Climate of Australia

Australia’s large size means that the climate ranges from equatorial, or tropical, to temperate.  The largest part – roughly 40% - of Australia is desert, but very few people live in these areas.  Most Australian’s live along the coastline. 

Typically, the semi-arid states of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and most of South Australia experience a dry, warm climate, while the southern states of New South Wales, Canberra, Victoria and Tasmania have a cooler climate – these latter cooler states are the only Australian states to experience regular snow.

Australia’s dry climate makes is susceptible to bushfires.  Bushfire season typically runs from November till January, although better preventative measures have ceased their frequency.  In the tropical north (like far north Queensland and the Northern Territory), residents often experience tropical cyclones.