holiday in Australia including direct or multi stop flights to Australia, accommodation, campervans and tours. Ask us for ideas and we can help build your dream trip just as you’d like it! Here are some other Australia holiday ideas to get you thinking - each and every one can be tailored to suit you!
Just as European winter time is great for Australia, it’s also a great time to visit the South Pacific and parts of South-east Asia for example, so why not consider adding a stopover in Fiji, the Cook Islands or Bali? For an example, see our Darwin & Bali: safari and sun holiday. Contact Annette or one of our Australia destination specialists to book.
About the author Annette Morrissey
Senior Travel Consultant
Annette is a dyed-in-the-wool Londoner who fell in love with Australia the very first time she visited. With many of her family now living in New Zealand, she has visited Australia or New Zealand nearly every year, giving her an unrivalled level of local knowledge, from luxury hotels to Michelin-starred restaurants, cross-country trains to resort islands on the Great Barrier Reef. With 20 years’ travel industry experience, in 2015, Annette joined Travel Nation as a round the world specialist with a specialism in Australasia and the South Pacific islands.
