travel australia in march

• Group Enquiry? NEW
• Australia in March

Activities to Do in Australia in March

Quick navigation.

Things to Do in Australia in March

Discover the bondi beach.

• One of the best places to visit in Australia in March is the famous Bondi Beach , which is a beach destination of this country
• The Bondi Beach is known for its fine white sands and curling waves, which also makes it a surfer’s paradise 
• Flanked by sandstone cliffs, the beach is also one of the best places in Sydney to enjoy whale watching as well as golfing
• It is also home to one of the oldest life-saving clubs in the world, and boasts of many restorers, cafes and other establishments 

Explore the Sydney Opera House

• Flanked on either side by the beautiful Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Sydney Opera House is one of the best Places to visit in Australia in March
• Ranked amongst the most popular tourist attractions in the country, the Sydney Opera House is also an architectural marvel, and reflects the image of a sailing ship
• From fine dining restaurants and a theatre, to several studios, a concert hall, a cinema as well as exhibition rooms, you can discover a wide array of attractions here
• The Sydney Opera House is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, wherein you can witness a variety of shows, from operas and ballets to other cultural performances 

Hike in the Blue Mountains

• One of the best and the most adventurous activities that you can do in Australia in March is to go hiking in the famous Blue Mountains
• Known particularly for its amazing scenery, lush wilderness and natural phenomenon like waterfalls and plunge pools, a hike in the Blue Mountains, located in the Blue Mountains National Park, will surely awaken the adventurer inside you
• The mountains are also a park of the Great Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and is a place where you can learn about the aboriginal culture
• As you hike along the terrains of the Blue Mountains, you can also enjoy camping and stargazing here 

Shop at Victoria Market in Melbourne

• When looking for things to do in Australia in March, indulge in some retail therapy at the iconic Victoria Market in Melbourne
• Open since 1878, this marketplace is also on the National Heritage List, and is amongst the best fresh products market in the country
• This marketplace has over 600 small stores, and shops, wherein you can get your hands on everything, from fresh fruits and vegetables, to epicure food, local produce, souvenirs, clothes, handicrafts, and more
• You can also try several local street food delicacies and beverages while enjoying live entertainment at the Victoria Market 

Best of Singapore

Watch the Sunrise at Uluru

• Watching the sunrise at Uluru is amongst the best things to do in Australia in March
• Being a sacred site for the Aboriginal people of Australia, Uluru is also amongst the country’s most iconic landmarks, wherein you can soak in stunning views of the sun rising from the horizon
• Often also known as Ayers Rock, you can simply head over to famous viewing spots like Talinguru Nyakunytjaku or the Kuniya walk area, which are the best places to capture the rising sun 

Best of Malaysia

Visit Wineglass Bay

• The Wineglass Bay is amongst the top places to visit in Australia in March, and is particularly known for its pink and red granite formations
• Located alongside the Freycinet National Park, the long coastlines of the Wineglass Bay become even more stunning with the onset of the autumn season in March
• With the waters being relatively warm, you can enjoy swimming or sunbathing here, or even go on cruises from the bay, wherein you can catch sights of marine animals like penguins, fur seals, whales as well as dolphins, to name a few
• You can also find a wide array of cafes and restaurants near Wineglass Bay, which are great to get a taste of the delicious local seafood delicacies 

Best of New Zealand

Explore Kakadu National Park

• When looking to head outdoors in Australia in March, take some time out to explore the Kakadu National Park, which is the largest national park in the country
• Drive along the long Stuart Highway all the way to the park, whilst also soaking in views of the varied terrains of the country
• The Kakadu National Park consists of various ecosystems, from floodplains and low land hills, to dense forests, mangrove areas as well as verdant meadows
• You can also enjoy seeing native Australian animals like emus, koalas as well as kangaroos here 

Best of Bali

Discover the Pink Lake

• Discovering one of the many Pink Lakes ranks amongst the top things to do in Australia in March
• One of the most famous Pink Lakes is the Hutt Lagoon, which is a salt lake, and is also the home to the largest microalgae production site in the world
• The colour of the water in the lake is pink, which is an extremely stunning and panoramic sight for the eyes, and is the result of algae production here
• You might also get a chance to see the lake change its colour from pink to red or even purple

Best of Sydney

Climb Mount Kosciuszko

• Another popular adventurous experience that you can have in Australia in March is climbing Mount Kosciuszko, which is the tallest mountain in the country
• Standing tall at 2228 metres from the sea level, the climb to this mountain offers some of the most breath-taking views of the surrounding landscapes, villages and hamlets
• Once you reach the end of your climb, you can also enjoy 360 degree alpine views, with seasonal wildflowers adding more serenity and beauty to your surroundings
• The climb to the top is fairly difficult, and is complete with an elevated walking track, which takes around 6 to 7 hours to complete 

Best of Switzerland

Visit Kangaroo Island

• If you are in search of places to go to in Australia in March, the Kangaroo Island should be on your list
• Ranked as the third largest island in the country, located in the farthest southern state of Australia, the Kangaroo Island was first inhabited by the Australian aboriginals
• When visiting the island, you can not only get a chance to taste a variety of fresh seafood from the region, but also explore the many different wineries located here
• You can also catch sights of many different native Australian animals here, from kangaroos and koalas, to wombats, emus and more 

Best of Paris

People Also Ask About Australia

What are the best places to visit in australia in march.

• Orange, New South Wales
• Hahndorf, South Australia
• Exmouth, West Australia
• Gold Coast, Queensland

What are the best things to do in Australia in March?

• Catch the sunset in Uluru
• Indulge in a cruise in the Parramatta River
• Visit Barossa Valley
• Discover Australian wildlife

Is Australia cold in March?

Is visiting australia during march worth it, what is australia like in march, what are the best activities and attractions in australia that you can book via thrillophilia.

• Wild Life Sydney Zoo Tickets
• Sydney Tower Eye
• Sydney Opera House
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Warner Bros. Movie World Tickets
• Australian Outback Spectacular
• Moreton Island Day Trip From Gold Coast
• Winery Tour Gold Coast

Australia Top Attractions

The Sydney Opera House is a topmost favorite spot that tourists look forward to visiting during their Sydney trip. Located on the east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Port Jackson), New South Wales, Australia, the Opera House was even designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 and it is one of the finest places to visit in Sydney.Its architecture is a fusion of modernist, and ancient influences, which attracts over 8.2 million visitors every year. The eye-grabbing roof structure that looks like a white sail-shaped shell makes it the best-known landmark. It is a multipurpose place used for various performing arts facilities.It can seat only about 1,500 people during one show to offer an exceptional experience to the audience. The 2,679-seat Concert Hall is the most abundant space here that hosts choir performances, symphony concerts, and famous music shows.You can head to the Opera Theatre to watch popular Opera, dance performances and ballet shows. Further, the building houses three different sized theaters for presenting film screenings, stage plays, and shorter musical acts.On the southeastern end of the building is the Forecourt that hosts outdoor performances. There are also a professional recording studio and restaurants in the complex. Thus, if you ever plan to take a tour of Sydney, the Sydney Opera House is worth a visit to witness impressive structure as well as performances.Click Here to Book Now: Sydney Opera House Guided TourHistory of Sydney Opera HouseThe location of the Opera House earlier used to be a railroad yard of Sydney. The tale of the Sydney Opera House started in 1948 when the Sydney Opera head beckoned for a new home for the opera company. Eugene Goossens, who was the resident conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, recognized the need for a musical facility in the city. He wanted it to be home to the symphony orchestra, opera, and chamber music groups. In order to make the city identified as a world cultural capital, the New South Wales government approved his proposal. It assembled the Opera House Committee in 1954 to pick a site that further recommended Bennelong Point. A proposal request was sent to architects all across the world to submit designs for the Opera House. Finally, the design sketched out by Danish architect Jørn Utzon was declared a winner by renowned American architect Eero Saarinen. As the construction work started, people had no idea how to convert the design plan of Utzon into reality. There were political hurdles, too, during the project. The construction process slowed down certain times due to lack of funds, engineers got frustrated, and politicians doubted the idea of making the Opera House. It had a $7 million cost estimation, but actual cost rounded up to more than $100 million. So, with the proper strategies and solving the difficulties, Opera House completed in1973.Click Here to Book Now: Legoland Melbourne Tickets

The Great Barrier Reef is an individual and most extensive composition of living organisms worldwide. It is one of the most celebrated Cairns tourist attractions that is renowned for its sprawling archipelago, never-ending sea, and authentic coral reefs under the water. This place in Australia is a wonderful place to go on a vacation with your friends and family and cherish the mesmerizing scenery of the attraction. Visitors can cruise through the islands to pay a visit to the Great Barrier Reef or enjoy the tranquility of the atmosphere basking under the sun and watching the world pass by in front of their eyes.The Great Barrier Reef also allows you to take a private tour of the spectacular beauty of the coral reefs, dive underwater to discover the gorgeous marine life, and go bushwalking on Haymans island. It even has the most picturesque diving spot in the entire world, thereby offering the best skydiving experience over the Heart Reef. Besides the fun and adventurous activities, there are plenty of resorts on the island that provide a remarkable opportunity to wake up to the majestic views of the attraction. You can also savor the delicious taste of the local cuisine at the stalls lining the attraction while relishing the sight-gazing experience of the coral reefs.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a colossal structure which took the efforts of over 1400 workers and a time span of 8 years. The bridge was put together using over 6 million hand-driven rivets into 53,000 tonnes of steel, thus completing the construction of the world's largest steel arch Bridge. A unique fact about this bridge is that it is continuously being painted mostly to protect it from outer elements and due to its humongous size by the time the painting is done it is time to start over and this cycle is unending. The steel arch of the Bridge actually changes in size; sometimes up-to 18 cm change in its height can be seen. The Bridge's workers and caretakers once included the famous Australian Actor Paul Hogan as a rigger and his job was to erect platforms so the painters could come. The arch of the Bridge is open to climbing and has had over 3 million visitors since 1998 that came for this adventurous trip. The view from the top of the arch is mesmerizing and unbeatable. Approximately 80 % of the steel used in the bridge was actually imported from the United Kingdom and this means that the steel has traveled halfway across the world to make this bridge. History of Harbour BridgeThe plans for building this bridge were proposed originally in 1815 by Francis Greenway to Governor Lachlan Macquarie. He even wrote a letter to an Australian newspaper in 1825, elaborating on the need for a bridge to connect the two sides of the harbor. Though his idea remained in public memory, it did not end up being executed.In 1840, Robert Brindley, who was a naval architect, proposed a floating bridge, and in 1857 Engineer Peter Henderson ended up designing one of the first drawings. Finally, John Bradfield, who is now known as the father of the bridge, became the "Chief Engineer of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Metropolitan Railway Construction" in 1914. Initially, he had proposed a suspension bridge at the location, but later after visiting New York due to the First World War, and got inspired by the architecture and decided to build an arch bridge instead. This construction too was delayed, and finally took place between 1923 and 1932 when the bridge finally opened for the public. Checkout and Book Now: Sydney Harbour Cruise

More Australia Attractions

Australia travel guides.

Australia Reviews

Popular Nearby Places Around Australia

More things to do in australia, more on australia tourism, popular related destinations.

Best Domestic Packages

Best international packages, domestic honeymoon packages, international honeymoon packages, places to visit in india, international places to visit, things to do in india, international things to do, popular on thrillophilia.

• We assure the privacy of your contact data.
• This data will only be used by our team to contact you and no other purposes.

Your enquiry has been received successfully. Our destination expert will reach out to you soon!

When is the best time to go to Australia?

Nov 27, 2023 • 7 min read

Plan the right time for your visit to Australia with this seasonal guide to what's happening through the year © davidf / Getty Images

As the sixth-largest country in the world,  Australia has landscapes that range from dry savannahs and scrubland to lush tropical rainforests.

Each season brings its own magic, depending on where you are and when. Summer can either mean comfortable temperate days, blistering desert heat, or days of extreme humidity and frequent rain. Similarly, winter can deliver both snow or sunshine, depending on your location – and preference.

In short, the best time to travel to Australia depends on what you plan to do . From festivals to whale watching and wildflowers, here’s a seasonal breakdown of what's happening through the year.

December to February is the best time for beach days and festival vibes

Thoughts of Australia often conjure summer scenes of clear skies, brilliant sunshine and the sparkling ocean. December to February brings the hottest months with the longest days. This is also the peak travel season, so come prepared for crowds and premium rates on accommodation, particularly during Australian school holidays (which typically run from late December to late January).

Incredible as they are, there are plenty of ways beyond the beaches to enjoy summer in Australia. As Australia’s tropical north bunkers down for the wet season (with some remote regions such as the Kimberley all but closing up business until “the Dry” returns) this is the time to head south for festivals, sports and sunshine. 

Big ticket events in January include the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne and Sydney Festival , a visual and performing arts festival. Also not to be missed are quirky regional events such as  Parkes Elvis Festival in rural New South Wales , timed to coincide with the King of Rock and Roll’s birthday. 

In February, the world’s second-largest Fringe Festival (after Edinburgh) takes over Adelaide , while the streets are lined with glitter and rainbows for Sydney ’s version of Pride: the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras . There are also countless outdoor music festivals (both ticketed and free) across the country during this time, particularly over the New Year’s holiday period.

March to May and September to November are the best months for multi-destination adventures across the country

The shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) can mean more rain in many areas, but much milder temperatures. This makes it easier to experience city and outback life in one trip. 

During these periods, you'll find relief from otherwise scorching outback temperatures, making it the ideal time to visit destinations in the Red Centre including Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park . Meanwhile  hiking routes , including Central Australia’s Larapinta Trail, South Australia’s Heyson Trail and Cathedral Gorge in Western Australia’s Purnululu National Park, are a lot more manageable in the cooler months.

If you’re visiting the Kimberley between March and May, you may also be rewarded with glimpses of the waterfalls at the tail end of the wet season.

However, it pays to be aware that schools take two-week breaks, usually at the beginning of April and the end of September. Many Australian families take holidays during these periods, which can affect the availability and cost of accommodations.

June to August is the best time to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef or hit the slopes

The winter months of June through August are generally the cheapest time of year to travel throughout much of Australia, with fewer tourists and better deals on flights and accommodations in most areas.

There are exceptions to the rule, though. The drop in temperatures and drier weather drives tourism to iconic destinations such as Uluru, as well as Cairns , Darwin and the Kimberley. (It can also be cooler than many tourists expect, with temperatures in the Red Centre dropping below 0°C/32°F overnight. Pack accordingly.)

In Queensland , jellyfish – including the infamous Irukandji – are less prevalent during winter, which also means it’s an ideal time to snorkel or dive on the Great Barrier Reef .

If you’re planning to visit these areas, be prepared to jostle for accommodation as domestic travelers from the southern states also head north to escape the cold, with most school districts taking a two-week break at the start of July. 

However, it’s just as popular to head into the cold. While neighboring New Zealand is better known as a ski destination , Australia also has fantastic snow experiences to appease powder hounds. New South Wales’ aptly named  Snowy Mountains – roughly 490km (304 miles) from Sydney – is home to Perisher (the largest ski resort in the country) and the nearby Thredbo resort. In Victoria, you can hit the slopes 385km (239 miles) from Melbourne in Falls Creek or take to the steeper runs of Mt Hotham.

May to September is the time to experience Australia’s winter festivals

Winter doesn’t mean an end to the celebratory vibes. Instead, May to September is a flurry of activity in capital cities and regional hubs across Australia, with festivals to excite avid foodies, art aficionados, music lovers and more. 

The return of shorter days is kicked off by Alice Springs ’ Parrtjima Festival  in April. The free 10-night festival celebrates First Nations culture with interactive workshops and performances, and sees the MacDonnell Ranges transformed by an incredible light installation. 

Next up is Hobart ’s subversive Dark Mofo festival – timed to coincide with the winter solstice in June. It’s one of the country’s most fêted off-season events, with massive bonfires, live music and performance art taking over the Tasmanian city. Dark Mofo is on pause for 2024, but daring visitors can still partake in the annual Nude Solstice Swim and Winter Feast.

Also in June, Sydney’s Vivid Festival draws visitors by the thousands for its light projections and a program of thought-provoking presentations. Similarly, Melbourne’s  Rising Festival  and Adelaide’s Illuminate  both light up the long winter nights with bold projections and installations across the cities, alongside immersive free and ticketed events. Both are held annually between June and July. 

