"Rapid Bay South Australia" by Les Haines via Flickr Creative Commons

South Australia is blessed with a warm climate, although the winter months (June through to August) can bring cool weather across the state. The northern region of the state is predominantly arid and semi-arid, therefore in summer, the temperature can get extremely high. The daily temperature regularly hits above 110˚F, and the air remains dry. At night, in the desert region, air temperatures can sometimes drop to below 40˚F as a result of rapid heat loss.

In the coastal region, which includes the capital of the state, Adelaide, temperatures are significantly different to the northern region. The coast experiences a Mediterranean climate, where four district seasons are felt. The summer months (between December and February) average about 82˚F, but winter sees temperatures fall to about 60˚F.

Rainfall in the northern reaches of South Australia is rare, with less than two inches annually. Most of the state’s precipitation falls during the winter months, mainly during June and July. Adelaide and the Lofty Hills region receives the highest amount of rainfall each year.

Best Time to Visit South Australia

The summer, between the months of December and February, is the hottest time of the year. South Australia has many more hours of sunshine in the summer, and with many hundreds of miles of beaches, the state witnesses more visitors during summer than any other time of the year. Most visitors come to South Australia for its beautiful beaches.

Accommodation is most expensive during summer, and transportation tickets tend to be higher too. The prices tend to drop when the warmer months begin to fade. A great time to visit for budget travelers is between March and April, or September and October.

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