What is the best time to go camping in Australia?

What is the best time to go camping in Australia?

Australia is a renowned country for sunny days, beautiful beaches, and blue skies, but knowing where to go and when make a huge difference in your camping trip.

Each state and territory in Australia has a unique climate, so it’s essential to plan your trip during the right time of the year to avoid any disappointments.

To answer what is the best time to go camping in Australia we have to break it down by states and territories. Our guide assumes that you are not looking for camping in cold, rainy, or snowy weather.

Camping in Australia can be a bit tricky, considering it is such a vast continent. Apart from the weather, there are two other essential factors to consider: road closures and school holidays.

During school holidays, caravan parks and national parks tend to be busy with campers, so it’s important to plan ahead and book in advance.

However, the advantage of camping during this time is that many caravan parks organise activities for kids, allowing parents to relax while their children play together or watch a movie outdoors.

If you prefer to avoid crowds or don’t travel with children, it’s better to plan your camping trip at a different time than during school holidays.

This way, you can enjoy a quieter and more peaceful camping experience. It’s also worth considering the shoulder seasons (the period between peak and off-peak season) when the weather is still pleasant, but there are fewer crowds.

Road closures can be a serious issue when traveling off-road or visiting national parks in Australia. Occasional rainfall can cause dirt roads or even main routes to become impassable, so it’s essential to check road closure status before embarking on your camping trip.

Furthermore, some national parks may be closed seasonally due to high temperatures, such as the Simpson Desert.

It’s crucial to check park websites or contact park rangers to ensure that the national park you plan to visit is open and accessible during your trip. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary complications and ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience.

Camping in Tasmania

Tasmania is the coldest Australian state, so if you prefer to avoid shivering in rain or snow, it’s best to plan your camping trip outside of the winter months, ideally during the summer season.

However, many people believe that autumn is the best time to visit Tasmania, as the weather is typically mild, and the stunning landscapes are adorned with beautiful hues of red, gold, and orange leaves falling from the trees. It resembles the European weather during this time of year, making it a popular choice among tourists.

However, keep in mind that it can still be chilly, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s suitable for camping. Regardless of the season, Tasmania offers a unique and stunning natural environment for camping enthusiasts to explore.

Check for road closures in Tasmania.

Camping in Victoria

Victoria is not as cold as Tasmania, but it can still be ‘interesting’ in many ways. When asking anyone living in Victoria to describe the weather, they often use one word: unpredictable.

Having lived in Melbourne for eight years, I can attest to this myself. The weather can change from a sunny sky to heavy wind and rain in just 15 minutes. I remember driving from Wodonga in the summer on a hot 45-degree Celsius day. When we were about 50 km from Melbourne, the temperature suddenly dropped to 20 degrees in just 15 minutes.

Victoria, as a state, offers many attractions that can be visited all year round, but camping may be limited due to the cold nights. Typically, the temperature at night doesn’t drop below zero, but it can still be quite chilly. During the winter months, you can even go skiing at Mount Buller.

Conversely, it’s not unusual to experience heatwaves in Victoria, with daily temperatures reaching 45 degrees. The town of Hopetoun in Victoria holds the record for the highest temperature recorded in the state, at 48.8 degrees.

Check for road closures in Victoria.

Camping in New South Wales

New South Wales is a diverse state with plenty of activities to do. You can visit one of the many beautiful beaches, go hiking in the World Heritage-listed rainforests, hunt for opals in the red outback, climb Mount Kosciuszko, or go 4WD driving on many off-road tracks.

The New South Wales coast has a subtropical climate with warmer temperatures than Victoria. During the summer months, there is usually quite a bit of rain, particularly in January and February.

However, in the southern parts of NSW, it can still get pretty cold. When visiting the Snowy Mountains or Alpine regions in winter, expect to see snow.

When visiting the outback, you can expect cold nights and crisp days with sunny weather. There is not much rainfall in the area, but when it does rain, unsealed roads could be closed for some time.

Check for road closures in New South Wales.

Camping in Australian Capital Territory

Compared to other Australian states or territories, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is very small. It features the capital – Canberra, with Lake Burley Griffin and Namadgi National Park.

Due to the high altitude of over 500 meters above sea level, it can be quite cold in ACT. If you plan to go camping, it’s best to do it in the summer. January is the warmest month with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. In winter, expect daily temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius with nights dropping below zero.

Check for road closures in ACT.