On the other side of the country, foodies tuck into the season’s best at Truffle Kerfuffle in Manjimup, WA, followed by the Cabin Fever food and culture festival in July in Margaret River . Finally, if you’re in the Northern Territory in August, you might want to add Darwin Festival  of arts and culture to your itinerary. 

May to November is prime time for whale watching

If you love marine wildlife, May through to November marks the best months to glimpse whales as they make their twice-annual migration along the coast. Starting from April, tens of thousands of these majestic mammals begin their journey north from their Southern Ocean feeding grounds. They breed and give birth in warmer waters along Australia’s shores, before returning south with their young. 

The coastlines of South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria are some of the best places to see southern right whales, while humpbacks and the occasional orca put on a show along the east and west coasts. Western Australia is the place to spot elusive sperm and blue whales.

Another phenomenon you may be lucky enough to see in Tasmania’s southern latitudes at this time of year is the aurora australis or southern lights. Popular places to witness the dancing colors include Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park , Bruny Island and the secluded Bathurst Harbour.

August to October is the best time to see rare and endemic wildflowers

We know what you’re thinking. Flowers, for spring? Groundbreaking. But thousands of Australia’s wildflowers bloom nowhere else on the planet. Case in point are the flowers of Western Australia’s southwest. There are more than 12,000 species, 60% of which are endemic to the region. The Indigenous peoples of this region, the Noongar, acknowledge six seasons of the year, and August to October marks the transition to Kambarang , the height of the flowering season. This is celebrated at Perth’s EverNow Festival in October.

Other notable places to experience the wildflower season include the Blue Mountains and Booderee National Park in New South Wales and Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia. Victoria also boasts numerous spots including the Grampians (Gariwerd) , which is home to one-third of the state’s flora and where the flowering season is known locally as petyan . The Dandenong Ranges are also a popular stop, particularly for those wanting to experience wildflowers and a winery or two of the nearby Yarra Valley .

At this time of year, you’ll find countless regional flower festivals across the country, alongside larger celebrations. Two of the biggest are Canberra’s Floriade (the largest flower festival in the southern hemisphere, hosted September to October) and Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers in September.

This article was first published March 2021 and updated November 2023

Explore related stories

Art and Culture

Apr 4, 2024 • 5 min read

Perth’s immersive Indigenous experiences, stunning scenery and innovative culinary scene make it one of Australia's most exciting cities.

Mar 30, 2024 • 4 min read

Mar 29, 2024 • 19 min read

Mar 26, 2024 • 8 min read

Mar 15, 2024 • 18 min read

Feb 27, 2024 • 6 min read

Feb 15, 2024 • 7 min read

Feb 9, 2024 • 12 min read

Jan 30, 2024 • 9 min read

Jan 24, 2024 • 8 min read

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

The Best Time to Visit Australia for Perfect Weather and Affordable Rates

These are the best times to visit Australia for surfing, hiking, beach hopping, and more.

From golden beaches and tropical rain forests to one-of-a-kind wildlife and rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Australia has a memorable vacation in store for all types of visitors.

Visiting a country so big — complete with three separate time zones and eight different climate zones — requires a degree of planning. To help you get started, keep in mind the following seasons, which apply to most of the continent's tourist hot spots.

• High Season: December to February
• Shoulder Seasons: March to May and September to November
• Low Season: June to August

While city breaks, road trips, and winery visits can be enjoyed year-round, varying regional weather patterns mean that certain highlights — hiking around the iconic monolith of Uluru; snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef — are best experienced during specific months. No matter what you want to do during your Australia trip, we've got you covered.

Best Times to Visit Australia for Smaller Crowds

Most tourists, especially from the Northern Hemisphere, visit Australia during the country's summer months: December, January, and February. To avoid these crowds, try visiting in winter (Australia's least popular season) or in the spring and fall shoulder seasons.

If you're planning to visit the country's northern coast, opposite rules apply. This region (home to the Great Barrier Reef and the city of Cairns, among other attractions) lies in the tropics. Because of this, the June to August winter months here are warm, dry, and swarming with tourists — both domestic ones on winter vacation and international visitors looking to explore the reef when visibility is at its peak. The summer rainy season, from November to April, is the least crowded time up north.

Best Times to Visit Australia for Good Weather

Every month presents an opportunity to experience a particular region of Australia at its best. If beach hopping is high on your agenda, aim for the warmer months of September to April in New South Wales and southeast Queensland, and November to March in southern states, including the southerly reaches of Western Australia. Summer is also bushfire season, so keep your eye on local alerts during your visit.

While southern states tend to experience four seasons, northern Australia (encompassing the top sections of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland) has just two: wet (November to April) and dry (May to October). With road access often compromised during the wet season, the dry period is generally the best time to visit this region, especially on a road trip. The wet period also corresponds with cyclone and marine stinger seasons, which can make coastal travel a challenge. That said, Great Barrier Reef and rain forest tourism in the Cairns region operate year-round, weather permitting. If you want to swim during stinger season — when certain dangerous species of jellyfish populate northeast Australian waters — you'll just need to don a Lycra stinger suit supplied by your marine activity operator.

If you've got your heart set on an Australian outback adventure, the cooler months from May to August are most comfortable. For outdoor adventures in the island state of Tasmania, which has a cooler climate than the mainland, the warmer months from October to March are ideal. If you packed your skis, the snowfields of New South Wales and Victoria are typically open from June until September.

Best Times to Visit Australia for Lower Prices

Flights are usually one of the biggest cost hurdles on a trip to Australia, but there are ways to save. Airfare tends to be lowest during the Aussie winter — June to August — since that's the least popular season for tourism. At any time of year, though, you can find good deals by opting for flights with a layover instead of direct routes (New Zealand, China, and Singapore are some common stopovers) and by watching for sales. Airlines like Virgin Australia and the low-cost Qantas offshoot Jetstar often advertise great domestic deals.

Accommodation prices, meanwhile, can drop significantly in low and shoulder seasons. City breaks in the south's bustling urban centers tend to be most affordable in the winter off-season, too. Though the beaches may be too chilly for a swim, there's still plenty to see at this time of year. Try visiting in May or June to catch the Vivid Sydney festival, when iconic buildings are illuminated by incredible light installations for several weeks.

Best Times to Go Hiking in Australia

Australia's national parks and wilderness areas are laced with hundreds of spectacular hiking trails, many of which are best tackled at certain times of the year. As the summer months can be unbearably hot in Australia's Red Centre, walks in places like Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are most comfortably and safely undertaken from April to September.

The opposite can be said for Tasmania, where hiking is more popular during the warmer months, though walkers should be prepared for all types of weather (even snow) throughout the year. Hiking in the lush Gondwana Rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales is typically more comfortable in the drier winter months (particularly June to October), while the best time to wander Western Australia's famed Cape to Cape Track is in the spring (specifically September and October, when wildflowers are in bloom) and autumn (March to May).

Best Times to Go Surfing in Australia

Like in many other destinations around the world, the best months for surfing in Australia don't always coincide with the best months for swimming. If you're just learning how to surf, there's generally no bad time to take a lesson here — though you'll be more comfortable spending hours in the water during the warm summer months of December through February. (This is especially true in Victoria and southern Western Australia.)

For experienced surfers, the offshore winds and more consistent swells of the Australian winter tend to proffer the best conditions, though storms can also generate big waves at any time of year. If you'd rather watch great surfers than join them, try visiting in fall months like March or April — that's when many of the country's biggest surfing competitions, like the Margaret River Pro and Newcastle's Surfest , are held.

Best Times to See Wildlife in Australia

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

One of the best things about visiting Australia between May and November is the opportunity to spot migrating whales. Various species make their way up and down the east and west coasts during those months, with different peak times for each species. The best time to book a whale-watching tour in general is August or September, when humpbacks tend to be most active. If you've always wanted to see an orca on the hunt, aim to be in Western Australia's Bremer Bay between January and April.

When it comes to seeing land-based wildlife, it's more about the time of day than the time of year, with the hours of dusk and dawn typically the best for spotting native animals such as kangaroos and wombats. From lorikeets to cockatoos to the iconic kookaburra, Australia's birds (which can often be seen in cities) also tend to sing their hardest when they come in to roost. And after dozing in gum trees all day, koalas are more active in the evenings, making them easier to spot.

Baby animals of all kinds abound in springtime (September to November) across the country. And while sea turtles can be spotted in Australian waters throughout the year, time your visit to Queensland between November and January to see them come ashore to nest, with their babies hatching from January to April.

Worst Times to Visit Australia

Australia's diverse natural beauty and thriving culture mean that there's no bad time to visit. But, depending on your priorities, some times of year can be better than others.

If avoiding crowds and saving money are your top goals, you may want to skip summertime, when tourist numbers and flight and hotel costs reach their annual peak. For beach hopping, avoid the winter — except on the northern coast, where the beaches of Port Douglas and the Whitsunday Islands are at their best in the dry winter months.

International travelers should also note that Easter is surprisingly busy. Australian schools go on break this time of year, and most locals use that time to travel, whether to see family or go on vacation. Since this drives up prices and increases crowds, Easter may be a time to avoid unless you too are there to visit Australian relatives.

Australia Recommends 2024

Come and Say G'day

G'day, the short film

Discover your Australia

Travel videos

Deals and offers

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

South Australia

Western Australia

External Territories

The Whitsundays

Mornington Peninsula

Port Douglas

Ningaloo Reef

Airlie Beach

Kangaroo Island

Rottnest Island

Hamilton Island

Lord Howe Island

Tiwi Islands

Phillip Island

Bruny Island

Margaret River

Barossa Valley

The Grampians

Hunter Valley

Yarra Valley

McLaren Vale

Glass House Mountains

Alice Springs

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The Kimberley

Flinders Ranges

Kakadu National Park

Eyre Peninsula

Karijini National Park

Great Barrier Reef

Blue Mountains

Daintree Rainforest

Great Ocean Road

Purnululu National Park

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Litchfield National Park

Aboriginal experiences

Arts and culture

Festivals and events

Food and drink

Adventure and sports

Walks and hikes

Road trips and drives

Beaches and islands

Nature and national parks

Eco-friendly travel

Health and wellness

Family travel

Family destinations

Family road trips

Backpacking

Work and holiday

Beginner's guide

Accessible travel

Planning tips

Trip planner

Australian budget guide

Itinerary planner

Find a travel agent

Find accommodation

Find transport

Visitor information centres

Deals and travel packages

Visa and entry requirements FAQ

Customs and biosecurity

Working Holiday Maker visas

Facts about Australia

Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie

People and culture

Health and safety FAQ

Cities, states & territories

Iconic places and attractions

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Seasonal travel

Events and festivals

School holidays

Public holidays

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities

How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

How to travel around Australia

Guide to driving in Australia

How to hire a car or campervan

How to plan a family road trip

How to plan an outback road trip

Great Barrier Reef Drive, Port Douglas, QLD © Travellers Autobarn

Start planning your trip to Australia

So, you've decided to visit Australia? Great choice! Let's start planning your ultimate holiday.

Link Copied!

First trip to Australia?

Know before you go.

Weather in Australia

Trips and itineraries

3 - 6 day itineraries

7 - 10 day itineraries

Two-week itineraries

Road trips and self-drive journeys

Frequently asked questions.

Plan your trip

Health and safety information

Make your holiday happen.

Find transportation

Getting around

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities and destinations

First timers guide to driving in Australia

How to hire a car, campervan or 4WD in Australia

How to plan a family road trip in Australia

How to plan an Australian outback road trip

About australia.

Why Australia is the best place to visit

A handy guide to the Australian lifestyle

Australian states, territories and capital cities

History of Australia for the Curious Traveller

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.  Find out more . By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

• International (English)
• New Zealand (English)
• Canada (English)
• United Kingdom (English)
• India (English)
• Malaysia (English)
• Singapore (English)
• Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
• Deutschland (Deutsch)
• France (Français)
• Italia (Italiano)
• 中国大陆 (简体中文)

*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

10 unreal Insta-friendly spots you need to visit in March

101 of the best travel experiences in the world right now, bundeena, nsw, the three sisters, nsw, rutherglen, vic, how to stop wasting time and start living your best life, right now, bright, vic, giraween national park, qld, bigriggen park, qld, avon valley, wa, how yoga and surfing can actually help you live a happier, healthier life, new norcia, wa, coastal way, sa, hahndorf, sa, what your star sign says about your next adventure, meet the dudes who walked 2200 kilometres through the …, we ranked the 10 most out-of-this-world adventures you ….

The Best Time To Travel Australia: An Overview Per Region

• Updated on: May 1, 2022

This article may contain affiliate links.  For more information, please see our disclaimer  here.

Table of Contents

Australia is such a big country it’s impossible to tell you the best time to travel Australia. Asit has many different climates in different parts of the country. This blog post will give you an overview of the climates per region and the best time to travel to these Australian regions.

Are you planning on going to Australia for a year or longer? Check out the part further down in this blog post on how you can travel around Australia, while only having summertime. 365 days of summer, who doesn’t want that!?

Best time to travel Australia

Australia is situated in the Southern part of the hemisphere and therefore, a lot of things are the other way around compared to the rest of the world. People drive on the left side of the road and the sun travels from the East via the North to the West. Some even claim that the water flows in the opposite direction through the drain!

The seasons are also opposite to most other countries. Australian wintertime is during the European summertime and the other way around.

Weather seasons

Australia knows a lot of different climates. The tropical climates only know two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. Other seasons know them all: winter, summer, autumn, and spring.

In general, we can say the weather seasons are as follows:

June until August

September until November

December until February

March until May

Tourist seasons

3 tourist seasons are distinguished:

• High season : This season runs from December until February, this period is the Australia vacation, during the Australian summer. Schools are closed and a lot of Australians have holidays. Everywhere around Australia, it is busier and the prices are going up.
• Low season : This season runs from June until August, during the Australian winter. There is only sunshine in the Northern part of Australia, which is the reason a lot of retired Australians travel to the North. If you like skiing, this is the time of the year it is possible! There are some ski slopes in the Southern part of Australia as well as in Tasmania. Generally said this season is the least busy period in Australia and the prices are lowest.
• Midseason : This season falls between high season and low season and runs from March until May and from September until November. The weather is pleasant in most parts of Australia and the prices are good.

Festival season

Festival season is on during the Australian summer, from December until February. Music festivals on the beach, rodeo’s in the outback and many more festivals take place around Australia.

Public holidays

During public holidays most shops and businesses are closed. You might find a local market or a celebration in town.

Australia celebrates a couple of national holidays (besides Easter, Christmas and New Years Eve):

• Australia day : 26th of January
• ANZAC day : 25th of April
• Queens Birthday : Most of the states celebrate it on the 2nd Monday in September. In Queensland, it is celebrated on the 1st Monday in October. In Western Australia, there are no fast rules when the celebration takes place. But mostly somewhere between the last Monday in Septembre and the first Monday in October.

Best travel time Australia – North

November until April, which is called the tropical summer

May until October, which is called the tropical winter

The Northern part of Australia runs from Broome (North-West), up to Townsville (North-East). In between, you’ll find cities and places like the Kimberley in Western Australia – Darwin, Kakadu National Park and Arnhemland in the Northern Territory – Cape York, Port Douglas and Cairns with the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.

Like the name indicates, during the wet season there falls a lot of rain. Mainly rain showers that last a couple of hours and bring a lot of water. The day temperature is hot and can be over 40ºC. The nights are warm as well, but the temperature will drop until a more comfortable 20ºC.

Note: During the wet season, it is no exception that roads are closed due to flooding. if you want to explore the northern part of Australia during this season, make sure you have a 4wd.

During the dry season, you are lucky if you’ll have some rain. Normally there isn’t any rain at all, except for a little lost rain shower. The day temperatures are more comfortable and vary between 20ºC to 30ºC. During the night it cools off and you can expect temperatures below 10ºC.

Time to visit Australia Northern Part

The best travel time for the Northern part of Australia, including the Northern Territory is from April until October. The temperatures are more comfortable and you don’t have to plan your explorations around the rain showers. The beginning of the dry season is the most beautiful time, as nature has had lots of water and everything is in bloom. Later on, in the season, nature gets dry and more yellowish.

Climate in Darwin

Activities & events in the northern territory.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in the Northern Territory, click here to visit the official NT website . Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Best time to travel to Australia – Northern part of the east coast

April until September

October until March

The Northern part of the East Coast of Australia runs from Townsville to Hervey Bay. In between, you’ll find the places Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg.

Note: Below are descriptions of the winter and summer climates applied in particular for the coastal areas. If you plan on going more inland, expect a bit warmer days and a bit cooler nights. During wintertime, freezing cold nights aren’t an exception for inland destinations.

