Cairns Weather, When to Go and Climate Information

(Cairns, Far North Queensland - QLD, Australia)

Boasting a warm and enticing tropical climate, the weather in Cairns is especially sunny, averaging more than seven hours of sunshine each day, throughout the year. Visitors to Cairns should note that this city is located within the Southern Hemisphere, and therefore the seasons are quite different to those in Europe and the US, with summer beginning in December and winter in June.

Tourists vacationing in Cairns should choose the time of their visit carefully and consider the seasonal climate changes. Those who enjoy high temperatures will find that December and January tend to be the hottest months, with highs well over 30°C / 86°F. However, at this time of the year, tropical monsoons should also be expected, anytime between December and March, when average monthly precipitation levels can top 400 mm / 15.8 inches, drawing dangerous 'box jellyfish' to the beaches without protective netting. July and August are noticeably drier and experience monthly rainfall of less than 30 mm / 1.2 inches, together with plenty of sunny weather to go round.

Seasonal Climate Variations / When to Go

Visitors who are not keen on the heat should visit Cairns between May and July, when temperatures are cooler and average around 25°C / 77°F by day, with a cardigan or light jacket often being required during the evening.

Many tourists choose to visit Far North Queensland during the autumn (March to May) or winter climate (June to August), since the Great Barrier Reef is at its most accessible at this time of the year - roads have been known to become periodically flooded in the wet season.

Cairns Weather and Climate Chart (Averages)

	Maximum	Minimum
January	31°C / 88°F	23°C / 73°F
February	30°C / 86°F	23°C / 73°F
March	29°C / 84°F	22°C / 72°F
April	28°C / 82°F	20°C / 68°F
May	27°C / 81°F	19°C / 66°F
June	25°C / 77°F	18°C / 64°F
July	25°C / 77°F	16°C / 61°F
August	26°C / 79°F	17°C / 63°F
September	27°C / 81°F	18°C / 64°F
October	28°C / 82°F	20°C / 68°F
November	30°C / 86°F	21°C / 70°F
December	30°C / 86°F	23°C / 73°F