Best time to go to Australia
Since Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are opposite to those in Ireland. This means their long, hot summer coincides with our winter, and vice versa. However, Australia's winter might still be a great time to visit, especially in the major tourist cities. Melbourne is the coldest of the big cities, with lows of 6/7°C from May to September and highs around 14/15°C. During these months, Perth and Sydney generally stay in the high teens during the day, while Brisbane and Cairns remain in the low to mid-20s.
From December to February, which is summer in Australia, Melbourne sees highs of 25°C, while Brisbane, Cairns, and Perth can reach over 30°C. Tropical North Queensland tends to be rainy during the summer, from January to April, but it’s a lush and green time in Cairns and the surrounding mountains.
For northern Australia, the peak bushfire period is during the dry season, typically winter and spring (May onwards). In southern Australia, bushfires are more likely during the summer and autumn months. Local conditions can cause bushfires at any time, so it’s always a good idea to stay informed by following the news.
If you’re planning to dive or snorkel, check if there are any migratory seasons for the marine life you want to see or if there are closed seasons for the reefs you plan to visit. In most of Australia’s top diving and surfing regions, the sea temperature remains above 20°C or 25°C during summer (December–April), though it’s a bit cooler in Melbourne and Adelaide. In June/July/August, Cairns, Brisbane, Bondi Beach, and Gold Coast still boast lovely water temperatures around 20°C.
How to get to Australia
Although Australia is quite far, direct flights from Ireland to Australia are available. A non-stop flight from Dublin to Perth takes around 16-17 hours. Many travellers prefer to break up the journey with a stopover. You can either have a short layover of a few hours, making your total travel time 20 to 30 hours, or opt for a longer layover in another country.
There are numerous flight options from Dublin to Australia, with stopovers in cities like Doha, Beijing, or Kuala Lumpur. For example, flights from Dublin to Melbourne typically stop in Doha, while Dublin to Sydney might stop in Dubai or Singapore.
Getting around Australia
Once you arrive in Australia, you may have a long distance to travel to see all the sights on your bucket list. One of the easiest ways to cover vast distances, such as between Perth and Sydney, is by flying. For slightly closer cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, flying is still the fastest option.
Car hire is a popular choice for travellers, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. If you’re planning to venture into the countryside or need to carry gear like surfboards, 4x4 hire is recommended. Alternatively, you could hire a van for both accommodation and transport. For a luxurious journey, Australia offers several long-distance train routes that are a holiday in themselves. Budget travellers can use regular trains or long-distance buses, with buses being particularly convenient for travelling along the east coast. To reach any islands, a boat or ferry ride is required.
In cities, public transport is usually the most convenient option. Trams, metros, and buses make it easy to get around, and driving in city traffic is not always ideal.
