Climate In Australia

Climate In Australia
Australia is an extremely large country, stretching from the equatorial climates of the continent's top end, to the southern, colder climates of temperate Tasmania. It is impossible to describe Australia's climatic conditions under a single category, as the country is just too large to do so. However, this means emigrants have a plethora of different landscapes and climatic zones to reside in (or at least visit!).

The diverse climate experienced throughout Australia is not only influenced by the sheer size of the landmass. The fact that Australia is surrounded by some of the most expansive oceans in the world is also of great significance. Oceanic currents effect the outcome of the country's climatic conditions annually. Uncommonly long periods of drought and strong tropical cyclones are usually the result of these changes in the ocean currents. El Nino has the most profound climate effect of the country. Australia is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west. The Southern Ocean is the watery expanse that separates Australia and Antarctica.

Equatorial / Tropical North
Emigrants moving to areas along the northern coastline, such as Darwin and the Gulf of Carpentaria, will experience two distinct seasons throughout the year. Between the months of May and September, it is the dry season, which sees little precipitation and warm weather. At this time of the year, it is possible to travel throughout much of Australia's top end by bus and car, as the rivers are generally low and the roads remain dry.

September to April is the monsoonal wet season, where many parts of the region receive an abundance of rainfall, sometimes for weeks at a time. Most of the landscape is marshy during this period, and many roads get cut-off as a result of water inundation. Rainforests, grasslands and marshlands thrive in this area, including the world renowned Kakadu National Park.

Arid Interior
The interior of Australia, otherwise known as the 'outback', is an extremely flat and dry landscape that boasts some of the world's most unique creatures and flora. The soil in these parts are generally old and infertile, but does improve somewhat as the land gets closer to the coastline. The outer area between the coast and the central deserts of Australia is predominantly grassland. It experiences little rainfall too, but the occasional drought-breaking rains keeps the savannah growing. This area is famous for huge farming ranches called 'cattle stations'. Some of these stations in Australia are as big as a small European country.

Temperate / Sub-tropical coast
Australia has a massive coastline, stretching from the far reaches of the north, to the chilly waters in the south. The southwestern corner (near Perth) and northeastern coastlines are dominates by a sub-tropical climate. Rainfall usually occurs