Learn all about the weather in the Northern Territory before planning your next adventure.
Many travellers picture the area as a scorching hot land, with the sun beaming down with very little shade. But this is not always the case. With the area being so huge, the weather and temperature vary depending on where you are.
There are two distinct climates that make up the Northern Territory. One is in the tropical Top End, and the other is in the dry Red Centre.
How cold does it get in the Top End?
Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, and the Arnhem Land all have similar weather patterns. That is because they are all nestled within the top end of the Northern Territory. Instead of having four seasons, the area really only has two seasons. This is due to the area being a tropical climate.
Rather than having an ice-cold winter, the Top End has wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs between November and April. The wet season brings mild temperatures but higher humidity and a bucket-load of rainfall and monsoonal storms. Each year, the average rainfall is around 1,500 millimetres total. The average temperature during the wet season ranges from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius. Humidity can also reach 80% or higher, making it feel extra hot.
The dry season is between May to October and contains warm, sunny days and cool nights. During this time, humidity drops a bit and rainfall becomes scarce. The average temperature during this time ranges from 21 to 32 degrees celsius. Though this is similar to the temperature of the wet season, the humidity is only around 30%. This makes it much more comfortable for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
How cold does it get in Central Australia
Central Australia is made up of Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, the Barkly Tablelands and Uluru. This section has the four typical seasons of summer, autumn, winter and spring. Here you can expect extremely hot summer days and freezing cold winter nights. This usually surprises visitors, as iconic spots like Uluru are seen as a dry hot desert area. Although the days can be hot year round, once the sun sets, the temperatures can drop to even sub-zero numbers.
From December to February during the summer seasons, the average temperature ranges from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. From March to May in the fall season, the average temperature can range from 12 to 27 degrees Celsius. This is similar for the spring months from September to November. In the winter from June to August, the average temperature ranges between 3 to 20 degrees Celsius.
When is the best time to visit?
Choosing the right time of a year to explore the Northern Territory can be difficult as each area can vary. For best results, work out which area you will spend the majority of your time, and visit during the part’s best season.
For the Top End, the two seasons drastically change the landscape. This gives you a completely different experience depending on your choice of season. For the wet season, the landscape is lush, with plants bursting in greenery and rivers and waterfalls flooding. However, rain is common throughout this time, and can result in strong storms halting your outdoor activities. The heavy rain can also result in road closures, making certain parts of the Top End inaccessible.
The dry season is the busiest and coolest time to travel here. This is mainly because the humidity is lower and rain is rare. The lack of harsh weather creates a more comfortable climate for visitors. However, as it is the dry season, not as many plants are blooming, and crowds can swarm popular tourist sites.
Though it’s a great place to visit all year, the prime time for when to visit the Top End is August to September. This is the tail end of the dry season, promising beautiful days and quieter crowds. For Central Australia, nothing beats the temperatures between September and October.
Deciding on your ideal location or travel time dates can help you choose when to visit the incredible Northern Territory!
Related article: Why the Aboriginal Culture in Darwin, Northern Territory is so significant
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.