A: December 25. It is the middle of summer. Expect barbecues, beaches, and 30°C+ heat.

A: January is the hottest month for most of Australia. February is also very hot, especially in the south.

A: School summer holidays usually begin in the second or third week of December and run through the end of January. Quick Reference Table | Definition | Start Date | End Date | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Meteorological (Official) | December 1 | February 28/29 | | Astronomical (Solstice) | December 21/22 | March 20/21 | | Practical (Northern Aus) | October | April | | Practical (Southern Aus) | Late November | Late February | The Takeaway If you only remember one thing: Forget the June solstice. In Australia, summer runs from December 1 to the end of February.