Planning a holiday to Australia in May? Well, good on you! We are here to help you!
Boasting world-class cities like Sydney and Melbourne, dazzling beaches like Bondi and enchanting natural wonders like Uluru, Kakadu and the Outback, it is not difficult to see why the country is one of the world’s leading holiday destinations.
Throw in incredible food, fascinating wildlife, great weather, excellent transport links and a thriving nightlife scene, and you’ve got somewhere pretty special to visit.
But when is the best time to go?
In this article, we will outline why visiting Australia in May is a very good idea. So let’s get into it!
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Weather in Australia in May
Before we dive into the weather in Australia in May, it’s important to understand that Australia is a very big country and there are different climates.
The southern part of the country is known for its oceanic climate whereas the northern part is tropical. This means that one month can be a good time to visit one part but not the other one.
In Australia, May is the last month before winter comes. So for much of the country, the temperatures start to get cooler, bordering on cold.
Sydney tends not to suffer too much, with average high temperatures in May being around 20°C (68°F). However, other major cities in the south, like Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart, are several degrees cooler during the day and can get a bit chilly at night.
By contrast, both Perth and Brisbane remain pretty warm, which is why many Australians and New Zealanders visit those places in May,
Up in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, this month is part of the dry season.
As its name suggests, there is very little rain at this time, and temperatures are still nice and warm during the day. In Darwin, the average high daytime temperature is 32° C (89° F).
Many visitors find the dry heat in these destinations much more manageable in May than in the other months when the humidity can be quite overbearing.
In terms of rain, you might get some in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth at this time of the year. But not so much in the rest of the state capital cities.
Reasons to visit Australia in May
There are several compelling reasons to visit Australia in May.
For a start, it represents late autumn which is the shoulder season.
As children are still in school at this time, the cost of international and internal flights, as well as hotel accommodation tends to be much cheaper than during the school holidays. So you should be able to save quite a bit of money.
As it is the dry season, May is the perfect time to visit the Northern Territories and Far North Queensland.
The enchanting vibrant red colours of the outback are also at their best. While most of the country’s beaches, rainforests and snowy alps are picture perfect and pristine.
During May, you also get to see spectacular sunrises and sunsets in Australia, as well as crystal-clear views of the stars at night – particularly in its regional areas.
As a bonus, should you visit any of the country’s main tourist attractions, you will also find visitor numbers and queuing times are significantly reduced.
What to pack to visit Australia in May
What to pack when holidaying in Australia in May depends very much on where you intend to go.
For instance, if you are heading to the Northern Territory, Western Australia or Far North Queensland, you will almost only need to bring warm-weather clothes.
The chances are you will be in shorts and a t-shirt for much of the day.
Although long pants and tops are not a bad idea to avoid sunburn. With that in mind, you will also want to bring plenty of sunscreen with you. Don’t forget your flip-flops as well (which are called thongs in Australia).
If you are planning on visiting the outback and going to Uluru, it will be a good idea to take a warm fleece for the evenings as well. The temperatures in the desert get very high during the day but can also drop a lot at night.
Elsewhere in the country and especially in regional areas, it would be prudent to bring some warmer clothes with you.
These may include jeans, cargo, dresses, socks and tights. It is a good idea to have a jumper, jacket or hoodie on hand, particularly for nighttime.
A good tip for visiting Australia in May is not to overpack. There are plenty of affordable clothes and op shops wherever you go. So you can also buy any additional items of clothing on a needs basis when you get there.
Best Places to visit in Australia in May
Having decided to visit Australia in May, you are probably wondering where you should go. Here are our recommendations for some of the best places to visit.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is a terrific place to visit all year round. But it is especially good in May which is the start of the dry season. At this time, all roads should be easily accessible, even without a 4WD, and most tourist sites will be open.
Spread across an area of 19,816 km², this huge biodiverse nature reserve in the Northern Territory is blessed with outstanding natural beauty.
Features a jaw-dropping mix of rivers, wetlands and rugged sandstone escarpments, it is home to over 2000 different species of plants. It is also a natural habitat for several breeds of birds, as well as flatback turtles and saltwater crocodiles.
