Cairns, AustraliaQuick decision
When to visit Cairns?
🌞 Best time overall
October
🌡️ Optimal temperature
22°C–29°C in October
🌧 Least rain
28% rainy days in October
🌧 Wettest month
January (75%)
📅 Best score
8.5/10
By trip type
Best time by type of trip
Great Barrier ReefJune–October — diving and snorkelling on the world's largest reef.
Daintree RainforestMay–October — world's oldest rainforest, river cruise.
CrocodilesYear-round — Daintree River cruise, saltie spotting.
Atherton TablelandsYear-round — waterfalls, crater lakes and tropical farms.
Monthly climate data
Cairns weather month by month
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rainy days (%) | Precip. mm/d | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⛅ January | 24°C | 30°C | 75% | 14.0 | 11.4h | 7.1/10 |
| ⛅ February | 24°C | 30°C | 70% | 11.0 | 11.3h | 7.1/10 |
| ⛅ March | 24°C | 30°C | 68% | 11.8 | 10.8h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 23°C | 28°C | 51% | 6.2 | 11.1h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 21°C | 26°C | 40% | 3.0 | 10.8h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 19°C | 25°C | 30% | 1.4 | 10.8h | 8.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 19°C | 24°C | 26% | 1.9 | 10.9h | 8.1/10 |
| ☀️ August | 18°C | 25°C | 23% | 1.2 | 11.0h | 8.3/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 20°C | 27°C | 31% | 1.5 | 11.5h | 8.4/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 22°C | 29°C | 28% | 1.6 | 12.0h | 8.5/10 |
| 🌤️ November | 23°C | 30°C | 40% | 2.0 | 12.0h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ December | 24°C | 31°C | 54% | 9.3 | 12.2h | 7.3/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years
🌴 Tropical destination — heavy rain months benefit from an algorithmic adjustment: tropical showers are intense but brief and usually don't ruin a trip.
Seasonal breakdown
What to expect each season
🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Good time
Average 28°C, 53% rainy days, 10.9h sunshine/day. Score: 7.6/10.
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Good time
Average 25°C, 26% rainy days, 10.9h sunshine/day. Score: 8.2/10.
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Good time
Average 29°C, 33% rainy days, 11.8h sunshine/day. Score: 8.3/10.
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Good time
Average 30°C, 66% rainy days, 11.6h sunshine/day. Score: 7.2/10.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Cairns
Check availability during the recommended period
Tip : off-peak months (January, February) are cheapest but weather is significantly worse.
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Activities and tours in Cairns
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
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Flights
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Monthly weather
Detailed weather by month
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
October is ideal with 28% rainy days and 29°C.
January is the wettest month with 75% rainy days.
Yes, October is the best month with an average of 29°C.
In winter, the average score is 7.2/10. Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.
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