1. Overview Unlike the Northern Hemisphere, Australia’s seasons align with the calendar year’s start and end. Summer runs from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.
Because Australia is vast (spanning tropical, arid, temperate, and alpine zones), seasonal experiences vary significantly by region. This report focuses on the temperate zone (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra) — the most populous climate band — while noting key differences for the tropics (e.g., Darwin, Cairns). | Month | Average Temp (Sydney) | Key Characteristics | |-------|----------------------|----------------------| | Dec | 18–25°C (64–77°F) | Warm start, increasing humidity, long daylight hours | | Jan | 19–27°C (66–81°F) | Hottest month; heatwaves possible; beach season peak | | Feb | 19–27°C (66–81°F) | Still hot; occasional thunderstorms; last of peak summer heat | seasons in australia by month