Peak in February
Coolest in August
Heavy in February
Peak in dry season
Sea Temperature
Coral Sea
Annual Average
Perfect for swimming and water sports
Based on average sea surface temperature
Cairns coastline
Cairns Monthly Weather Guide
Click any month to explore daily weather forecasts
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Essential Travel Info for Cairns
Currency
AUD
$ Australian dollar
Language
English
Driving
Left side
Safety
High Safety
GPI: 1.565
Best Time to Visit Cairns
Location, climate overview & historical trends
Tap to Explore Map
📍 16.9186° S, 145.7781° E
Open in Google MapsCairns is a prominent destination in Australia.
Located at 16.92°S latitude,Cairns experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round.
Based on 30 years of data, February is the warmest month (avg. 30°C), while August is the coolest. February sees the most rain (58% chance), making September the driest month.
Historical Climate Trend
30-Year Analysis+1.2°C
Total over 30 years
+0.4°C
Per decade
Linear regression analysis of historical maximum temperatures for Cairns, based on 1995-2024 satellite data from NASA POWER.
Best Time to Visit
NASA POWER Data (1991-2021)April, May, June
Best months to visit
27°C
Avg High
Based on 30 years of NASA satellite data,Cairns receives approximately 868mm of rainfall annually. These months offer optimal temperatures and minimal rain probability for your visit.
Climate Trends
EXCLUSIVE1995-2040 Temperature Trend
1995 Avg
26.5°
2024 Avg
27.6°
2040 Proj
27.9°
+0.40°C
per decade (observed)
+0.21°C
per decade (CMIP6)
🌡️ Cairns has warmed by +1.2°C since 1995. By 2040, an additional +0.3°C is projected (based on CMIP6 rate of 0.214°C/decade), for a total of +1.5°C from 1995 baseline.
NASA POWER (1995-2024) + CMIP6 (CMCC_CM2_VHR4, EC_Earth3P_HR, FGOALS_f3_H, HiRAM_SIT_HR, MRI_AGCM3_2_S, NICAM16_8S)
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Cairns
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Airport-to-Airport Logistics
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Flight Connectivity Analysis
Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns
Quieter airport
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Low
Nov
Monthly Traffic Distribution
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Health & Safety Advisory
CDC travel health recommendations
COVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Australia. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Australia.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is mainly a concern in the Murray River, and the Outer Torres Strait Islands area.Recommended for travelers whoAre moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to liveSpend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitisFrequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitisConsider vaccination for travelersSpending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed netsGoing to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be thereNot recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or traveling at times outside of the Japanese encephalitis season.
Measles
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Australia.If rabies exposures occur while in Australia, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.
Yellow Fever
CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Direct travel from United States: Vaccine isnotrequired.Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission: Vaccine isrequiredfor travelers ≥1 year old; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission.3Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes
Source: CDC Travelers' Health
View Complete Health GuideCairns Climate Data by Month
Historical temperature and precipitation averages
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Rain Probability (%) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 55% | 🌧️ Rainy |
| February | 30°C | 58% | 🌧️ Rainy |
| March | 29°C | 49% | 🌧️ Rainy |
| April | 27°C | 31% | 😊 Pleasant |
| May | 26°C | 24% | ✨ Perfect |
| June | 24°C | 14% | ✨ Perfect |
| July | 24°C | 13% | ✨ Perfect |
| August | 24°C | 12% | ✨ Perfect |
| September | 26°C | 12% | ✨ Perfect |
| October | 27°C | 14% | ✨ Perfect |
| November | 29°C | 20% | 😊 Pleasant |
| December | 29°C | 34% | 😊 Pleasant |
Weather in Cities Near Cairns
Explore climate data for popular destinations within easy reach
Compare weather conditions with nearby destinations for your trip planning
Compare Cairns Weather vs Popular Destinations
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These destinations share similar weather patterns with Cairns. Perfect alternatives if you're looking for the same climate in a different location.
Cairns Weather FAQ
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
Honestly, look for months with mild temperatures (20°C-25°C) and low rain chance. Based on historical data, April, May, June are usually great choices.
When is the hottest month in Cairns?
February is historically the hottest month in Cairns with average highs of 30°C.
When does it rain the most in Cairns?
February typically sees the highest probability of rain (58%).
Is Cairns expensive?
Prices vary by season. The "Perfect" weather months usually coincide with peak tourist season and higher prices, while the rainy or cold months offer better deals.