Worst Time to Visit Australia – Months to Avoid

It is no secret that Australia has some of the world’s most stunning landscapes and a wealth of experiences that can be found nowhere else on Earth. Rainforests, savannas, mountains covered with snow, and beaches basking in warm sunshine: Australia has it all. Nonetheless, Australia truly has a side no one would want to see. The summer fires and melting temperatures are truly something a tourist wouldn’t want to see. Learn more about the worst times to go to Australia in our detailed guide.

The Worst Time to Visit Australia

Extreme heat and humidity permeate the whole nation from December to February, the summer months in Australia. This makes these months the worst time to visit Australia. Visitors who are not used to the heat can face several problems like sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration, etc.

Temperatures in Australia’s summer reach approximately 50 degrees Celsius, making it an intolerable and even deadly place for anybody used to living in such a hot and dry climate. Those looking to go off the beaten path in Australia should look elsewhere since this time of year is one of the worst. Planning a trip between April and September is preferable to battling the heat of the summer.

During the peak summer season in Australia, it may be challenging to get lodging and entry to popular sites like theme parks and museums. Many Gold Coast hotels, for instance, are filled up months in advance because of the high demand from beachgoers and surfers.

Avoid this by planning your trip during the shoulder seasons (fall/spring) when there are fewer visitors and hotel rates are more reasonable.

Also, check out These 6 Best Cities To Live In Australia

How the Hot Weather Affects Australia’s Sightseeing?

The heat of an Australian summer may make it uncomfortable to be outside, particularly in the middle of the day. People commonly drive about in shorts and sandals since the heat makes it unpleasant to wear long pants or shoes in the automobile.

Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, echidnas, and even crocodiles are just some of the amazing animals that call Australia home. The extreme heat of summer forces these creatures into hiding wherever there is more cover and water. It will be tough to see these creatures throughout your travels during this time of year. Therefore, winter is the greatest time to see wildlife because of the colder weather.

In the most literal sense, summer is the time of year when insects emerge from their hiding places. Australian Christmas beetles are probably the only bugs that are greeted with some degree of excitement since their arrival signals the start of the autumn season.

There will be more spiders, cockroaches, and worst of all, flies. You probably have not given them much thought all winter, but when spring comes around, you will be reminded of just how unpleasant they can be.
Sunburn

In case you visit Australia during the summer, take special care of your skin. Australia has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world, so be sure to protect yourself by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sunscreen users should be aware that some chemicals, such as octinoxate and octocrylene, may be harmful to the coral found in the waters.

Sunburn is another reason why December to February is the absolute worst month to visit Australia.

Fire Ban in Australia

A nationwide fire ban is implemented if temperatures rise over a certain threshold. Bushfires are a serious and terrible hazard in the summer when hot, dry conditions are combined with wind, and they are responsible for the loss of houses and lives (both human and nonhuman) every year.

The fact that natural, abundant eucalyptus trees are also very combustible makes the problem even more severe. This means that throughout the Australian summer, there will be no adolescent campfire meetings. It is preferable to play it safe rather than risk exhaustion.

In recent times, there have been several incidents of bushfires all over Australia which led to the killing of animals, loss of human life, and property. The biggest one occurred in 2019-2020 which led to the killing of over 3 billion animals and affecting over 30,000 square feet of area. It was also the costliest natural disaster in Australian history.

Most Expensive Time to Visit Australia

Early summer in Australia (September to November) is a popular time to visit due to the warm weather, beautiful beaches (except in the northern regions, where it is the wet season), and low rainfall.

However, due to moderately high demand, summer is also one of the most expensive times to visit Australia, with flight and hotel prices rising accordingly. Since this is the time of year when many people take vacations, you should expect to spend through the roof for lodging in a nation that is already rather pricey.

A 7-day vacation to Australia in the early summer months will set you back about AUD $1,400 if you are doing it alone, AUD $3,357 if you are going as a couple, and AUD $1,725 if you are going as a family of 4. Vacation rentals typically cost between AUD 180 and AUD 510 a night for the full property, but the nightly rate at hotels in Australia ranges from AUD 55 to AUD 238 with an average price of AUD 92. Keep in mind that these prices can change according to the season.

• Economy class tickets to Australia (from the USA) cost an average of $2200 – $2600 round-trip per person depending on your airport selection.
• First-class tickets cost an average of AUD 3,492 to AUD 6,701.
• Depending on your itinerary, you should allocate AUD 125–AUD 170 per day per person for food and transportation.

Pro-Tip: Follow this guide to find cheap flights using Google Flights.

Most Crowded Months in Australia

School breaks, Christmas, New Year’s, and Australia Day (26 January) all fall during Australia’s summer, making Australia more crowded and travel more costly than usual. Due to many businesses being closed over the Christmas season, this is also a very popular time for Australians to take a vacation.

Keep away from Australia between December 26 (Boxing Day) and the end of January (when locals return from their summer break). Hotels and flights to popular beach destinations fill up quickly, and it is unusual for businesses to provide discounts of more than a dollar or two off the regular price.

