Zones
Australian climate zones and approximate USDA hardiness equivalents.
| Australian Climate Zone | Main Characteristics | Key Local Examples | Approximate USDA Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine / Mountain | Heavy frosts, cold winters, snow on peaks. | Snowy Mountains, High Country, parts of Tasmania. | Zone 7a – 8b |
| Cool Temperate | Low humidity, cold winters, frequent frosts. | Canberra, Hobart, Mount Gambier, Orange. | Zone 8b – 9a |
| Temperate | Moderate humidity, four distinct seasons, mild/cool winters. | Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Southern Highlands. | Zone 9a – 10a |
| Subtropical | Warm, humid summers; mild, mostly frost-free winters. | Brisbane, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Sunshine Coast. | Zone 10a – 11a |
| Arid / Desert | High summer heat, low rainfall, can have cold winter nights. | Alice Springs, Kalgoorlie, Mildura. | Zone 8 – 11 (highly variable nights) |
| Tropical | High humidity, hot summers, warm wet/dry cycle. | Darwin, Cairns, Broome, Townsville. | Zone 11b – 13a |