Where to go in March
March is a genuinely brilliant month to travel. School holidays are done, the summer crowds at home have thinned, and a long list of destinations — both in Australia and overseas — are hitting their seasonal sweet spot. Whether you're after cherry blossoms in Japan, a food and wine festival in Adelaide, or the beaches of Vietnam, here's where to go in March.
Japan
Japan is one of the world's most extraordinary travel destinations — ancient temples, bullet trains, extraordinary food, and a culture that manages to feel both deeply traditional and thrillingly modern.
Why go to Egypt in March?
March marks the beginning of cherry blossom season, with blossoms appearing first in southern cities like Fukuoka and Kyoto in late March before the iconic sakura front moves north — making it one of the most magical (and popular) times in the Japanese calendar.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a long, slender country that packs in an extraordinary amount — the lantern-lit alleyways of Hoi An, the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the street food chaos of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and beaches that genuinely rival anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Why go to Vietnam in March?
March is widely regarded as one of the best months to travel the entire length of the country, with clear skies, dry conditions, and comfortable temperatures from north to south — without the sticky heat that arrives later in the year.
New South Wales
New South Wales is Australia's most visited state for good reason — it has Sydney's iconic harbour, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley wine region, pristine beaches stretching from Byron Bay to Jervis Bay, and the ancient landscapes of Outback NSW.
Why go to New South Wales in March?
March is a superb month to explore, with summer's peak heat easing into a warm, pleasant early autumn, ocean temperatures still perfect for swimming, and the school holiday rush firmly behind you.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is Australia's most famous beachside escape — a laid-back Northern NSW town with world-class surf, a thriving food scene, yoga retreats, and a distinct creative energy that keeps people coming back.
Why go to Byron Bay in March?
March is a beautiful time to visit, with warm late-summer temperatures around 27°C, the ocean still bath-warm for swimming and surfing, and noticeably fewer crowds now that school holidays are well and truly over.
Sydney
Sydney is one of the world's great cities — a spectacular harbour, world-class dining, stunning beaches, and a cultural energy that's genuinely hard to match.
Why go to Sydney in March?
March is one of the best months to visit, with warm early-autumn temperatures around 24–26°C, lower humidity than summer, and the ocean still warm enough to swim at Bondi and Manly. It's also when the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade takes over Oxford Street, one of the city's most spectacular annual events.
Adelaide
Adelaide is a compact, walkable city with a food and wine culture that punches well above its weight — world-class restaurants, the Barossa and McLaren Vale on the doorstep, and a relaxed pace that makes it genuinely easy to enjoy.
Why go to Adelaide in March?
March is arguably the best month to visit, with warm temperatures around 25–28°C, low rainfall, and an extraordinary concentration of festivals: the Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Fringe, and WOMADelaide (6–9 March) all run simultaneously, making the city one of the most culturally alive places in Australia.
Brisbane
Brisbane is Queensland's vibrant, subtropical capital — a river city with a brilliant food and bar scene, easy access to some of Australia's best beaches, and a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle that makes it genuinely enjoyable to explore.
Why go to Brisbane in March?
March is a great time to visit, with the humidity of peak summer beginning to ease, warm temperatures around 27–28°C, and long sunny days that make getting out on the river or exploring the South Bank precinct a genuine pleasure.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast delivers exactly what it promises — 57 kilometres of golden beaches, reliable surf, an energetic restaurant and nightlife scene, and theme parks for families.
Why go to Gold Coast in March?
March is one of the better months to visit: the summer heat and humidity begin to soften, temperatures sit comfortably around 27°C, and the school holiday crowds have dispersed, meaning you get the beach without the scrum.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's most iconic drives — 243 kilometres of dramatic coastline, towering limestone stacks (the Twelve Apostles), ancient rainforest in the Otways, and charming seaside towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay.
Why go to Great Ocean Road in March?
March is widely recommended as one of the best times to drive it, with settled warm weather, much thinner crowds than the January school holiday rush, and comfortable temperatures around 20–23°C for coastal walks and hikes.
Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — extraordinary food and coffee, world-class galleries, a thriving live music scene, and some of the country's best shopping all packed into a highly walkable city.
Why go to Melbourne in March?
March is one of the most enjoyable months to visit, with early-autumn temperatures around 23°C, long sunny days, and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival running throughout the month — a celebration of Victoria's exceptional culinary scene with tastings, chef events, and vineyard experiences.
Perth
Perth is one of Australia's most liveable cities — a sun-drenched harbour city with world-class beaches, a booming food scene, and the wild beauty of Rottnest Island a short ferry ride away.
Why go to Perth in March?
March is an excellent time to visit, with the fierce summer heat beginning to soften into a warm, pleasant early autumn around 28°C, reliable sunshine, and the Margaret River region — just a two-hour drive south — in the middle of its celebrated grape harvest season.
New Zealand
New Zealand packs dramatic landscapes into a surprisingly compact pair of islands — volcanic plateaus, fjords, glacier-carved mountains, pristine surf beaches, and world-class food and wine in between.
Why go to New Zealand in March?
