Queensland

The variation in climate across Queensland is considerable. The western side of the Great Divide boasts low rainfall, very hot summers and cool nights. The northern tip is humid and warm temperate conditions dominate along the coast from the central state south. Rainfall along the coast is generally about 1000-1600mm each year, with more rain falling in January and February than other times. The further north you travel, the more monsoonal the rain which can reach 4000mm each year. These heavy rains wash jellyfish into northern waters making it, paradoxically, dangerous to swim in the hottest part of the year. November to April is also the cyclone season making the best time to visit Far North Queensland during the winter.

If water sports are your attraction, Spring and Autumn are the perfect time to enjoy coastal communities from the central area south. This is also the best time to head inland. Queensland’s capital, Brisbane (in the far south of the state), boasts mild winters and a pleasant temperate average of 16-25 degrees Centigrade.  September and November are the most popular months to visit. 

New South Wales

Described as in the ‘temperate zone’, the temperature in NSW is affected by the coast and mountain ranges. The northwest of the state is arid with low rainfall, while the north east coast is green and lush. Winter (June-Sept) is chilly, with occasional frosty nights in the north very cold nights in the south. Move inland to the Snowy Mountains and you’d be more comfortable in ski gear than anything else.

Summer is another thing all together: Inland areas become hot and it’s worth staying clear of the outback from Dec-February unless you have an air conditioned vehicle. The coast is the place to be at this time of year! The northern coast is prone to more rain in the summer which is probably why it’s so beautifully green and inviting, and the wettest month is February.

Sydney itself boasts more than 340 sunny days each year. The average daytime temperature in the winter is around 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit). In summer, expect  19°C (66°F) at night to 26°C (79°F) during the day.

Australian Capital Territory

Australia’s capital city, Canberra, averages more hours of sunshine than either Sydney or Melbourne. It is, however, generally cooler. The summers are hot and dry and winters are cold and dry. Autumn (March-June) is a great time to visit when the thousands of European trees show their colours. If you are into snow sports, however, a trip to Canberra in winter is easily combined with hitting the nearby slopes in the Snowy Mountains. 

Rainfall is higher in the mountains, reaching as much as 1500mm on the ridges. This, obviously is essential for snow during the winter, but the Snowy Mountain Scheme actually seeds snow during winter (by shooting silver iodide into the clouds). The best snow cover is usually in late July. In the summer, the Snowy Mountains are carpeted by wildflowers with the best display in January and February. These are wonderful months for hiking, abseiling and horse riding in the region.