When is Winter in Australia? Australia in Winter
One of the most common questions people have before planning a trip down under is “When is Winter in Australia?“
It’s a super common question and the answer isn’t as straightforward as other places in the world.
Australia is known for being “back to front” from the likes of the USA, Canada, the UK, and lots of other countries.
After visiting Australia and spending some time there in the winter, I’m here to provide a complete guide and answer to the question “When is Australia in Winter?”
So let’s not waste any more time and let’s get straight into it.
When is Winter in Australia?
Winter in Australia is from June to August.
Officially, the first day of Winter in Australia is the 1st of June, and the last day is the 31st of August, so it fully encompasses the three months of June, July and August.
It’s the opposite of most countries where Winter is the months of December, January and February. Instead, Winter in Australia falls in the summer months of countries like those mentioned in the introduction.
The reason for this is that Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, whereas most countries we call home are in the Northern Hemisphere.
But, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere in countries like South Africa or Argentina, then you likely experience a similar Winter to Australia.
So this means that Australia actually has Christmas in Summer– pretty different to the winter wonderlands most people associate with Christmas festivities. Instead, Australia has sunshine.
Yes, Australians do have a barbecue for their Christmas dinner…
But with the seasons being the opposite way around, this means that most people’s summer vacations to Australia actually fall in Australia’s Winter.
Don’t worry though, it’s not quite Winter as you might imagine. “Winter” in Australia is actually pretty warm, and I’ll go into detail about the temperatures in a second.
But to answer the question “When is Winter in Australia?”, it’s June, July and August which make up the winter months down under.
How cold is Australia in Winter?
Even though the name “Winter” is commonly associated with cold weather, this isn’t exactly the case in Australia.
Some parts of Australia do get snow, but not very much. And it only snows during the winter, unlike other mountain ranges which have snow year-round.
Aside from the snow, the weather in Australia’s winter is actually a lot warmer than some countries’ summers.
The average temperatures are a high of 26ºC and a low of 15ºC (79ºF and 59ºF).
In the UK, 26ºC would be a good summer’s day, let alone a winter’s day in Australia. Many people confuse Australia for being in Europe, the weather is a perfect example of how it’s not.
So even though it’s winter, it’s still possible to go surfing, go sunbathing, relax on one of Australia’s 12,000 beaches, and do all of the fun things associated with Australia.
The only downside about it being Winter is that it does rain a bit more, but not all day every day like other places in Winter, but it does rain more in Winter than in Summer, obviously.
Also, the weather can change very quickly. It is like the UK in the sense that one minute it can be sunshine and rainbows and ten minutes later it’s a torrential downpour.
But all in all, Winter in Australia is pretty much a good summer in Europe.
Is Australia Worth Visiting in Winter?
Yes, Australia is definitely worth visiting in Winter.
Many people hear the name “Winter” and assume that the weather will be crap and you won’t be able to do all of the fun things people go to Australia for.
Well, this isn’t the case whatsoever. In fact, Winter makes for a great time to visit because the weather is more bearable than in the Summer.
When visiting in Winter, you can still go surfing, still sunbathe on the beach, still hike through rainforests, still do the Great Ocean Road, still take photos of Sydney with blue skies, still visit the National Parks in good weather, and still experience all of the amazing wildlife.
Australia in Winter is great- Australia all year around is great. It’s one of few countries which offer an unbelievable adventure no matter when you visit.
So yes, it’s worth visiting in Winter, for sure.
Things to Do in Australia in Winter
As I’ve said, Australia in Winter can be pretty much experienced the same way as in the Summer. You can do all of the typical Australian things to do without any concerns about the weather.
But if you’re looking for some Winter-specific things to do, here are my top 5 things to do in Winter in the Land Down Under.
1. Go skiing
In the Australian Alps in Victoria, there are lots of ski resorts where you can go on a skiing trip in the Winter. Of course, this is snow-dependent.
It’s pretty cool to say you’ve skied in Australia as it’s not quite what Australia is famous for, yet it’s just as good as skiing anywhere else. I personally recommend skiing in Perisher, it’s the best in my opinion.
2. Swim with whales
Although it’s not winter-themed, the Winter months offer the best time to swim with whales in the Great Barrier Reef. The mild temperatures and low humidity make for the best conditions for the whales, making it the best time to swim with them.
Also, it’s outside of stinger season, so you don’t need to wear a wetsuit if you don’t want to. So you get a really personal and unforgettable experience with the majestic giants.
3. Stargaze
With longer nights, winter is the best time to stargaze in Australia. If you get into remote areas with no light pollution, it’s indescribable. Lying on your back and looking up at a clear dark sky being lit up by all the stars is a pinch-yourself moment. Life just feels good.
Uluru is one of the most popular spots to go stargazing. Seeing Uluru is amazing, stargazing is amazing, and combining the two leaves you with a night you’ll remember forever.
4. Go snowmobiling
In the snowy parts of Australia (mostly Victoria), there are some opportunities to go snowmobiling. It’s really really fun and gets the heart pumping, that’s for sure.
I recommend going to Falls Creek where you can take snowmobiling tours. They’re truly thrilling and really quite exciting. It’s such a unique and incomparable experience, there’s nothing like it. Definitely one of the best winter-themed things to do!
5. Take a husky ride
Usually Scandinavian countries are known for their husky rides, with dog sledding in Iceland being very popular for example, but there are actually opportunities to do it in Austrlia too.
In Southeast Australia near Omio, Howling Huskys offer the opportunity to be pulled along by a group of huskies. It’s something straight out of a dream, and it creates priceless memories.
When is Winter in Australia: FAQ
Below are some questions related to “When is Winter in Australia?” along with my answers to each.
The coldest month in Australia is typically July, with temperatures varying across regions. The average temperature across the whole of Australia is
Yes, Australia experiences four distinct seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. But the weather remains good all year-round. Winter in Australia is as good as a summer in most European countries.
The first day of Winter in Australia is the 1st of June. Winter in Australia is from June until August. Seasons in Australia are flipped from Northern Hemisphere countries.
The Winter months in Australia are June, July and August. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite of countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
The last day of Winter in Australia is the 31st of August. Winter in Australia is from June until August. The seasons in Australia are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere.
Conclusion: When is Winter in Australia?
And there you have it, a complete guide to “When is Winter in Australia?“
Winter in Australia is from the 1st of June until the 31st of August, making June, July and August the Aussie Winter months.
But despite being Winter, the weather is still amazing, with highs of 26ºC. The weather is as good as a summer at home for me in the UK!
Enjoy your trip to Australia, you’ll have an amazing time, no matter what time of year you visit.
