Best time to visit Cairns
Go inJune–October
J31°F31°M30°A29°M27°J26°J25°A26°S27°O29°N30°D31°
June to October is dry and comfortable.
See Cairns on the globeCairns month by month
| Month | Rating | Avg high | Rain | Crowds | Flights | What’s on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 31°C | Very wet | Quiet | Cheapest | Stinger season |
| February | Poor | 31°C | Very wet | Quiet | Cheapest | Stinger season |
| March | Poor | 30°C | Very wet | Quiet | Cheapest | Stinger season |
| April | Mixed | 29°C | Wet | Quiet | Cheapest | Stinger season |
| May | Good | 27°C | Some rain | Moderate | Average | Stinger season |
| June | Great | 26°C | Some rain | Moderate | Average | Reef season |
| July | Great | 25°C | Mostly dry | Peak crowds | Priciest | Reef season |
| August | Great | 26°C | Mostly dry | Peak crowds | Priciest | Reef season |
| September | Great | 27°C | Mostly dry | Moderate | Average | Reef season |
| October | Great | 29°C | Some rain | Moderate | Average | Reef season |
| November | Good | 30°C | Some rain | Quiet | Cheapest | Reef season, Stinger season |
| December | Mixed | 31°C | Wet | Quiet | Cheapest | Stinger season |
Festivals, events and seasons in Cairns
- Jun–Nov🌿 Reef seasonDry, clear water on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Nov–May⚠️ Stinger seasonWear a stinger suit to swim.
Good to know
- Flights to Cairns are usually cheapest in November–April. The catch: December–April are rainy.
- Crowds and prices peak in July–August, so book early.
- The heaviest rain falls in January–March.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
The best time to visit Cairns is June–October. June to October is dry and comfortable.
What is the cheapest time to fly to Cairns?
Flights are usually cheapest in November–April, when demand is lowest.
When is Cairns busiest?
Cairns is busiest in July–August.
What is the weather like in Cairns?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 31°C, and July the coolest at 25°C. The wettest period is December–April.
More places in Australia
- Sydney best in May–Jun and Aug–Dec
- Melbourne best in Oct–Apr
- Uluru best in May–Sep
- Perth best in Mar–Apr and Sep–Dec
- Canberra best in Sep–Apr
- Brisbane best in May–Nov
- Gold Coast best in May–Nov
- Adelaide best in Oct–May
- Hobart best in Mar–Apr and Nov–Dec
- Darwin best in May–Oct
- Byron Bay best in Jul–Nov
- Broome best in Jun–Jul
- Airlie Beach best in May–Nov
- Margaret River best in Oct–Apr
Nearby destinations
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea best in Jun–Sep
- Goroka, Papua New Guinea best in Jul–Aug
- Honiara, Solomon Islands best in Jun–Nov
- Nouméa, New Caledonia best in Jun and Sep–Nov
- Dili, Timor-Leste best in Jun–Sep
- Port Vila, Vanuatu best in Jun and Sep–Oct