Best Time to Visit Australia and New Zealand

The shoulder seasons of September to November and March to May, spring and autumn respectively, offer the most comfortable conditions across both countries. These periods avoid the intense, sticky humidity of Far North Queensland's summer and the deep chill of a South Island winter. This moderation allows for long coastal walks in Australia or multi-day hikes in New Zealand, without the strain of extreme temperatures.

What to Expect

• Clear Skies: Gaze up at the striking, ochre-red face of Uluru against a deep, cloudless blue sky, the air dry and pleasant.
• Vineyard Scents: Inhale the scent of damp earth and ripening grapes during an autumn walk through a Barossa Valley vineyard.
• Cool Water: Feel the refreshing, clear water of Lake Wakatipu as you board a private boat, the surrounding mountains still holding a dusting of spring snow.
• Warm Sun: Feel the gentle, warm sun on your shoulders as you explore the sun-baked stones and colonial architecture of Sydney's The Rocks.

For further information, take a look at our Best Time to Visit New Zealand or Best Time to Visit Australia.

To experience these destinations with a sense of space and quiet, travel during the autumn months of March through May. The summer holiday peak has passed and the winter ski season has not yet begun. This creates a peaceful atmosphere. Celebrated restaurants are easier to book and popular sites are more accessible, allowing for a more personal and unhurried pace.

What to Expect

• Empty Beaches: Walk along the wide, golden expanse of a beach in the Bay of Islands, hearing only the sound of the waves and your footsteps.
• Open Galleries: Stand before a work of art in the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, able to study it without peering over shoulders.
• Quiet Fiords: Hear the distinct thunder of waterfalls in Milford Sound, your boat gliding through the water with few other vessels in sight.
• Personal Tastings: Swirl a glass of Hawke's Bay syrah as you chat one-on-one with the winemaker, a luxury impossible during the busy harvest.

For more information, take a look at our best Australia and New Zealand itineraries.

For families traveling with children, the spring months of September to November and autumn, from March to May, provide the most flexibility and comfort. These seasons bypass challenging travel conditions, such as Australia's northern jellyfish season or the intense heat of the Outback. In New Zealand, it means the mountain passes are clear and the hiking trails are firm. This allows for a wider range of activities, from surfing lessons on a sunny coast to wildlife spotting in temperate forests.

What to Expect

• Unique Wildlife: Watch the excited expressions as your family sees a kangaroo paw-feeding in the wild for the first time or the bright-blue flash of a tiny penguin returning to its burrow at Phillip Island.
• Movie Sets: Feel the smooth, cool wood of the perfectly round, green door as you push it open at the Hobbiton movie set.
• Urban Parks: Hear the calls of cockatoos while enjoying a picnic in the expansive, green lawns of Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden.
• Easy Exploration: Feel the cool, damp air of the Waitomo Caves, your family floating in silence under the pin-prick lights of thousands of glowworms.

Let our Australia family vacations and tours, as well as our New Zealand family itineraries.

The shoulder seasons, specifically October, November, March, and April, offer the ideal setting for a private journey. The weather is conducive to special excursions like a hot-air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley at sunrise or a private charter to a secluded Australian cay. In New Zealand, it's the perfect time for a lodge-to-lodge hike or a quiet soak in a geothermal pool.

What to Expect

• Private Dining: Feel the warmth of a bonfire on your skin as you enjoy a private dinner under a canopy of stars in the Australian Outback.
• Secluded Waters: Feel the light spray from the bow of a private sailboat as you cruise the Whitsunday Islands, anchoring in a bay that is yours alone to enjoy.
• Lodge Comfort: Huddle together under a warm blanket on your private balcony, watching the sun set behind the Southern Alps, a glass of pinot noir in hand.
• Stargazing: Experience the profound darkness and silence of the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, gazing at the dense scatter of the Milky Way.

Learn more from our best Australia tours and vacations for couples and New Zealand tours for couples.

For senior travelers seeking comfort, accessibility, and a relaxed pace, the shoulder seasons of September to November (spring) and March to May (autumn) are highly recommended. These periods offer consistently mild temperatures, which are ideal for sightseeing without the stress of extreme summer heat or winter cold. This timing also benefits from the moderate crowds found outside of the main holiday season, making it easier to secure preferred accommodation, enjoy unhurried tours, and navigate popular sites. The settled weather allows for comfortable travel, particularly on scenic drives, day cruises, and walking tours.

What to Expect

• Gentle Walks: Walk along the stunning coastal path in Abel Tasman National Park, feeling the soft earth underfoot and enjoying the gentle, warm air of autumn.
• Accessible Cruises: Glide through the quiet, deep water of Milford Sound or the Great Barrier Reef, enjoying clear, smooth sailing conditions that enhance the viewing experience.
• Wine Tasting Comfort: Relax on the terrace of a Margaret River or Marlborough winery, feeling the comfortable warmth of a spring afternoon while tasting celebrated local vintages.
• Museum Exploration: Spend an unhurried afternoon in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra or the Auckland Museum, taking your time to absorb the history and exhibits without crowds.

For further inspiration, take a look at Zicasso’s sample Australia and New Zealand tours for seniors.

The character of Australia and New Zealand shifts dramatically with the calendar. Knowing these changes can help you define the places you wish to see and the experiences you want to have. Whether you are drawn to the warmth of an Outback sunset or the cool, misty air of a temperate rainforest, a specialist can help you time your journey.

You can explore more possibilities in our Australia and New Zealand travel guides before working with a travel expert to plan your itinerary.