October is midspring in Australia, the flowers are in bloom, the weather is warm, and the sand and surf of Australia's beaches beckon.
In the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia, the month begins with a public holiday, Labor Day, on the first Monday of the month, ensuring a long weekend early in October. In Western Australia, the Queen's Birthday holiday could well be on the first Monday of October as well.
Flower and food festivals
Canberra's immensely popular month-long flower festival, Floriade, starts around mid-September and continues until around mid-October.
In Adelaide, South Australia, the Tasting Australia food and wine festival usually takes place for a week in mid-October.
Daylight saving time
From 2008, Australian daylight saving time, also known as Australian summer time, begins on the first Sunday in October and ends on the first Sunday in April in the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
Western Australia is observing daylight saving time on a three-year trial period. In 2007 and 2008, daylight saving time in Western Australia begins on the last Sunday in October and ends on the last Sunday of March the following year.
The Northern Territory and Queensland do not observe daylight saving time.
What's October weather like?
Right in the middle of spring, October is a time of warming temperatures just before the heat of summer. At Australia's Top End, Darwin's October weather is certainly tropical up to a top daily average of 33°C (91°F). Alice Springs and Cairns would also hit above 30°C (86°F).
In most of the other capital cities, average top temperature would hover around the 20°C (68°F) mark with Hobart at an average high of around 18°C (64°F) and Sydney 22°C (72°F).
A combination of wind and warming weather can result in bushfires in the country's forests.
Rain would generally be light in the capital cities throughout the continent.
Things to do
Warming spring weather is conducive to lazing away the days on Australia's beaches and beach resorts, taking road trips of varying periods, visiting Australia's vineyards and wineries, and taking part in sports and adventure activities.
For those interested in horse racing, October is the lead-up month to the running of the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
