From the overflowing waterfalls of Kakadu in the wet season to swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia’s coastline, Australia‘s wide plains, dense rainforests and spectacular coastlines offer something worth travelling for in every month of the year.
Some of these destinations are well known. Others take a little more finding. Here’s where to holiday in Australia.
Where to holiday in January
See Kakadu National Park in the wet season
It’s normally said that the best time to visit Kakadu is during the calm dry season, but fortune favours those bold enough to visit in January. Open year-round, Australia’s largest terrestrial national park is at its least congested in the wet season, meaning you could spend hours without seeing a soul. Animals, on the other hand, are everywhere; in response to the rain, wild berries, plums and white apples come alive.
The foliage is supercharged with shades of green you may not have known existed, while waterfalls are in full flow. Daily activities such as river cruises and scenic flights also operate year-round, giving you multiple opportunities to admire the monsoonal magic from every angle.
Where to holiday in February
Discover Kangaroo Island
Discover one of Australia’s most spectacular stretches of sand on Kangaroo Island, located just a 45-minute ferry ride from the coast of South Australia. A little quieter now that schools are back in session, February is the perfect time to explore this rugged island paradise.
Beeline for Vivonne Bay, located on the island’s south coast, for crystal-clear waters and Little Sahara dunes, or head north to Stokes Bay for an abundance of rock pools and boogie-board-friendly waves. Keep an eye out for friendly dolphins cruising past, or watch local seals establish their territory ahead of mating season from the shore at Seal Bay. Stays on Kangaroo Island can be paired with time in Adelaide or McLaren Vale.
Where to holiday in March
Swim alongside whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park
Forget following the crowds to the Great Barrier Reef – March is all about Western Australia and the awe-inspiring Ningaloo Reef. This month is the start of the whale shark season, when these gentle giants migrate to enjoy warmer waters and feast on small fish and zooplankton. With several tour companies operating throughout the season from Coral Bay and Exmouth, it’s easy to hop into the water of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed reef and swim alongside these majestic animals, watching as they harmlessly filter-feed. A March visit also means you catch the tail end of turtle season and admire the first of the humpback whales coming to visit, knocking a number of sightings off your bucket list.
Tip: Tours fill quickly – if you’re planning a March trip, book your whale shark experience at least six to eight weeks ahead.
Where to holiday in April
Experience Parrtjima in Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
As the temperature lowers across the country, venture to the NT‘s Red Centre to experience Parrtjima, a 10-night light festival celebrating Australia’s oldest continuous living culture through cutting-edge technology. Cast on the 300-million-year-old canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, this Indigenous-backed celebration is spread over 10 days and features artworks, light shows, performances, interactive workshops, music, films and talks from emerging and established Indigenous artists.
The 2027 dates are currently pencilled in for Friday 9 – Sunday 18 April. Check the offical Parrtjima program for more event details.
Where to holiday in May
Discover the Whitsundays at their clearest
May is one of the best months to visit the Whitsundays. Cyclone season has cleared, the water has settled and visibility underwater reaches the kind of clarity that makes snorkelling feel like swimming through glass.
The 74 islands sit in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – warm enough to be in the water all day, cool enough to be comfortable on deck. Whitehaven Beach, consistently rated among the best beaches in the world, is at its most photogenic in the low-angle autumn light, and the silica sand stays cool underfoot even in the middle of the day.
Sailing is the natural way to see the Whitsundays — day trips run from Airlie Beach, but an overnight or multi-day charter gives you access to anchorages the day-trippers never reach. Heart Reef, the naturally occurring coral formation visible only from the air, is worth the seaplane splurge if the budget allows.
Where to holiday in June
Watch humpback whales frolic at Jervis Bay Marine Park
In the middle of each year, humpback whales make their annual migration north to mate and give birth, before returning back to their summer home in the Antarctic. The Jervis Bay Marine Park is one of the few places you can swim with these gentle giants – as well as fur seals and dolphins – and June is the best time to knock it off your bucket list. Join one of the local operators running respectful tours of the park to learn about the whales’ behaviours, the history of the area and local Dreamtime stories, before hopping in the water to get up close.
Tip: Hyams Beach and Huskisson are both good bases – close enough to the park without the premium of staying directly on the water. Can’t make it to New South Wales? Discover other top whale-watching destinations around Australia.
Where to holiday in July
Snorkel off Lady Musgrave Island
Winter may be a popular time to head to the golden shores of Port Douglas and Tropical Queensland, but with popularity comes crowds. Beat the masses by staying south and escaping to Lady Musgrave Island, one of the Great Barrier Reef’s best swimming spots. Measuring just 19.45 hectares in size, this tiny coral cay is surrounded by a huge protected reef that’s brimming with marine life and technicolour coral. Throw on your snorkel to swim alongside 1,500 species of fish, manta rays, reef sharks and turtles.
