When's the better time to go to Austalia? July or December?

Question

These two months are my only choices. I would like to go to the barrier reef but i heard that December is jellyfish season. Is that true? I am also thinking about going to Melbourne, Sydney, and the Outback.

Answer 1

For Sydney and Melbourne December is nicer as thats the summer months.

For the outback and far north Queensland, summer is incredible hot and as you pointed out is jellyfish season. Also December is the beginning of the tropical season bringing rain and mini cyclones off the coastline. The outback is hot all year round and even in the middle of winter is around 30C.

Perhaps consider the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne.. you could do a short trip up to the barrier reef (2 or 3 days) then work your way down the coast. You can come in December and will only find the barrier reef to be extremly hot.

You can do all in July but it will be mild to cool in Sydney and cold to freezing in Melbourne... We don't get snow in the city areas and it would be unlikely to hit zero degrees celcius so its not overly cold but definitly jumper weather. In Queensland you could still enjoy the warmth and beaches though.

Answer 2

I would definitely vote for July as December can be very very hot in the Outback - 40 degrees plus. Killer.

I am not sure about there being a specific jelly fish season but I would be worried about all kinds of marine stingers, etc.  Be guided by whatever your tour operator/resort staff tell you.  A lot of places have netting protecting areas so that you can swim.

Melbourne is awesome so make that a must do.  If you do choose July though and do the reef, the outback and Melbourne, you will need both warm and cool weather clothing. Melbourne can be FREEZING in winter, just like the reef and the outback can be warm.

Have a safe, enjoyable trip.

Answer 3

So you have a choice to make whether to come in winter time or come in summer time. Summer time can get very very hot.

Answer 4

like the first person said, december is better.

it is their summer (cuz their in the southern hemisphere) then and not winter. you shouldnt worry about the jelly fish unless your going in the water, yet they will post whether the beach is safe, either by a flag, bulliten or something. best bet is to go up to the lifeguard.

have fun! :)

Answer 5

it depends what you are into, like other pplz said summer,warm,new years partys. winter if you are into hunting, you can get a nice fox or a rabbit  because they have nice coats in winter.

Answer 6

OK Queensland (tropics) & out back (desert areas) are better in July as its winter not as humid (Qld) or as hot (OB)

However Sydney is better in summer as is Melbourne there is 1000 km or so between the main cities on the eastern seaboard of Au so the weather is quite different between  Cities in Winter.

We actually can have mild sprinklings of Snow in the lower hills down here in Melbourne. You could go snow skiing about 3 hours from Melbourne but remember ski fields in Au are quite small compared to the US & Europe.

Answer 7

december! melbourne and sydney will be freezing in December.

Some places on the barrier reef have jellyfish year round, lots just have them over summer - but there will still possibly be some places that you can swim.

december will be best for everywhere else you want to go!

Answer 8

Good reasons to go in July - you can swim in the Barrier reef (it's still   warm enough - in fact, it's never cold)

Cheap airfares (from US)

Cheaper accommodation than Dec - especially in SYD, which is peak season

Weather is cold but not freezing, usually no snow except in mountains.

Outback is tolerable - too hot in Dec.

Good reasons to go in Dec - stay for New Year's Eve on the harbour - best party ever

Hot weather - though in Sydney, it can rain alot.

Even more tourists than July!

Answer 9

The better time would be Decemeber.  Its summertime over in Australia and the weather will be nicer.  July is winter, not that is USA cold but still cooler.