Camping in South Australia

South Australia, similar to other states has many attractions to offer. Apart from the capital, the well-known places to visit are Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, and the Yorke Peninsula.

The best way to explore all places is to jump in the car and drive around.

The winters are milder than in Victoria, but nights will be still cold for someone liking warmer temperatures.

On the other hand, summer can be very hot. Occasional heat waves with 40 and over temperatures can really spoil your camping plans.

It’s important to note that South Australia can experience bushfires during the hotter months, which may impact camping plans. It’s recommended to check fire danger ratings and fire ban information before setting out on a camping trip.

Additionally, the coastal areas can be prone to strong winds and storms during the winter months, which can make camping difficult.

Check for road closures in South Australia.

Camping in Western Australia

Western Australia is the biggest state of Australia. Perth, the capital, is a modern and well-urbanised city that should be on your bucket list. Leaving the city though will open endless possibilities for sightseeing, hiking, 4WD driving, or fishing.

The most renowned places to visit are Kimberley, Ningaloo Reef, Broome and Cable Beach, Bungle Bungles, Karijini National Park, Monkey Mia, Margaret River, and Rottnest Island.

Due to its size, Western Australia is home to many different climates. On the southeast, the climate is temperate with four seasons, but the north you go the climate changes to tropical with a wet and dry season. Away from the coast, in the outback, the land is getting drier and you will not see much rain.

When camping in the northern part of WA, consider cold nights in winter. Going south to Broome and Kimberley is only recommended during the dry season as in the summer months between January and March the rain is pouring almost every day.

It’s important to also note that the weather in Western Australia can be extreme, especially in the summer months. Bushfires are common during this time, and you should check for any fire bans or warnings before camping.

Additionally, the northern part of Western Australia is prone to cyclones during the wet season, which runs from November to April.

Check for road closures in Western Australia.

Camping in Northern Territory

It’s good to keep in mind the wet and dry seasons when planning a trip to the Northern Territory. The dry season, from May to October, is generally considered the best time to visit as the weather is more predictable, and many attractions are open. During the wet season, from November to April, some areas may become inaccessible due to flooding or other hazards.

Northern Territory is our favourite place to go as it has a unique atmosphere and hot weather that we like. Apart from that, the territory is home to many attractions.

There are three main regions of NT: The Red Centre with Alice Springs, Uluru and Kings Canyon, The Barkly Region, and The Top End with Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, and Darwin.

The climate in Northern Territory is tropical monsoonal with dry and wet seasons. We recommend visiting NT only in the dry season as the summer months are very wet and you won’t be able to camp or do any four-wheel driving due to flooded roads and the closure of many attractions.

Regardless of the month, in the top end of NT, you will not get any cold weather. The daily temperatures in Darwin in winter or summer are between 28 – 34 degrees and at night it only drops to 18 degrees. It is a perfect place for someone liking warm weather.

Check for road closures in Northern Territory.

Camping in Queensland

Queensland is the second-largest state in Australia with numerous tourist attractions that bring many visitors from overseas and colder Australian states.

What to see in Queensland? Let’s list some most renowned places to visit: The Great Barrier Reef, The Whitsundays, Sunshine and Gold Coast, World Heritage Daintree National Park, Cape York, kangaroos in Cape Hillsborough, and the vast outback.

Let’s also not forget about Brisbane, which is a beautiful, modern city with many parks and places to visit.

The climate in Queensland is subtropical between Brisbane and Rockhampton and tropical going north. It is never cold here, except if you want to camp in the outback in winter.

Places like Stanthorpe or Injune can record negative temperatures during winter, so plan your camping in warmer months or buy a warm sleeping bag. However, if you stick to the coast the coldest you get at night will be 12 degrees, so not so bad.

It’s worth noting that while the climate is generally warm, the northern regions of Queensland are prone to cyclones during the wet season (November to April), which can impact travel plans and camping trips.

Check for road closures in Queensland.

Best time to go camping in Australia – summary

As you have probably noticed, there is a pattern to follow when planning your camping trip in Australia.

If you are traveling to the southern parts of Australia, the best time to do so is during the summer months, as you can expect hot days and warm evenings.

On the other hand, if you plan to visit the tropical regions of Western Australia, Northern Territory, or Queensland, it is best to go during the winter months between May and September.

By following this pattern, you can fit in all the best camping destinations around Australia and enjoy the unique landscapes and experiences each state and territory has to offer.

Happy camping!

Enjoy outdoors with Tentworld equipment