Best time to visit Australia
 

We are planning out first ever trip to Australia, and would like suggestions regarding timing - is it better to visit in December or July/August? GBR is high on the must-do things for us. Thanks for your replies.

If GBR is "high" on your must-see list, then I'd recommend going in July/August. The weather in December there is hot and humid; in July and August, it is pleasantly warm and mostly dry. Also, December is in the midst of stinger season.

When I was there (2001) it was late June - early July. The weather was wonderful; it was warm without being sweltering, and the evenings were cool without being cold (other than in the Outback). If you go to the Outback, take warm clothes for the evening/morning.

I very highly suggest taking the time to go out to the Alice Springs area (Outback). It has a harsh beauty that you won't find elsewhere. I was lucky enough to see Uluru (Ayer's Rock) both at sunrise and at sunset and it is gorgeous. I also got to see sunrise in a hot air balloon. The balloon ride was amazing - you can see forever!

For planning, I loved being there in early July, but it depends on what you're looking for. I burn very easily, so I wouldn't want to be there during an Australian summer.

All of the Aussies I've ever met, in Australia or traveling elsewhere, have been extremely friendly and great fun. One bit of advice though, stay out of the ocean at dusk/night - that's when the sharks come in closer to the beaches according to the homestay Mom I stayed with. :)

Have a great time on your vacation! :)

Thanks for such prompt replies... We are still in the early early stages of planning and one of our children is in college in the US. Which means that December suits her the best. And this is one holiday she definitely wants to come along for! She might be working next July/August. We are moving this summer so that makes this July/Aug very difficult for vacationing. It was so much easier when the kids were young, but of course, one does not realize this till it's too late...

Is Christmas time one of the worst times to be planning this trip?

I'd go to Australia any time of year, but all-in-all, December is not the best time - it's very hot, especially inland, plus it's school holiday time, making it more difficult to book popular destinations near the sea. July/Aug is particularly good for the north and the Outback.

But if December works best for you, go for it. But book stuff in well in advance.

July/August as others have said is probably best but also as Ralph says December is doable for the GBR and places in the south, but you would just have to know that weather could be more of an issue then, no crystal balls here.

Be getting a bit on the hot inland though, about 40C possibly and not a great time of year to be considering places well away from coast.

School holidays are starting towards the end of December and though Sydney gets packed between Xmas and NY by both Australians and international visitors, booking elsewhere is not a total necessity amd tourism is having a great downturn globally including Australia, so likely to be plenty of capacity in a lot of places.

I didn't check July but I've been tracking November (the Saturday before Thanksgiving weekend) and airfares have plunged for that period, to around $700 round trip from LAX to SYD.

Supposedly it has to do with the arrival of V, an offshoot of Virgin which will be flying from US to Australia soon.

I don't know if end of Nov, beginning of December is a great time but airfare-wise, it's like 50% cheaper.

I've lived near Cairns for 17 years and would far prefer a reef trip in December to July/August, when prevailing SE trade winds can and often make a snorkelling reef trip quite uncomfortable, especially if you're prone to seasickness. By December the SE's are well over, seas are calm and warm with top underwater visibility. Yes, it will be hot and humid, but who cares when you're in the water. Evenings are balmy and ideal for outdoor dining, and just about everything is airconditioned.

Marine stingers referred to above are rarely found on GBR, and if in doubt rent a stinger suit which will protect you from sunburn, a far likelier danger. Coastal beach swimming, except for those with stinger nets is out in December, its OK in July/August, but beaches here have no surf as sheltered by Great Barrier Reef and may not be everyone's idea of great beaches.

And if the coastal humidity gets a bit much, its a short trip to Atherton Tableland from Cairns. This area should not be missed anyway, and plenty of accommodation - www.athertontablelands.org.au

we are having such wonderful weather now !
great for travelling, i keep thinking!

we are heading to russia and scandy soon so im soaking up the last of the warm days andfor that matterthe evenings!
pity it is getting dark round 6pm - that is the only drawback i think for coming in autumn- the days are shorter - im not one for taking good photos in any light but darkness would surely challenge me!