Things to Do in Australia in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Australia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is August Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + August is when whale watching hits its stride along both coasts. Stand on Sydney's headlands and humpbacks breach so close you can hear the crack of their tail-slaps ricochet across the harbor.
- + Desert regions finally drop to hiking weather. Uluru's base walk feels almost cool at 18°C (64°F) instead of the 45°C (113°F) furnace that dominates summer.
- + Alpine country erupts in wildflowers. The Snowy Mountains lay down carpets of yellow billy-buttons and purple triggerplants you simply won't find any other month.
- + Southern cities throw their best food parties. Melbourne's Good Food Month stretches into August with truffle dinners that sold out back in March.
- − Tasmania's weather turns cranky. Four seasons in one day means you'll pull your rain jacket on and off six times before lunch.
- − Northern Queensland slips into stinger season. Box jellyfish shut beaches from Cairns to Mission Beach, making ocean swimming downright dangerous.
- − Red Centre nights plummet to freezing. That Instagram sunrise at Uluru demands standing in 0°C (32°F) darkness for a solid hour, no shortcuts.
Year-Round Climate
How August compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C | 20°C | 3.6 inches |
| Feb | 26°C | 19°C | 5.2 inches |
| Mar | 25°C | 18°C | 4.6 inches |
| Apr | 23°C | 15°C | 4.5 inches |
| May | 20°C | 12°C | 4.0 inches |
| Jun | 18°C | 10°C | 5.6 inches |
| Jul | 17°C | 8°C | 3.2 inches |
| Aug | 19°C | 9°C | 3.0 inches |
| Sep | 21°C | 12°C | 2.5 inches |
| Oct | 23°C | 14°C | 2.7 inches |
| Nov | 24°C | 16°C | 3.6 inches |
| Dec | 25°C | 18°C | 2.9 inches |
Best Activities in August
Top things to do during your visit
August brings the height of whale migration along Australia's southern coast. From Sydney's South Head, humpbacks breach within 200 m (656 ft) of the cliffs, no boat ticket needed. Colder water pushes whales closer to shore, and winter's shorter days keep them active during civilized hours, not dawn patrol.
August's 18°C (64°F) days make the Larapinta Trail doable at last, you'll knock off 5 km (3.1 miles) sections without the usual desert dread of heatstroke. Winter rains leave spinifex grass gleaming silver-green, and those famous red rocks photograph better under low winter light than summer's brutal overhead sun.
Australia's only real alpine country explodes with color in August, something most visitors never imagine exists. The Main Range Track at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) elevation spreads alpine sun orchids and snow daisies across granite slabs. You'll need sturdy boots for the 13 km (8.1 mile) circuit, but the reward is meadows that look like Swiss countryside parachuted into Australia.
Australia's truffle season peaks in August, and the hunting dogs are beside themselves with excitement. In Manjimup (Western Australia) and Robertson (NSW), you trail trained labradors through oak and hazelnut groves as they scratch at black truffles worth more per gram than gold. The smell hits first, earthy, garlicky, impossible to fake.
August Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
The country's biggest science festival commandeers museums and parks for two weeks in mid-August. The Powerhouse Museum runs after-dark astronomy sessions where you can stare at Saturn's rings through professional scopes, while the Royal Botanic Garden leads nocturnal wildlife tours that reveal possums and flying foxes most tourists never spot.
The desert's sharp winter skies and zero light pollution make this the Southern Hemisphere's finest stargazing. Professional astronomers plant 14-inch telescopes at Ayers Rock Resort, and the Milky Way burns so bright you can catch its reflection in your coffee cup.
Packing Checklist
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Australia
Top-rated things to do in Australia this August
