Australia’s autumn
Experience the lively festivals and changing hues as the temperatures decrease in Australia’s autumn.
By Allie Metz
Autumn in most regions of Australia is from March through May. The Tropical North’s rainy season stretches into April and many tourist sites may be closed for the season, making May a better time to plan your vacation to the Kimberley area or Darwin.
Cairns and The Whitsundays may be battered with tropical storms during this season, although the Southern Great Barrier Reef is not normally impacted.
In the south of Australia, autumn provides milder days with occasional rain. There are many fascinating festivals and activities happening during this season, giving it an excellent opportunity to tour our major cities or go to our wine regions for a vintage celebration.
While fall is normally a nice and uncrowded time to come, be mindful that the Easter holiday season (various dates between March and April) may frequently mean local families are having a vacation.
Check the local school holidays calendar for further information about break periods.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN AUSTRALIA’S AUTUMN
Get your gastronomic fix in Melbourne
Melbourne is well-known for its culinary culture, making it a food lover’s heaven. Autumn is a perfect time to indulge with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival occurring in the city and the Grampians Grape Escape taking place only three hours west of Melbourne.
For cultural vultures, go out the Melbourne Fashion Festival or the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. If sport is more your thing, the F1 Grand Prix will get your motor rolling while the Rip Curl Pro is staged at Bells Beach along the Great Ocean Road.
Head out on the Great Southern Touring Route for a six-day road tour featuring magnificent vistas, local animals and beautiful villages. You’ll take in the 12 Apostles, Grampians National Park and ancient Ballarat.
Combine gastronomic pleasures with nature when you drive to the Yarra Valley and north via Marysville to view the changing fall colors.
See Canberra change colour
In Canberra, fall is distinguished by the shifting of the leaves. Take a walk down the shores of Lake Burley Griffin to view the colours reflected in the lake and have a hot glass of mulled wine at a pop-up wine bar (locations change) (locations vary).
You may also travel to the National Arboretum to shoot shots of the birch woodland as it turns from green to brilliant reds and oranges. See it all from up high in a hot air balloon above the city, taking in the sights as the sun rises over Australia’s capital city.
Enlighten Festival begins annually in March with illuminations projected onto famous structures and trademark activities such as the Canberra Balloon Spectacular.
Watch turtles hatch in the Southern Great Barrier Reef
While Cairns and the Whitsundays may be suffering tropical storms, the Southern Great Barrier Reef is normally far enough south not to be impacted.
It’s also the end of turtle hatching season here, so tourists can enjoy seeing little turtles run from their nests out to sea. Visit Lady Elliot Island, Heron Island or Mon Repos Beach to observe the spectacular spectacle.
While you’re at Mon Repos, make sure to visit Bundaberg Rum for a distillery tour or a Blend Your Own Rum experience.
Join the celebrations in Adelaide
Known as the festival city, Adelaide offers fascinating events going throughout the year.
Autumn is particularly exciting with the Adelaide Fringe Festival and WOMADelaide on in the city, while around the state you’ll find events like Tasting Australia and Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend giving foodies the chance to taste incredible produce, culinary creations and world-class wine from the region.
The Adelaide Hills area, about 45 minutes east of the city, is the perfect spot for fall foliage. Whether you are wandering through vineyards or enjoying a drive over twisting roads adorned with deciduous trees, the Hills are full of colour.
Spend a day in beautiful Hahndorf savoring wine and local foods or luxuriate in the season in the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.
Take a car trip in Tasmania
An fall road trip across Tasmania is the best opportunity to explore the stunning scenery as the colours change right before your eyes.
One of the most remarkable occurrences is known as the ‘turning of the Fagus’. A joy for nature lovers and photographers, there’s only a small window when the Tasmanian Deciduous Beech tree transitions from green to bright reds, oranges and golds.
Take the simple two-hour Loop Track trek in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, which encircle Dove Lake and goes through several spots of Fagus. With fewer people than in summer, fall is also a perfect season to explore Tassie attractions such as Freycinet, Wineglass Bay and Bay of Fires.
Journey across the bush on a luxurious train from Darwin
Heading to the Northern Territory at the end of fall will correspond with the start of the dry season, providing for better weather.
March marks the commencement of the Ghan Expedition, an epic four-day, three-night luxury train ride from Darwin to Adelaide (or vice versa) (or vice versa). It’s the ideal way to discover some of the most isolated and compelling sites in the Australian outback, all while travelling in absolute luxury.
You may also spend a few days visiting the Tiwi Islands in March to enjoy the culturally important Australian Football League (AFL) grand final game and art auction.
It’s a beautiful community where 90 per cent of inhabitants are of Aboriginal heritage. Learn about their history, see their stunning paintings or have an incredible fishing excursion.
Celebrate in style in Sydney
As the weather begins to drop, Sydney starts to heat up with exciting events and festivals. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras concludes in its colourful and fantastic street parade on the first Saturday in March, while families will enjoy the animals, cuisine and displays at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Vivid Sydney comes underway in May with an intriguing line up of performances and lectures to complement the magnificent projections and light displays that change the city. Head one hour west to visit the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah to witness the maples change russet, copper and gold.
Head to the beach in Western Australia
There are some interesting things going on and offshore in Western Australia, making fall a fantastic time to enjoy the colder weather.
Start in Perth and discover the beachfront communities of Fremantle and Cottesloe. March is a special time at Cottesloe Beach as it is turned into a temporary sculpture park for the Sculpture by the Sea display.
Head north along the Coral Coast to Exmouth for the start of whale shark season to swim with the wonderful gentle giants. Alternatively, travel to Bremer Bay in the southwest part of the state to observe the greatest assembly of Orca whales in the southern hemisphere.
You may join a daily research boat excursion to view these extremely intriguing species.
Get outside in Queensland’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
The weather conditions from Byron Bay up to the Sunshine Coast are normally moderate in October, but the water temperatures stay warm, making it excellent for a swim or surf lesson.
It’s also the place to be for thrilling events like the Quiksilver Pro surfing competition and the Blues on Broadbeach music festival on the Gold Coast, Noosa Eat & Drink Festival on the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay’s Bluesfest.
Enjoy uncrowded beaches, browse for homemade crafts or locally produced products at the Eumundi Markets or visit Australia Zoo, home of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his family. If you’re seeking to get intimate, come to the hinterland for lush rolling hills, tough walks and breathtaking mountain vistas.
Topic: Australia’s autumn
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I am arguably the most popular Australian writer of all time. I am from the town of Karrinyup in rural Western Australia. When I was young, I was fascinated by the unique landscape of Australia, and I decided to support himself by writing books about the Australian landscape.
