Warm places in Australia in July, as well as a few cooler options for those who like winter.
July is the middle of winter and peak snow season in Australia. It's also the beginning of the new financial year, which means one thing: tax return season.
If you're planning to put that money towards a winter warming destination, we've got the intel on the best places to travel this month.
Searching for deals for that last-minute July getaway? Check out the best July travel deals on sale right here.
Top warm places in Australia in July
1. Broome
Stretch out on this bit of sand.
Located between Port Hedland and Broome, Eighty Mile Beach runs for 220 kilometres and is a mix of white sands, rocky shores and tidal creeks. During July it's one of the warmest places to be with temperatures almost at 30 degrees.
While it's not advisable to swim at the beach due to the high tides, sea fossicking, fishing, camping on the beach and catching the sunsets are all top activities that can be had here.
- July weather: 27-32°C, dry season
- Best for: Families, relaxing, coastal breaks
- Top events: Whale watching, Concert for the Kimberley, A Taste of Broome
2. Best for nature: Hervey Bay
Get back to your roots at the gateway to the largest sand island.
If you're keen to experience nature in the wild then Hervey Bay in July has just the ticket.
Enjoy a tropical winter season here where the water temperature is warm enough for a dip and whale watching season picks up from mid-July. For the adventure seekers, you can rent a 4WD and head over to Fraser Island for camping and dingo spotting.
- July weather: 22-22°C, winter
- Best for: Coastal breaks, families, adventure
- Top events: Hervey Bay Whale Festival, Mary Poppins Festival, Bush To Bay, Blessing of the Fleet.
3. Best for cultural breaks: Uluru
Long star-filled nights and cool desert days.
Avoid the scorching temperatures (and flies) of summertime and you'll get the whole day to explore the spiritual heart of Australia.
Winter is ideal for hiking so you can walk around Uluru, explore Kata Tjuta on the Valley of the Winds Walk or join a ranger-guided walk to learn more about the history of the area and its rock art.
- July weather: 14-22°C, winter
- Best for: Hiking, outdoor adventures, culture
- Top events: Field of Light, Australian Outback Marathon
4. Best city to visit: New York City
4th of July parties, performances in the park and summer festivals.
Summer in New York officially kicks off on 21 June, so by July you can bet your bottom dollar that the sun worshipers will be out in full swing.
If you happen to be in town earlier in the month, you won't be able to escape the 4th of July celebrations. If you land later, there's a bevvy of summer activities to still enjoy, including Shakespeare in the Park, the Panorama Music Festival and Rooftop Cinema Club.
- July weather: 22-26°C, summer
- Best for: Sightseeing, culture
- Top events: Summer Pride Festival, 4th of July, Harlem Week, SOULFest
5. Best for activities: Perth
For a bit of sun and fun.
Perth is one of the warmest spots in Australia all year round, but if you want to enjoy the season of winter without the temperatures, the capital of Western Australia has the answer.
It's called WinterFest and is a celebration of all things wintery from foods to snowmen and everything in-between.
Catch some live music, indulge in a foodie event or two, choose from a whole slew of theatre and you might even be able to spot the Northern Lights (not the real ones, but an installation that's almost as good as the real thing).
Perth's festival runs from 24 June to 21 July. Warm up your winter with all the event details here.
- July weather: 16-20°C, winter
- Best for: Weekend breaks, families, culture
- Top events: Winterworld Fremantle, Perth Comic Arts Festival
The best of the rest:
6. Best for snow sports: Queenstown
Arguably the powder capital of Oceania.
Queenstown is a skier and snowboarder's dream. Three snow resorts surround the city, each receiving heavy praise from some of the best in the biz.
June to August is Queenstown's snow season, with July being one of the most coveted times to catch the freshest snow. Mind you, this means it is peak season so if you want to avoid the crowds, it may be better to hold off until August/September to hit the slopes.
- July weather: 4-8°C, winter
- Best for: Adventure seekers, families
- Top events: New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
7. Best budget destination: Hobart
Keep cool this winter.
While the rest of Australia is living as a huddled mass at home or hightailing it to our sunny Queensland shores those who prefer to stay cool can make their way to Tasmania for cheap. Flights to Hobart can start from as little as $41+ each way making it a bang-on bargain break.
- July weather: 5-12°C, winter
- Best for: Families, relaxing, hiking
- Top events: 2019 Festival of Voices
8. Best for events: Canberra
Can you smell it? Truffle season is in the air.
Winter in Canberra means two things: snow season and truffle season. For an event that your senses can savour, spend the weekend in and around the Aussie capital hunting for truffles and indulging in truffle dusted meals.
The festival runs from June to August.
- July weather: 9-14°C, winter
- Best for: Weekend breaks, foodies, outdoor adventures
- Top events: Truffles in July, NAIDOC Week, Wintervention, Top Dog Film Festival
Top July events
- 4th of July: The USA's Independence Day is celebrated throughout the nation with fireworks and parties that run long into the night.
- Bastille Day: 14 July is Bastille Day. This is a national day in France to mark the beginning of the French Revolution. It is celebrated with parties and fireworks throughout the nation.
- Singapore Food Festival. Singapore's only event that's dedicated to local cuisine is on from 12-28 July this year. Bring an open mind and empty belly along and you can look forward to unique dining concepts and delicious foodie experiences.
When's the best time in July to take a holiday?
July tends to be a quieter period for travellers around Australia, however, it’s predicted to be busiest at the beginning of the month due to the winter school holidays and workers taking some time off post-end of financial year. If you intend to travel domestically, aim for days later in the month to avoid peak prices and crowds.
Internationally, July is peak season for many countries in the northern hemisphere as their big summer break falls in July and August. While it's an ideal time to partake in festivals, it's also an expensive time to visit. We suggest you aim to travel earlier in the month, before the holidaymakers settle in and prices begin to skyrocket.
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