Dry Season in Australia’s North

Discover what you’ll need to pack and prepare for in Australia’s northern region!

Australia is nortoruous for its heat, with the northern regions in particular known for its blistering hot days and nights. Due to it being such a large country, Australia boasts a variety of different climates depending on where you are in the country and at what time of year. Temperatures vary greatly, from sub-zero in the Snowy Mountains to sweltering, arid heat in the north-west. The wide expanse of land and eclectic landscape, there is not one single seasonal calendar for the country. In fact, there are six climactic zones that make up two predominant seasonal patterns.

About the Dry Season

In the Northern Territory, there are two very distinct climate zones: the tropical zone at the northernmost part of the country, and the semi-arid zone which covers Central Australia and the Red Centre. Throughout the year, there is a wet season and a dry season, which is traded in instead of the regular four seasons.

The dry season spans around six months between April and October. This coincides with winter and sees lower temperatures with clear skies. Temperatures tend to hover around 20 degrees Celsius, and the air can get very humid in the build-up between the wet season and the dry season.

About the Wet Season

From November until April time the entire region is flooded with rain, with higher humidity and constant storms. The wet season usually seems like the worst of the two, but the lush greenery that floods the area during the rainfall can all be worth it.

What to Do in the Dry Season in Northern Australia

For many, winter is a time to hibernate and curl up in the warm, but in the Northern Territory, it’s the perfect time to go outside, enjoy the cooler weather, and soak up some of the cultural goings-on that happen at this time of year. There are several festivals that take place during the dry season, giving visitors the chance to kick back, relax, and let their hair down with their friends.

There’s something for everyone, too, from the Grass Music Festival in Darwin, to the Imparja Camel Cup in Alice Springs, and the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, which showcases the ancient rhythms of Aboriginal culture. The warm winter days and cooler nights make the dry season the ideal time to host some of the country’s most coveted events.

So, while you might be thinking that winter is a time for Australia to cool down and start packing away for cooler climes, it is in fact doing the opposite. In the Northern Territory, the fun is only just beginning! Whether you want to listen to some of the country’s best emerging bands, learn about the rich Aboriginal history that has imbued the area for centuries, or simply want to watch something fun, like camels racing across the desert, there’s a festival in the north for you.

With waterfalls flowing and many roads open that are inaccessible during the wet season, winter is the perfect time to visit the Northern Territory.

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