One of the main features of the park is its Aboriginal rock paintings which date back to prehistoric times. These are best viewed at Ubirr, Nanguluwur and Nourlangie.
Uluru
Like Kakadu, Uluru is a must-visit destination.
Situated in the heart of the ‘Red Centre’, within the Northern Territories, it comprises a huge sandstone monolith that has an elevation of 863 metres and a prominence of 348 metres.
A sacred site to indigenous Australians, it is believed to be over 550 million years old. Nestled within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the closest large town from it is Alice Springs, which is about 450 km away.
May is a very good time to visit Uluru because the temperature during the day tends to max out around 20°C and 30°C. It makes for cooler conditions to view it, and there is little chance of rain.
Cairns
Up in Far North Queensland, Cairns is regarded as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
May is a terrific time to visit the city as the weather is pretty much perfect.
With the wet season well and truly finished and temperatures still warm and low in humidity, conditions for visiting the Great Barrier Reef or other islands like the Whitsundays and Daydream Island are excellent.
One of the main features of Cairns is its Esplanade, which is lined with bars, restaurants and shops.
It also has an attractive, man-made lagoon to swim in and a fascinating indigenous history related to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
READ MORE: Visiting Cairns in May: Weather, Best Places to Visit, Travel Tips and More
Flinders Ranges
Located about a five-hour drive from Adelaide, Flinders Ranges National Park is renowned for its rugged mountainous terrain, idyllic tree-filled gorges and sheltered creeks.
As it offers several miles of trails for hiking, the month of May is a terrific time to tackle them. Temperatures tend to max out at 20°C (68°F), which makes them much less challenging to traverse.
During this time, the scenery also tends to be a lot more lush and pristine, which makes for a better viewing experience. While the roads are generally easier to travel on to visit the various heritage-
listed sites scattered around the park.
Karijini National Park
Formerly known as the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park is another destination that showcases Australia’s incredible and beautiful terrain.
Situated 80 km north-east of Tom Price and around 1,500 km from Perth, it is Western Australia’s second biggest national park, sprawling for 6,274 km²,
The park is notable for its waterfalls, gorges, lookout points and several waterholes dotted around its canyons. Most of which are perfect for enjoying a refreshing dip.
During May, the days tend to be quite mild in temperature, ranging between 24°C and 28 °C. It makes for more pleasant conditions to explore the wonders of Karijini than at other times of the year.
Broome
Over in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the beach resort town of Broome is the perfect destination for exploring this stunning region.
Home to the breathtaking 22km stretch of Cable Beach, where the iconic camel rides at sunset take place, you can also check out the famous dinosaur tracks at Gantheaume Point during low tide.
Broome is also home to a historic and bustling Chinatown, which is perched above picturesque Roebuck Bay. Which itself is a departure point for cruises that take you out to local pearl farms.
In May, the temperature here tends to hover at a pleasant mid to late 20 degrees. Humidity is low, and the skies are usually clear blue.
Brisbane
If you need some Vitamin D, then Brisbane is a terrific city to visit in May.
The sun usually shines during the day, and there is very little rain. So you can explore the city on foot, in comfort, pretty much all day.
While it might live in the shadow of Melbourne and Sydney, Queensland’s capital has plenty going for it at this time of year.
Its iconic Brisbane River looks beautiful, while the flowers and plant species at Brisbane Botanic Gardens are vibrant too.
The city is also rich in culture, with the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre and Queensland Gallery of Modern Art being major attractions. While the cafes, bars and man-made beach at South Bank, as well as its legendary casino, draw plenty of visitors too.
Darwin
If you plan to visit Darwin, make sure you do it in May because otherwise, you might struggle with its intense heat and humidity.
During this month, the temperature is significantly cooler, topping in the mid to late 20 degrees, and humidity levels are only about 50 to 60%.
At this time, most of Darwin’s main events, like the Darwin Festival and Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, are in full swing.
Its attractive waterfront area also has several green spaces, like the beautiful Bicentennial Park and several beaches to relax in too.
Shaped by its diverse population, the food scene in Darwin is exceptional. It also has its fair share of cultural landmarks, including the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Sydney
If you can only visit one city in Australia, then make it Sydney. (Shhh! Don’t tell the Melbournians).
