When Does Spring Start In Australia

In Australia, spring begins on September 1 – mark your calendar, but dress for everything from frost to heatwaves, depending on where you are.

It's worth noting that while the vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring in the astronomical sense, the meteorological definition of spring in Australia is often considered to start on September 1. This is because the Australian Meteorological Bureau uses this date to define the start of the spring season for the purposes of climate and weather forecasting. when does spring start in australia

| Item | Australia | Northern Hemisphere | |------|-----------|----------------------| | Spring starts | | March 20 (equinox) or March 1 (meteorological) | | Spring ends | November 30 | June 20/21 | | Season definition | Meteorological | Astronomical or meteorological | In Australia, spring begins on September 1 –

, spring officially starts on . Unlike many Northern Hemisphere countries that follow an astronomical calendar, Australia uses a meteorological system . This system divides the year into four three-month seasons starting on the first day of the month to simplify seasonal statistics. Key Timing Details | Item | Australia | Northern Hemisphere |

In Australia , spring officially starts on . Unlike the Northern Hemisphere, where seasons are often defined by the astronomical equinoxes (roughly the 21st or 22nd of the month), Australia follows a meteorological seasonal system . This means every season starts on the first day of the respective month, with spring spanning exactly three months: September, October, and November . The Two Ways to Define Spring in Australia Definition Type Start Date Meteorological (Official) September 1 Grouping calendar months for easier statistical comparison. Astronomical September 22 or 23

Here’s a concise, useful guide to when spring starts in Australia, including key differences from the northern hemisphere and practical considerations.

| Region | Spring “Feel” | Notes | |--------|---------------|-------| | (Darwin, Cairns) | Dry season ends; hot, humid build-up begins | Little traditional spring – temps rise rapidly toward wet season (Nov–Dec) | | Eastern Australia (Sydney, Brisbane) | Mild, pleasant; Sept can still be cool | Sept: avg 15–22°C (59–72°F); Oct–Nov: warmer, some rain | | Southern Australia (Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth) | Unpredictable – cold snaps, windy, then warm days | “Four seasons in one day” common; Sept often still feels like winter | | Tasmania (Hobart) | Slow, late spring – frosts possible into Oct | Spring wildflowers peak Oct–Nov; still cool (max ~17°C / 63°F) | | Desert/Outback (Alice Springs) | Pleasant days, cold nights; Sept warms quickly | Excellent time to travel before summer heat |