For most of us in the
northern hemisphere, the thrill of going to a continent with diametrically opposite
climatic conditions is always exciting. Summer starts in December and winter begins in
July, spring is in September and autumn begins in March! As a result, Christmas is
generally spent on the beach. So if you who want a break from the cold, Australia is the
natural choice and the Australian Alps, perfect as a foil to the northern summer.
There are two main
climatic zones in Australia - the tropical zone in the far north and the temperate zone in
the south. The tropical zone has two main seasons- the Wet from November to April and the
Dry from May to October. The four seasons in the temperate zone are spring and summer from
September/October to March, autumn and winter from April to September.
The Northern Territory or the Top End
has a very hot and humid tropical type climate with average year round temperatures of
30°C. This part of Australia has rather temperamental weather - if it's not a cyclone, it
must be a tropical storm!
New South Wales, on the other hand
goes through all the four seasons with great weather all year round - winter temperatures
average 15°C, spring is wonderful though wet at times, autumn is still warm while summers
are pretty hot and often humid. Victoria is truly temperate - except for
it's capital, Melbourne where all four seasons can be experienced in the space of a few
hours!
Queensland is extremely humid in
the summer months, winter temperatures average a comfortable 20°C- the weather becomes
cooler as altitude increases but around the coast, it is usually warm and sultry.The state
receives plenty of rainfall except in the winter months - that makes them the best time
for a visit.
South Australia enjoys mild
winters and dry summers - the state receives most of its rain during the winter months.
But the deeper inland one travels into South Australia, the hotter and drier it gets. The
weather in Western Australia conforms to the temperate type climate with
mild but wet winters and very hot and dry summers.
Right at the bottom, Tasmania
has wonderful weather - it has a pleasant temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year. Autumn is mild, winter is cold,
wet and cloudy with snowfall on the higher altitudes, spring comes accompanied by strong
winds and summers are delightful with temperatures round 20° - 22°C.
The Australian Outback experiences
very extreme temperatures with scorchingly hot days (40°C) and cold nights in the
summers. Day temperatures in winters average 22°C while the nights are bitterly cold. |
