Northern Territory Weather in August

Top End Weather in August

Warm days, mild nights, hardly any rain. Winter in the Top End is not the season to hide indoors but to venture outside and explore the Great Outdoors. Daytime temperatures sit at just over 30°C | 86°F at an agreeable humidity of 45%.

Average sea temperatures

Water temperatures in the Top End are around 29°C | 84°F in August. Before going for a swim, look out for salties (saltwater crocodiles) and box jellyfish as they can be dangerous. In inland water holes, check for freshwater crocs. 

Red Centre Weather in August

While August still means winter for the Red Centre, temperatures are on the rise again. It’s around 23°C | 73.5°F on an average day. Nights can still get a little frosty but spring is in the air. It’s still cool enough for long walks and hikes in the desert. How about a day in Kata Tjuta or a walk around world-famous Uluru?

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 August is around 10 hours during the Dry Season. 

Average rainfall 

Best things to do in Northern Territory in August

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

Celebrate Hot August Nights at Darwin Festival

Be there when Darwin parties the nights (and days) away! Over the course of about 18 days, you’re treated to art performances, concerts and Maori cultural experiences. Some of the events are ticketed, others are free. Visit Festival Park to eat your way through the many food stands.

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. 

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

Between May and November, Mindil Beach hosts its famous Sunset Market. Every Thursday and Sunday evening from 4pm to 9pm, Darwin’s biggest market dishes up an array of street performers and buskers. Shop for souvenirs, jewellery, arts and crafts. Then munch your way through the food stalls and find your spot on the beach to watch the sunset. Perfection? I’d say so!

Recommended Northern Territory Itineraries in August

With August being such an amazing month to travel the Northern Territory, all of our self-drive adventures will work out perfectly. You just decide how much time you have to explore, and we have the right itinerary for you. If you’re not sure how long to spend in each place, ask us. Our experts are happy to help you out!