Plan your next trip to beautiful South Australia with our complete seasonal guide for the best time to visit Adelaide!
Any season is a good time to visit Adelaide, thanks to its Mediterranean climate and year-round buzz.
As the capital of South Australia, Adelaide is deeply cosmopolitan. But compared to all the Australian capitals, it’s the most compact.
You can get to its beautiful beaches from the nearby mountains with a quick drive. Add to this mild weather, with average temperatures that rarely exceed 29°C, and you get a place tailor-made for outdoor activities.
Fun events cram the city’s calendar throughout the year, and most attractions are open all seasons. So, there’s always something to enjoy, no matter what time you visit Adelaide.
But to make the most of your holiday, plan your trip according to what experience you’re after. With that said, here’s a guide on the best time to visit Adelaide!
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When is the Best Time to Visit Adelaide?
The best time to visit Adelaide is during the shoulder seasons, spring or autumn. You can sidestep the high-season crowd and expensive hotel rates that come with it.
Adelaide weather is pleasantly cool during the shoulder seasons, with average temperatures of 12-22°C. The chance of rainfall is very little to none.
While March is part of autumn, it’s super busy as many events happen this month. You can avoid Adelaide at this time if you’re hoping for fewer tourists and better deals.
Summer has the most visitors, with many flocking to the beach or enjoying the holidays. But hotel and flight prices often skyrocket during this season.
Winter is the least crowded and has the cheapest rates. It’s the best time to visit Adelaide if you want to stick to a strict budget.
Summer in Adelaide (December to February)
The Adelaide weather in summer is warm and dry. Average temperatures range between 25°C and 29°C but may go as high as 35°C, though rarely.
While some places in Australia experience very humid summers, the Adelaide region remains cool even at the height of the season. In fact, Adelaide has the lowest humidity compared to any other Australian city.
Summer gets a lot of daylight as well, with early sunrises and sunsets as late as 8:30 pm.
The city bustles with visitors in summer, the peak season. Accommodations are pricey and fill up quickly, so book your summer trip in advance!
Read more: The Ultimate Melbourne To Adelaide Road Trip
Top things to do during summer in Adelaide
Summer is best for visiting the beaches. At Glenelg Beach, you can sunbathe, swim, watch sunsets, and join water sports. Brighton is a great choice for families, with its calm waters and great amenities.
Maslin is a bit farther from the city centre, but is also quieter. Port Noarlunga has some of the best diving spots in South Australia.
Grape harvest season starts in late summer, making the season ideal for visiting wineries in Adelaide Hills or McLaren Vale. You can even combine a day at the beach with a wine-tasting tour.
If you love festivals, you’re in luck. The city hosts the Santos Tour Down Under, a highly anticipated cycling race in January.
February celebrates the Adelaide Fringe Festival, touted as the biggest arts fest in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring over 7,000 local and international artists.
Autumn in Adelaide (March to May)
With an average temperature of 22°C, autumn is excellent for spending time outdoors. Because it’s a shoulder season, the city isn’t too busy, at least after March.
Festival-packed March (locally called Mad March) is known for its influx of visitors and costly hotel rates. From April onwards, however, crowds begin to thin out, and prices drop.
Read more: The Perfect 3 Days In Adelaide Itinerary
Top things to do during autumn in Adelaide
If you love festivals, March is a fabulous time to visit Adelaide. The Adelaide Fringe continues, culminating in mid-March. Other fun events are the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Writer’s Week, and WOMADelaide, a four-day music festival. For sports lovers, there’s the Adelaide 500, a racing match for supercars.
Adelaide calms down after March. You can visit its top attractions, like the Adelaide Zoo and the Cleland Wildlife Park, sans the crowds.
Autumn is also the peak of the grape harvest season, making it a great time to see Adelaide’s wine regions. Adelaide Hills is only 15 minutes from the city centre! If you’re up for a road trip, Coonawarra, a four-hour drive away, offers some of the best red wines in Australia.
Visit Adelaide in April to experience the Barossa Vintage Festival, known for its food and wine exhibits, farmers markets, live music, and grape stomping contests. However, you can drop by Barossa Valley anytime in autumn on a wine-sampling tour.
Winter in Adelaide (June to August)
Adelaide has mild winters with temperatures ranging between 8-16°C. June is the wettest month and has the least hours of daylight.
As winter is the off-season, Adelaide doesn’t get many visitors. Prices are low, and it’s easy for you to snatch good deals.
Top things to do during winter in Adelaide
Winter is a popular time for cultural and historical sightseeing in Adelaide.
Visit the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum, or the MOD at the University of South Australia.
Wander around the Adelaide Central Market or head to Adelaide Hills for a luxurious day at a spa. Architecture lovers will enjoy exploring the Adelaide Library, Holy Trinity Church, and Edmund Wright House.
Adelaide hosts the Cabaret Festival and Gin Festival in June. The Beer and Barbeque Festival happens in July and the South Australian Living Artists Festival in August.
Spring in Adelaide (September to November)
Spring months bring sunny weather, rare rainfall, and blooming landscapes to Adelaide. It’s ideal for sightseeing and exploring the outdoors.
During this shoulder season, airfare and hotel prices stay low. Tourist influx is a couple of months away, and you can soak up the charm of Adelaide without heavy foot traffic.
Top things to do during spring in Adelaide
Enjoy the lovely Adelaide weather by visiting its top outdoor attractions. Go on a sunset rooftop tour of the Adelaide Oval or a cruise on River Torrens. The renowned Adelaide Botanic Garden is particularly scenic in spring when the flowers are in full bloom.
Spring also has some exciting events. The Royal Adelaide Show happens in September, followed by the OzAsia Festival, which runs from mid-September to October.
The Adelaide Fashion Festival takes place in October. November celebrates the Feast Festival, one of the four major LGBTQ+ events in Australia.
What is the best month to go to Adelaide?
The shoulder months, April to May and September through November, are the best times to visit Adelaide. There are fewer tourists, and prices are cheaper. During these months, the Adelaide weather is neither too hot nor too chilly – just right for outdoor activities.
If your main reason for visiting Adelaide is the beaches, summer might suit you. For travellers on a budget, winter is the best season for you.
No matter what time of year you visit Adelaide, there’s always something fascinating to experience!
Read next: The Best Australia Travel Tips
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