Spring in Australia

When is Spring in Australia?

Spring in Australia is the three transitional months of September, October and November, starting on the 1st of September, through to the 30th of November. As with the spring in the northern hemisphere, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. That said, with Australia being such a large land mass, there is a noticeable difference between the north and south coast regions in terms of the range of daylight and nighttime hours, particularly in Tasmania.

There are two equinoxes within a year, an equinox being when the sun crosses the celestial equator. In layman's terms, it's the point where daylight and night are equal in length. In Australia, the 'vernal equinox', or spring equinox occurs roughly 22nd to 23rd of September.

What's spring weather like in Australia?

Spring in Australia is characterised by warm days and cool nights, with lower humidity of than in summer. Expect average temperatures of roughly 11°C to 23°C (51.8°F to 73.4°F for our American friends).

Combined with comfortable temperatures, the typically dry weather means you can enjoy the coastal regions during this time. See tides and weather in Australia.

Expect average sea temperatures of 12.3°C (54.1°F). While quite brisk, you can typically enjoy activities in the sea, with stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and surfing being popular pastimes.

Things to do by the sea in Australia in spring

There's tonnes to do during spring in Australia, particularly by or on the sea. Here's a breakdown of some of the activities and where to do them during spring in Australia:

Surfing

Nothing embodies Australia's outdoor culture like surfing, and spring is no exception. Although the sea is cooler, you can comfortably surf during spring in Australia. Mid to late Spring brings ideal temperatures, calming weather and warmer seas which makes this a popular pastime for Aussies.

There's a plethora of places you can enjoy surfing in Australia during spring, including (but of course, not limited to) Noosa World Surfing Reserve and Surfer's Paradise in Queensland. Victoria has your back with Torquay and Bells Beach. In and around Sydney, there's Bondi Beach, Freshwater, Manly, Cronulla, Narrabeen and Maroubra. Finally, Western Australia offers terrific spring surfing in the Margaret River region, Perth, Fremantle and Albany.

Snorkelling and Diving

Australia's coastline is home to breathtaking reefs and underwater topology, meaning you often don't need a boat to enjoy snorkelling during spring in Australia. As with surfing, it's best enjoyed during the latter half of spring, thanks to the warmer waters and calmer weather.

Stand-up Paddleboarding

Being on the water rather than in it (if your skills allow), stand-up paddleboarding can be enjoyed throughout springtime in Australia. Wategos Beach in Byron Bay is a popular destination for stand-up paddleboarding, owing to its sheltered location that brings calmer seas. Typically, you'll be wearing a wetsuit, so even if you do end up in the water, the cooler sea temperatures won't be too much of a shock.

Kite Surfing

A popular sport within Australia's rich beach scene, and one that's not for the faint-hearted, early Spring is an ideal time to catch the winds for kite surfing. As with SUP, being wetsuit-equipped certainly helps for those moments when you're plunging into the relatively cooler seas.

Cairns, Margaret River and the Gold Coast, along with Sydney’s Botany Bay are known to have those desirable windy conditions to surf under sail.

Conclusion

Australia's coastal regions have a lot to offer for those by the sea throughout spring. Enjoying a climate of calmer weather and warmer temperatures, it's really no wonder why Aussies love the water. Remember, always check the tide times and weather when taking to the beach this spring.