Contrary to popular myth, Sydney is not the capital of Australia – that is Canberra. However, it is arguably its best.
Housing iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, the likes of Circular Quay and Darling Harbour are major waterside hubs.
The city is full of museums, galleries, bars, restaurants and cafes. It also has some of the hottest nightclubs and the best shops and hotels in the country.
While the weather in Sydney in May is colder than in many parts of Australia, it is not too different from Europe. So it shouldn’t impact your visit in any way.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is busy all year round, but during May, the frenzy isn’t quite as mad. The weather is also much more manageable – still warm, but just not as overbearing.
So it is a great time to visit any of Queensland’s premier beachside destinations.
Surfer’s Paradise, Broadbeach, Miami and Burleigh are all magnificent at this time of year, and the surf is good too. Away from the water, the bars and nightclubs are still pumping, and the cafes and restaurants still serve terrific food.
You can also secure some excellent resort-style accommodations for substantially reduced prices than they are available in the summer.
The queues at the Seaworld, Wet’n’Wild, Movieworld and Dreamworld theme parks will also be less.
Exmouth
Situated on the North West Cape of Western Australia is the small resort town of Exmouth.
Seen as the gateway to Ningaloo Marine Park, it is a terrific place to stay for those who want to enjoy the wonders of nature.
In May, migratory whale sharks can be spotted in this area. It is also where the coral reefs and colourful fish seem to be at their most vibrant.
Nearby, Cape Range National Park is home to lots of kangaroos and stunning jagged, red gorges and sheer cliffs that are a joy to walk on and photograph.
Meanwhile, the Jurabi Coastal Reserve features beaches, fascinating tidal rock pools and areas that serve as marine turtle nesting grounds.
The Grampians
Over in Victoria, the Grampians National Park is a spectacular reserve that showcases some of Australia’s finest examples of nature.
Renowned for its arresting sandstone mountains and gorgeous wildflowers, the park is resplendent with colour in May.
During this month, you should spot a diverse range of wildlife, including wallabies and echidnas. You can also walk around in comfortable weather conditions during the day – not too hot or cold.
For those fascinated by Aboriginal rock art and history, the local village of Halls Gap showcases some excellent examples at the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Several trails within the park lead to lookouts like the Balconies, which showcase the magnificent Victoria Range, and water, such as the rampaging MacKenzie Falls.
Port Douglas
When visiting Cairns, make sure you take the hour-long drive up to Port Douglas.
A relaxed, tropical town residing on the Coral Sea, Port Douglas is a convenient base to explore two natural wonders that are UNESCO World Heritage-listed.
The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest are two places every visitor to Australia to see, and May is as good a time as any, given that it is the dry and shoulder season.
Notwithstanding, Port Douglas is an excellent destination in its own right. It features a plethora of luxury resorts and a fantastic dining scene.
It also houses the magnificent, palm tree-lined Four Mile Beach. Which is the exact kind of place you would have been dreaming of during those dreary winter days in the office when your work felt at its most mundane.
Events taking place in Australia in May
In any given city or regional area, there will be a host of events taking place in Australia in May.
Arguably the biggest is the Vivid Sydney Winter Festival, which is a celebration of music, ideas and lights.
During this time, buildings like the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and Customs House are illuminated. There are also musical performances, conferences, creative talks and workshops to enjoy.
Also in the Emerald City, the Sydney Writers’ Festival takes place across 400 literary-inspired talks, performances, workshops and readings.
Elsewhere, the Brisbane Street Art Festival and the Captain Cook 1770 Festival (which takes place in the numerical town) are notable events in Queensland.
The Ningaloo Whaleshark Festival also takes place in Exmouth, Western Australia, to welcome the captivating mammals that arrive in the Ningaloo Reef.
While the Wide Open Space festival is a major celebration of music, art and culture in the Northern Territories.
In terms of music festivals, those with Scottish roots might want to check out the Australian Celtic Festival in Glenn Innes, NSW.
Similarly, meat lovers should check out Meatstock Sydney, which is a music and barbecue festival.
Up East, the Bass in the Grass takes place in several locations, while Blues on Broadbeach is a popular event on the Gold Coast.
The Sydney Comedy Festival is also a ‘must-visit’, for those who want a laugh.
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