Australia: NOT a Land Down Under- A Climate Review

Commonly referred to as the “land down under”, Australia is anything but that. Offering a unique travel destination, for international travelers in 2007, Australia has something to offer everyone. When considering what part of Australia to visit, travelers should first assess their underlying interests and the climate which they feel will provide for an optimal Australian travel experience. Summer, in Australia, generally runs from December through May while winter runs from June through November. To assist in choosing a region to visit, let’s examine the extreme climate differences in the northern and southern parts of Australia.
Offering a diverse climate, opposite of that in the world’s northern hemisphere, Australia will surely please international travelers from those interested in cool temperatures to international travelers who seek warm tropical climates. Because the tropic of Capricorn runs through Australia, the northern region of Australia is generally considered to be a tropical paradise while the southern region of Australia is varied in climate.

When traveling to Northern Australia, the tropical temperatures are evident. In what is known as Australia’s winter season, Northern Australia experiences temperatures dropping only to an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and, even more important, rain is very uncommon. When considering travel to Australia, traveling during the Australian winter provides for the most pleasant of visits as temperatures are at their mildest.

In contrast to the winter, the summer months of Northern Australia are much rainier with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, many international travelers choose to avoid traveling to Northern Australia during the summer period so as to avoid the high levels of humidity.