Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is known for its varying weather patterns, from droughts to floods, and everything in between. The country has seen some of its wettest years on record in the last decade, with 2024 being the eighth wettest year overall since 1900. While the Northern Territory and Queensland are known for enduring above-average flooding conditions, it is Tully, Queensland, that is arguably the wettest town in Australia, with an average annual rainfall exceeding 4000 millimetres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wettest town in Australia | Tully, Queensland |
| Average annual rainfall in Tully | Exceeding 4,000 millimetres |
| Highest annual rainfall in Tully | 7,900 millimetres in 1950 |
| Population of Tully | 2,368 people as of 2021 |
| Wettest area in South Australia | Ashton, Adelaide Hills |
| Rainfall in Ashton, Adelaide Hills | 1173 mm |
| National area-averaged rainfall total in Australia in 2024 | 596 mm |
| Ranking of 2024 in terms of rainfall | Eighth wettest year overall on record since 1900 |
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What You'll Learn
Tully, Queensland: Australia's wettest town
Queensland is one of the wettest states in Australia, with the northern part of the state experiencing above-average flooding in 2024. Within Queensland, the town of Tully is often regarded as the wettest town in Australia.
Tully is a rural town in the Cassowary Coast Region of Queensland, located approximately 140 kilometres south of Cairns and 210 kilometres north of Townsville. The town has a tropical rainforest climate due to its exposure to southeasterly trade winds. This climate results in an average annual rainfall of over 4,000 millimetres, with the highest annual rainfall recorded in a populated area of Australia. In 1950, Tully received 7,900 millimetres of rainfall, which is equivalent to nearly an inch of rain per day for the entire year.
The wettest region in Australia is located in far north Queensland, and Tully's reputation as the wettest town is well-known. To celebrate this distinction, the town erected a 7.9-metre-tall Golden Gumboot in 2003, which has become a popular tourist attraction. The height of the boot corresponds to the highest annual rainfall ever recorded in Tully, and it features a mechanical rain gauge and an internal spiral staircase leading to a viewing platform. The idea for the Golden Gumboot was first suggested by ABC rural reporter David Howard in the mid-1970s as an annual media award for the 'wettest' town.
While Tully is widely considered the wettest town in Australia, there is a friendly rivalry with the nearby town of Babinda, which also claims the title. The competition between the two towns has led to annual bragging rights for the wettest town, with residents of both towns passionate about their rainfall totals.
In addition to its wet weather, Tully offers a range of attractions for visitors. The Tully Heritage Trail comprises 20 history boards that highlight important buildings and places around the town, including the Art Deco buildings in Butler Street and the Tully Sugar Pioneers monument. The town is also known for its agricultural produce, with sugar cane and bananas as the dominant crops. For nature enthusiasts, the Murray Falls, located 36 kilometres south of Tully, offer clear pools for swimming and a boardwalk through the rainforest. Mount Tyson, west of the town, provides panoramic views of the coast and the surrounding cane fields and banana plantations.
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Ashton, Adelaide Hills: Wettest area in South Australia
South Australia is one of the driest areas in Australia, with the state recording 12.5% below its average rainfall record in 2019. However, the wettest area in the state is Ashton, a town in the Adelaide Hills, with 1173 mm of rain recorded in 2023.
Ashton is located east of Adelaide and was named by George Hunt in 1858 after his hometown of Ashton in England. The name Ashton is derived from the old English word "aesctun", meaning "ash tree town". The town is situated near Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, a protected area in South Australia, and Mount Bonython, one of the two major peaks in the Adelaide Hills visible from Adelaide.
The Adelaide Hills region, where Ashton is located, typically experiences higher rainfall than the plains and the northern deserts. However, the specific wettest location within South Australia may vary from year to year. For example, in recent years, Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens has been noted as the wettest location, with its higher elevation drawing more rain.
Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, has a Mediterranean climate, with wet, mild to cool winters and hot, dry summers. The city experiences occasional heatwaves, with temperatures spiking into the mid to high 40 °C range due to hot northerly winds. However, the weather can be changeable, with cooler southerly winds bringing temperatures down on some days.
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Queensland: Experienced above-average flooding in 2024
Queensland experienced severe storms and rainfall between 24 December 2023 and 3 January 2024. The storms and rainfall triggered flooding in several parts of the state. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service issued warnings to drivers, advising them not to enter floodwaters. The State Emergency Service responded to approximately 200 calls, mainly related to leaking roofs, sandbagging, and fallen trees. Multiple rescues were carried out as floodwaters stranded individuals in their vehicles and at campsites.
