Australia in January: Warm Weather & Clear Skies

Australia’s weather in January is typical of what we all imagine Ozzy weather to be year-round – hot. But as one of the largest countries in the world, temperatures across Australia in January differ from place to place. Cool ocean breezes mean cities like Sydney and Brisbane average 25°C, although heatwaves reaching into the high 30s are increasingly common. It can get very wet in Darwin and the far north during this month, while central locations such as Alice Springs and Uluru frequently hit temperatures of 40°C in the middle of the day, limiting the availability of trips to these locations.

For a seasonal overview, visit our guide on the best time to visit Australia.

• Guaranteed weather: Visit Australia in January and you can be all but sure of steady temperatures and clear skies, allowing you to add everything from skydives to hiking trips in the Blue Mountains to your itinerary.
• Warm seas: Sea temperatures off the southern coast of the country average 24°C during this time of year, so join the locals as they head to the beach for a swim, jet ski, and enjoy the rolling surf. Northern Queensland is very different, however, with box jellyfish preventing swimming except in hotel pools.
• Australian Open: One of the four big tennis grand slams of the year takes place in Melbourne in the second half of the month, attracting the biggest names in the sport.
• Australia Day: January 26 is Australia Day, a public holiday marking the landing of Britain’s First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788. Sydney sees boat races on this day, and there are special events across the country culminating in firework displays as good as any those during new year celebrations.
• Sydney Festival: Australia’s biggest arts festival takes place in January, bringing together music, dance, performance art, and circus action

Sydney has to be high on the list of places to visit in Australia in January because of its mix of festivals and beaches, including Bondi. Cross the Bass Strait to Tasmania and you will see a completely different side of Australian life, one that is centered around outdoor activities such as hiking and birdwatching. Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula offers the chance to sample the latest Australian vintages in the morning and chase colonies of penguins in the afternoon. It is also a great place to pick up a rental car to drive through the Great Ocean Road. Canberra’s streets can be hot, but its selection of museums is as cool as they come, both in ambiance and air-conditioning. Meanwhile, Ikara-Flinders National Park in South Australia will suit anyone seeking out the country’s rugged landscapes and provides habitats for gum trees, kangaroos, and koalas.

Australia in January sees the country hit its summer stride, with the south of the country in particular boasting temperatures ideal for outdoor adventures. It is, therefore, a great time to explore the coast, whether that is by car, on foot or by boat.

Contact our local travel experts to start planning your custom trip to Australia today, or browse through our pick of January tours in Australia.

Australia in December
Australia in February
Summer in Australia