Australia year-round guide

Oceania · August

Best time to visit Australia in August 🇦🇺

August in Australia is great time to visit. a great time — solid weather and most experiences open, often with fewer crowds than the absolute peak.

Australia year at a glance

best
good
shoulder
off-season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

The absolute peak months for Australia are March, April, September, October, November. August is a solid shoulder choice if you want fewer crowds.

What Australia is like in August

Australia's north (tropical) and south (temperate) have opposite seasons. The Top End floods Nov–Apr; the south freezes (relatively) in Jun–Aug.

Insider tip

Don't try to combine the Top End and Tasmania in the same trip — opposite seasons.

August by region in Australia

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide (south-east)

good

Summer Dec–Feb; mild autumn Mar–May. Ski Jul–Aug.

Tasmania

shoulder

Best Dec–Mar; lavender Dec–Jan.

Great Barrier Reef & Cairns

best

Best Jun–Oct (dry, clear, no stingers). Wet & jellyfish Nov–May.

Top End (Darwin, Kakadu) & Kimberley

best

Dry season May–Oct only — roads close in the wet.

Uluru & Red Centre

best

Apr–Sep pleasant; Jun nights freezing but days perfect.

Perth & WA south-west

shoulder

Wildflowers Sep–Nov. Hot dry summer Dec–Feb.