Climate in central Australia: Alice Springs, Ayers Rock (Uluru)
The center of Australia around Ayers Rock (Ulruru) extends from the Northern Territory to South Australia. The western border is in Western Australia, the eastern border is in Queensland. With the exception of Victoria and Tasmania, every state borders on the desert region. The center of Australia is not a state in its own right, but it must be viewed independently from a climatic point of view. The Alice Springs climate diagram is an ideal representation of the weather in central Australia.
Climate table Alice Springs
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 36 | 35 | 32 | 27 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 36 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 21 | 21 | 11 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 20 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Rainy days per month | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
During the summer months, temperatures around 40 ° C are not uncommon during the day. Adequate hydration is an absolute must. At night, temperatures drop to an average of 4 ° C. Such enormous temperature fluctuations are quite normal for desert regions. If you want to take a camping tour through Central Australia, you have to think about warm sleeping bags for the cold nights. Rain is extremely rare in all of Central Australia. Due to the long dry periods, sandstorms must be expected all year round, some of which also reach the cities in the coastal region.
I recommend the months of June to August as the best travel time for Central Australia . At this time the temperatures are on average 21 ° C, so you can go on longer trips and hikes in national parks.
Rainy season in Australia – information on travel planning and beach holidays
According to thenailmythology, Australia has the rainy season during the summer months from October to March in the northern regions of the states of Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia . The weather is hot and humid during these months, the humidity is extremely high and many holidaymakers find it very uncomfortable. At this time you have to expect daily and sometimes heavy rain showers. It often rains in the afternoon and evening. It is not uncommon for thunderstorms to occur. Rainfall during the rainy season in Australia can be so heavy that some roads are completely flooded. If you are planning a trip to more remote areas or national parks, you should inquire about the current condition of the road before leaving. You can get information about this at rest stops, the police and tourist offices.
Between January and March in particular, cyclones can occur during heavy rain showers and thunderstorms . Cyclones are hurricanes that arise over oceans with a water temperature of 27 ° C. Smaller cyclones are called “Willy Willy” in Australia. If there is a danger from cyclones in the rainy season , the Australian media will inform you in good time.
Beachgoers in the northern parts of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia should watch out for box jellyfish (marine stinger) warnings during Australia’s rainy season . If a person comes into contact with the tentacles of a box jellyfish, this can lead to severe pain, nausea, skin injuries, cramps and paralysis. Protective measures such as jellyfish nets, protective suits and vinegar are usually available on Australian beaches.
Conclusion
There are three climate zones Down Under, so it is not easy to determine the best time to travel to Australia . Be prepared to compromise. If you want to travel the whole continent at once, I advise you to do so in the Australian spring or autumn to do. In spring it can still be a bit fresh in Victoria and Tasmania, but you can experience the vegetation in full bloom. In addition, you do not have to expect heavy rainfall during the rainy season in northern Australia at this time of year. In autumn it is still pleasantly warm, the sea has also been warmed up by the summer and invites you to swim. However, at this time of year the plants lose their strength and dry up. Another advantage to travel in the off-season are the cheaper hotel and ticket prices. In summer, when Australian students also have weeks of vacation, prices for vacationers rise very quickly.
The best travel times for Australia at a glance:
- New South Wales: November to April
- South Australia: October to March
- Victoria: January to March and November to December
- Tasmania: October to March
- Queensland: June to October
- Western Australia: March, April and October to November
- Northern Territory: April to September
- Central Australia: June to August
