Northern Territory Weather in July

Top End Weather in July

Being in the tropical climate zone, daytime temperatures in Darwin and the rest of the Top End are constantly over 30°C | 86°F. Temperatures at night drop just enough to be agreeable to sleep. Because it hardly ever rains in July, the air is dry at around 43% humidity. 

Average sea temperatures

Water temperatures in the Top End are around 29°C | 84°F in July. Please always thoroughly check for salties (saltwater crocodiles) and box jellyfish before going for a swim in the ocean as they’re dangerous. In inland water holes, look out for freshies (freshwater crocs).

Red Centre Weather in July

A winter’s day in the desert around Alice Springs sees around 20°C | 68°F on average. If you’ve come to the Red Centre to explore the loop walk around Uluru on foot or hike King’s Canyon, July is the perfect month to do so! 

At night, temperatures can drop towards single digits (meaning around 40°F), occasionally even reaching the freezing point.

Average temperature in Northern Territory

Average sunshine hours

Thanks to mainly clear days in the desert, the Red Centre enjoys 8 - 10 sunshine hours per day nearly year-round.

In the Top End, the average daily sunshine in Darwin in July is around 10 hours during the Dry Season.

Average rainfall 

Best things to do in Northern Territory in July

With hardly any rain and agreeable temperatures, now is the best time to explore the Northern Territory’s Great Outdoors! 

Visit the Fringe Festival in Darwin

Every year in July, local and international artists take to the stage at Darwin Fringe Festival. Be it dancing, comedy, theatre or cabaret…if it takes place on a stage, it will be shown at the Fringe Festival. Some of the events are ticketed, others you can just rock up and watch for free. If you’re into the arts, this is an event not to miss! 

Hike the Red Centre

July is a great time to strap on your hiking boots and explore the best hikes the Red Centre has to offer! Uluru Base Walk is a relatively easy 10km | 6.2mi loop walk around Uluru (Ayers Rock) where you get to see the world’s largest single rock monolith up close and learn about its significance in Aboriginal history. Other must-do hikes in the Red Centre include Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta (Valley of the Winds). 

Meet Aboriginal artists

Aboriginal art centres and galleries can be found all over the Northern Territory. The most popular are located on the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin and near Uluru. Sit with the artists, learn more about the meaning of their art and watch them work. In some art centres (eg at Maruku Arts in Uluru), you can try your own hand at dot-painting in one of their workshops. 

Visit the Devil’s Marbles

Believed to be the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent, an important Dreamtime figure in Aboriginal culture, the Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu) do look as if they’ve just been placed in the desert. The collection of granite boulders stand up to 6 metres | 19 feet tall, these are scattered across a valley south of Tennant Creek.

Northern Territory Self Drive Itineraries and packages July is one of the best months to visit the Northern Territory. No matter which of our Northern Territory Self Drive Itineraries and packages you choose, you’re almost guaranteed to have a great time!

If you have any questions or would like a bespoke itinerary, our team of specialists are happy to help you out!