- Let's take a look at the map
- Beach vacation and its features
- Seasons and their features
- Take a tour of the national parks
- On a visit to the aborigines
- Useful observations
A European person calls Australia the end of the world for a reason, because anyone who dares to buy a ticket here only in the sky will have to spend at least 20 hours, excluding transfers. The cost of tours to the "green continent" can significantly ease your bank account, and obtaining a visa can turn into a difficult quest, the passage of which does not even guarantee a solid consular fee. Nevertheless, the number of people wishing to see kangaroos in wildlife is increasing every year and the request "when is the best time to relax in Australia" is becoming more and more popular among fans of exotic travel.
Let's take a look at the map
The continent's remoteness from the "highways" had a special effect on its development. Australia has hundreds and thousands of plant and animal species not found anywhere else on the planet. With two oceans at once, Australia is a haven for endless beach lovers and surfers who find the best waves in the Southern Hemisphere off its shores. Divers adore the green continent for the fact that nature has created a unique miracle - the Great Barrier Reef, and fans of overland hiking trails do not miss the opportunity to walk around the sacred red Uluru rock in the heart of the Australian desert.
The climatic conditions of the continent are very diverse, because it stretches for almost 4,000 kilometers from north to south and from east to west. The weather is greatly influenced not only by geographical latitudes, but also by ocean currents, and in general there are six different climatic zones in the country: from equatorial to temperate.
The peculiarities of the climate make it possible to correctly determine the time when it is best to rest in Australia:
- On the continent in the Southern Hemisphere, winter starts in June, spring starts in September, and New Years and Christmas happen at the height of summer. Be sure to keep this in mind when planning your tour.
- The hottest period of the year begins in November. The average air temperature by the end of January can reach + 32 ° С, but in desert areas in the center of the mainland, thermometers do not hesitate to cross the 40-degree mark.
- Desert regions are characterized by a significant difference between day and night temperatures, and therefore, when going to such areas, do not forget to take warm clothes in your luggage.
- The Great Barrier Reef is an area that is comfortable all year round. You can dive here both in summer and winter.
- Sydney and its attractions are most enjoyable during the off-season. In autumn and spring, temperature indicators are most optimal for long walks - about + 25 ° C.
Beach vacation and its features
All the main beach resorts on the mainland are located on the east coast. The most popular of these are the Barrier Reef and Gold Coast areas.
The reef is a unique formation built by corals, and its islands annually attract not only fans of diving, but also lovers of fashionable beach holidays. The climate on the Great Barrier Reef belongs to the subequatorial type, and therefore the air temperature there changes little throughout the year. In December, thermometers usually show + 31 ° С, and in July - about + 28 ° С, but the air humidity is lowest in winter and early spring, which in Australia corresponds to the period from May to the second half of October.
On the Gold Coast, by contrast, the peak season is from October to April. At this time of the year, the air warms up to + 25 ° C - + 28 ° C, and the water in the Pacific Ocean becomes comfortable for swimming. Thermometers show at least + 23 ° С - + 25 ° С in coastal waves. In winter, although the water does not cool much, strong waves begin, and therefore bathing becomes unsafe. At this time, it is especially important to pay attention to the signs of the rescue services. If you do not consider yourself an experienced swimmer, you are better off vacationing in Australia when the sea is at its most calm.
Seasons and their features
The Australian seasons follow each other in full accordance with the calendar of the Southern Hemisphere, and each of them has its own unique charm and charm. If you prefer a contemplative vacation or are fond of photography, you better relax in Australia in the fall, when the local forests and parks are full of amazing colors. In addition to pleasant visual impressions, gastronomic pleasures are also guaranteed. Autumn is the time for wine festivals held in regions where grapes are grown. One of the most interesting and famous takes place in Orange.
In winter, it's worth flying to the Great Barrier Reef and enjoying a beach holiday on the tropical coral islands. And you can do winter sports, because in the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, the ski resorts of Australia are quite adequately equipped. Modern snow cannons respond to the vagaries of the weather, which often "retards" the snow, and the season lasts quite successfully from July to September, and even longer in the highest mountain resorts.
Spring comes to a distant continent in September and its main sign is blossoming nature. This time of year is still comfortable on the northern beaches, but by mid-October sunbathers are starting to actively move closer to the Gold Coast. For horse racing fans, spring is notable for the fact that an international cup starts in Melbourne, and even people who are far from it during the rest of the year make bets on the racetrack.
In the summer, Australian vacationers move closer to the south, where the thermometers do not reasonably exceed + 30 ° C. In the central regions of the country and the east coast, daytime temperatures are too solid for a comfortable holiday.
Take a tour of the national parks
The most famous and popular national parks can be found on the map in the north of the country. The climate in this region is tropical and almost does not depend on the season. The average air temperature during the day in the area of Kakadu Parks, Katerina Gorge and Litchfield is + 30 ° С, a little hotter in November - up to + 33 ° С. The water off the coast of the Darwin resort, which is closest to the national parks of the northern coast, is warmest in January - up to + 29 ° С, and cooler in June - no more than + 25 ° С.
The most comfortable time for walking in Kakadu National Park is the second half of the Australian winter. In July and August, lotuses and lilies bloom in the park's lakes. During this period, a huge number of tropical birds can be observed in their natural habitat.
On a visit to the aborigines
The main Australian attraction, which is located in the habitats of local aborigines, is called Uluru. The huge red rock becomes a place of pilgrimage for thousands of tourists every year. Geographically, Uluru is located practically in the center of the continent in a semi-arid desert zone.
If you are planning a trip to the rock, which the aborigines consider a place of power, be sure to check the weather forecast. In summer, it is too hot here and mercury columns can approach the 40-degree mark during the day. In winter, thermometer readings fluctuate around + 20 ° C, but at night it can be very cold, and the temperature often drops to zero.
When going to Uluru, do not forget about warm clothes if you fly to Australia in winter. Be sure to take sunglasses, creams, and clothing on your desert tour any time of the year, as UV activity is particularly strong in these latitudes.
Useful observations
- When choosing the north coast for your beach holiday, avoid summer time. At the end of October, poisonous jellyfish multiply in coastal waters, which disappear only at the beginning of May. Rescuers allow water procedures only in special suits.
- The sun on the "green continent" is very active and the means with the highest protection factor must be present in your luggage without fail, regardless of the season when you arrived.
- If you want to eliminate the possibility of precipitation altogether, do not book tickets to Australia for June-August. Winter is the time when rain is most likely on the east coast.
- Winter on the Gold Coast is a surfer's paradise. At this time, the longest and highest wave occurs here. If you have a wetsuit, you can fish it all day without the risk of hypothermia.
If you are more into active sports in the warm sea, fly to the beach resorts in Australia in the summer. In the period from November to February, the wave temperature reaches + 25 ° C - + 28 ° C, and therefore you will receive incomparably greater pleasure from rest than in winter.
