Oceania · January
Best time to visit Australia in January 🇦🇺
January 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
The absolute peak months for Australia are March, April, September, October, November. January is a solid shoulder choice if you want fewer crowds.
What Australia is like in January
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.
January by region in Australia
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide (south-east)
bestSummer Dec–Feb; mild autumn Mar–May. Ski Jul–Aug.
Tasmania
bestBest Dec–Mar; lavender Dec–Jan.
Great Barrier Reef & Cairns
shoulderBest Jun–Oct (dry, clear, no stingers). Wet & jellyfish Nov–May.
Top End (Darwin, Kakadu) & Kimberley
off-seasonDry season May–Oct only — roads close in the wet.
Uluru & Red Centre
off-seasonApr–Sep pleasant; Jun nights freezing but days perfect.
Perth & WA south-west
bestWildflowers Sep–Nov. Hot dry summer Dec–Feb.
Other countries also at their peak in January
Thailand in January
A tale of two coasts and three seasons.
India in January
A subcontinent — pick your region carefully.
Sri Lanka in January
Two monsoons, two coasts.
Philippines in January
7,000 islands, one dry season.
Cambodia in January
Cool & dry for Angkor.
Laos in January
Mekong country, cool dry winters.