Australia in March: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

March is a rewarding time to experience Australia, sitting in the perfect window for first-of-season wildlife encounters and elite cultural gatherings.

• Fewer Visitors: As a classic shoulder‑season month, March replaces peak‑summer crowds with a quieter atmosphere, making it easier to secure art and wine fusion experiences at boutique galleries and cellar doors.
• Iconic Happenings: March is an excellent time for private culinary origins touring in Victoria and it sees the high-octane energy of the Grand Prix. The world-renowned Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is also on the March calendar.
• Ideal Conditions: March is a prime time for the start of the Ningaloo Reef whale shark season, where the first of these gentle giants arrive in Western Australia's crystal-clear waters.

Plan your intimate Australian escape with our specialists by viewing the sample itinerary, Epic Highlights Tour of Australia and New Zealand.

March marks early autumn, bringing a gentle cooling trend and the first hints of autumn colors in the south.

• Tropical North: March remains part of the wet season, but it is the peak for Kakadu waterfall season flights. From the air, the thundering Jim Jim and Twin Falls are a mesmerizing spectacle.
• Red Centre: The intense summer heat has eased, providing a comfortable backdrop for al fresco dining under the vast desert stars.
• Southern Cities: Autumn arrives gently, with highs around 75°F. It is the ideal temperature for Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival VIP events or strolls through the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Melbourne • Best Place for Sightseeing

Melbourne transforms in March, shedding its sleepy summer skin for an electric atmosphere. This is Grand Prix Month, and even for non-racing fans, the city hums with superyachts and top-end parties, an atypical, yet quintessentially "Melbourne" high-life experience.

• Elite Racing: Secure Melbourne Formula 1 Paddock Club access for the ultimate vantage point of the Albert Park circuit, complemented by world-class hospitality.
• Gastronomic Masterclasses: Participate in Melbourne Food and Wine Festival masterclasses, where global culinary icons lead intimate sessions for the city's food-obsessed elite.
• Style and Fashion: Experience the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival VIP front rows to see the best of Australian design in a vibrant, urban setting.

Adelaide • Best Place for Great Weather

March is the reason Adelaide becomes the country's cultural epicenter. Known as "Mad March," the city comes alive as the Adelaide Festival, Fringe, and WOMADelaide take place simultaneously.

• The Cultural Epicenter: Pivot from Adelaide's "sleepy city" reputation to witness world premieres of music, theater, and opera. Arrange Adelaide Festival VIP packages that offer the best seats for open-air performances.
• Festival Nightlife: Enjoy late-night dinners at pop-up festival clubs where the artists unwind, defining the month’s unique social energy.
• Wine Country Comfort: The dry, mild weather is perfect for Barossa Valley vintage experiences, where you can witness the first press of the year’s harvest.

Kangaroo Island • Best Place for Families with Children

March is a privileged time for families to witness first-of-season wildlife encounters in a wild, rugged setting.

• Wildlife Observation: Witness the seasons change as sea lion pups become more active and koalas are easily spotted in the mild afternoon sun.
• Turtle Hatching: While further north, March marks the tail end of turtle hatching on Heron Island, a natural wonder that can be incorporated into a multi-region, luxury family journey.

Ningaloo Reef • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

While the East Coast gets the headlines, March marks the start of Ningaloo Reef whale shark season in Western Australia.

• Swim with Giants: Swimming alongside these 40-foot filter feeders is an unhurried and personal experience, often guided by spotter planes to ensure the most intimate encounters.
• Intimate Reef Time: The warm waters support manta rays and turtles, offering a more secluded alternative to the Great Barrier Reef.

Drive the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is superb in March, offering luxury shoulder-season value and fewer tour buses at destinations like the Twelve Apostles.

• Coastal Landmarks: The limestone stacks are best appreciated on clear March afternoons. We can arrange al fresco dining stops at boutique clifftop restaurants that overlook the Southern Ocean.
• Nature Encounters: Enjoy privately guided walks through the Otway Ranges, where the landscape is still lush from the tail end of the summer rains.

Savor Wine Country in South Australia

March is the heart of the harvest. For the true oenophile, this is the most exciting time to be in the vineyards.

• Vintage Experiences: Participate in Barossa Valley vintage experiences, from tasting grapes straight from the vine to Yarra Valley harvest lunches that celebrate the season's bounty.
• Art and Wine Fusion: Explore the d'Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale or the private galleries of the Adelaide Hills, where the autumn colors are just beginning to pop.

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular and Sydney Opera

Experience two of the country's most visual masterpieces in the soft autumn light.

• Sky-High Luxury: A Canberra Balloon Spectacular private flight allows you to drift over the nation's capital at dawn, followed by a champagne breakfast.
• Opera on the Harbour: In Sydney, March marks the opening of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Secure private tickets for these open-air performances, where the stage is built directly over the water with the Opera House as a backdrop.

Atmospheric Rainforest Touring: The Daintree

While wet, the Daintree in March is at its most lush. This is atmospheric rainforest touring at its peak.

• Waterfall Season: The creeks and cascades are at full volume. Enjoy private guided night walks to see the rainforest's nocturnal residents thriving in the green-season environment.
• Ecological Insight: Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre for sheltered vantage points over the ancient canopy during tropical showers.

March is the tail end of the wet season, so you will see rain. However, this is precisely what fuels the "Waterfall Season." If you stay in luxury accommodation and utilize Kakadu waterfall-season flights, the rain becomes a beautiful part of the drama rather than a hindrance.

The Ningaloo Reef whale shark season starts in late March. While sightings occur through July, March offers a "first-of-season" excitement and generally calmer waters if you want to be among the first to greet the sharks this year.

March offers excellent shoulder-season luxury. You avoid the sweltering heat and the massive crowds of the Australian summer holidays in January and February, allowing for a much more unhurried and polished pace.

"Mad March" is when Adelaide hosts its three biggest festivals, the Adelaide Festival, Fringe, and WOMADelaide, all at once. It turns the city into a global cultural hub. With Adelaide Festival VIP packages, it is the best time of year to visit South Australia if you are a music and theater lover.

March in Australia provides a sophisticated blend of high-speed sport, elite gastronomy, and rare wildlife encounters. From a Canberra Balloon Spectacular private flight to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour private tickets, the month offers a curated experience of Australia's autumn transition.

Explore our  Australia travel guide, where you’ll find detailed insights and ideas to craft your ideal trip. You can also uncover more information and inspiration with our  Australia tours and vacations.