Western Australia

Australia : Western Australia

Weather

In a state this big which could encompass several European countries, there’s a huge range of climates. In the tropical far north Kimberley the notion of a blazing fireplace overlooking a misty morning valley is as ridiculous as a dawn swim in the middle of winter in Busselton.

Go anywhere north of the Outback Coast area and there are two seasons - wet and dry. If you travel throughout the southwest and hinterland, you’ll notice more distinctive seasons.

Thankfully our summers are warm everywhere and WA is the perfect place for a holiday of swimming, fishing, diving and snorkelling, even along the far southern coasts of Albany and Esperance.

Summer
The best place to be in summer in WA is outdoors, whether it’s in the water or just enjoying the sunshine in a park or reserve. Get active, go extreme if you want to, but cover up with sunscreen - the sun above Western Australia is very harsh.

The far north is characterised by tropical storms in the evening and localised flooding. If Perth is baking, we all hope for the famous Fremantle Doctor to blow in.

Autumn
A lot of people find WA is at its best when the blazing summer is dying off. The tropics are green and alive, roads are opened up and peak season kicks off.

Down south, it’s the best time to trawl the wineries for a taste and few bottles from the cellar door sales. It’s the time to spend the days swimming and sightseeing and the nights having a barbeque or a scrumptious dinner out sampling the local seafood and produce.

Winter
The south takes on its charming character. Go gallery and winery-hopping or snuggle up by a fire at your lodge or at a restaurant. Put on some Wellies and go fishing off the coast.

Take a break from the rain at a cosy retreat down south or in the Perth Hills, or escape the cold altogether by going up to the far north where the dry season means endless blue skies and warm sunshine.

Very occasionally, they see snow on the ground at the tips of the Stirling Ranges, but WA is a warm weather state even in winter.

Spring
All across the wheatbelt, hinterland, tropics and goldfields, the state comes into a bloom of colour as the wildflowers come out and locals celebrate them with showings and festivals.

Most of the state is moderate and fresh after winter chills, and it’s still very cool down south at night. It’s a lovely time to travel along the south coast wineries and beaches or the outback coast and goldfields before the heat returns.

The rains start to build across the outback and north again and tourism to the area slows down.

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