City in Queensland, Australia
Cairns weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Cairns
Jun–Oct is dry and sunny, 18–28°C. Nov–Apr is hot, wet and cyclone-prone, and stinging jellyfish close beaches. Jul–Sep school holidays are busy.
Cairns weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan30°352 mm
- Feb30°392 mm
- Mar29°392 mm
- Apr28°191 mm
- May26°103 mm
- Jun25°63 mm
- Jul25°53 mm
- Aug26°31 mm
- Sep28°31 mm
- Oct30°62 mm
- Nov31°86 mm
- Dec32°179 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C87°F | 25°C76°F | 352 mm | 85% | Very wet |
| February | 30°C86°F | 25°C77°F | 392 mm | 88% | Very wet |
| March | 29°C84°F | 24°C75°F | 392 mm | 88% | Very wet |
| April | 28°C82°F | 22°C72°F | 191 mm | 87% | Rainy |
| May | 26°C79°F | 20°C69°F | 103 mm | 85% | Pleasant |
| June | 25°C77°F | 19°C66°F | 63 mm | 84% | Pleasant |
| July | 25°C76°F | 18°C64°F | 53 mm | 81% | Pleasant |
| August | 26°C79°F | 18°C64°F | 31 mm | 77% | Pleasant |
| September | 28°C83°F | 19°C67°F | 31 mm | 74% | Pleasant |
| October | 30°C86°F | 21°C70°F | 62 mm | 73% | Pleasant |
| November | 31°C89°F | 23°C73°F | 86 mm | 74% | Pleasant |
| December | 32°C90°F | 24°C75°F | 179 mm | 77% | Rainy |
Best months across Australia
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov | Jan (25°C) |
| Melbourne | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Jan (26°C) |
| Brisbane | Apr–Sep | Jan (29°C) |
| Gold Coast | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | Jan (30°C) |
| Perth | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Feb (27°C) |
| Cairns | Jun–Oct | Dec (32°C) |
| Byron Bay | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | Jan (26°C) |
| Adelaide | Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov | Jan (30°C) |
| Hobart | Dec–Mar | Jan (22°C) |
| Bondi Beach | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Jan (26°C) |
| Whitsundays | May–Oct | Dec (29°C) |
| Uluru | May–Sep | Jan (39°C) |
| Noosa | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | Jan (27°C) |
| Darwin | May–Sep | Oct (33°C) |
| Blue Mountains | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Jan (28°C) |
| Sunshine Coast | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | Jan (28°C) |
| Great Ocean Road | Feb–Apr, Nov–Dec | Feb (19°C) |
| K'gari | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Feb (27°C) |
| Port Douglas | May–Oct | Dec (30°C) |
| Fremantle | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Feb (27°C) |
| Canberra | Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Jan (30°C) |
| Margaret River | Mar–Apr, Oct–Dec | Feb (24°C) |
| Broome | May–Sep | Nov (39°C) |
| Newcastle | Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov | Jan (26°C) |
| Alice Springs | Apr–Sep | Jan (38°C) |
| Launceston | Nov–Mar | Jan (26°C) |
| Manly | Nov–Mar | Jan (26°C) |
| Magnetic Island | May–Sep | Feb (29°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Cairns?
Jun–Oct. Jun–Oct is dry and sunny, 18–28°C. Nov–Apr is hot, wet and cyclone-prone, and stinging jellyfish close beaches. Jul–Sep school holidays are busy.
When is the rainy season in Cairns?
Rain peaks in February with about 392 mm. Months with 150 mm or more: Dec–Apr.
What is the hottest month in Cairns?
December, with average highs of 32°C (90°F).
How cold does Cairns get?
The coolest nights are in July, averaging 18°C (64°F).
More about Cairns
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Sources
- NASA POWER climatology (2001–2020)
- Cairns Airport
- Tourism Tropical North Queensland
- TransLink Queensland
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Temperatures are adjusted by 2.6°C for the city's elevation. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.