Cairns Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

In Cairns temperatures are generally consistent throughout the year. On average, daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 29°C (84°F) in February to a comfortable 23°C (73°F) in July.

Nighttime temperatures range from 25°C (77°F) in February to 18°C (64°F) in July.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

Cairns experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 1334 mm (53 in) of precipitation annually. The seasons in Cairns bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, February, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 292 mm (11 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 14 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, September, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 23 mm (0.9 in) over 4 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year. For more details, please visit our Cairns Precipitation page.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow

The average number of days each month with precipitation

Cairns enjoys sunny spells year-round. October sees up to 9.1 hours of daily sunshine, perfect for a sunny trip. February, the least sunny month, still offers a generous 5.7 hours of sun despite this cloudier time of the year.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

The mean water temperature over the year ranges from 22°C (72°F) in June to 28°C (82°F) in January.

Water temperature over the year

The relative humidity is high throughout the year in Cairns.

The city experiences its highest humidity in March, reaching 74%. In September, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 55%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.

Relative humidity over the year