On 18 December 2024, Queensland authorities released water from dams to manage the impact of multiple bouts of wet weather. The watergrid was reported to be at 88% capacity, and dam levels were being closely monitored. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall in southeast and central Queensland, which could lead to flash flooding.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority activated eight local government areas for the South East Queensland Severe Storms and Rainfall, providing various funding assistance measures for individuals, primary producers, small businesses, and not-for-profits. The recovery operation included preparing business cases for extraordinary assistance and offering support to develop event-specific local recovery plans.
Queensland endured above-average flooding conditions in 2024, with it being the state's wettest year since 2022. The combination of tropical cyclones and an increased number of rainy days contributed to the state's wet conditions.
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Northern Territory: Had its wettest season in 2024 since 2011
In 2024, the Northern Territory experienced its wettest season since 2011. The area-averaged rainfall total for the year was 898.5 mm, which was 64% above the 1961-1990 average. This made 2024 the fourth-wettest year on record for the Northern Territory since 1900. The high rainfall in the region was attributed to various factors, including active thunderstorm outbreaks, tropical lows, monsoonal winds, and heavy rainfall.
The Northern Territory's mean maximum temperature in 2024 was also above average, at 32.6 °C, which was 0.73 °C higher than the 1961-1990 mean. Several sites in the region recorded their highest daily rainfall and annual rainfall totals. The mean minimum temperatures were also above average, with the Southern areas and a small region in the centre of the Northern Territory experiencing the highest temperatures on record.
The Northern Territory's wet season in 2024-25 (from October 2024 to April 2025) saw a late monsoon onset, with the monsoon arriving in Darwin on 7 February 2025, the latest since records began in 1957-58. Despite the late monsoon, the region experienced near-average rainfall due to active thunderstorm outbreaks. The rainfall across the Northern Territory was varied, with scattered areas experiencing above-average rainfall while most of the region had average to below-average rainfall.
The Northern Territory's wet season in 2024-25 was also characterised by the busiest cyclone season in 19 years, with 11 out of 12 tropical cyclones forming in the Western Region. Seven of these were severe (Category 3 or greater), impacting areas such as Port Hedland, the Kimberley Coast, and the Pilbara Coast. The combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, tropical lows, and monsoonal winds, contributed to the wettest season in the Northern Territory since 2011.
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Tropical cyclones: A cause of uncharacteristic weather patterns
Australia has witnessed uncharacteristic weather patterns in recent years, with both droughts and floods becoming increasingly common. Tropical cyclones, in particular, have been a significant contributor to these erratic weather conditions. The country experienced its wettest year since 2011 in 2024, with a national area-averaged rainfall total of 596 mm, 28% above the 1961-1990 average. This highlights the impact of tropical cyclones on Australia's rainfall patterns.
The Australian region cyclone season typically runs from 1 November to 30 April each year, with the possibility of cyclones forming at any time between 1 July and 30 June. During the 2023-24 season, Australia experienced its wettest tropical cyclone on record, Cyclone Jasper, which produced torrential rainfall, peaking at 2,252 mm in Bairds near the Daintree River. This broke the previous record held by Cyclone Peter in 1979.
Tropical cyclones have a long history in northeastern Australia, with evidence of storms dating back thousands of years. However, the monitoring and naming of these cyclones is a more recent development. The Australian region is monitored by five different warning centres, including TCWC Melbourne, which was established in 2021. These centres play a crucial role in tracking and predicting tropical cyclones, helping communities prepare for potential flooding and other weather-related impacts.
The impact of tropical cyclones on Australia's weather patterns is evident, with the country experiencing above-average rainfall and flooding in certain regions. The 2023-24 cyclone season was notable for producing at least five severe tropical cyclones, despite overall below-average activity in terms of named storms. This trend of intense cyclones within a larger context of below-average activity underscores the uncharacteristic nature of Australia's recent weather patterns.
While tropical cyclones are a significant factor, other influences also shape Australia's weather. The El Niño and La Niña phenomena, for instance, are known to impact weather patterns across the country. Additionally, subtropical high-pressure systems and other meteorological factors contribute to the variability of Australia's climate. As a result, the future trajectory of Australian rainfall remains uncertain, with expectations of varied changes across different regions rather than a uniform increase or decrease.
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Frequently asked questions
The wettest state in Australia is Queensland. In 2024, Queensland endured above-average flooding conditions, with the state experiencing its wettest season since 2022.
Tully, a rural town in the Cassowary Coast Region, is known for being one of the wettest towns in Queensland. It has an average annual rainfall of over 4000 millimetres and experienced the highest-ever annual rainfall in a populated area of Australia in 1950, with 7900 millimetres of rain.
The Golden Gumboot is a 7.9-metre-tall monument erected in Tully in 2003 to commemorate the town's high rainfall. It also serves as a museum, documenting past floods and displaying the current year's rainfall.
Tully has been impacted by cyclones, most notably Cyclone Yasi in 2011, which caused mass devastation and destroyed many homes in the town.
