Cairns boasts a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Average annual temperatures hover around 29°C, with the wet season bringing heavy rainfall from December to March and the dry season offering sunny, comfortable weather from May to October. This lush, vibrant city is a year-round gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Cairns, located in Far North Queensland, experiences a classic tropical monsoon climate. There are two main seasons: the wet season (November to April) and the dry season (May to October). During the wet season, temperatures are hot – averaging 24–31°C – with high humidity and frequent, sometimes intense, rainfall. January and February are the wettest months, each often seeing over 400 mm of rain. Thunderstorms and the occasional tropical cyclone can occur, but rain usually falls in short, heavy bursts, leaving plenty of sunny intervals. The lush rainforests and waterfalls are at their most spectacular during this time, and the region’s rivers run full and clear.
The dry season, from May to October, is the most popular time for visitors. Temperatures are pleasantly warm (17–27°C), humidity is much lower, and rainfall drops dramatically, especially from June to August. Days are sunny and clear, with up to 8–9 hours of sunshine in late winter and spring. The southeast trade winds bring breezy, comfortable weather, and the sea remains warm for swimming (22–26°C). Winter is peak tourist season, ideal for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, hiking, and enjoying outdoor festivals. Spring (September–November) sees temperatures rise again and humidity starts to build, with November marking the start of the coral spawning on the reef. Cairns receives about 2,000 mm of rain annually and enjoys roughly 2,700 hours of sunshine per year.
| Average climate data for Cairns, Australia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 18 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 161 | 123 | 111 | 43 | 27 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 26 | 78 | 650 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 22 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 168 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 78 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 80 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 77 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 27 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 44 | 40 | 45 | 42 | 44 | 42 | 39 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
| Average UV index | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
The best time to visit Cairns is from June to October, during the dry season. These months offer warm, sunny days (25–27°C), low humidity, and minimal rainfall – ideal for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in rainforests, and enjoying outdoor festivals. The sea is clear for snorkelling and diving, and stinger risk is lower from June to October.
The least favourable time to visit Cairns is from January to March, when the wet season peaks. Heavy rainfall, high humidity, and the risk of tropical cyclones can disrupt outdoor plans and cause flooding. While the rainforest is lush and vibrant, some activities may be limited, and stinger (jellyfish) season is at its height.
Cairns has a tropical climate with hot, humid, and wet summers (24–34°C) and mild, dry winters (17–27°C). The wet season runs from November to April, while the dry season from May to October is sunny and comfortable.
The wet season lasts from November to April, with the heaviest rain in January and February. Expect frequent afternoon downpours, high humidity, and occasional tropical cyclones during this period.
June to October is the best time for snorkelling and diving, as the weather is dry, seas are calm, and visibility is excellent. The risk of marine stingers is also lower during these months.
No, winter in Cairns is mild and pleasant, with daytime highs of 25–27°C and cool nights around 17–18°C. It's perfect for outdoor activities, and the sea remains warm enough for swimming.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothes, sun protection, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. In the wet season, bring a rain jacket and waterproof shoes. For swimming from November to May, use a stinger suit.
Yes, stinger season runs from November to May. During this time, wear stinger suits when swimming in the ocean, especially at beaches and on the reef.
Cairns enjoys about 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, with the sunniest months from August to November. Even during the wet season, there are still many sunny intervals between showers.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is February (29.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (23.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 26.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (24.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (18.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 21.4 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is January (29.5 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is July (23.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 26.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (160.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (9 mm). Over the whole year there are 649.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (22.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (7.2 days). Over the whole year there are 167.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (81.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is September (73.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is May (17 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is February (11.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 14 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (44.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (28.3 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 37.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 13 h). The months with the shortest days, so the least daylight, are June and July (Average daylight: 11 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 10.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 7.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February and November (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is July (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.2.