Queensland is called the Sunshines state, and that is because the sun shines all year round. Although the sun will be shining, winter can bring some colder days, but the average day temperature will fluctuate between 15ºC to 30ºC. During the night it cools down until about 5ºC to 10ºC.

Clouds will form often during the afternoon and give some showers in the evening. This rain makes waterfalls flow and gives nature some color.

In summer the average temperature during the day will be between 20ºC and 35ºC. The nights are warmer, but there is still a chance to have some colder nights during this time of the year.

Best time to visit

The best travel time for the Northern part of the east coast of Australia is from June until November. Winter is a beautiful time of the year to explore this part of Australia, as the waterfalls will be flowing and nature looks stunning. Just prepare yourself for the colder nights and a couple of cool days you might come across.

Climate in Townsville

Activities & events in the north of the east coast.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in Townsville, click here to visit the official Townsville Event website . Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Best time to travel Australia – Gold coast

May until August

September until April

The Southern part of the east coast of Australia runs from Hervey Bay to Sydney, so along the route, you’ll cross the border from Queensland to New South Wales. In between, you pass places like Brisbane, Gold Coast, the beautiful Fraser Islands, Coffs Harbour, and New Castle.

The climate in this part of Australia is a moderate sea climate. This is probably the best climate you can have, as there is only one season: summer!

Winter temperatures are mild, with an average of 19ºC during the day. But don’t be surprised if you have a cooler day where the mercury barely reaches 10ºC. Rainfall can be expected all year round but during this time of the year a bit less than during summer.

Summer brings a bit warmer days and the average day temperature rises up to 26ºC to 30ºC. Thunderstorms at night will happen often, which makes it a bit wetter than winter. But still, a perfect time of the year to explore this part of Australia.

Best travel time

It doesn’t really matter when you travel to this part of Australia. If you like warmer days and don’t mind the bit of extra rain on your face, travel here between September and April. More comfortable when it is a bit cooler throughout the day? Travel here between May and August.

Climate in Sydney

Activities & events in sydney.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in Sydney click here to visit the official Sydney Event website. Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Must Read: The Complete Route Guide Brisbane to Cairns

Best time to travel Australia – Southeast

The southeastern part of Australia runs from Sydney in New South Wales along with Melbourne in Victoria up to Adelaide in South Australia. In between, you’ll find Canberra in Australia Capital Territory. Although, Canberra is a bit more inland, and extremer temperatures can be expected.

Winters can be cold and freezing temperatures and snow aren’t exceptions. The average day temperature is below 10ºC. This part of Australia is actually a part where you can go skiing during this time of the year. The biggest ski accommodations have up to 100km skiing slopes!

Summer is more pleasant with an average day temperature between 20ºC and 25ºC. You can visit the beaches and work on your tan.

Spring & Autumn

During spring and autumn, the temperatures fluctuate between summer and winter temperatures. Autumn is a beautiful time of the year if you like the orange and yellow colors in nature. This part together with Tasmania is the only part in Australia where you have a real autumn season.

If you want a beach and sunshine holiday, between September and March is your time to visit this part of Australia. Do you want to go skiing? You better visit this part between June and August.

Climate in Melbourne

Activities & events in melbourne.

Best time to visit Melbourne Australia for festivals, activities and events click here to visit the official Melbourne Event website . Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Best time to travel Australia – Tasmania

Tasmania is an island situated 500 kilometers South of Melbourne. In Tasmania, seasons are even more extreme than in Southeast Australia.

Winter is cold in Tasmania. Temperatures drop to 10ºC and below. In the mountains, it will snow and skiing is possible on some small slopes. Winter is a good time to see the Southern Lights. Although the Southern Lights can be seen all year round, in winter is your best chance, because of the long and dark nights.

Summer is temperature-wise the best time of the year, but during the day it won’t be much warmer than 20ºC. A perfect temperature for a long hike into the mountains!

Tasmania can best be visited between December and February. The temperatures are best during this time of the year. Nature is stunning and many activities can be done. But always be prepared for a cool day and cold nights.

Climate in Hobart

Activities & events in tasmania.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in Tasmania click here to visit the official Tasmania Event website. Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Must Read: Tasmania Travel Guide

Best time to travel Australia – Southwest

Southwest Australia runs from Melbourne to Perth. You’ll find Adelaide in between.

Winters are soft, with an average day temperature between 15ºC and 18ºC. Some days might be a bit cooler. This time of the year is known for the enormous amount of rainfall. The temperature during the night only drops a bit and has an average temperature between 9ºC and 14ºC.

Summers are much dryer, but a rain shower will fall down every now and then. Day temperatures are warm with an average between 25ºC and 35ºC. Also, expect heatwaves, when day temperatures will rise towards the 40ºC. During the nights it cools off a bit to 16ºC to 20ºC.

The best travel time for Southwest Australia is between September and April. During this time of the year you avoid the heavy rainfall. Just be prepared for some really hot days and make sure you can plan some days at the pool or the beach to cool off.

Climate in Perth

Activities & events in perth.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in Perth click here to visit the official Perth Event website. Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Must Read: Free camping in Australia: The Ultimate Backpackers Guide

Best time to travel Australia – Northwest

Northwest Australia runs from Perth to Broome. In between, you’ll find places like Halls Creek and Port Hedland.

In this part of Australia is a desert climate, which generally has two seasons as mentioned above.

Winters are characterized by extreme temperature differences between day and night. During the day it won’t be much cooler than 27ºC and during the night the temperature drops to 10ºC, and sometimes far below!

During summertime, the days are even hotter and temperatures will easily rise above 40ºC. During the night it still cools off a lot, but not as much as during the winter. Average night temperatures vary between 20ºC and 25ºC.

Wintertime is definitely your best option to travel to this part of Australia. Between April and September, the day temperatures can be handled. Just be prepared for some cool nights!

Climate in Broome

Activities & events in broome.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in Broome click here to visit the official Broome Event website . Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

Best time to travel Australia – Central

The red center covers Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Uluru and some smaller places like Tennant Creek, Devil’s Marbles and Ghan.

This part of Australia is a desert climate, just like in the Northwest of Australia. The climate is more extreme in the Red Centre and therefore, I discuss it separately.

The temperature during the day in the wintertime will rise up to 25ºC, but 20ºC is more of an average. During the night the temperatures often drop below zero. A cooler day and a more comfortable night can be experienced as well.

During summertime, the red center is extremely hot. Temperatures can rise far above 40ºC and during the nights the temperature doesn’t drop far below 25ºC.

The best travel time for the red center is between March and May and between September and November. These are the transition periods between winter and summer. Day temperatures will likely be between 20ºC and 30ºC and during the night it cools off a bit, but freezing temperatures are rarely seen.

Climate in Alice Springs

Activities & events in alice springs, australia’s longest light show installation at parrtjima.

To check out all the festivals, activities, and events in Alice Springs click here to visit the official Alice Springs Event website. Below you will find some special festivals and events I would recommend.

What is the best time to travel Australia, while only having summer?

Australia is very diverse in all sorts of ways. We just discussed the many different climates in this country, but also landscapes, highlights, animals, and vegetation vary a lot when you travel across Australia. Don’t think you can drive around Australia during a 4-week holiday, since travel distances are huge.

But if you have a gap year, or if you are traveling around the world and want to spend some longer time in a country, Australia is the place to be! Buy your own car , and if you make sure you can sleep in it, you can travel around Australia without paying any accommodation if you use the many free camps !

Do you love to feel the sunshine on your skin, a breeze through your hair and the sparkling ocean in your eyes? You can drive all around Australia in 1 year time while only having summer!

• January : Explore Tasmania
• February – March : Travel around Melbourne and Adelaide
• Apri : Go to the Red Centre, or do this in September and travel to Perth
• May : Explore Perth, you might get some rain, but the temperatures are still very pleasant
• June : Travel North to Broome
• July – August : Explore the Kimberly, Arnhemland and Darwin + surroundings.
• September : Choose to travel via the Red Centre or via the Northern coastline to Cape York
• October : Cape York and Cairns
• November – December : Travel along the east coast to Sydney

There you go, 1 year in Australia, while only having summer!

You might also like: Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest: Adventurous Things To Do & Epic Hikes

How much does it cost to travel australia?

Faq best time to travel australia, what is the cheapest time to travel to australia.

The cheapest time to travel to Australia by airplane is from mid-April till the end of August.

What is the best time to visit Sydney Australia?

The best time to visit Sydney is from if from September till November and from March until May. Those two periods are the best by temperature and it’s not as crowded in the city as at the hiking tracks.

What is the best time to visit New Zealand and Australia?

The shoulder season(March-April) is the best time to visit New Zealand and Australia, as there are less tourist and the weather is moderate.

How many days in Australia is enough?

I would suggest spending at least 3 weeks in Australia if you want to discover. It all depends on your goals, as I lived in the country for 2 years and still have things I want to do/see.

Is April a good time to go to Australia?

April is the start of the dry season in Australia so this means warmer nights and a perfect time of the year to travel around Australia.

Pin for later

Hopefully, this blog post informed you well enough about the different climates in Australia, so that you can prepare for your trip ! Have you traveled around Australia and noticed the many different climates? Or do you have a question regarding this blog post? Leave a comment below.

All Australia posts

1 thought on “The Best Time To Travel Australia: An Overview Per Region”

Great article.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Brisbane to Cairns 2024: East Coast Hidden Gems Unveiled

Self-Drive Tasmania: The Best Trip Planner for an Ultimate Road Trip

9 Greatest Hikes in Tasmania | Becoming One With an Ancient Land

Deals australia, activities & tours, travel insurance, accommodations, destinations, travel tips.

About Adotrip

Unlock the magical world : dive into captivating blog posts, australia in march | travel tips, weather and more.

• Beach Captions And Quotes For Instagram

•   Bookmark
•   Contact Us

Thinking about a journey to the land Down Under? If you're searching for the optimal moment to explore Australia, March is the ideal choice. Thanks to its delightful climate, vibrant festivals, and abundant outdoor adventures, the best place to visit in australia in march presents an enticing array of tourist experiences. Best Time To Visit Australia In March This comprehensive guide will provide all the essential information for your March sojourn in Australia, covering topics such as climate, things to do, and packing suggestions.

1. Weather In Australia In March: A Pleasant Surprise

March falls under Australia's autumn season, making it one of the most favourable times to explore this diverse and stunning country. The weather across the continent varies from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect:

• Northern Australia: In regions like Queensland and the Northern Territory, March brings tropical warmth and occasional rainfall. It's a great time for water-based activities, such as snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the lush rainforests.
• Eastern Australia: Cities like Sydney and Brisbane enjoy mild temperatures, making outdoor adventures and city exploration delightful. Expect average temperatures around 22-28°C (72-82°F) during the day.
• Southern Australia: Melbourne and Adelaide experience the tail end of summer, with temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F). It's ideal for wine tasting in the Barossa Valley or discovering the vibrant culture in these cities.

Read More : Things To Do In Western Australia 

2. Things to Do in Australia in March 2024: Adventure Awaits

Australia offers a wide range of activities for travellers in March, catering to diverse interests. Here are some highlights:

• Festival Fever: March in Australia means festival season. Don't miss the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where world-class comedians tickle your funny bone. The Adelaide Festival is another cultural extravaganza featuring music, dance, and theatre.
• Beach Bliss: Australia boasts some of the world's most iconic beaches. In March, the weather is perfect for beach activities. Head to Bondi Beach in Sydney, Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, or Cable Beach in Broome for sun, sand, and surf.
• Wildlife Encounters: Witness unique wildlife encounters in their natural habitat. Best Time To Visit Australia In March Go whale watching along the coast, see kangaroos and koalas in wildlife reserves, or visit Kangaroo Island for diverse wildlife experiences.
• Outdoor Adventures: Australia's stunning landscapes beckon outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking in national parks like Kakadu in the Northern Territory or the Grampians in Victoria is necessary. Try kayaking in Tasmania's pristine rivers if you're into water sports.
• Cultural Exploration: Learn about Australia's rich indigenous culture by visiting cultural centres and art galleries. March is an excellent time to explore these aspects of Australia's heritage.

Read More :  Tourist Places To Visit In Australia

3. March Travel Tips for Australia: What You Need to Know

Traveling to Australia in March is exciting, but a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some tips to make your trip smoother:

• Book Accommodation in Advance: March is a popular time for tourists, especially during school holidays. Secure your accommodations well in advance to get the best options.
• Sun Protection is Key: The Australian sun can be harsh, so pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Also, remember to stay hydrated.
• Insect Repellent: In some areas, especially up north, you may encounter insects. Carry insect repellent to stay comfortable during outdoor activities.
• Stay Hydrated: Australia can be hot in March. Keep a water bottle handy to stay hydrated, especially when exploring outdoors.

Read More : Famous Food Of Australia  

4. Packing Guide for Australia in March: Be Prepared

Packing for Australia in March requires a thoughtful approach. Here's what you should consider:

• Light Layers: Pack lightweight clothing that can be layered. Australia In March It allows you to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day.
• Comfortable Footwear: Comfortable shoes are a must whether you're exploring cities or hiking trails. Waterproof hiking boots are great for outdoor adventures.
• Swimwear: Don't forget your swimsuit; beach outings and water activities are necessary.
• Rain Gear: Consider packing a compact rain jacket or umbrella depending on your destination, as occasional showers are possible.
• Travel Adapters: Australia uses Type I electrical outlets, so bring the appropriate adapters for your devices.
• Travel Insurance: Always have comprehensive travel insurance that covers unexpected events and medical emergencies.

Read More : Famous Festivals Of Australia 

5. Australia Festivals in March: A Cultural Extravaganza

Australia's March calendar is filled with vibrant festivals that provide an insight into its diverse culture. Here are a couple of must-attend events:

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival: If you have a penchant for humour, Melbourne's comedy festival is riotous. It showcases both local and international comedians, promising endless laughter.
• Adelaide Festival: This multi-arts festival in Adelaide celebrates music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. It's a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Australia's artistic diversity.

A March vacation in Australia promises an unforgettable experience with favourable weather, exciting festivals, and many outdoor activities.  Whether you're an adventure seeker, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a relaxing beach getaway, Australia has something to offer. Remember to plan, pack wisely, and prepare to make lasting memories in this beautiful country with Adotrip , Best Time To Visit Australia In March is a journey you won't want to miss, best place to visit in australia in march.

With us, nothing is far!

Book Australia Tour Packages

Frequently asked questions about australia in march.

Q1 .  What's the weather generally like in Australia during March? A1 . Generally, Australia experiences warm and pleasant weather in March, with varying conditions from tropical in the north to mild in the south.

Q2 .  Are any cultural festivals or events happening in Australia in March?

A2 . Yes, March hosts cultural festivals like the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Adelaide Festival, showcasing arts and performances.

Q3 .  Which cities are known for their lively arts and music scene in March? A3 . Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are known for their lively arts and music scenes in March, featuring various concerts, exhibitions, and performances.

Q4 .  What are some family-friendly outdoor activities in Australia during March? A4 . Families can enjoy outdoor activities like beach outings, wildlife encounters, hiking, and picnics in Australia's pleasant March weather.

Q5 .  Is March a good time for hiking and exploring national parks in Australia? A5 . March is an excellent time for hiking and exploring national parks in Australia, with mild temperatures and blooming landscapes.

Q6 .  Can you recommend some coastal towns in Australia in March? A6 . Coastal towns like Byron Bay, Noosa, and Broome offer great experiences in March, with pleasant weather and beautiful beaches.

Q7 .  Are there any local markets or fairs worth checking out in March? A7 . Many local markets and fairs take place in March, such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Tasmanian Craft Fair, offering unique shopping and entertainment.

Q8 .  What's the crowd situation at popular tourist sites in March? A8 . Popular tourist sites can be crowded in March due to school holidays and good weather, so plan accordingly to avoid crowds.

Q9 .  Are there any unique wildlife encounters available in Australia during March? A9 . March offers unique wildlife encounters, such as whale watching along the coast, and opportunities to see koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat.

Q10 .  What's the availability of public transportation for travellers in March? A10 . Public transportation is readily available for travellers in March, with well-connected networks in major cities and tourist areas.

--- Published By  Adotrip

Flight Booking

Related blogs.

Australia In August | Weather, Things To Do, Places To Visit

Australia In July : Weather, Things To Do Places To Visit

Australia In January 2024 | everything to see & do

10 Famous Places To Visit In Darwin 2024

15 Things To Do In Queensland You Must Visit In 2024

Latest blogs.

