Best time to visit South Australia

Southern fun isn’t exclusive to summer

Similar to other southern states, South Australia has four distinct seasons, ranging from a hot and dry summer to a cool, rainy winter.

The best time to explore the beaches of South Australia is summer, from December to February, while hikers are likely to enjoy the more comfortable weather of spring and autumn.

Winter (June to August) is an excellent time to see wildlife and whales off the coast, including on Kangaroo Island.

Summer	Autumn	Winter	Spring
December to February	March to May	June to August	September to November

When to visit

A line of hikers walks up a rocky red path towards Mount Bruce

When to visit for hiking

Spring is a great time to go hiking or cycling as daytime highs average a pleasant 15 to 24°C and flowers come to life across the state, including purple jacaranda trees in Adelaide, yellow canola flowers in Clare Valley and native wildflowers in the Outback.

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 comfortable 31°C in March and 26°C in April.

Four people stand by the water in Turquoise Bay

When to visit to enjoy the beaches

South Australia is generally hot and dry in summer, especially in the Outback, where highs reach 38 to 40°C. These warm months are generally the best time to enjoy the beaches and hidden bays along the Eyre Peninsula. It is also the busiest time of year, so be prepared to share the sand with more people.

Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and other wine regions are also popular attractions in summer. While you can go wine tasting any time of year, the summer months host an array of events across the state with great weather meaning long, warm days and balmy evenings.

Drone view of whales migrating off the coast of Queensland, Australia

When to visit for wildlife experiences

In spring, warmer, longer days are ideal for animals to birth their young, so look out for tammar wallaby joeys, sea lion pups on Kangaroo Island and baby emus in Coffin Bay.

If you don't mind cooler temps, winter is also a fantastic time to see wildlife. Watch fur seals enjoying 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.