March is the beginning of autumn across the country and one of the best months to visit, with settled summer weather continuing across both islands, domestic school holidays winding down early in the month, and the landscapes lush and green from summer.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is Thailand's third-largest island — a mix of palm-fringed beaches, luxury resorts, vibrant night markets, and the laid-back pace that makes it difficult to leave.
Why go to Koh Samui in March?
March is one of the best months to visit the Gulf coast island, with the dry season well established, warm temperatures around 29°C, calm seas ideal for snorkelling and island-hopping, and lower-humidity days that make beach time genuinely enjoyable. It's reliably one of the driest months of Samui's year.
Malaysia’s West Coast
Malaysia's west coast — Langkawi, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur — offers a brilliant combination of tropical beaches, UNESCO-listed heritage, and some of Southeast Asia's most celebrated street food.
Why go to Malaysia in March?
March is a good time to visit, with the coast still enjoying the tail end of its dry season before the southwest monsoon builds later in the year — warm temperatures around 32°C, manageable rainfall, and good beach conditions on Langkawi and Penang's north coast.
Maldives
The Maldives is the definition of a bucket-list destination — overwater bungalows, crystal lagoons, house reef snorkelling steps from your villa, and a sense of remoteness that's hard to find anywhere else.
Why go to Maldives in March?
March is one of the best months to visit, with warm sunny days around 30°C, low humidity, calm seas, and excellent underwater visibility as the dry season continues. It's also when temperatures start to climb pleasantly, making beach days and diving even more appealing.
Phuket
Phuket is Thailand's most complete island — brilliant beaches on the Andaman Coast, a vibrant Old Town full of Sino-Portuguese architecture, world-class diving nearby, and a food and nightlife scene that keeps visitors well entertained.
Why go to Phuket in March?
March sits in the heart of Phuket's dry season, with consistently sunny skies, calm seas, temperatures around 30°C, and excellent water visibility for snorkelling around the Similan Islands. It's one of the most reliable months of the year on the Andaman Coast.
Singapore
Singapore is a city that rewards every kind of traveller — extraordinary food at every price point, striking modern architecture alongside colonial heritage, world-class gardens and nature reserves, and an efficiency that makes it one of the most stress-free places to travel in the world.
Why go to Singapore in March?
March sits in the transition between Singapore's wetter season and the drier months, with warm temperatures around 30°C and slightly lower humidity than the end of the year — generally good conditions for exploring the city on foot.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a compact island that punches well above its size — ancient temples, leopard-filled national parks, tea-country hill stations, and some of Asia's most beautiful beaches, all within a few hours of each other.
Why go to Sri Lanka in March?
March is one of the best months to visit the south and west coasts — including Mirissa, Galle, and Unawatuna — which are enjoying the end of their peak dry season before the southwest monsoon arrives in May. Blue whale watching off Mirissa remains excellent, and the Ancient Cultural Triangle in the centre of the island is dry and accessible.
Hobart
Hobart is one of Australia's most underrated city breaks — a walkable waterfront city with exceptional food and wine, the remarkable MONA museum, easy access to dramatic wilderness, and a character that's entirely its own.
Why go to Hobart in March?
March marks the beginning of autumn in Hobart, with warm and generally settled days around 20°C, the crowds of the summer festival season gone, and the surrounding landscapes beginning to turn with the first hints of autumn colour. It's one of the loveliest times to explore the city at a relaxed pace.
Launceston
Launceston is Tasmania's second city and a genuinely charming destination in its own right — the Cataract Gorge is walking distance from the CBD, the Tamar Valley wine region is on the doorstep, and the local restaurant scene is exceptional.
Why go to Launceston in March?
March is a beautiful month to visit, with warm early-autumn days around 22°C, the summer festival crowds gone, and the Tamar Valley beginning its grape harvest — a great excuse for a wine trail.
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and the natural gateway to the North Island — a vibrant harbour city with world-class dining, volcanic islands to explore, easy day trips to the Coromandel Peninsula, and a cultural scene that's surprisingly rich for its size.
Why go to Auckland in March?
March is still warm and settled in Auckland, with temperatures around 22–24°C and the domestic school holiday crowds gone, making it one of the best months to explore the city and surrounds without the January peak-season pressure.
Egypt
Egypt is one of humanity's most extraordinary places — the Pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor and Aswan, the Valley of the Kings, and the world-class diving of the Red Sea, all in a single country.
Why go to Egypt in March
March is an excellent time to visit, sitting just after the peak winter season with slightly thinner crowds at major sites, virtually no rainfall, and daytime temperatures rising pleasantly to around 23–25°C in Cairo and warmer still in Upper Egypt — warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough to make outdoor sightseeing genuinely enjoyable.
Hawaii
Hawaii needs no introduction — dramatic volcanic landscapes, world-famous surf breaks, humpback whale sightings, and some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, all within a single flight from Australia's east coast.
Why go to Hawaii in March?
March is still an excellent time to visit, with humpback whales still present in Hawaiian waters (peak season runs January–March), temperatures around 26°C, and prices beginning to ease from the January high-season peak as international crowds thin out.
