The best times to mow your lawn are mid-morning and late afternoon. While you may be tempted to wake up super early to mow your lawn, noise regulations in Australia stop the prospect of midnight mowers from disrupting your sleep. If you want to have a pleasant relationship with your neighbour, it's essential to know the best time for garden maintenance and each territory's regulations — that's where Mowrator has stepped in to help you out.
Key Takeaways
- The best times to mow your lawn in Australia are mid-morning (8–10 AM) and late afternoon (4–6 PM), as these periods optimise grass health and minimise stress on the lawn.
- Australian noise regulations specify allowable lawn mowing hours by state, typically between 7 AM and 7–8 PM on weekdays, with later start times on weekends and public holidays to reduce noise complaints.
- Mowing your lawn before rain is ideal to allow grass recovery, while wet conditions can harm equipment, grass health, and safety.
When is the Best Time of Day to Mow Your Lawn?
The best time of day to mow your lawn is between 8:00 and 10:00 in the morning or between 16:00 and 18:00 in the evening. These are the primary and secondary windows that you'll find offer the best conditions to mow your lawn in Australia. Between 8 and 10, the grass has dried from the morning dew, the temperature is still comfortable, and photosynthesis is reaching its peak point, according to Nature Research.
In the secondary window (between 4 and 6 in the afternoon), you'll find the temperature strain on the grass as reduced by the midday heat. There's also enough time after you mow your lawn for the grass to recover before night, as well as less chance of evaporation occurring.
The best time to mow your lawn has been distilled down to a science.
When to Mow Your Lawn in Summer Australia
You should aim to mow your lawn in the early morning during the hot Aussie summers. Between 8 and 11 AM is the best time to mow your lawn, as the grass will dry quickly from the morning dew that has collected overnight. When possible, aim to maintain between 7 to 8 centimetres of your grass and regularly mow it at a consistent height.
By mowing in the morning, you avoid stressing the grass during the day's peak heat and leave enough time for the grass to regrow after you mow it. You can raise the cutting height during extreme heat (30℃+), but ensure you're constantly watering your grass deeply.
When to Mow Your Lawn in Winter Australia
Aim to mow your lawns in mid-morning or early afternoon during Australian winters. If you're in a region with mild winters, like Queensland or Western Australia, you'll rarely need to worry about frost and optimising grass growth. Other areas like Tasmania, however, should be wary of the soil temperatures dropping lower than 14℃, as this can impact your grass growth and how often you mow your lawn.
What Time Can I Mow My Lawn According to State & Territory Regulations?
Aside from the seasons, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlines the noise pollution of each state in Australia and the times when you can mow your lawn. These noise restriction rules are in place to stop excessive noise pollution when people are asleep or relaxing after the workday. There are also separate rules for Sundays and public holidays, which we've outlined for you to look at below.
| State | Monday to Saturday Lawn Mower Time Restrictions | Sunday/Public Holiday Lawn Mower Time Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 7:00AM to 7:00PM | 8:00AM to 7:00PM |
| Victoria | 7:00AM to 8:00PM (Monday to Friday) | 9:00AM to 8:00PM (Weekends) |
| South Australia | 7:00AM to 7:00PM | 9:00AM to 7:00PM |
| Tasmania | Mon-Fri: 7:00AM to 8:00PM Sat: 9:00AM to 8:00PM |
10:00AM to 8:00PM |
| Western Australia | 7:00AM to 7:00PM | 9:00AM to 7:00PM |
| New South Wales | 7:00AM to 8:00PM | 8:00AM to 8:00PM |
What Times Can I Mow My Lawn in Queensland?
According to the Environmental Protection Act 1994, you're only allowed to mow your lawn within a 12-hour window between 7AM and 7PM on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, this is only an 11-hour window between 8AM and 7PM. The Environmental Protection Act 1994 in QLD states,
Environmental nuisance is an unreasonable interference with an environmental value caused by aerosols, fumes, light, noise, odour, particles, or smoke.
These regulations apply to all powered lawn mowers and garden maintenance equipment. The restrictions aim to minimise noise disruption in residential areas while providing sufficient time for lawn maintenance. Violating these time restrictions can result in fines and complaints.
What Times Can I Mow My Lawn in Victoria?
You can mow between 7AM to 8PM on Mondays to Fridays, and between 9AM and 8PM on weekends, according to the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria. The territory recommends that you mow during the mid-mornings and late afternoons during these permitted hours to reduce the chances of a noise complaint.
What Times Can I Mow My Lawn in South Australia?
South Australia limits your use of lawn mowers and power tools between 7AM and 7PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and 9AM to 7PM on Sundays and public holidays. You can take a look at the Environmental Protection Authority South Australia for the full guidelines on noise pollution in the territory.
What Times Can I Mow My Lawn in Tasmania?
You can use your lawn mower between the following hours in the state of Tasmania:
- Mon-Fri: 7:00AM to 8:00PM
- Sat: 9:00AM to 8:00PM
- Sun & Public Holidays: 10:00AM to 8:00PM
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Tasmania offers the best outline for when you can use your lawn mower as well as any electric power tools. If you plan on regularly mowing your lawn, you can avoid several complaints and fines by familiarising yourself with local council and state regulations.
What Times Can I Mow My Lawn in Western Australia?
The Environmental Protection Authority in Western Australia has the same noise pollution EPA guidelines as Southern Australia, namely between 7AM to 7PM on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, the hours of use are between 9AM and 7PM.
What Times Can I Mow My Lawn in New South Wales?
The Department of Planning and Environmental in New South Wales has outlined the specific mowing times for residential use:
- 7:00AM to 8:00PM on weekdays and Saturday
- 8:00AM to 8:00PM on Sundays and public holidays
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Best Mowing Lawn Mowing Times In Australia FAQs
Is it better to mow before or after it rains?
It is better to mow before rain, as this allows the freshly cut grass to heal with the incoming moisture and reduces stress on the lawn. Mowing after rain can damage the grass by causing torn blades, creating clumps that block sunlight, and increasing the risk of spreading plant diseases.
Can I whipper-snip wet grass in Australia?
While it's possible to whipper-snip wet grass, it's not recommended, as damp conditions can clog the trimmer head, cause uneven cutting, and potentially damage your equipment. Additionally, wet grass trimming increases safety risks due to slippery conditions and possible electrical hazards with powered equipment.
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