Mauritius In October | Weather, Places To Visit, Things To D...

7 National Parks in Mauritius to Experience Wildlife in 2024

Mauritius In June | Weather, Places To Visit, Things To Do

Mauritius In July | Best Time To Visit, Things To Do

Travel Insurance and Financial Security for International Tr...

Popular Packages

Romantic Goa

Starting Price from 12500.00

Starting Price from 13200.00

Goa Special Package

Starting Price from 11825.00

Starting Price from 12500.00 View Details

Popular domestic flights.

Lucknow to Jammu Flights

Kolkata to Chennai Flights

Raipur to Mumbai Flights

Ahmedabad to Coimbatore Flights

Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram Flights

Bhubaneswar to Mangalore Flights

Pune to Ahmedabad Flights

Bangalore to Thiruvananthapuram Flights

Mumbai to Varanasi Flights

Vadodara to Ahmedabad Flights

Apply for visa online

Subscribe Our Newsletter To Get Exclusive Discounts & Offers In Your Inbox

Download Adotrip App Or Simply Subscribe To Get Exclusive Offers On Flights, Hotels, Buses And More

© Designed by Adomantra.

Change Password

May I Help you

• Australia Tours
• Australia Travel Guide
• When to Visit Australia

Australia in March: Weather & Travel Tips

• 1.47K views
• ~ mins read

The official start of the fall season, the month of March sees cooler temperatures across Australia, although that does not mean you should be preparing your winter wardrobe! You will still find plenty of people taking to the beaches of Western Australia and New South Wales during this time of year, and this month is also a great time for sightseeing around Sydney Harbor and exploring Melbourne ’s alleyways. Plus, although it is still a peak season in Australia in March, you will not find quite so much competition for flights and accommodation as during December, January, and February either.

Australia Weather in March

The transition between summer and fall is not an instant one, and travelers will encounter warm weather conditions during their trip to Australia in March. In southern cities such as Sydney and Melbourne , the average highs still hit around 24°C during this time of year. This rises to around 29°C in Alice Springs and 32°C in Darwin . However, before you contemplate a trip to Australia’s tropical regions, beware that rains can be heavy in these areas during this month, extending down as far as Brisbane in Queensland. In contrast, places like Sydney experience little more than an occasional shower.

For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Australia .

Weather in Australia in March - Rainfall and Temperatures

Why visit australia in march.

Sunny skies and pleasant weather are the main reasons why most people flock to Australia in March. However, in addition to these, there are a few more factors that make Australia such an irresistible destination during this time of year. We have listed them below.

• Beach escapes: The beaches of New South Wales are still ideal for a few days of soaking up the sun, playing volleyball, or trying your luck on top of a surfboard.
• Falling crowds: With summer ticking over into fall, crowd numbers in the country’s highlights start to thin down, which translates into a more laid-back experience and fewer queues.
• Ideal weather for hiking: Cooler temperatures make hiking and other outdoor physical activities that were impossible in summer possible once more. Be it exploring the Blue Mountains on foot or birdwatching in Tasmania, there are tons of activities to be enjoyed during this month.
• Celebrations galore: Cities across Australia do their best to attract visitors with a range of festivals and special events during this month. The biggest of them is probably South Australia’s Adelaide Festival .

Where to go and what to do

If you are prepared to dodge rains in the tropical north, destinations such as Darwin and Cairns evolve into incredible vistas during March with new growth turning them into verdant wonderlands. Head to Western Australia, where Exmouth and the nearby Ningaloo Marine Park provide an alternative to the Great Barrier Reef , with the added advantage that this is the start of the whale shark season when these gentle giants of the deep enjoy Australia’s warm waters as much as its human residents do.

One of Australia’s biggest celebrations of art and culture, the Adelaide Festival, also takes place in March and incorporates literature, world music, and dance. For fall color, there are various destinations that you might want to consider. Among them is Orange in New South Wales, where Mount Lindsay provides spectacular views, and Hahndorf in South Australia, whose German influences go far beyond its name. If you are tired of towns and city centers, do not forget that the beaches around Sydney and Melbourne are still excellent at this time of year.

Banish any thoughts you might have regarding a trip to Australia in March. The start of the fall would not mean disappointment for anyone visiting the country. In contrast, March offers an innumerable array of destinations and activities in Australia . To start planning your own customized trip to Australia in March, just contact one of our local travel experts .

Or, if you prefer, we have also got a great selection of fixed-itinerary tours in Australia in March .

Other Related Articles: Australia in February Australia in April Summer in Australia

Related Articles

Best Time To Visit Australia

Sydney glows in the rays of the setting sun ... read more

Australia in January: Warm Weather & Clear Skies

A trip to Australia in January is bound to in... read more

Australia in February: Summer Parties

Fly to tour Australia in February for an unfo... read more

Australia in April: Weather, Travel Tips & More

Because of its Southern Hemisphere location, ... read more

Australia in May: Weather, Tips & Outdoor Escapades

From the warmer climes of Darwin to the coole... read more

Australia in June: A Mix of Warm and Cold Winter

With the south getting its first taste of win... read more

Australia in July: Winter Vacations Down Under

Australia in July is a mixed bag of hot and c... read more

Australia in August: Winter's Last Hurrah

A trip to Australia in August sees the last m... read more

Australia in September: Weather & Travel Tips

Wave goodbye to winter and say hello to sprin... read more

Australia in October: Spring Travel Tips

Enjoy all of the country’s outdoor activities... read more

Australia in November: Weather and Travel Tips

The last month of spring in the southern hemi... read more

Australia in December: The Start of Summer Season

The start of the summer season in the Souther... read more

Summer in Australia: Weather Tips and Top Destinations

Left isolated for most of its history, Austra... read more

Winter in Australia: Destination Tips and Weather Advice

With stunning natural vistas, vast swathes of... read more

Related Categories

• Australia Travel Advice
• How Long To Stay In Australia
• Top Australia Attractions
• Top Australia Destinations
• What To Do In Australia
• When To Visit Australia
• Previous Post

Popular Destinations

• Europe Tours
• Everest Base Camp Trek
• Italy Tours
• Spain Tours
• Argentina Tours
• Canada Tours
• Sri Lanka Tours
• Chile Tours
• Antarctica Tours

Change location

• Call us today until 6pm
• 01993 838 925 01993 838 810 or
• REQUEST A QUOTE

When is the best time to visit Australia?

• New South Wales
• Month-by-month

The best time to visit Australia depends on the area you plan to see. A country of two climates, Australia’s northern half is driest and most accessible between April and September. Warm, sunny days show the national parks and beaches at their very best, providing opportunities for swimming and barbecues. The north is humid from October to March, with more rainfall, but this is offset by the active wildlife, and reinvigorated rainforests and wetlands.

In the southern half of Australia, the summer months (December to February) bring hot weather. Autumn (March to May) is also a lovely time, with numerous festivals and the busy grape harvest. Winter (June to August) is less busy and generally attracts a temperate climate that’s ideal for hiking, while spring (September to November) often sees more wildlife activity.

• Make an enquiry
• Request a brochure

Month-by-month guide for travelling in Australia

Visiting Australia in January - March

Hot and humid conditions and storms bringing tropical rain bursts typify the start of the year in northern Australia. During these months northern Australia experiences its wet season, and can be difficult to get to.

In the south, the days are warm and sunny, and while there can be heavy rain showers, these pass quickly. This is the most popular period for Australians to take time off work, with Australia Day celebrated in January, frequent sports events and numerous festivals.

It can be busy across the southern part of the country and on its beaches. The Great Barrier Reef can be visited, but its weather is temperamental around this period. Ningaloo Reef can also be visited, but please be aware that it has extremely hot weather around this time.

Events & Festivals

• In late January take in the firework displays and lively celebrations around Sydney Harbour, which mark Australia Day.
• Take your seat at one of the many outdoor cinema screenings held throughout the summer.

Visiting Australia in April - May

In the north, the temperatures are pleasant and the crowds of summer have started to disperse. Roads open up across the region, improving access to more remote locations.

With plenty of sunshine and much less rain than the summer months, April is one of our most recommended times to visit the south. In May, the south is still bright and sunny, but the temperatures begin to drop a little, triggering a notable change in the landscape as autumn hues appear.

• Between April and June take a boat trip out to see or even swim with the whale sharks near the Ningaloo Reef.

Visiting Australia in June - September

Northern Australia’s 'dry season' (during the Australian winter) is a time of lovely sunny days and warm temperatures, well suited for exploring on land or underwater. The tidal currents around the Great Barrier Reef are gentler, creating good snorkelling conditions.

In the country’s southern regions the weather is more temperate, making for good hiking conditions, although it can be rainy in certain parts. This period is a quieter season in the south, and the comfortable temperatures make it an excellent time to explore some of the rural inland regions, such as the Flinders Ranges , that are best avoided during the very hot summer.

• Take in the unusual Henley-on-Todd Regatta, held on the dry riverbed in August in Alice Springs.
• The Brisbane Festival takes place for three weeks in September with a line-up of music, comedy and theatrical events. Combine this with a wider exploration of Brisbane.
• A vibrant mix of wildflowers dot the landscape in Western Australia in September.

Visiting Australia in October - December

In the north, the temperature and humidity starts to build, causing the odd thunderstorm. This can bring welcome rain, transforming Outback landscapes with wildflowers. Along the coast, high winds can affect access to the reef islands.

In the south, this is the start of spring. Terrific walking and wildlife-spotting opportunities open up in the national parks and coastal regions. As Christmas approaches, Christmas lights and trees appear in towns and cities under blue skies. The year culminates in New Year's Eve celebrations with dazzling firework displays.

• Hike along one of the well-marked trails in October before the summer crowds arrive in the Blue Mountains.
• Explore in November and take in the food and wine festivals in and around the region of the Margaret River.
• Dress up for the 'race that stops the nation' as Australians tune in for the Melbourne Cup horse race in early November.

Australia Climate Guide

Why travel with audley.

• 100% tailor-made tours
• Fully protected travel
• Established for over 25 years
• 98% of our clients would recommend us

Travel advice

Practical tips for travelling to Australia, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest FCDO travel advice.

Request our brochure

Covering all seven continents, The World Your Way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences.

Trip ideas and travel guides for exploring Australia

Australia family tour: Sydney, national parks & Great Barrier Reef

17 days from £5,245pp

Highlights of Australia — city, Outback & reef

15 days from £7,995pp

What to do in Australia: our highlights guide

Australia's top 10 natural highlights

March in Australia

Cheap airfares to Australia start to spring up again as the high travel season is now in the past. Overall, the tourist levels drop, and many of the backpackers clear out of Sydney and Melbourne to head to warmer, more northern grounds. If you decide to do the same, be sure to read about all the transportation options, even bus travel and train travel in Australia if you have time to spare.

March Weather in Australia

The March weather in Australia is very spring-like. However, the tropical north may still be experiencing rains from the wet season that can make it very sticky to visit.

Average Temperatures in March Adelaide: 15°C (59°F) to 26°C (79°F) Brisbane: 18°C (64°F) to 29°C (84°F) Canberra: 11°C (52°F) to 25°C (77°F) Darwin: 25°C (77°F) to 32°C (90°F) Hobart: 11°C (52°F) to 20°C (68°F) Melbourne: 13°C (55°F) to 24°C (75°F) Perth: 17°C (63°F) to 30°C (86°F) Sydney: 18°C (64°F) to 25°C (77°F)

>> Learn more about March in Sydney >> Learn more about March in Melbourne

March Events in Australia

Canberra Day Canberra Day takes place on the second Monday in March and is an official public holiday in the ACT. It is to celebrate the day Canberra was named.

St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day takes place on March 17th. It is not a public holiday, but many Irish pubs will be serving up some of the green beer to patrons.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras The big parade night for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras tends to fall around the beginning of March in downtown Sydney.

Photo credit .

Australia Month by Month

 shan.shihan / Getty Images

Several factors come into play in choosing a suitable month for visiting Australia . These could be climate and weather conditions, public holidays, and events and festivals during the month of your visit.

Australia in January

Courtesy of City of Sydney

January bursts into Australia with the pyrotechnic displays of New Year's Eve. This is midsummer month and features, among Australia's major events, the Sydney Festival, Australia Day and the Australian Tennis Open. The month is, of course, named after the Roman god Janus who is associated with doorways, beginnings, and transitions, and often depicted with two faces. January thus looks back at the year that was while looking forward to the year that is.

Australia in February

Well, yes, February is probably better known as the month for lovers as St Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. In Sydney, the major event is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which opens in February and may continue into early March. The Chinese New Year may also open in February, celebrated in Sydney with a Chinese New Year Festival. February is the last month of the Australian summer and temperatures may start to fall as summer days taper into the cooler autumn.

Australia in March

Australian Capital Tourism

Autumn begins in March in Australia and starts the countdown to winter. Labor Day in Victoria and Western Australia and Eight Hours Day in Tasmania takes place in March, as does St Patrick's Day, Melbourne's Moomba Festival and Canberra Day in the nation's capital. Easter being a movable feast day, Easter Sunday and the Sydney Royal Easter Show may take place in March, or sometimes April. And the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras may hold its parade in early March.

Australia in April

April is mid-autumn, no fooling. Of course, it starts with jokes, practical or otherwise, on April Fool's Day, the first of April. The major Australian public holiday is, of course, Anzac Day on April 25. And if Easter takes place in April, Easter Monday is a public holiday as well. April, too, is the month of the actual birthday of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, and the anniversary of Captain James Cook’s landing at Sydney’s Botany Day to eventually claim Australia for England.

Australia in May

And so we come to May, the last month of the Australian autumn. Labor Day in Queensland and May Day in the Northern Territory are marked on the first Monday in May. Two interesting festivals take place in May: the Captain Cook 1770 Festival in that numerically-named Queensland town of 1770 and the Whaleshark Festival (although in some years it may be held in April) in Exmouth, Western Australia. And so as May days come to an end, we welcome winter.

Australia in June

While the northern hemisphere basks in the warmth of summer, it is winter in Australia. Officially, the Australian winter starts on the very first day of June and the ski season, particularly in New South Wales, begins on the state’s Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend. There's snow — and skiing — in the alpine regions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, but if you’re the type who’d rather escape the cold, head north to Australia’s tropical regions.

Australia in July

July, named after the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, is probably the best month to go skiing in Australia with good snow cover in Thredbo and Perisher Valley in New South Wales, in the high country of Victoria, and in the mountains of Tasmania. In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, they’re having Christmas in July. But in northern Australia, they're having fun in the water, and in Darwin, at the Top End, they fashion all manner of watercraft from beer cans and sail them in the Beer Can Regatta.

Australia in August

Tourism Queensland

It's the last month of the Australian winter but the ski season, which usually continues until the Labor Day weekend in October, is still at its peak. In the warmer north, Brisbane holds its Ekka, one of Australia’s top three country fairs, in August. Gympie, Queensland, celebrates country music at its National Country Music Muster, while Balingup in Western Australia comes alive with the days and knights of its Medieval Carnivale.

Australia in September

It's spring and the flower festival season begins right on Day 1 with Wattle Day honoring Australia’s national flower. The major and better-known flower festivals include the month-long Kings Park Festival in Perth, Western Australia; Floriade on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra; and the Tulip Time Festival in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. In county Queensland, they have the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Australia in October

Tourism Western Australia

Springtime weather begins to sound its siren's call to the beach although it's not quite as warm as when summer finally arrives. But there's not that problem in the north where it's almost always summer, particularly north of the Tropic of Capricorn. As a general guide, average temperatures should be from the low to mid-20°s C in the daytime, and suitable for walks, picnics and day trips. Autumn horse racing starts reaching its peak in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.

Australia in November

Tourism Victoria

It's the month of the big race. The Melbourne Cup , popularly known as the race that stops a nation, is run on the first Tuesday in November. It is also the month when the official end of World War I on November 11, 1918, is commemorated in Australia on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month at war shrines throughout the country. Weatherwise, Australia's capital cities, aside from Tasmania's Hobart, should have daytime temperatures above 20° C.

Australia in December

Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

It's Christmas month and the beginning of the Australian summer. The two public holidays in December are Christmas Day and Boxing Day. For school children, it's the Christmas break, and most families plan holiday trips​ when they can all be together, at this time. A number of commercial and industrial firms also take a traditional holiday break, usually from just before Christmas Day to sometime after the New Year. And, yes, the grueling Sydney Hobart Yacht Race begins on Boxing Day.