Lady Musgrave is an untouched paradise, with a walking trail, composting toilets and small campsite the only signs of civilisation. Keen campers can extend the experience by staying overnight but a word to the wise – there is no fresh water, mobile reception, food or shelter so you’ll need to bring everything with you. If this is a little too rustic for your liking, venture back to the comforts of Bundaberg via ferry (the trip takes approximately two hours and fifteen minutes).
Where to holiday in August
Road trip across the country
August is the month Australia hands you the keys. No oppressive heat in the interior, no washed-out roads in the north – just clear skies and the kind of light that makes the country look like a painting.The classic move is the Adelaide to Perth run along the Nullarbor, which sounds daunting until you do it. The road is good, the distances are real (allow four to five days minimum and don’t try to rush it), and the emptiness is the point. Stop at Coober Pedy for an underground motel and a look at a working opal mine, cross into Western Australia at Eucla – the old telegraph station half-buried in sand dunes is one of the stranger sights in the country — and work your way down to the coast at Esperance before heading north to Perth.
If you’d rather stay closer to the east, the Flinders Ranges from Adelaide make a compelling alternative – Wilpena Pound, the natural amphitheatre in the heart of the ranges, is at its most walkable in winter. Drive north through Quorn and Hawker for the full effect.
Where to holiday in September
Go hunting for Tasmania’s aurora australis
Head south in September to see the incredible southern light show, Aurora Australis, from the natural wonderland that is Tasmania. With kilometres upon kilometres of untouched wilderness, plus pitch-black skies, Australia’s southernmost state offers the perfect stage to admire flickering shades of green, blue, purple and red as they illuminate the night sky.
Tip: The Aurora Australis app and SpaceWeatherLive are both reliable for forecast alerts – worth downloading before you go.
Remote locations offer the best chance of spotting the light show, as they are less likely to be affected by light pollution. But that doesn’t necessarily mean long drives – Bruny Island, just 30 minutes from Hobart, is a popular vantage spot, especially from The Neck (the narrow strip of land connecting the island’s north and south).
At the other end of the island, in the central highlands, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park has the potential for stunning views of the Southern Lights, with reflections off its series of flat, mirrored lakes. Sightings aren’t always guaranteed, but Tasmania’s rugged beauty and gourmet food scene offer plenty more to see and do.
Where to holiday in October
Fall in love with the Margaret River Region
With winter in the back window, Margaret River’s vineyards are now in bloom, making it the perfect time to visit the picturesque wineries dotted across the region. But that’s not all on offer come October – longer days and higher temperatures mean more time on secluded beaches, while breaching humpbacks appear as they journey south for the summer, along with blue, minke and southern right whales.
Margaret River Region’s cultural calendar flourishes throughout the month – the Cape to Cape mountain bike race draws serious riders from across the country, while the Open Nature Gardens Weekend opens private properties that aren’t accessible any other time of year. Plan a weekend in the Margaret River Region around the event that takes your fancy.
Where to holiday in November
Paddle the Murray River
Late spring on the Murray is one of those quietly perfect Australian experiences that somehow never makes the highlight reel. The river is calm, the weather is warm without being brutal, and the bird life along the red gum banks is at its most active.
The paddle steamer journey is the centrepiece – these wood-fired boats have been working this river since the 1800s, and a multi-day cruise gives you a rhythm that’s hard to find anywhere else. You disembark at historic river ports, watch the light change over the water at dusk, and eat better than you expect to. Historic sites along the route include Perricoota Station and Echuca, one of the best-preserved river port towns in the country.
Echuca itself is worth a day even if you’re not cruising – the historic wharf precinct, the Star Hotel and the paddle steamer museum tell the story of the river trade better than any guidebook.
Where to holiday in December
Tour the Great Alpine Road
The word ‘alpine’ may suggest a winter activity, but the Great Alpine Road is a stunner of a summer destination. Stretching from Wangaratta in Victoria‘s west to Metung in the east, this winding route travels through forest-covered mountains, plunging valleys, rolling vineyards and vibrant towns, including Bright and Omeo.
Food lovers will find treasures at the Milawa Cheese Factory, Bridge Road Brewers and Reed & Co (amongst many others), while warm-weather adventurers can explore the alpine resorts of Mount Buffalo and Mount Hotham on foot, bike or horseback.
Climb to the summit of Mount Feathertop, the second-highest mountain in the state, before heading down to the sparkling waterways of the Gippsland coast. Stop at Ensay or Swifts Creek for freshly baked treats and local wines or continue onto the lakes system for hours of water-based fun.
Discover Australia
Looking for more inspiration? Discover 10 quintessential Australian experiences.
Feature image: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory.
