When is Autumn in Australia? (State-by-State Details)

Autumn in Australia is from March to May. Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are flipped, meaning autumn in Australia falls at the same time as spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Some people may also quote the astronomical start of Autumn as being the 21st March, which is when the vernal equinox happens (day and night are the same length), though it is more traditionally accepted that Autumn is all the months of March, April and May,

Related: Australian Summer | Australian Winter | Australian Spring

What Does Autumn Feel Like In Australia?

Australia is a huge country with multiple climates, so Autumn can feel different across the country.

Up north in Darwin, they only really have two seasons – the wet season from November to April with the dry season from May to October. In the Australian autumn month from March to May the temperatures range from 22-33°C (71-92°F), with an average of 16 days of rain in March at the end of the wet season, dropping to only one day of rain in May.

In the east in Brisbane, the temperatures range from 15-25°C (59-77°F) in autumn, with very little rain and low humidity

Down south, on the mainland in Melbourne, it is very different, with temperatures in the 11– 20°C (52 – 68°F) range. There are an average of five days of rain in March rising to eight in May, with the rest of the days often sunny, after the morning mists have burned off.

In the most southerly capital, Hobart, on the island state of Tasmania, things get even colder at 9-17°C (48-63°F), with an average of six days of rainfall in each month. Given the next stop south is Antarctica, it’s probably not a surprise it gets so cold!

Out west in Perth, it can be humid with occasional storms, and temperatures ranging from 14-26°C (57-79°F).

In the red centre at Alice Springs, there are warm days, and cool nights with weather ranging from 12-27°C (54–81°F). It is considered one of the best times to visit this part of the country.

Do the Indigenous Calendars Recognise Autumn?

This is a very difficult question to answer quickly, as there are over 250 mobs (tribes) of indigenous people in Australia, with most areas having their own calendars which are based around local weather and food cycles.

For example, the Yolgnu people in the north-east of the country, recognise six seasons (versus the two seasons of wet and dry that Europeans see). The traditional months of autumn would be split into three, with March falling into Gurnmul, the main wet season, March and April in Mirdawarr, the end of wet season, and May into Dhaaratharramirri characterised by being drier and with winds coming from the east.

As another example, the Nyoongar people in the southwest of Australia also recognise six seasons. March falls into Bunuru, the second summer, which is the hottest part of the year. April and May fall into Djeran, known as the season of adulthood, when the cooler weather begins.

So yes, indigenous calendars do recognise autumn, but often it is split up differently to western calendars, and you will find unique interpretations in each part of the country.