Weather in Cairns

Cairns enjoys a tropical climate, which means weather can sometimes be erratic. While the city experiences a dry season and a wet season, cyclone season runs from spring to autumn, three quarters of the year.

The summer months (December to February) mark the wet or monsoon season. Temperatures can reach 31°C (88°F) and it's also hot and sticky. This season provides the best time to visit the nearby rainforests, when the foliage is luxurious and the rivers and waterfalls are fully flowing. This is also when underwater visibility is best, making it the perfect season for divers and snorkelers to visit.

Autumn (March to May) is when the dry season resumes, with temperatures averaging between 22°C-29°C (71°F-84°F), both day and night.

Winter (June to August), with its cooler weather and lower humidity, is popular for sightseeing and whale-watching. Prepare for high accommodation and travel costs as this is peak tourist season.

Spring (September to November) witnesses the transition from the dry season to the wet season, and with it, plenty of humidity. Thunderstorms are common, but if you’re willing to brave the weather, you can see the Great Barrier Reef come alive in November when the coral spawns.

	Weather (day)		Temp (max day)	Wind (mph)	Humidity Pressure Visibility
Sunday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	9 e	0-20% 1016 mb good
Monday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	10 e	0-20% 1016 mb good
Tuesday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	12 e	0-20% 1016 mb good
Wednesday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	10 e	0-20% 1016 mb good
Thursday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	8 ene	0-20% 1016 mb good
Friday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	7 ene	0-20% 1016 mb good
Saturday	Sunny	Sunny skies	32 °C	7 ene	0-20% 1016 mb good

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Last updated: 2024-09-04 13:15:32
We update the weather data for from our weather partner every four hours. The time the last update was received is detailed here.

Actual Forecast Location: We have 830+ weather locations on the worldtravelguide.net website. Where no exact location is available we have used the nearest appropriate forecast point.

Symbols indicate the predominant weather for the day in question, calculated based on a weighting of different types of weather. So if a day is forecast to be sunny with the possibility of a brief shower, then we will see a sunny or partly cloudy symbol rather than a rain cloud.

The maximum temperature is the highest temperature forecast between dawn and dusk, and the minimum temperature is the lowest temperature expected from dusk on the day in question to dawn the next day. The temperature is in °C, or Celsius.

Wind speed and direction are the conditions expected at midday. Wind direction is based on a 16 point compass. W, SW, SSW, etc. The wind direction states where the wind originates. Wind speed is listed in MPH or miles per hour.

Humidity levels indicates how much water vapour the air contains compared to the maximum it could contain at that temperature. As a general guide:

0 to 30 is very low
31 to 50 is low
51 to 70 is moderate to low
71 to 80 is moderate
81 to 90 is moderate to high
91 to 100 is high

Pressure is measured in millibars (mb)

Visibility based on whether the human eye can see the following distances:

Very poor - less than 1km
Poor - between 1km and 4km
Moderate - between 4km and 10km
Good - between 10km and 20km
Very good - between 20km and 40km
Excellent - more than 40km

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Featured Hotels

Cairns Queenslander Hotel and Apartments

Just one block from the Cairns Esplanade Memorial Walk and beach, the Cairns Queenslander offers a range of accommodation including spacious private balcony rooms, standard rooms, and self-catering 2 bedroom apartments. For those travelling on business, the hotel is located close to Cairns Central Business District.

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

Located just minutes from Cairns city centre, this 5-star family-friendly resort is set on 28 acres of grounds that include swimming pools and a playground for the children, award winning tropical gardens and rainforest areas. The resort offers a range of accommodation, from luxury condos that sleep up to eight people, to spa villas, and tropical ensuite cabins. Tour companies collect at the front of the resort.

The Reef House

The Reef House is influenced by colonial style beach houses, with plantation shutters, latticework and lush greenery. It offers a relaxed tropical vibe and sits in the heart of Palm Cove’s beachfront boulevard.

Floriana Guesthouse

Occupying an enviable location on the Cairns Esplanade, Floriana Guest House is a heritage-listed former private mansion from the 1930s. Styled with period furnishings, it offers traditional hospitality along with an insight into Cairns history.

Tropic Days Backpackers Hostel

This is simply the best backpackers hostel in town, offering a choice of singles, doubles and small dorms in a beautifully restored Queenslander. There is also a swimming pool surrounded by hammocks for lazy days. One of the best cheap hotels in Cairns for those on a budget.

Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort and Spa

Despite its mouthful of a name, Sea Temple is an elegant apartment-style hotel with direct access to Palm Cove’s palm tree-lined beach. For the ultimate indulgence, book a room with private plunge pool or rooftop spa.

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