The Best Time to Visit Australia

The Best Time to Visit the Great Barrier Reef

March in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

June in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Winter in Australia: What to Expect

February in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Summer in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

July in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

October in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

May in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

The Best Time to Visit the Dominican Republic

The Best Time to Visit Johannesburg

December in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

The Best Time to Visit Naples, Italy

The Best Time to Visit the Bahamas

January in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

When Is The Best Time To Visit Australia

Michela Australia Travel Planning 14

A detailed guide on the best time to travel to Australia

When is the best time to travel to Australia ? I often get this question from first-time travellers, and it’s impossible to answer it in one sentence because of many factors. Australia is a vast continent located in the southern hemisphere, which means summer starts in December, as opposed to winter in the northern part of the globe. Many factors factor into the best time to go to Australia.

Before answering this question, I need to spend a few words about its geography and Australia’s weather. With double the size of Europe, the Australian continent stretches from North to South and East to West, covering over six thousand kilometres and crossing different climate zones. As climate and weather conditions change, Australia has all types of weather and climates, so there are multiple answers to this question. On this page, you can read about the various kinds of Australian weather by month, climate zones, and seasons to give you an idea of the best time when planning a trip to Australia .

Australia Weather Map

With summer starting in December and ending in March and winter starting in June and ending in September, Australia has three central climate and weather zones:

• Southern coastal regions from West to East Cities like Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide are in the West’s southern coastal regions to Australia’s East Coast. Here winter is between June and August, and summer months are between December and February. While the west coast has excellent and stable weather all year round, the east coast is more changeable.
• Inner central areas of the Outback When we refer to the Outback regions, we generally think of the Red Centre, but the Outback areas are much larger. They cover most of the entire inland territory of Australia. So winter from June to August has the coldest nights with warm days.
• Tropical Queensland, Northern Territory and North Western Australia . Northern Australia and North West Australia are also Outback areas with cold winter nights and warm days and wet with high humidity on hot summer days. You must be sure to travel off-season in spring between September and November or in autumn between March and May. Winter the best time of year to travel to tropical Australia.

Below is a recap of the Australian weather zones and seasons to help you identify the ideal time to travel to Australia.

Australia in December through February (Summer)

In December, January and February, the Australian weather has the hottest temps, which is the time with the warmest months throughout the country. Temperatures can reach 35-45°C all over the southern coastal areas. In the Outback areas (central Australia), temperatures can reach over 45°C with high air humidity.

Travel season is the peak season, with six weeks of school holidays. It is the busiest time and most expensive to travel around Australia for locals and international travellers alike. So if you do not like crowds or want to save money, avoid going to Australia in Summer from December to February.

However, travelling to Australia in summer have benefits too. Here are some:

• Summer is the best time for visiting Tasmania as temps are around 25-28°C and pleasant for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
• Most outdoor events occur in summer in South West Australia, South Australia, and the South East Coast of Australia .
• Spending Christmas in Australia is also extraordinary as it is different to celebrate the festive holidays on the beach.
• If you are a beach lover and love all water sports, the Australian summer is the best time for planning a trip along the entire East Coast of Australia, including the Gold Coast . However, the Gold coast lies in a subtropical destination with great temperatures.

Australian Weather in March through May (Autumn)

The weather in Australia in March, April and May is pleasant, mostly all over the country. Temperatures can vary a lot, though. On average, they are around 20-25°C; they gradually decrease towards the winter months. This is my favourite time of the year to visit Australia. Here are some excellent reasons why you should the weather in autumn is great to travel around:

• It is the best time to visit many  Australian Outback Regions , including Uluru, as the weather is mild, with warm days and cold nights.
• It is the ideal time to visit South Western Australia and South Australia on sunny days. It’s also a great time of the year for tasting local produce and wine and seeing many events.
• Another part of Australia worth visiting between March and May is the Top End and the Kimberley in North Western Australia .

April usually marks the end of the rainy season, so this month is great if you still want to see some lush green vegetation and gorges filled with water and enjoy active birdlife and wildlife in the beautiful Australian national parks .

Australian weather in June, July and August (Winter)

The Australian winter starts in June and goes through July and August. The winter months have the coldest weather in Australia as far as the southern regions are concerned. Winter in Victoria and Tasmania can have icy weather, sometimes with temperatures around zero degrees. For this reason, it is not ideal to visit this part of Australia in winter.

The winter months in Australia are suitable for visiting the following areas:

• The Australia Top End , with Darwin and the Kakadu National Park . Most Top End events are held between July and August. The weather in the Top End is dry, with very low humidity and cool nights.
• North Tropical Queensland , with lots of sunshine and the best dry weather you can have.
• Central Australia and North-Western Australia for the Outback regions. Here temperatures are around 20-25°C, ideal for Australia’s best road trips and camping.

Winter in Northern Australia is a busy time of the year; everyone wants to escape the cold weather of the south and spend a few days at the sunny beaches of North Australia. That’s why I would plan a trip to Northern Australia to secure cheap flights and the best accommodation and tours.

Australia in September through November (Spring)

From September to November, the Australian weather is good almost everywhere. In Northern Tropical Australia, spring, it’s a transitional period from the dry winter months into the rainy months, December to February. With pleasant temperatures around 20-30°C from the West Coast to the South East Coast , this is the best time to go to Australia, especially South Australia, South East Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

• South Western Australia is best to enjoy between September and November, with wildflowers blossoming. Moreover, you can enjoy whale watching, hiking, biking, and outdoor activities.
• South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and the entire East Coast of Australia . Spring and autumn have mild weather, and this time of year is not as busy as in the summer months when locals take their Australian holidays.
• Spring is the best time for road trips, biking, walking tours, and outdoor activities.

The best time of year to visit Australia is March to May and October to December.

Best time to visit Australia’s top destinations

Apart from cities like Melbourne and Sydney, which can be considered city hubs for most travellers coming to Australia, these are some of the most popular destinations on the trip itinerary of many visitors. I have experienced the following places with all kinds of weather and can give you my best tips for making the most of these iconic places in Australia.

When to visit Melbourne

When planning your trip to Australia to the main Australian cities like Melbourne and  Sydney, consider all the following tips. Below is a breakdown of the best time of the year to visit Sydney and Melbourne.

March to May and October to December is the best time to spend time in and around Melbourne . It implies milder weather with cooler temperatures. An advantage is that there are many great festivals and events and fewer tourists. A con is that the weather can be rainy and windy too.

The weather in Melbourne in summer is okay because it allows for planning more activities outdoors. Still, due to the ever-changing weather (the famous four seasons in one day that you typically experience), it can go from a rainy summer day with lots of humidity to a dry and hot day with temperatures over 40°C—the so-called scorcher.

Best time of year to visit Sydney

March to May and October to December are the best months to visit Sydney . In Summer, it is way too busy, and Sydney’s weather can also be quite hot. If you plan a beach holiday, the summer months of January and February are probably the best. And if you love to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style and don’t mind the crowds, then you should visit Sydney in the summer.

When to go to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Located on the North East Coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is a tropical destination that attracts many Australians throughout the country in the cold winter months of June, July and August. They are also the busiest months for international visitors from Europe and the US. It is the busiest time for tropical Northern Australia.

So, as a general rule, avoid travelling during these months and prefer April and May, marking the beginning of the dry season. I visited Cairns and Cape Tribulation in September.

The weather was just perfect and quite pleasant. I would also book at least 3-6 months ahead to secure accommodation and the best car rental deals. December to February is the worst time of the year to visit North Tropical Queensland because of the wettest and hottest weather with the highest humidity you can get in Australia.

When to travel to Northern Australia

As said, the best time to visit the Top End of Australia is winter. Still, August, the peak season with the Darwin Festival, is also costly, and finding accommodation at a reasonable price won’t be easy. The main attractions, Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land are located a 3-hour drive from Darwin; I found this region a bit tricky to plan. From December to February, roads are closed in all national parks; tours are limited from October to April.

Local tour guides will tell you that the best time to visit Kakadu is in March or April when waterfalls are still filled with water. While this is true, it is risky.

You may end there in March and get stuck in town for days because of the rain (this is what happened to me). The best solution is to travel off-season and soon after the rainy season.

May to June is the best time to visit the Kakadu National Park , in my opinion. If you want to go camping in the Kakadu National Park with its lush green and beautiful gorges, this is the best time to travel to the north.

The Red Centre and Uluru

Among all Australian destinations, Australia’s Red Centre is high on the list of most travellers, and a road trip to Uluru represents, for many travellers, the journey of a lifetime. June to August is packed with tourist loads; airfares are the highest, and accommodation is limited. So if you cannot avoid travelling to the Red Centre during this time of year, you must book at least six months ahead to get a good flight deal. December to February is a no-go due to the excessively high temperature (up to 45°C or 115F).

I experienced Uluru twice at the end of March and once at the end of April, which was terrific. I highly recommend a visit in April-May as this is, in my opinion, the best time to visit Uluru.

Temps are around  25-27°C or 77-80F, making it perfect for walking around the Uluru base and enjoying its stunning settings and outdoor activities. When temperatures start going over 30°C or 86F, you will be limited to morning explorations.

Another benefit of planning a trip to Uluru between April and May is that these are the less busy time of the year, cheaper and less crowded.

Be sure you don’t plan your visit for 25th April, a popular public holiday in Australia. This time of the year is busy with families and schoolchildren. June-August is also great for the weather but extremely busy regarding visitors.

The Best Time For a Great Ocean Road Trip

One of the most famous drives in Australia is the Great Ocean Road . However, it is a destination you need to plan with the right weather conditions. Winter can get rainy and windy, so I recommend travelling on warm sunny days to make the most of this fantastic coastal drive.

From October to December and February to March, it is a good time of the year when the weather is more predictable. Avoid the peak season and school holidays between Christmas and January, as finding accommodation (including campsites) along your way will be difficult.

If you can only drive the Great Ocean Road over Christmas or public holidays, follow this advice for booking rental cars .

Best time to visit Broome

Broome is a popular destination for southern Australians who want to escape the cold winter between June and August. It is a beautiful destination and one of the most scenic landscapes you can see in Australia. Again the dry season with cooler weather from April to September is the best time to visit Broome in North-West Australia. The hot and steamy weather makes it a no-go from December to March when it rains heavily.

Many years ago, I went to Broome in February and couldn’t walk because of the high humidity. Being Broome, the getaway to the Kimberley Outback, you need to know that no tours will operate in the Kimberley region between October through March.

So my tip is to visit Broome in May when the dry weather starts; the landscape shows all its splendour, and the green vegetation, the red earth, and the blue sky create a fantastic contrast. July and August are also excellent times to visit Broome . August is less busy than in other months. Nights are cooler at 15°C and lovely warm days with about 28-30°C.

Final thoughts about when to visit Australia

Having travelled extensively around Australia on my own, covering over 100 km from west to east, from bottom to top, I have established that March to May and September to November is the best time to visit Australia hassle-free.

It is, in fact, the milder months when you can travel almost anywhere around the country, with warm days in the southern regions and dry, sunny days in Western Australia and dry weather in Northern Australia. Before planning any trip around Australia, check out this site for the weather zone forecast in Australia .

Please share it on Pinterest for later!

For more info on how to plan your trip to Australia , check these below pages:

Australia Travel

Back to Rocky Travel

First published in 2013, last updated in Jan 2023

If you find this article helpful for your trip, I’d appreciate it if you could support Rocky Travel, book tours, accommodation, and rental car, or purchase my book using the links below. Thank you!

BOOK YOUR TRIP WITH THESE RESOURCES

Get Travel Insurance For Your Trip

Travel with peace of mind:  👉   Compare and Buy Travel Insurance . 

Book Accommodation WorldWide

Find the best deals for hotel, homes, villas with  👉   booking.com .

Join Small Group Tours Of Italy For Over 50

Explore Italy with our 👉  Small Group Tours Of Italy .

Find The Best Tours Deals For Australia

Scout for the best guided trips and tours with our  👉   Australian Tours Guide .

Plan & Book Your Australian Adventure

Create the perfect Australia Trip Itinerary with  👉  Your Australia Itinerary eBook  and/or   Book A Trip Planning Call .

Plan Any Trip With These Resources

Check out our 👉   Travel Planning Bible .

Michela Fantinel

→ Michela Fantinel

Related Posts

Australia Travel Planning

A Review of Australia Public Transport Cards

How To Travel to Australia on a Budget

A Guide to Long Term Travel in Australia

14 comments.

Keith Kellett October 9, 2013 @ 12:10 pm

Agree with all … especially if visiting the ‘Top End’ or TNQ, the ‘run-off’ is the optimum time

Robert Bruce March 6, 2014 @ 12:31 am

With two and a half weeks, we spent time in the following areas, driving as much as we could so we could set our own pace.Cairns. The great Barrier reef and world famous rainforest are of special interest here. Sydney. Be sure to spend a day hiking around the Blue Mountains. Red Center Ayers Rock is a place you need to put on your list. Tasmania – Is best to visit in the early spring or early fall. This area will give you a whole other look at the amazing continent with its 19th century history and amazing wilderness areas.

Pete November 14, 2014 @ 4:19 am

we have such a wide and varied climate here. scorching summers and cool temperate winters. A land of diversity, thats why I love Australia so much.

Marvin Sowers January 31, 2016 @ 12:24 pm

We are visiting Sydney in April and it looks like that may be a perfect time to visit. Good to know….and thanks for the information!

Rocky Travel Australia November 15, 2016 @ 11:18 am

April is a quite time of the year for visting Australia but still with warm temps so if you plan to visit Sydney and more Australian cities then March-April is a great choice!

Karyn Jane March 17, 2016 @ 1:11 am

This is a great post! The landscape is so varied here and a lot of people forget that we are an entire continent. There are so many things to be taken into account when visiting, depending on what areas you will be in.

Rocky Travel Australia March 21, 2016 @ 10:11 am

Absolutely. It is essential to pick the right time to visit places in Australia! Thanks for stopping by, Karyn!

Mar November 15, 2016 @ 8:23 am

We are looking to visit Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns (for snorkeling at the great barrier reef.) Options are April or September what would you advise? I know the temperatures vary in each location but looking for pros and cons thank you in advance

Rocky Travel Australia November 15, 2016 @ 11:15 am

September is the best time for visiting the Cairns region and North Tropical Queensland, as it’s the end of the dry season with warm days and cool nights. Whereas in April, the weather can still be wet in the tropics. If you plan to spend more time in Northern Australia and love snorkelling and outdoor activities, t would go with September. April is not bad for all three regions, but please consider that Melbourne and Sydney temps will be around 15-20°C max. I hope that helps!

Ellie March 16, 2018 @ 5:21 pm

I’m dreaming and already planning a trip to Tasmania. I’d like to enjoy the beach holidays, meet unique local wildlife and spend not much money. Is it possible at all? You recommend summer as the best season for the warmest temperatures, and that’s what I need for a seaside vacation. But it must be too expensive and too crowded, so could I possibly choose November or March instead? Are there any recommendations for the best wildlife experience? Thanks in advance for an answer.

Rocky Travel Australia May 6, 2018 @ 3:36 pm

Hi Ellie, sorry for the late reply! For a wildlife experience in Australia, it depends on where you are! The best I can recommend is Wilson Promontory National Park; if you plan a trip to Melbourne in March, that would be just perfect!

Kathy February 23, 2019 @ 6:31 pm

Planning to visit Tasmania this year and this article is helpful for us to decide when is the best time of the year to visit. Thank you very much.

Linda Evans January 16, 2020 @ 12:28 pm

I was planning on visiting Adelaide in July and August with my two sons who will be 8 and 14. I was hoping to make a base for the summer and travel out to activities. However, reading your information I can see that this mightn’t be the best weather wise. I’m not necessarily looking for really hot weather, just warm, mostly rain free so I can get outside with my sons and away from the dreaded xbox. Where would you suggest please?

Rocky Travel Australia February 7, 2020 @ 1:19 pm

Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by and leaving your message. If you travel between July and August, the best places where the weather is fine but not humid and rainy would be Northern Australia, between Darwin and Cairns, where temps will be between 25-30 C. Otherwise, you could also hit Brisbane and the Gold Coast, but temps would be between 18-23 C. It really depends on what you are wanting to do in Australia. You can visit this page with more Australia Itinerary Ideas or get my Australia Itinerary Guide Book . If you have more questions feel free to come back to me by sending in a message via the contact page here on the site. Thanks.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Overview

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

What to Pack for Australia: 35 Essentials

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

After a recent two-week trip to Australia, I came back with a better idea of what I needed to pack—and what I didn’t. Your own Australia packing list will vary depending on how long you’re going, which part of this diverse country you’re visiting, and what time of year you’re traveling, but the following list of what to pack for Australia will give you a good start.

