What about the climate in Australia?
With 2.9 million mi2 (7.6 million km2) of landmass, Australia has a variety of climatic zones. From the arid, desert-like climate of the Outback to the tropical waters of the Coral Sea, Australia dive accommodations can find themselves in very different conditions depending on the region. Australia's dive accommodations are on the driest continent around the known world. In fact, some regions of Australia will wait years in between periods of precipitation. Central Australia has a desert-like climate. In this region, temperatures remain hot, often climbing above 104°F (40°C) in the summer. Going into Northern Australia, dive destinations go through winter from June to August. Temperatures range between 68° to 75°F (20° to 24° C) with little to no precipitation during winter. The summer months of December to February see temperatures between 77° to 86°F (25° to 30°C). Going south, temperatures range from an average summer temperature of 86°F (30°C) to an average winter temperature of 60°F (15°C). This region will even get some snow in the worst of winters. Divers should plan on thick wetsuits and thicker sweaters during a winter dive holiday in southern Australia. However, many of Australia's regions have varied micro-climates which also influence temperature and rain.
Facts about
| Area | 2,941,299 mi2 (7,617,930 km2) |
| Population | 22,712,146 |
| Area Code | +61 |
Looking for a diving holiday in Australia?
A dive trip on the world's largest island and smallest continent is an adventure Down Under. Australian dive destinations have a wealth of opportunities to not only explore its underwater world but also a chance to study the Australian culture, which is inherently its own. A down-under dive holiday in Australia is chock-full of wild, natural adventures. With dolphins, whales, turtles and thousands of species of fish swimming through its waters, Australian dive holidays feature a huge amount of marine life viewing. Even on land, dive travelers will find marine life when they come across the Queensland Lungfish which can live outside of the water for several days. However, day trips away from the coastal dive camps into the expansive Outback will reveal a plethora of life outside the waters. From the bounding Kangaroo to the clinging Koala to the laughing Kookaburra bird, the Outback wildlife will help to fill dive travelers photo album. In addition, divers should keep their eyes out for the infamous migrating rocks as well as the friendly Aborigines on their walkabouts. Australia is not the cheapest dive destination but it can be done frugally. Budget divers will find $100 to $200 a day should cover most of the basic necessities. International flights can be found to most major Australian cities.
Where are the best dive spots in Australia?
Along the
34,000 miles (54,718 kilometers) of coastline, there is a diving destination for every level of diving traveler in Australia.
Australia's diving destinations feature everything from wrecks to caves to marine life. Swimming through
Australian waters are many species of marine life. More than
4,500 species of fish call Australia's waters home. Fish such as
Parrotfish, Jacks, Barracudas, Lionfish and countless others swim through
Australia's dive spots. In addition, there are numerous sharks, from
Great White sharks to
Nurse Sharks to
Whale Sharks. Then there are the
sea mammals, such as
whales, dolphins and
other porpoises as well as
seals and
sea lions. They share the same waters where several
sea turtle species live.
Queensland's Great Barrier Reef is Australia's most famous dive site. Covering an area of
133,000 miles (344,400 kilometers) and hosting more than
2,900 separate reefs home to
thousands of animals, it is no wonder thousands of divers explore the Great Barrier Reef every year. In
Western Australia, the
Ningaloo Reef is a quiet secret. With a
161-mile (260-kilometer) reef sporting life such as
Groupers, eels, Angelfish and
Giant Potato cod, the Ningaloo Reef is simply gorgeous. However,
New South Wales' Bryon Bay and
South Australia's Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park are pristine dive sites as well.
For Australia's best dive accommodations, swim into
Sportbay.
