Wait… Winter?! Yep – And It’s a Power Move 💥
When people picture moving to Australia, they imagine rooftop drinks, sweaty surfboards and year-round sunshine. So it might sound strange when we say moving to Australia in winter is actually genius. If you’re arriving on a working holiday visa or kicking off your gap year, here’s why winter gives you a head start the summer crowd can only dream of. These points truly changed our perspective.
Not sure what a working holiday visa is? Visit here for a rundown.
1️⃣ Winter in Australia Isn’t Actually Winter
If the word “winter” makes you picture puffer jackets and hot water bottles – relax. Winter in Australia still means sunshine, especially up north. Even in the southern cities, you’ll find crisp blue skies and sunny 15°C days most of the time. And in places like Cairns or Darwin? It’s 25°C and sunny – almost every day. You might need a jumper at night, but you’re not sacrificing the outdoors. No snow, no stress, just good vibes and better weather.
2️⃣ The Dry Season Is Peak Adventure Time
Heading to Queensland, the Whitsundays, or the Northern Territory? Then you’re in luck – because winter is also the dry season. That means no sticky humidity, no sudden downpours, and a whole lot of sunshine. Whether you’re hiking through national parks or sailing around islands, this is the dream weather. You’ll get to explore without sweating buckets or packing an umbrella the size of your backpack.
3️⃣ Beat the Crowds (And the Chaos)
Want to land a casual job, find a house, or actually enjoy your hostel’s kitchen without queueing behind 10 other backpackers? Move in winter. By moving to Australia before peak season, you’ll dodge the crowd of summer arrivals and have a much easier time settling in. There are fewer people looking for jobs, more housing options, and just less competition in general. Think of it as your gap year cheat code.
When you join one of our Welcome Tours, we dedicate a full day to our employment presentation – designed to set you up for success from day one. We’ll cover everything you need to know about finding work in Australia: from writing a strong CV, to what qualifications you might need, to where (and where not) to apply.
And it doesn’t stop when the tour ends. You’ll get exclusive access to our Jobs Resources Portal – a packed hub of templates, guides, and insider tips to support you throughout your entire working holiday.
4️⃣ Work First – Travel Like a Legend Later
The first few weeks on your working holiday visa are about getting your bearings – figuring out the basics, making new mates, and starting to feel grounded. Our Welcome Tours help you do just that: we’ll sort your SIM card, tax file number, bank account, and give you all the tools to find work and long-term accommodation – stress-free.
👉 Find out more about Welcome to Sydney
👉 Find out more about Welcome to Melbourne
Now here’s your moving to Australia winter strategy: Once you’ve completed a Welcome Tour, you’ll have all the resources at your fingertips, plus a new friendship group in the same boat as you. Over the next few weeks you’ll move, find a job, settle into the rhythm, and start saving those precious Aussie dollars. Then, once summer hits, you’re ready to hit the road and spend the next part of your working holiday visa soaking up the best of the East Coast with your new Australian family- without stressing over money or logistics.
Excited about travel and want to pre plan? Well, you could join our 30-Day East Coast Tour and experience all the iconic spots in one unforgettable trip. Pssst 👀, we have early bird deals to help you save even more.
Or if you’ve got a more specific route in mind, our Build Your Own East Coast option lets you create a custom itinerary based on your budget, travel style and bucket list. However you do it, arriving in winter gives you the time to plan it properly – and enjoy it fully.
5️⃣ Settle In Like a Local, Not a Tourist
When you land in Australia on a working holiday visa during winter, you’ve got time on your side. You’re not rushing around in peak season chaos – you’re figuring out the trams, finding your favourite coffee spot, and making mates before the hostels fill up. Come summer, you’re not the newbie – you’re the one leading the sunset picnic, organising beach days, and throwing around “arvo” like a local.
You’re moving to Australia to live it, not just to show up and hope for the best.
💬 These Travellers Moved To Australia In Winter Too
Still on the fence about arriving in winter? You’re not alone. Here’s what some of our travellers had to say:
“Had the best welcome week with Welcome to Travel! Natasha, our guide, really was the main reason. The tour ticked off so many bucket list activities in one go with no stress. I can’t imagine starting my Australia adventure any other way!”
— Millie, August 2024
“I did the Welcome to Melbourne tour with Welcome to Travel. The tour guide was Mia, she was amazing – couldn’t have been any better. She made the whole group feel at home and guided us through the whole city for the week! Would recommend this tour to get to know Melbourne!”
— Tom, March 2025
❄️ Wait… Winter Has This?
People often think Australia is all warm weather and beach days – and yeah, we’ve got plenty of those. But here’s the thing: winter comes with its own unforgettable experiences that most travellers don’t expect when moving to Australia on a working holiday visa.
⭐️ Vivid Sydney: From late May, the city turns into a living light festival with massive projections, drone shows, art, live music, and late-night markets.
🐋 Whale Watching: Winter is migration season, and you can spot humpbacks all along the East Coast whether that be on a morning coastal walk or even a tour that takes you literally metres away from them!
🌅 Later Sunrises: You’ve seen the TikToks of everyone up at 5am on Bondi Beach living their ‘best life’. But let’s be honest – who actually enjoys waking up that early everyday? In the winter, you can sleep in and still catch golden hour. No 5am alarms needed.
🏉 AFL in Melbourne: Aussie Rules Football is a fast-paced, uniquely Australian sport that’s part footy, part chaos, and totally iconic. Watching a game at the MCG in Melbourne is a rite of passage.
Turns out, winter isn’t a compromise – it’s a win.
Start Your Journey With a Welcome Tour 🦘
Moving to Australia can feel a little overwhelming – but starting with a Welcome Tour? Game changer.
Whether you choose Melbourne or Sydney, we’ll give you the smoothest landing ever.
You’ll get:
✅ Airport pickup and instant support
✅ Admin sorted (bank account, SIM card, tax file number)
✅ Insider tours of your new city
✅ Wildlife, mates and major memory-making moments
✅ A built-in community to explore with
✅ Travel tips, job advice, and ongoing guidance
It’s more than a tour – it’s the launchpad to your Aussie life.
Final Thought: Winter Wins 🌞
Moving to Australia is a big decision – but winter makes it smoother, smarter and more strategic. You’ll get better weather, beat the crowds, settle in faster, and line yourself up for the kind of summer people dream about. Whether you’re here for a working holiday, gap year, or just a much-needed reset, winter is the best time to land.
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