What to Pack for Australia: The Suitcase

Sturdy but lightweight, the Eagle Creek Expanse Carry-on has lockable zippers, a padded tablet sleeve, and heavy-duty wheels that are built to last.

What to Pack for Australia: The Personal Item

The Patagonia Atom Backpack is large enough to carry the essentials but small enough to comfortably use as a daypack on hikes or strolls around a city. Its materials are water-repellent and include recycled nylon and polyester.

What to Pack for Australia: In-Flight Essentials

• Kindle or tablet : The flight to Australia is long , so you’ll want to keep yourself entertained with as many good books, movies, and games as you can manage.
• Eye mask : Give yourself a chance to sleep by blocking out light from all the flickering screens around you.
• Noise-canceling headphones : Playing your favorite tunes or podcasts can make that 14-hour flight a little more bearable.
• Pashmina : A cozy travel scarf can keep you warm in a chilly aircraft cabin or serve as a substitute for that thin airplane blanket.
• Eyedrops and saline nasal spray : Spending hours in an arid airplane cabin can dry out tired eyes and the mucous membranes in your nose; the latter can even make you more likely to catch a cold in flight .
• Neck pillow : Bring the most comfortable option you have to catch some shuteye on the long flight to Oz.

What to Pack for Australia: Shoes

• Comfortable walking shoes : Whether that means sneakers or slip-on loafers, comfortable walking shoes should be at the top of your Australia packing list.
• Hiking shoes : If you’ll be spending much time exploring Australia’s many national parks and wilderness trails, you’ll want sturdy hiking shoes with good traction.
• Flip-flops : These are a must if you’re planning any beach time during your Australia vacation.

What to Pack for Australia: The Jacket

• Windbreaker or lightweight rain jacket : If you visit during the warmer months, you might not need much of a jacket at all for your trip to Australia, but it’s always a good idea to bring a lightweight option to protect yourself from rain or a chilly nighttime breeze.
• Interchange jacket for men or women : For visits during cooler times of year, add one of these flexible three-in-one jackets to your Australia packing list. You can mix and match the layers of these coats to deal with just about any weather conditions.

What to Pack for Australia: Clothing

• Jeans : These all-purpose pants are great for walking around cities.
• Hiking pants : Lightweight, quick-drying pants are ideal for outdoor adventures.
• Shorts : During the warmer months, shorts are a must-pack addition to your Australia packing list.
• Layering T-shirts : Wear these as your only top layer in summer or as a base layer in cooler weather.
• Lightweight sweatshirt : Consider one of these to wear over your base layer in fall or winter.
• Compression socks : These Australia travel essentials can help prevent blood clots during those long transpacific flights.

What to Pack for Australia: Toiletries

• Sunscreen : This is a must-pack no matter what time of year you’re visiting Australia. If you’ll be snorkeling or diving along the Great Barrier Reef, bring reef-safe sunscreen to protect the fragile coral.
• Aloe gel : If sunburn strikes despite your precautions, soothe it with a cooling aloe gel.
• Insect repellent : Fend off mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks when you’re out in the Australian bush.
• Over-the-counter medications : I don’t travel anywhere without a few basic medications, including a pain reliever , a remedy for an upset stomach , and an antihistamine . For an Australia trip, consider adding melatonin for jet lag.
• First-aid kit : Consider packing a travel-size first-aid kit to deal with any minor scrapes or injuries.

What to Pack for Australia: The Purse

Travelon makes anti-theft purses in a variety of sizes, with features such as RFID-blocking pockets, slash-proof straps, and locking zippers.

What to Pack for Australia: Gadgets

• Portable charger : Keep your phone, camera, and other devices charged on the go.
• Universal adapter : This all-in-one adapter works in more than 150 countries, including Australia.

What to Pack for Australia: Accessories

• Waterproof pouch : Protect your phone and other valuables when you’re in the ocean with this waterproof pouch.
• Sun hat : Protect your skin and eyes from Australia’s relentless sun, especially in the Outback.
• Sunglasses : Spending time at the beach or on the trails? Don’t forget your sunnies.
• Reusable water bottle : This bottle rolls up for easy packing and is the perfect replacement for single-use plastic bottles while you travel.
• Umbrella : This is especially useful in Australia’s rainier regions, including the northern parts of Queensland (especially around Cairns) and western Tasmania.

What to Pack for Australia (That I Didn’t)

• Collapsible hiking poles : If you’ll be doing some hiking and you like having a pole or two for balance, throw this packable pair into your suitcase.
• Bathing suit : I traveled at a cooler time of year, but swimwear is a must-pack if you’re visiting Australia in the warmer months.

What Not to Pack for Australia

Australian cultural is pretty informal, so you won’t need to dress up much for dinner. Leave your fancy clothes at home unless you’re traveling to Oz for a wedding or other formal occasion.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Getting Back to Nature in Tasmania, Australia
• 12 Underrated Beach Towns in Australia
• Top 25 Ways to Save on Australia Travel

Sarah Schlichter was hosted on her trip to Tasmania by Intrepid Travel . Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Australia: 12-Night Sydney, Cairns & the...

Down Under Answers

Greenland: Luxe, All-Incl. 11-Nt Exploration Small-Ship...

Swan Hellenic

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Australia in March: Fulfil your Summer Dreams!

Australia is a huge country with beautiful golden beaches, rugged mountains, tropical rain forests, abundant animals, and much more to have the ideal memorable vacation for all types of visitors. Travelling to this vast country requires careful planning, and here we are to help you with it. Every month provides unique experiences, so you should choose the best time based on your travel preferences. Australia in March offers moderate temperatures, less crowd and amazing experiences and is the perfect way to fulfil your all Australia vacation fantasies.

Australia Weather in March

The actual Australia’s weather depends on where in the nation you decide to plan your holidays. Get ready to experience warm weather while visiting Australia in March because the change from summer to fall is not quick. The starting weeks of March are warm and start getting cool till the end. The average high in southern cities like Sydney’s and Melbourne’s weather in March is usually around 24 °C and in Darwin and Alice Springs, this peaks at about 32 °C. Be aware that rains can be strong in Australia’s tropical regions during this month, so plan accordingly. Book an Australia honeymoon packages and explore this place with your love at a pleasant climate.

• Average temperatures in Australia in March
• Avg Night: 18 °C
• Avg Rainfall: 164 mm

What to Pack for Australia in March

Australia is a wonderful place to visit in March, and what you pack for your trip will totally depend on whatever part of Australia you will be visiting. If you intend to travel to the country’s northern areas, bring warm clothing along with shorts, light t-shirts, a bathing suit, as well as waterproof shoes, a raincoat, and an umbrella. Visitors to southern Australia, on the other hand, should bring tropical clothing with a thin jacket or sweater.

Why Visit Australia in March

• Pleasant weather and clear skies: The wonderful weather in March is one of the main factors attracting tourists to Australia.
• Beach time: Visit Australia’s immaculate beaches while you’re there, you simply cannot miss them. New South Wales’ beaches are the best place to unwind in March and soak in the sun, play volleyball, or participate in any water sports.
• Less crowd: The peak travel season is about to end, so will be summer around March end. As a result, this is the ideal time to travel and see the nation with fewer tourists.
• Go hiking: Cooler weather makes outdoor physical activities like hiking feasible. There are a ton of activities to enjoy this month, from birdwatching, cycling, trekking, hiking and many more.

Also read: Best time to visit Australia

Top 5 Things to do in Australia in March

Go hiking in the blue mountains.

The best way to begin your trip is to partake in one of the best and most ideal activities to do in Australia in March. You will undoubtedly discover your inner adventurer while hiking in the legendary Blue Mountains, that will also provide you with memories unlike any other. The Blue Mountains, which are part of the Blue Mountains National Park, are renowned for their breathtaking landscape, lush forests, and other natural wonders like waterfalls and swimming holes.

Location: New South Wales, Australia

Unwind at Bondi Beach

Spending time at Australia’s perfect Bondi Beach in March is another excellent thing to do. Its lovely white dunes and rolling waves make it a surfer’s heaven. In addition to water sports, this location is great for golfing and whale watching. This beach is also home to a number of clubs, cafés, and restaurants.

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

You Cannot Miss the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is one of the top tourist destinations in Australia in March and is surrounded on either side by the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge and the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. It is one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the country that should not be missed. Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site to see a plethora of performances, including operas, ballets, and other cultural events. The Sydney Opera House is a work of art that houses elegant restaurants, a theatre, studios, a concert hall, a movie theatre, and exhibition spaces.

Location: Bennelong Point, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Explore the Marvellous Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay is one of the best spots to visit and soak in some amazing views in Australia in March. Wineglass Bay, which is adjacent to the Freycinet National Park, is well-known for its pink and red granite formations. The warm, fresh water of the bay is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Vistas of Wineglass Bay improve even more with the arrival of the autumn season in March. There are also numerous cafés and restaurants along Wineglass Bay that serve wonderful seafood.

Location: Coles Bay Rd, Coles Bay, Australia

Also read: Must try Australian Foods

Visit Kangaroo Island

Your bucket list for March in Australia should include a visit to Kangaroo Island. It is the third-largest island in the nation and is situated in the mainland of South Australia. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, savour delectable seafood, make new friends with kangaroos and koalas, and have the vacation of a lifetime.

Location: Southwest Adelaide, Australia

Events in Australia in March

Sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras.

• This well-known Sydney Mardi Gras event begins in February, and often lasts until March. Participate in vibrant parades, eat local dishes, watch dance performances, and have fun.

Moomba Festival, Melbourne

• This festival takes place in early March and includes family-friendly activities and entertainment near the Yarra River.

Also read: Best hotels in Australia

Visiting and exploring Australia in March is a fantastic idea. Get ready to flood the gallery on your smartphone with a tonne of beautiful photos you will take while visiting Australia. Select an Australia tour packages from Pickyourtrail and get the best deals on everything. Even better, you can customise your Australia trip to your preferences and create an itinerary that suits you. Start making plans for your eagerly awaited journey to this magnificent destination right away.

Explore Our Best-Selling Australia Tour Packages

Australia Honeymoon Packages  |  Australia Family Tour Packages  |  Australia Beach Tour Packages  |  Australia Adventure Tour Packages

Know How Australia Season in Other Months

Australia in July | Australia in September | Australia in October | Australia in December

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Some accommodations and tour operators may offer off-peak discounts, but it is best to do your research and book ahead of time to take advantage of any available deals.

A: Yes, many Australian wine regions harvest their grapes in March. It is an excellent time to visit wineries, participate in grape-picking activities, and learn about the wine-making process firsthand.

A: Because of the milder temperatures and less crowded roads compared to peak seasons, March can be an excellent time for a road trip. Just keep an eye on weather forecasts, especially in areas prone to sudden changes or cyclones.

A: While there are no national cultural events in March, being respectful of local customs, especially during festivals like Mardi Gras, and understanding Indigenous cultures when visiting certain regions is appreciated.

A: March is an excellent time to visit the Great Barrier Reef because it is outside of peak tourist season. The weather is generally pleasant, and the warm water temperatures make it an ideal time for diving and snorkeling.

Book a vacation completely online

Our community is growing fast

Sign up for exclusive PYT Club membership and access jaw-dropping deals before the rest of the world!

• Signup with Email
• Facebook community
• Telegram Community

Access exciting travel deals at best prices

• New Zealand
• South East Asia
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Switzerland
• Travelogues
• Travel News
• Guest Posts
• Write for us

• Australia Tourism
• Australia Hotels
• Australia Bed and Breakfast
• Australia Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Australia
• Australia Restaurants
• Things to Do in Australia
• Australia Travel Forum
• Australia Photos
• All Australia Hotels
• Australia Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Australia
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

what to pack for Australia in march - Australia Forum

• South Pacific    
• Australia    

what to pack for Australia in march

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• South Pacific forums
• Australia forum

Where are you from? The climate you're used to can makes a big difference to the clothing you require.

Other than that, what cromansydney said is sound advice.

March is the perfect time to visit Melbourne and southern Australia as it is still very warm and dry. Expect maximum temperatures of mid 30's and lows of mid teens.

I m from Delhi India. And thnx for the suggestions everyone.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Do you need a 4WD in May 4:44 am
• Qantas-simply not good enough 4:35 am
• 8 night in the Cairns region 4:23 am
• Road trip Melbourne to Alice Springs 4:20 am
• Taxi overcharge? 4:11 am
• Mosman ( eateries) 3:59 am
• Form 1229 with a evisitor subclass 651 3:42 am
• Itinerary check 2:46 am
• Three Intro scuba diving tours. 1:34 am
• 2 days in Uluru - best self drive itinerary? 1:28 am
• My Australian business visitor visa is taking too long 1:27 am
• Driving from Geelong to Melbourne 12:40 am
• Where to stay 10:10 pm
• Need help with Itinery -travel end of May24 10:03 pm
• Travel Insurance 33 replies
• Holding koalas 10 replies
• What does CBD mean? 2 replies
• Best Places to Visit 7 replies
• Okay, don't laugh--I want to see a wild kangaroo 13 replies
• Accor advantage plus bad experience 76 replies
• Best zoo in Australia? 13 replies
• Itinerary help needed...East Coast, from Sydney to Cairns! 25 replies
• What to do in Australia for 2 weeks in February 2012 7 replies
• Best way to see Australia and New Zealand 6 replies

Australia Hotels and Places to Stay

• Big Things of Australia - by 1TraveltheWorld
• Iconic Pubs and Roadhouses of Australia - by 1TraveltheWorld
• Across the Nullarbor - Ceduna to Norseman By 1TraveltheWorld
• How Big is Australia?
• FAQ - Top Ten Must Sees
• FAQ - BUDGET Travel Tips
• FAQ - DRIVING in Australia
• FAQ - Vehicle RENTAL Tips
• FAQ - Booking hotel ACCOMMODATION
• FAQ - TIPPING in Australia
• Trip Reports - NT
• Trip Reports - QLD

I will march this weekend with Australians calling for an end to violence against women. Haven't we marched enough?

Why do I have to march? Haven't I marched enough?

I march almost every single day. When I get off my tram after dark, I march with my keys projecting between my fingers in an attempt to keep me safe that I've never tested but I suspect would be as useless as it sounds.

I march into situations I shouldn't need to, like that one on a different tram on Monday, when a bloke simply would not leave a young woman alone, leaning over her, pinning her to her seat, insisting on her engagement, refusing to accept her cues of discomfort. I leapt up and stood between them and made the "Are you OK?" sign. She was so rattled by then that it took her a long moment even to nod her head.

I have marched for decades into discussions, interviews, symposia and national hand-wringing conversations, written articles and even books about what can be done to prevent intimate partner violence against women, about why some men do it, about how men can become allies and I've done it ad nauseum – because it really does make you sick. Sick of the discussion, sick of the lack of change, sick of the burden that is repeatedly placed on women to provide a solution for a problem they didn't create.

Tens of thousands of Australians will march this weekend in rallies around the country calling for No More violence against women.

I'm marching on Sunday, along with others who feel as I do: distraught, bewildered, furious and no longer able to cope with the national crisis that is the rising number of targeted violent acts against women.

Those attacks, according to two organisations that collate the figures, have risen from an average of one woman a week killed in known offender incidents last year, to almost one woman murdered every four days in 2024. And it's only April.

In my home state of Victoria, the number of family violence intervention orders have risen by 60 per cent — almost 4,500 offences — in just three years.

And so I will march — but like so many I know, including all the pissed-off women down the decades, there was never any chance to stop marching. 

This is not some new or contemporary crisis

Given the rise in this violence, with some incidents so shocking and so deeply affecting that they change the soul of a city, has something changed?

Are we being subjected to the last, thrashing death throes of a persistent version of masculinity that refuses to relinquish the control it believes it should be able to exert over women?

Is this what happens when a concept of masculinity that's defined by a toxic power imbalance is allowed to persist and is not properly confronted and shattered? Either by parents, fathers, teachers, legislators, judges, politicians, business figures, sports idols or rock stars?

Let's be clear — this is not some new or contemporary crisis. This stuff, this insistence on control and coercion and the violent resentment caused by a resistant woman, is millennia-old, and it was as toxic then as it is now.

It was toxic for our great-grandmothers when they had to give up the work they wanted and remain at home, financially isolated and dependent; it was toxic for our grandmothers when there was no such concept as "rape in marriage"; it was toxic for our mothers when the church forbade contraception and prevented control over their own fertility.

