The month in detail
What to expect in December
In the height of summer, Cairns sees high temperatures (31°C). Heat is a factor for outdoor activities. Expect rain on 35% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
December ranks 9 out of 12 months in Cairns. Compared to November: 7 pts more rainy days, −0.8h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
9 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
very humid
23°
Sea
30°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
13.0h of daylight
Air quality
excellent
AQI 16
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Cairns is September (8.9/10), 3.5 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cairns
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cairns
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Australia
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyAustralian Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthDecember · 31°C
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 24°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 56%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Cairns ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
AustraliaTropical climate with a 8.9 → 4.8 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
16.92°S · 145.77°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cairns?
September is the best month with 27.0°C highs, 20.0°C lows, 9.0h of sunshine and 14.0% rainy days. The months of September & October offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cairns get in September?
Cairns averages 9.0 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cairns?
February is the most unfavourable month with February has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cairns in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 20.0°C, while afternoon highs average 27.0°C.
Is Cairns good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cairns scores 4.9/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 8.6/10.
When should you avoid Cairns?
February is the most difficult month to visit Cairns, with February has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Cairns in December?
In December, the sea averages 30°C in Cairns: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Cairns in December?
The average UV index reaches 9 in December in Cairns (very high), with about 13.0h of daylight. Protection essential.