There will be an unprecedented influx of people for at least six weeks. Where will everyone go if the weather is nice and they have the day off? Where else would they go on a sunny day? You may get some peace and quiet at beaches by going on a weekday outside of summer. Australia has 10 thousand beaches, so maybe you will have better success somewhere but is it really worth spending five hours on the road? Probably not.

People will go wherever the free air conditioning is if they are not at the beach. The same can be said for restaurants, movie theaters, and bowling alleys, as well as pretty much everything else.

There will be people wherever you look, and there will almost probably be some youngsters running around yelling. And yes, for all these reasons, the crowded months of late December to February are definitely one of the worst ones to visit Australia.

When is The Worst Time to Visit Australia: An Opinion from Hopdes Team

One of our team members, Umar Ali, who visited Australia said, “I learned one thing that it’s winter, not summer, that you’ll be visiting Australia. The daily cost of $150 includes lodging in hostels and meals purchased from restaurants. It is too costly and crowded in summer”.

Another member of the Hopdes board, Sara Anwar, shared her experience that summer is the most crowded season in Australia. She said, “During this time of year, northern Queensland is flooded by backpackers. During this period, it attracts many visitors from the South”.

Worst Time to Visit Australia: A Month-by-Month Analysis

Let’s evaluate Australia on a monthly basis to determine which months fit your needs the most.

January

Summer daytime temperatures typically hover around 25°C (78°F), however, this might fluctuate. Enjoy the warm weather while traveling the length and breadth of Australia, and end your day with a delicious meal at one of the world’s best restaurants.

February

February is the height of summer when a wide variety of outdoor activities are possible. During the Australian summer, February is a nice month that is best spent on one of the country’s many stunning beaches. After a day of exhilarating exploration of Australia’s beaches or outback, you may want to cool down at a stylish café.

March

In Australia, fall begins in March, not spring. Observe the transformation of the summer countryside into vibrant fall hues. March, being on the cusp of the two seasons, has mild days and balmy evenings. Since there will not be as many people visiting popular attractions, you may expect to pay less for admission. This might make it the ideal moment to visit Australia in several respects.

April

In much of Australia, April is in the fall, when humidity and heat levels drop. Both the daytime and evening temperatures are pleasantly nice. This month offers a wealth of opportunities for adventure. The Easter holiday is a peak travel season, so hotels and airfares will likely be more costly than usual.

May

In May, Australia bids farewell to autumn and prepares for the onset of winter. Tropical and coastal areas of Australia are warm, but the south remains comfortable. May is an excellent month to take a trip since it still has pleasant weather and hosts many major events and festivals.

June

Even though it is summer everywhere else, Australia experiences winter in June. In some ways, this is the greatest time to visit Australia if you want your vacations free of the crush of other tourists. You may get better hotel deals and cheaper plane tickets. The Great Barrier Reef area, including Cairns, is basking in comfortable warmth despite the countrywide chill.

July

The month of July falls right in the thick of Australia’s winter, making it the ideal time to enjoy the country’s rich cultural offerings from the comfort of indoor venues. The weather is becoming much colder, so make sure to bring your winter coat and mittens. As people seek warmer climes in the North, the South will remain relatively deserted.

Suggested Reading: Does it Snow in Australia: A Myth or Reality?

August

August marks the end of Australia’s winter season. Northern regions see an increase in heat and dryness while the South prepares for spring. Even while the weather is pleasant during the day, it becomes rather chilly at night, so make sure you bring enough of warm clothing.

September

If you visit Australia in September, you will get to see the country at its most beautiful when springtime officially starts. See the first spring flowers bloom and marvel at the rebirth of the landscape. The weather in Australia during the spring is mild, but the evenings may become chilly.

October

If you are a fan of water sports and other outdoor activities, then an October trip to Australia is just what you need. Springtime highs in Australia typically range from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, with lows around 14 degrees Celsius.

November

In November, spring officially ends. If you are a fan of aquatic activities, sandy shores, and warm weather, a November trip to Australia is a fantastic way to do that. Sunny, warm days and mild evenings make this the perfect beach, trail, or road vacation weather.

December

The greatest time to visit Australia may be during this enchanted season. Daytime highs in the 70s, comfortable overnight lows, and a joyful holiday vibe. Warm to scorching temperatures throughout the country during summer makes it ideal for outdoor pursuits like the nation’s most popular tourist attraction: sunbathing on Australia’s world-famous beaches…

Conclusion

The Australian summer (December–February) is notoriously hot and humid, making it the least desirable time to visit the country. Walking barefoot on hot sand or concrete is not nearly as entertaining… It is not a good idea. The risks of summer storms and rare floods might potentially spoil a vacation, so it is better to avoid these seasons if at all possible.

If you are planning a vacation to Australia, but are concerned about the heat, try visiting in the spring or autumn, when temperatures are often much more bearable.