It's toxic right now for our sisters, as their dates insist on knowing their "body count" and form a view about their desirability and their status as a "good" woman based on how many people they've slept with.

I know of too many men who refuse to see the link between a culture that normalises binge-drinking and an increase of violent acts against women , even though police are in no doubt. I hear of too many men who tie themselves in knots attempting to find some kind of "consent" for incidents of rape — and yes, those excuses still include: "So why did she wear that dress?"

(In case you're wondering, that last observation comes from one of the most senior female non-executive directors in the country — and it's the conversation she had with her male peers just last week.)

It is exhausting. It never seems to end.

So, I am going to march, and I'm taking all this frustration and anger with me. But I better see blokes there.

And I better see fathers there – ones who are asking for the help they need to educate their sons and their daughters about the dangers of outdated and dangerous gender expectations and formulations. Men who want to call out the macho sh-t they still hear their friends saying. Men who don't immediately ask "but why did she get in the cab with him?" Men who are working to properly understand what consent is. Men who understand the connection between normalised over-drinking, normalised porn use, financial dependence and violence against women.

They better be there. We are sick of marching on our own.

This weekend we take you deep under the Nullarbor , deep into a royal's working life , and further than you might like into the algorithms of social media .

Have a safe and happy weekend, do catch up with a wonderful few days I spent with the actor and producer Marta Dusseldorp for my series, Creative Types and read about her intriguing suggestion for how to bring back the beloved Janet King . You can stream all the episodes you have missed, too.

And if you remember my/Taylor Swift's Patti Smith reference from last week, then please meet Patti's true musical daughter and heir.

Melbourne singer Grace Cummings has just released her third album, Ramona, and it's a powerhouse: gorgeous strings and bass and that luscious voice. It has all the feelings you need for this Saturday morning — and well into the night.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Samantha murphy was 13th, hannah mcguire the 18th: the violent deaths of women this year is a 'crisis'.

Australia shouldn't tolerate terrorism — but our normalisation of 'intimate partner terrorism' has become a national emergency

Violence against women is in the spotlight again. But this time, is the conversation shifting?

• Activism and Lobbying
• Domestic Violence
• Gender Discrimination
• Gender Equality

We have completed maintenance on Astronomy.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

• Login/Register
• Solar System
• Exotic Objects
• Upcoming Events
• Deep-Sky Objects
• Observing Basics
• Telescopes and Equipment
• Astrophotography
• Space Exploration
• Human Spaceflight
• Robotic Spaceflight
• The Magazine

2024 Full Moon calendar: Dates, times, types, and names

The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight. And thanks to the Moon’s orbit around Earth, the angle of sunlight hitting the lunar surface and being reflected back to our planet changes, giving birth to varied lunar phases.

We’ll update this article multiple times each week with the latest moonrise, moonset, Full Moon schedule, and some of what you can see in the sky each week.

The Full Moon in April 2024 was at 7:49 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 23, and is called the Pink Moon.

The Full Moon in May 2024 is the Flower Moon and that will happen at 9:53 a.m. on Thursday, May 23.

Here’s the complete list of Full Moons this year and their traditional names.

2024 Full Moon schedule and names of each

(all times Eastern)

• Jan. 25 — 12:54 p.m. — Wolf Moon 🐺
• Feb. 24 —7:30 a.m. — Snow Moon ❄️
• March 25 — 3 a.m. — Worm Moon 🪱
• April 23 — 7:49 p.m. — Pink Moon 🎀
• May 23 — 9:53 a.m. — Flower Moon 🌷
• June 21 — 9:08 p.m. — Strawberry Moon 🍓
• July 21 — 6:17 a.m. — Buck Moon 🦌
• Aug. 19 — 2:26 p.m. — Sturgeon Moon 🐟
• Sept. 17 — 10:34 p.m. — Corn Moon 🌽
• Oct. 17 — 7:26 a.m. — Hunter’s Moon 🏹
• Nov. 15 — 4:28 p.m. — Beaver Moon 🦫
• Dec. 15 — 4:02 a.m. — Cold Moon 🥶

The phases of the Moon in April 2024

These images below show the day-by-day phases of the moon this month. The Full Moon in April was on April 23.

The moonrise and moonset schedule this week

The following is adapted from Alison Klesman’s The Sky This Week article, which you can find here.

*Times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset are given in local time from 40° N 90° W. The Moon’s illumination is given at 12 P.M. local time from the same location.

Friday, April 26 The Moon passes 0.3° north of the red giant star Antares in Scorpius today at 5 P.M. EDT. The pair is not visible in the early evening, rising in the hour before local midnight.  You can catch them overnight tonight by looking southeast around 11:30 P.M. local daylight time — by that time, Antares is some 6° high and the bright gibbous Moon is nearly half that height.

The two will continue to rise into the early-morning hours of Saturday. They are now some 5° apart, with the Moon sitting to Antares’ southeast (lower left). The pair will sit due south around 3:30 A.M. local daylight time on Saturday morning.

While you’re waiting for them to rise, earlier on Friday evening you can enjoy the dark, Moonless window for observing fainter, deep-sky objects. Sitting above Leo the Lion in the south about two hours after sunset is the tiny constellation Leo Minor. Within this small star pattern lies NGC 3344, a beautiful face-on spiral galaxy that glows at magnitude 9.9.

You can find NGC 3344 about 6.3° east-northeast of 3rd-magnitude Zeta (ζ) Leonis in Leo. The galaxy also lies less than 2° due north of 5th magnitude 41 Leonis Minoris in southern Leo Minor. Through your scope, NGC 3344 will look like a soft, circular glow spanning about 7′. Larger scopes (8 inches or more) will show a brightening at its core. This galaxy is sometimes called the Sliced Onion Galaxy. Sunrise: 6:06 A.M. Sunset: 7:50 P.M. Moonrise: 11:08 P.M. Moonset: 7:18 A.M. Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (93%)

Saturday, April 27 With the Moon rising just before midnight, there are again several hours of dark-sky viewing available after sunset. Let’s seek out the Ghost of Jupiter, often considered one of the springtime sky’s premier planetary nebulae. It’s also cataloged as NGC 3242.

Planetary nebulae consist of gas and dust blown off by aging red giant stars; as these stars evolve into white dwarfs, the debris remains, lit up by the white-hot remnant within for a short time. Planetary nebulae are fleeting, only lasting some 10,000 to 20,000 years before fading away.

The Ghost of Jupiter is so named because it spans roughly the same size as the gas giant planet in our sky: about 16″ in diameter. Its compact, spherical shape combined with its magnitude of 7.8 make it relatively bright and easy to observe. To most observers, and particularly in larger scopes, it looks distinctly blue-green.

The nebula is located in Hydra, which sits in the south an hour or two after sunset. You can find the Ghost of Jupiter by looking about 6.5° west-southwest of 3rd-magnitude 4 Crateris in nearby Crater the Cup. Sunrise: 6:04 A.M. Sunset: 7:52 P.M. Moonrise: 11:06 P.M. Moonset: 8:00 AM Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (86%)

Sunday, April 28 Mars passes 0.04° south of Neptune at midnight EDT. Neither is visible at that time, as they rise a short time before sunrise — so tune in tomorrow, when we’ll catch them in the early-morning sky on Monday.

Tonight, let’s instead focus on the northern constellation Camelopardalis, which lies to the left of the North Star this evening. (Camelopardalis is a circumpolar constellation, meaning it appears to rotate around the North Star from northern locations, rather than rising in the east and setting in the west.)

Let’s first look for NGC 1502, a 6th-magnitude open cluster about 9° south of magnitude 4.6 Gamma (γ) Camelopardalis. This beautiful ball-shaped grouping of young stars is readily visible in binoculars as a soft glow, while telescopes will begin to pull out individual members as points of light.

NGC 1502 forms the “base” of a famous asterism called Kemble’s Cascade, which resembles a flow of water cascading down into a pool. The star cluster is often envisioned as the spray at the end of the line. From NGC 1502, you can trace the rest of the Cascade “backwards” to the source along 14 or so 7th- to 9th-magnitude stars to the northwest. NGC 1502 sits at the southeast end of the Cascade, which stretches about 2.5° in total.

Sunrise: 6:03 A.M. Sunset: 7:53 P.M. Moonrise: 12:11 A.M. Moonset: 8:53 A.M. Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (79%)

Monday, April 29 Sunrise: 6:02 A.M. Sunset: 7:54 P.M. Moonrise: 1:08 A.M. Moonset: 9:56 A.M. Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (69%)

Tuesday, April 30 Sunrise: 6:01 A.M. Sunset: 7:55 P.M. Moonrise: 1:56 A.M. Moonset: 11:06 A.M. Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (59%)

Wednesday, May 1 The Moon reaches Last Quarter at 7:27 A.M. EDT this morning. This lunar phase occurs when the Moon rises after midnight and lingers in the early-morning sky, offering early risers a chance to view our satellite before and after sunrise (though take extreme care when observing through optics after the Sun clears the horizon). Clearly visible now is the western portion of the nearside, dominated by Mare Imbrium and Oceanus Procellarum. Sunrise: 5:59 A.M. Sunset: 7:56 P.M. Moonrise: 2:36 A.M. Moonset: 12:20 P.M. Moon Phase: Waning crescent (48%)

Thursday, May 2

Sunrise: 5:58 A.M. Sunset: 7:56 P.M. Moonrise: 3:09 A.M. Moonset: 1:36 P.M.    Moon Phase: Waning crescent (36%)

Friday, May 3 Sunrise: 5:57 A.M. Sunset: 7:57 P.M. Moonrise: 3:37 A.M. Moonset: 2:50 P.M. Moon Phase: Waning crescent (26%)

The phases of the Moon

The phases of the Moon are: New Moon, waxing crescent, First Quarter, waxing gibbous, Full Moon, waning gibbous, Last Quarter, and waning crescent. A cycle starting from one Full Moon to its next counterpart, termed the synodic month or lunar month, lasts about 29.5 days.

Though a Full Moon only occurs during the exact moment when Earth, Moon, and Sun form a perfect alignment, to our eyes, the Moon seems Full for around three days.

Different names for different types of Full Moon

There are a wide variety of specialized names used to identify distinct types or timings of Full Moons. These names primarily trace back to a blend of cultural, agricultural, and natural observations about the Moon, aimed at allowing humans to not only predict seasonal changes, but also track the passage of time. 

For instance, almost every month’s Full Moon boasts a name sourced from Native American, Colonial American, or other North American traditions, with their titles mirroring seasonal shifts and nature’s events.

Wolf Moon (January) : Inspired by the cries of hungry wolves.

Snow Moon (February) : A nod to the month’s often heavy snowfall.

Worm Moon (March) : Named after the earthworms that signal thawing grounds.

Pink Moon (April) : In honor of the blossoming pink wildflowers.

Flower Moon (May) : Celebrating the bloom of flowers.

Strawberry Moon (June) : Marks the prime strawberry harvest season.

Buck Moon (July) : Recognizing the new antlers on bucks.

Sturgeon Moon (August) : Named after the abundant sturgeon fish.

Corn Moon (September) : Signifying the corn harvesting period.

Hunter’s Moon (October) : Commemorating the hunting season preceding winter.

Beaver Moon (November) : Reflects the time when beavers are busy building their winter dams.

Cold Moon (December) : Evocative of winter’s chill.

In addition, there are a few additional names for Full Moons that commonly make their way into public conversations and news.

What is a Blue Moon? When’s the next one?

Everything you need to know about the Moon

Moon illusion: No, our satellite is not really bigger when on the horizon

High-end telescopes: Our top picks for those ready to splurge

The best telescopes under $1,000

‘Safety is our top priority’: NASA delays Artemis Mission until 2025

Ask Astro: Why does the Moon disappear during New Moon?

Super Moon : This term is reserved for a Full Moon that aligns with the lunar perigee, which is the Moon’s nearest point to Earth in its orbit. This proximity renders the Full Moon unusually large and luminous. For a Full Moon to earn the Super Moon tag, it should be within approximately 90 percent of its closest distance to Earth.

Blue Moon : A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon in a month that experiences two Full Moons. This phenomenon graces our skies roughly every 2.7 years. Though the term suggests a color, Blue Moons aren’t truly blue. Very occasionally, atmospheric conditions such as recent volcanic eruptions might lend the Moon a slightly blueish tint, but this hue isn’t tied to the term.

Harvest Moon : Occurring closest to the autumnal equinox, typically in September, the Harvest Moon is often renowned for a distinct orange tint it might display. This Full Moon rises close to sunset and sets near sunrise, providing extended hours of bright moonlight. Historically, this was invaluable to farmers gathering their produce.

Common questions about Full Moons

What is the difference between a Full Moon and a New Moon? A Full Moon is witnessed when Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, making the entire Moon’s face visible. Conversely, during a New Moon, the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun, shrouding its Earth-facing side in darkness.

How does the Full Moon influence tides? The Moon’s gravitational tug causes Earth’s waters to bulge, birthing tides. During both Full and New Moons, the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in alignment, generating “spring tides.” These tides can swing exceptionally high or low due to the combined gravitational influences of the Sun and Moon.

Do Full Moons have an impact on human behavior? While numerous tales suggest Full Moons stir human behavior, causing increased restlessness or even lunacy, rigorous scientific analyses have largely debunked these tales.

Full Moons, in their myriad forms, stand testament to humanity’s enduring captivation with the cosmos. They evoke not just our celestial connection but also tether us to Earth’s rhythms. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or an occasional night sky admirer, Full Moons invariably call for our attention, inviting both introspection and marvel.

Here are the dates for all the lunar phases in 2024:

The Milky Way, to ancient Egyptians, was probably mixed Nuts

The reasons why numbers go on forever

Celestron NexStar Evolution 8HD telescope, reviewed

Astronomy Magazine Annual Index

How to see the next 20 years of eclipses, including the eclipse of a lifetime

The Sky This Week from April 26 to May 3: The Moon reaches Last Quarter

Join Astronomy for a far-out eclipse adventure on Easter Island

IceCube researchers detect a rare type of particle sent from powerful astronomical objects

A collision with something the size of Arizona could have formed half of Pluto’s ‘heart’

Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator

The monthly CPI indicator is a measure of inflation and includes statistics about prices for categories of households expenditure

• Next Release 29/05/2024 Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator, April 2024
• Next Release 26/06/2024 Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator, May 2024
• Next Release 31/07/2024 Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator, June 2024
• View all releases
• Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator Reference Period February 2024
• Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator Reference Period January 2024
• Monthly Consumer Price Index Indicator Reference Period December 2023

Key statistics

• The monthly CPI indicator rose 3.5% in the 12 months to March.
• The most significant price rises were Housing (+5.2%), Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+3.5%), Transport (+4.5%) and Alcohol and tobacco (+6.1%).

What's new this month

Design of a complete monthly cpi.

At the end of 2023, the ABS undertook a public consultation on the proposed complete monthly CPI publication design. The public consultation sought formal submissions on this proposed design covering key areas such as release timing, data requirements, publication specifics, and methodologies. A summary of submissions and the complete monthly CPI design are available on the ‘ We asked, You said, We did ’ page of the Consultation Hub.

Private rent inflation: capital cities vs regions

The ABS has published an article called Private rent inflation: capital cities vs regions . This article updates some of the information about the private Australian rental market previously published in April 2023 in the New insights into the rental market information paper. 

Main features

** = Volatile items are Fruit and vegetables and Automotive fuel

Monthly overview

The monthly CPI indicator rose 3.5% in the 12 months to March, following a 3.4% rise in the 12 months to February.

The annual movement for the monthly CPI indicator excluding volatile items and holiday travel was 4.1% in March, up from the rise of 3.9% in February. This series excludes Fruit and vegetables, Automotive fuel, and Holiday travel and accommodation.

Annual trimmed mean inflation was 4.0% in March, up slightly from 3.9% in February.

• Download table as CSV
• Download table as XLSX
• Download graph as PNG image
• Download graph as JPG image
• Download graph as SVG Vector image

*Volatile items are Fruit and vegetables and Automotive fuel

New dwellings and Rents

New dwelling prices rose 5.1% in the 12 months to March. The increase in New dwelling prices reflects builders continuing to pass on higher costs for labour and materials. The rate of price growth has remained around 5% annually over recent periods, down from the highs of over 20% recorded during 2022.

Rental prices increased 7.7% in the 12 months to March, which continues to reflect strong demand for rental properties and tight rental markets.

