Armidale sits at around 1,000 metres on the New England Tablelands, which gives it a cool temperate climate unlike the hot lowlands to the east and west. Summers are mild and pleasant — rarely above 30°C — making it a comfortable escape from coastal humidity. Winters are genuinely cold, with frosts common and occasional snow on the nearby hills.
Autumn (March to May) is the best time to visit. The deciduous trees planted by European settlers turn gold, orange, and red throughout the city's parks and avenues, and Armidale's streets can look remarkably European for a week or two. This is one of the most celebrated autumn foliage displays in Australia.
Spring brings wildflowers to the national parks surrounding the city, and the waterfalls are at their most dramatic after winter rain. Summer is good for bushwalking — the days are long and the gorge walks in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park are at their best.