From the Outback to lush wine regions, South Australia has diverse landscapes and weather patterns, and so the best time to visit depends on what you want to see and do.
If you want to explore the state’s gorgeous beaches, summer (December-February) is when to do it as the weather is hot, dry and sunny. The best season for foodies and wine lovers is early autumn (March-April) when vintage celebrations take over wine country.
Winter (June-August) is an excellent time to see wildlife and whales off the coast, while spring is a popular season for hiking and bushwalking as it's not too hot and native wildflowers are in bloom.
Here’s our seasonal guide to travel in South Australia to help you plan your trip.
Spring (September-November)
Best for: hiking, cycling, wildflowers, and wildlife
With daytime highs averaging a pleasant 15-24°C, spring is a great time to go hiking or cycling. Nature flourishes in spring, with purple jacaranda trees lining Adelaide’s parks and roads, carpets of yellow canola flowers in Clare Valley and rows of almond blossoms in Willunga. Bushwalkers in Ikara-Flinders Ranges will also be treated to a pretty display of native wildflowers, including fringe lilies, fringe myrtle and guinea flowers.
Spring is also a good time to see native wildlife. The warmer, longer days are ideal for animals to birth their young, so look out for gorgeous tammar wallaby joeys and sea lion pups on Kangaroo Island, and fluffy baby emus in Coffin Bay.
Summer (December-February)
Best for: beaches, festivals, and summer nights in wine country
South Australia is generally hot and dry in summer. With sizzling temperatures, particularly in the Outback where highs reach 38-40°C, summer is the best time of year to enjoy the hidden bays along the Eyre Peninsula or bathe in the clear waters on the Fleurieu Coast. It is the busiest time of year, so be prepared to share the sand with more people.
There's also a real buzz in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and other wine regions. You can go wine tasting any time of year, but it’s hard to top watching the sunset with a glass of vino on a balmy evening. The festival calendar is also jam-packed — including the Adelaide Fringe (the biggest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere) in mid-February to mid-March.
Autumn (March-May)
Best for: hiking, bushwalking, cycling, and festivals
Early autumn offers warm weather and smaller crowds on the beaches. If you like hiking but don’t enjoy the heat, autumn may be a better time to visit the Ikara-Flinders Ranges as temperatures drop to a more bearable 31°C in March, and 26°C in April.
Festival fun continues into autumn with WOMAdelaide and Adelaide Writers’ Week. Vintage season, AKA the harvesting of grapes, also takes place in March and April. This is one of the busiest and liveliest seasons in wine country with plenty of celebrations dotted around each region.
Winter (June-August)
Best for: smaller crowds, whale watching, fur seals, hiking Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Winter days are typically mild and wet with average highs of 15°C. It's even cooler in the Outback and the Adelaide Hills, particularly at night and early morning. The cool weather is all the more reason to sit in cosy cellar doors with a glass of red.
If you don't mind cooler temps, winter is a fantastic time to see wildlife. Watch fur seals basking in the winter sun on Kangaroo Island, or head to the Flinders Ranges to see wallabies, kangaroos and emus grazing near creeks and waterholes. Humpbacks and southern right whales can also be spotted off the coast between May and November as they migrate from Antarctica to birth their calves.
Learn about the best time to visit Kangaroo Island
Learn about the best time to visit Barossa Valley
Learn about the best time to visit Clare Valley
Our South Australia tours
11 Days
From
3022
Take an Aussie road trip from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road, Ballarat, Apollo Bay,...
5 Days
From
1607
Explore the famous wine region of South Australia including Barossa Valley and Clare...
6 Days
From
1520
Explore South Australia’s famed wine regions the best way – on a 6-day cycling...
10 Days
From
2572
Explore the South Australian outback on a 10-day small group tour which includes Coober...
5 Days
From
1485
Spend five incredible days discovering the natural and cultural wonders of South...
9 Days
From
2208
Spend nine days exploring South Australia’s stunning Eyre Peninsula, from Adelaide to...
6 Days
From
1518
Follow much of the Great Southern Touring Route on this 6-day road trip that explores...
2 Days
From
1060
Enjoy a Short Break Adventure from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and see fur seals, birds...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
5 Days
From
1811
Explore Kangaroo Island on a scenic 5-day adventure that follows the Kangaroo Island...
7 Days
From
1607
Get a taste of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges on a 7-day adventure, including...
7 Days
From
2584
Set off on a six-day adventure through the Flinders Ranges, joining a local leader and...