In monthly terms, rental prices rose 0.6% in March. Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) increased from 20 March 2024 due to the usual biannual indexation. An increase in CRA reduces the out-of-pocket rental cost for CRA recipients. The monthly result includes a partial impact of this CRA change. Excluding the CRA increase, Rents would have risen by 0.7% over the month. The remaining impact of the CRA increase will be reflected in April.

Electricity and Gas

Electricity prices rose 5.2% in the 12 months to March, up from a rise of 0.3% to February. The rise was driven by the unwinding of Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates which have moderated the increase in electricity bills for households following annual price reviews in July 2023. 

Gas prices fell 2.9% in the 12 months to March, the third consecutive month of annual deflation and down from the peak of 27.2% to May 2023. 

In monthly terms, Electricity prices rose 4.8%. The rise was driven by households in Perth using up the second instalment of the Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates.

Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates introduced from July 2023 have moderated the increase in electricity bills for households across Australia.

Excluding the Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates, Electricity prices would have increased 14.8% in the 12 months to March 2024.

The following graph shows the Electricity series including and excluding government electricity rebates.

• (1)   EBRF (a)   ↵
• (2)   EBRF (b)   ↵
• (3)   EBRF (c)   ↵
• (4)   EBRF (d)   ↵
• (5)   EBRF (e)   ↵
• (6)   EBRF (f)   ↵

March 2023, index = 100

• a) Introduction of the Energy Bill Relief Fund (EBRF) for concession households in NSW, SA, TAS, NT and ACT, and for all households in QLD and WA. Introduction of additional ACT $50 rebate for concession households.
• b) Introduction of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for concession households in VIC.
• c) Introduction of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for newly eligible households in NSW, SA, TAS, NT and ACT.
• d) Introduction of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for newly eligible households in VIC.
• e) Introduction of the second instalment of the Energy Bill Relief Fund for all households in WA.
• f) Introduction of the second instalment of Energy Bill Relief Fund rebates for concession household in VIC.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 3.5% in the 12 months to March, down slightly from a rise of 3.6% to February. The main contributors were Meals out and takeaway foods (+5.4%), Bread and cereal products (+7.3%) and Food products n.e.c. (+4.0%). Meat and seafood (-0.9%) and Fruit and vegetable (-1.2%) prices fell compared to 12 months ago.

Automotive fuel

Automotive fuel prices rose 8.1% in the 12 months to March, up from a rise of 4.1% to February. The rise was driven by higher wholesale fuel prices.

In monthly terms, Automotive fuel prices rose 1.5% in March, following a rise of 5.1% in February. 

Holiday travel and accommodation

Holiday travel and accommodation prices fell 3.9% in the 12 months to March, following a fall of 1.3% to February. 

In monthly terms, Holiday travel and accommodation prices fell 1.2% in March, as prices for airfares and accommodation continued to ease due to lower demand following the end of the school holiday period. Increased demand for domestic accommodation for the Easter break partially offset the fall.

Data downloads

Time series spreadsheets, table 1. monthly cpi indicator: all groups, groups, select expenditure classes and analytical series, australia, index numbers and percentage change from corresponding month of previous year, weighted average of eight capital cities, table 2. monthly cpi indicator: select groups, select expenditure classes and analytical series, australia, percentage change from previous period, weighted average of eight capital cities, create your own tables and visualisations with data explorer.

Caution: Data in Data Explorer is currently released after the 11:30am release on the ABS website. Please check the reference period when using Data Explorer.

Data explorer for the  monthly CPI indicator .

For information on Data Explorer and how it works, see the  Data Explorer user guide .

Detailed monthly data

Monthly expenditure class data.

• Imp = Imputed. Quarterly index, not collected in that month.
• * Some components measured monthly.
• ** Some components measured quarterly.
• *** Measured quarterly and/or typically changes once per year.
• **** Measured in months two and three of the quarter. 

About the monthly CPI indicator

What is the monthly cpi indicator.

The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicator was developed to provide inflation data at a higher frequency for use by governments, economists and the wider community. The quarterly CPI remains the principal measure of household inflation.

Monthly CPI Indicator coverage

The monthly CPI indicator is derived using available data from the quarterly CPI. The ABS collects prices for the CPI in a range of frequencies including monthly, quarterly, and annual. The frequency of price collection is determined by how often prices change. Where price change occurs frequently, such as for food and petrol, monthly price data is collected. Where price change is less frequent, such as for restaurant meals and hairdressers, price data is available quarterly. In some cases, prices are collected once per year where it is known prices only change annually. This is the case for some education fees, property rates and private health insurance.

For this reason, the composition of the monthly CPI basket varies across the three months of the quarter, details of the monthly coverage composition are detailed in Table 1 below.

* n.e.c Not elsewhere classified

Introducing monthly indicators of underlying inflation

The December 2022 release of the monthly CPI indicator stated

"The release of the monthly CPI indicator includes a Trimmed mean series which was intended to provide additional analytical insights into inflation on a monthly basis. The ABS has identified that the Trimmed mean series is not, however, providing a reliable indicator for the principal measure of trimmed mean inflation published in the quarterly CPI publication. The ABS will suspend the publication of the monthly Trimmed mean series while we investigate."

Since this decision the ABS has investigated the monthly trimmed mean measure and assessed alternative measures of underlying inflation.

Investigation of monthly Trimmed mean

The investigation found there was a downward bias in the monthly Trimmed mean when compared to the quarterly Trimmed mean, which is considered the principal measure of underlying inflation. The bias was evident during a period of rising inflation caused by the use of carry forward imputation for some monthly data. Details on the carry forward imputation approach are provided in Introducing a monthly CPI indicator . Carry forward imputation is not used in the quarterly CPI and therefore does not affect the quarterly Trimmed mean.

Alternative measures of underlying inflation

The ABS assessed variations of established measures of underlying inflation. Two alternatives were found to be a reasonable indicator of annual movements of the quarterly Trimmed mean:

• Annual trimmed mean. This measure uses a similar method to the quarterly trimmed mean. The key difference is rather than use the quarterly movements in the trimming process, the annual movements are used. In this case, each month the annual movements of the 87 CPI series are ranked from lowest to highest. The top and bottom 15% of annual movements are removed, with the average is taken from the middle 70% of annual movements. For more details on the Trimmed mean method see Underlying Inflation Measures: Explaining the Trimmed Mean .
• CPI excluding volatile items and holiday travel. CPI exclusion based measures are used by many countries to provide different insights into CPI inflation by removing the effects of certain items. Typically, the price change for these items tend to be volatile and often not reflective of the underlying inflationary trends. This new measure builds on the existing 'CPI excluding volatile items' series and also excludes holiday travel. Volatile items are fruit, vegetables and automotive fuel. 

For holiday travel, it has been shown that events such as Christmas and Easter, as well as school holidays, have a significant impact on airfare and accommodation prices. This sees monthly movements for holiday travel as quite volatile. By calculating a series that excludes the monthly movements of holiday travel and the other volatile items, the monthly movements at the aggregate CPI level provide a reasonable insight of underlying inflation.

Monthly CPI indicator articles and related media

CPI international comparisons , 31 May 2023

Monthly CPI indicator rose 6.8% in the year to August , 29 September 2022

Introducing a monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicator for Australia , 16 August 2022

Introducing a monthly CPI indicator , 16 August 2022

ABS to release new monthly CPI Indicator , 10 August 2022

Measuring Rents in the CPI 

New data source

• As outlined in the ABS’ information paper Introducing a monthly CPI indicator for Australia , from July 2022 the ABS has incorporated a new data source to measure the Rents series in the monthly CPI indicator and the quarterly CPI. 
• The Rents series prior to July 2022 was measured on a quarterly basis using a survey of approximately 4,000 rental properties collected directly from real estate agents.
• The new dataset obtained by the ABS is updated monthly and includes approximately 480,000 rental properties that are used to produce the CPI Rents series across all capital cities. 

What the CPI Rents series measures

• The CPI measures the prices being paid by households for the goods and services that they consume during a particular measurement period (e.g. month or quarter).  In the case of rents, this means that the CPI measures the current ‘price’ being paid by all types of households that rent including new and existing renters who are renting privately or from the government.  
• Measures of rental inflation that are based on newly advertised rental properties only measure changes in the asking or advertised price of rental properties for new tenancies. At any given time, newly advertised tenancies represent a relatively small proportion of properties being rented in Australia. The Rents series used for the CPI measures actual rents paid rather than advertised prices.
• Advertised rents tend to reflect the dynamic end of the rental market where the price change for new tenancies can be more volatile than that being experienced by renters with existing tenancy agreements.
• Price changes observed in advertised rents series are expected to eventually flow through to the CPI Rents series. However, the small share of rental properties leased to new tenants each quarter means that it takes some time for changes in advertised rents to impact price change observed in the CPI Rents series.
• A useful analogy is to think about a bathtub of water. The water in the tub represents all rents being paid by households, while the water entering the tub from the tap represents new rental agreements. The CPI series is measuring the overall temperature of the bathtub whereas an advertised rents series measures the temperature of the water flowing into the tub. It will take some time for the flow of water to change the overall temperature of the water in the bathtub.

Using price indexes

Price indexes published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provide summary measures of the movements in various categories of prices over time. They are published primarily for use in Government economic analysis. 

Consistent with existing policy, the ABS does not comment on the use (or otherwise) of the price indexes we publish. However, it should be noted that the monthly CPI indicator may be routinely subject to revision, in contrast to the quarterly CPI which is only revised in exceptional circumstances.

Use of Price Indexes in Contracts  sets out a range of issues that should be taken into account by parties considering including an Indexation Clause in a contract using an ABS published price index.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) specific to the monthly CPI indicator can be found in the Information paper:  Introducing a monthly CPI indicator for Australia FAQs 

In addition, the Frequently Asked Questions page has answers to a number of common questions to do with price indexes and the quarterly Consumer Price Index in particular.

Methodology

The monthly CPI indicator is a general measure of price change for goods and services purchased by Australian households.

Monthly data is published at the national level, derived as a weighted average of the eight capital cities.

Prices are collected for a range of goods and services (the CPI basket) from a variety of retailers across the eight capital cities.

Collection method

Prices are collected in a range of frequencies including monthly, quarterly, and annually using: 

• web-scraping
• online and telephone collections from retailers
• administrative data, including supermarket scanner data.

Concepts, sources and methods

Information about the data sources and methods used to compile the CPI is contained in the  Consumer Price Index: Concepts, Sources and Methods .

History of changes

• Annual update of CPI weights January 2024. 
• Partial update of CPI weights July 2023.
• Monthly Gas series included June 2023.
• Annual trimmed mean included April 2023.
• Monthly Electricity included February 2023.

Media releases

Cpi rose 1.0% in the march 2024 quarter, do you need more detailed statistics, request data.

We can provide customised data to meet your requirements

Microdata and TableBuilder

We can provide access to detailed, customisable data on selected topics

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

The tortuous journey of the UK government’s Rwanda plan

Key dates in the Conservatives’ struggle to push through their policy of processing asylum seekers in a third country

• Sunak’s Rwanda deportations bill will become law after peers back down

14 April The then prime minister, Boris Johnson, announces plans to deport those arriving in the UK on small boats to Rwanda for their claims to be processed. The scheme will “prove a very considerable deterrent”, he insists, and Rwanda is “one of the safest countries in the world” with “ the capacity to resettle tens of thousands of people in the years ahead” . Costs will include an initial payment of £120m.

14 June The first flight taking asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda is cancelled minutes before takeoff after the European court of human rights in Strasbourg issues last-minute injunctions to stop it. Seven individuals are believed to be onboard.

4 October The then home secretary, Suella Braverman, tells an event at the Tory party conference: “I would love to have a front page of the Telegraph with a plane taking off to Rwanda , that’s my dream, it’s my obsession.”

7 March Braverman introduces the illegal migration bill, saying she is confident it is compatible with international obligations. The bill, which becomes law in July 2023, provides that the home secretary has a duty to detain and remove those arriving in the UK illegally, either to Rwanda or another “safe” third country, while those detained will not be granted bail or able to seek judicial review for the first 28 days of detention.

15 November The supreme court rules the Rwanda policy is unlawful. Five judges unanimously uphold a court of appeal ruling that there has not been a proper assessment of whether Rwanda is safe. They find there are substantial grounds to believe deported refugees are at risk of having their claims in Rwanda wrongly assessed, or of being returned to their country of origin to face persecution. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, says the government will work on a new treaty with Rwanda and that he is prepared to change UK law.

5 December Britain and Rwanda sign a new treaty on asylum in an attempt to address the supreme court’s concerns. James Cleverly travels to Kigali to sign it, becoming the third home secretary to travel to Rwanda, following in the footsteps of Braverman and Priti Patel. The British government says the new treaty ensures that people relocated to Rwanda are not at risk of being returned to a country where their lives or freedom would be threatened.

6 December A day later, the UK government introduces the safety of Rwanda (asylum and immigration) bill to override the supreme court’s ruling. The bill, which declares Rwanda safe, also aims to block Strasbourg from halting the removal of asylum seekers to east Africa .

1 March The National Audit Office, the official spending watchdog, says plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will cost taxpayers £1.8m for each of the first 300 people the government deports. The overall cost of the scheme stands at more than half a billion pounds, according to the figures released to the NAO. Even if the UK sends nobody to the African state, Sunak has signed up to pay £370m from the public purse over the five-year deal.

22 April The safety of Rwanda (asylum and immigration) bill is finally passed after weeks of parliamentary back-and-forth as peers repeatedly blocked the legislation with a series of amendments. But peers eventually back down, meaning the controversial bill will become law.

• Immigration and asylum
• Conservatives
• Rishi Sunak

More on this story

‘England is hope’: some say they will try again – despite Channel deaths

Humanitarian groups demand safe routes to UK after five deaths in Channel

Stumbling blocks that could still impede Rwanda deportations

Sunak ‘confident’ civil service will enact Rwanda bill despite legal concerns

Minister urges MPs and peers to back Rwanda bill as likely final day of debate begins

Struggling to control his anger, Tetchy Rishi went full on aggressive-aggressive

First deportation flight to Rwanda will not leave till summer, admits Sunak

Rwanda bill clears parliament after peers abandon final battle over safety amendment – as it happened

No matter how bad the Rwanda bill is, a bunch of unelected peers shouldn’t decide its fate

Most viewed.

Thousands Mark Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand

Young girls lay a wreath during the Coogee Anzac Day Dawn Service at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Thousands gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Thursday at Anzac Day services to commemorate those who fought and died in major conflicts in the nations' history.

Anzac Day originally commemorated a battle on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey during World War One. At dawn on April 25, 1915, thousands of troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were among a larger Allied force that landed on the narrow beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula, an ill-fated campaign that would claim more than 130,000 lives.

Today, Anzac Day, a public holiday, honours all Australian and New Zealand troops from all conflicts.

"We hold to the solemn promise our countries made to the fallen all those years ago: We will remember them," Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese said in the town of Isurava, Papua New Guinea, the scene of heavy fighting against the Japanese in World War Two.

"Anzac Day has never asked us to exalt in the glories of war. Anzac Day asks us to stand against the erosion of time, and to hold on to their names. To hold on to their deeds," Albanese said, according to a transcript.

In Canberra, some 39,200 people attended a dawn memorial service at the Australian War Memorial, a spokesperson for the memorial said in a statement.

Along with marches by war veterans and their descendants, Anzac Day in Australia is known for dawn vigils, memorial services, reunions, and "two-up", a gambling game popular with returned World War One soldiers.

Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, the National Anzac Day commemoration service in Wellington was cancelled due to strong winds, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Thousands of New Zealanders attended dawn services in other parts of the country including Auckland, the country's most populous city, according to the news site.

"Lest we forget", Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on social media platform X, alongside photos of him at a memorial service at Auckland's War Memorial Museum.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Join the Conversation

Tags: New Zealand , Australia

America 2024

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

The 10 worst presidents.

U.S. News Staff Feb. 23, 2024

Cartoons on President Donald Trump

Feb. 1, 2017, at 1:24 p.m.

Photos: Obama Behind the Scenes

April 8, 2022

Photos: Who Supports Joe Biden?

March 11, 2020

RFK Jr.: By the Numbers

Laura Mannweiler April 26, 2024

Biden’s Student Loan Chief to Step Down

Lauren Camera April 26, 2024

What to Know: Bird Flu Virus in Milk

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder April 26, 2024

Inflation a Stubborn Foe for the Fed

Tim Smart April 26, 2024

The Curse of the Modern Vice President

‘A Rule for the Ages’

Lauren Camera April 25, 2024