This is where the surprise hits most travelers. The major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart experience real winter.

Australia’s winter officially runs from , during which temperatures reach their lowest across the country. However, the "cold" varies significantly by region: The Bureau of Meteorology Climate media resources, Bureau of Meteorology - BoM

's "cold" varies wildly depending on where you are, as it is a massive continent with multiple climate zones. While it rarely reaches the deep freezes of North America or Northern Europe, winter (June to August) brings a distinct chill to the southern states and the central outback.

Don't assume you need a heavy Arctic parka (unless you are skiing), but you absolutely need a warm jacket, scarves, and closed-toe shoes. The weather is highly localized—you might need a coat in Melbourne in the morning and a light sweater in Sydney by the afternoon.