Australian summer is beach season — but the smart move is knowing which coasts shine in December–February and which to leave for the dry.
Summer in Australia runs December to February, peaking over the Christmas and January school holidays when the whole country heads for the water. It's the classic season for beaches, islands and the long days of the southern states.
One key tip: the tropical north (Cairns, Darwin, Broome) is in its hot, humid wet season over summer, with downpours and marine stingers — better saved for winter. The sweet spots in summer are the southern and eastern coasts, where the swimming is warm and the evenings are long. For the full coastal shortlist, see our guide to the best beaches in Australia.
Patrolled surf beaches, the Noosa National Park coastal walk and the calm waterways of the Maroochy and Mooloolaba make our home-state Sunshine Coast a summer family classic.
Warm but not tropical, with sea breezes taking the edge off the heat. Book early — January is peak.
Endless patrolled beaches, the surf at Burleigh and Snapper Rocks, and the theme parks make the Gold Coast the default Australian summer holiday for many families.
Hot and humid with afternoon storms, but the beach and the hinterland are always close.
Bondi, Manly and the harbour beaches, the coastal walks, and an outdoor calendar that runs from New Year's Eve fireworks through the festival season. Quintessential Australian summer.
Warm and busy; escape the crowds at the quieter northern and southern beaches.
When the mainland swelters, Tasmania offers cool, long summer days perfect for walking Freycinet, exploring the east coast and enjoying the island's food and wine in comfort.
The island's best and busiest season — book accommodation and Overland Track permits well ahead.
Long summer days are ideal for the great coastal drive past the Twelve Apostles, with swimming at Lorne and Apollo Bay and koalas at Kennett River along the way.
Warm but rarely extreme on the coast. See our road trips guide for the full route.
Some of the whitest sand and clearest, calmest water in the country, three hours south of Sydney — perfect for families and snorkelling over summer.
Very popular in January; arrive early for parking at Hyams Beach.
Surf beaches, caves and a celebrated wine region a few hours south of Perth, tempered by the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean breezes through summer.
Warm, dry and beautiful — peak season for the region's beaches and cellar doors.
Sea lions, kangaroos and quiet beaches make the island a relaxed summer escape, a short ferry from the mainland and far from the city crowds.
Warm and dry; the wildlife is best at dawn and dusk away from the midday heat.
Summer is the warm, quieter shoulder in the Whitsundays — still glorious for Whitehaven and the reef, with the trade-off of occasional rain and the need for a stinger suit in the water.
See our Whitsundays guide for what to do.
Perth's long white beaches and the car-free island of Rottnest, with its quokkas and clear bays, come into their own under reliable summer sun and the cooling afternoon 'Fremantle Doctor' sea breeze.
Hot and dry, but the coast and the breeze keep it comfortable.
Cooee Tours runs guided coastal touring across South East Queensland and beyond — we'll handle the driving and the bookings so you can enjoy the season.
See Queensland summer toursAustralian summer runs from December to February, with the peak holiday period over Christmas and the January school holidays. December and February are slightly quieter than the January peak.
The tropical north — Cairns, Darwin, Broome and the Top End — is in its hot, humid wet season over summer, with heavy rain, possible flooding and marine stingers in the water. It's better visited in winter, the dry season.
The southern and eastern coasts: the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, Sydney's beaches, Jervis Bay, the Great Ocean Road, Margaret River and Tasmania all offer warm-but-comfortable summer swimming away from the tropical wet.
Yes — summer is Tasmania's best and busiest season, with cool, long days ideal for walking, the east coast and the island's food and wine. Book accommodation and any track permits well in advance.
It varies hugely. Coastal cities are usually warm and humid, sea breezes keeping them comfortable, while inland and the outback can reach extreme heat. Always carry water, plan outdoor activity for the cooler parts of the day, and check heat warnings.
Summer is the most expensive and booked-out season of the year, so reserve accommodation, tours and any national-park campsites months ahead for the Christmas–January peak — early December and February are noticeably quieter and often better value. Wherever you go, the Australian sun is fierce in summer: cover up, carry water, and save strenuous activity for the cooler mornings and evenings.
If your heart is set on the tropical north or the reef, consider shifting your trip to winter instead, when the same regions enjoy their dry-season best. For the coastal shortlist that pairs with this guide, see our companion guides to the best beaches and best islands in Australia.
Cooee Tours acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise that the places described here hold deep cultural significance for the First Peoples who have cared for them for tens of thousands of years.