When to go
The Best Time to Visit Cairns
Month-by-month climate data for Cairns, Australia — daily highs and lows, rain days, and an honest verdict for every month of the year.
Timing is the first real decision when planning Cairns— it drives crowds, prices and what's actually open. Here's how the year breaks down so you can pick dates that fit the trip you're building, not just the weather.
May–October. Dry season with clear reef visibility; November–April brings the wet season and box-jellyfish risk.
Warmest in Cairns: Jan (31°C / 88°F) · Coolest: Jul (24°C / 75°F) · Wettest: Jan (~24 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Cairns climate, month by month
January
31° / 24°C
~24 rain days
Fair
February
31° / 24°C
~21 rain days
Fair
March
30° / 24°C
~20 rain days
Fair
April
29° / 23°C
~17 rain days
Good
May
26° / 20°C
~13 rain days
Excellent
June
25° / 19°C
~9 rain days
Excellent
July
24° / 18°C
~9 rain days
Excellent
August
25° / 18°C
~10 rain days
Excellent
September
27° / 20°C
~11 rain days
Excellent
October
29° / 21°C
~7 rain days
Excellent
November
30° / 22°C
~13 rain days
Good
December
31° / 24°C
~18 rain days
Fair
Plan around it
Dates locked in? Start from the Cairns travel guide or jump straight to a 3-day, 5-day or 7-day itinerary.