Things to Do in Australia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Australia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + Summer beach season kicks off with water at 24°C (75°F) along the east coast, warm enough to leave the wetsuit at home.
- + School holidays haven't started yet (they begin mid-December), so beaches stay quiet and accommodation rates remain decent until the 15th.
- + Stone fruits and mangoes hit their stride, roadside stalls between Sydney and Brisbane sell trays of Kensington Pride mangoes so juicy they run down your chin.
- + Christmas decorations turn city centers into light shows, Melbourne's Town Hall projection runs nightly, and Sydney's Martin Place tree towers 25 m (82 ft) high.
- − December 26-January 2 becomes the priciest window of the year, accommodation rates triple in coastal towns as Aussie families snap up every room.
- − Bushfire risk climbs from mid-month, the smell of smoke drifts through regional areas, and national parks can shut without warning.
- − Northern Australia enters 'build-up' season, Darwin hits 33°C (91°F) with 80% humidity, the kind of heat that makes air conditioning feel essential.
Year-Round Climate
How December 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 December
Top things to do during your visit
December's steady weather makes the 243 km (151 mile) Great Ocean Road trip ideal, morning fog clears by 9am, revealing the Twelve Apostles before the holiday traffic starts December 26th. The limestone cliffs burn orange in the low December sun, and southern right whales cruise past Apollo Bay through early December.
Northeast tradewinds deliver ideal sailing in December, temperatures hold at 26°C (79°F) on the water, and the harbour's 240 km (149 miles) of shoreline stays calm before school holidays. You'll photograph the Opera House from the water without January's ferry chaos.
December signals Western Australia's wine harvest, vineyards hum with activity while cellar doors stay comfortable at 22°C (72°F). The region's cabernet sauvignon grapes hit perfect sugar levels this month, and most wineries run harvest tours that vanish after January.
Pre-monsoon conditions deliver perfect walking weather, 28°C (82°F) days with less humidity than the February-March wet season. The 125 million-year-old forest drips with morning condensation, and cassowaries move about more before the serious heat arrives.
December brings Tasmania's most reliable weather, Cradle Mountain peaks at 18°C (64°F) with only 8 rainy days expected. The Overland Track's alpine wildflowers bloom this month, and you'll meet more wombats than people on side trails.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Boxing Day (December 26) turns Sydney Harbour into a spectator circus as 100+ yachts race 628 nautical miles south. Mrs Macquarie's Point delivers the best view by 11am, pack a picnic and arrive early for harbourfront spots.
Aussies fill parks nationwide for outdoor Christmas concerts, Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl hosts the original since 1938, where 10,000 people wave battery candles while singing carols under eucalyptus trees.
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 December
