Australia

Australia Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Australia in May.

Planning a trip to Australia this May? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Australia in May

In May, Australia experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from cold to very warm and precipitation levels ranging from almost none to heavy.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from cold in Liawenee at 9°C (48°F) to very warm in Marrakai at 34°C (93°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 21°C (70°F) in Marrakai and 1°C (34°F) in Liawenee.

To explore the conditions in Australia in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no rainfall in Katherine with an average of 3.9 mm (0.2 in) to heavy rainfall in Strahan with 211 mm (8.3 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Melbourne, you can expect around 140 hours of sunlight in May, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

Explore Australia by month

Best Places to Visit in Australia in May

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Australia.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Australia

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in Australia?

Temperature range in Australia (May)

Precipitation variation in Australia (May)

Melbourne

In May Melbourne generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
21°C (70°F)
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
180 hours
140 hours
123 hours
Monthly rainfall
56 mm (2.2 in)
53 mm (2.1 in)
60 mm (2.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
10 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Sydney

In May Sydney generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
23°C (73°F)
20°C (68°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
16°C (61°F)
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
192 hours
180 hours
186 hours
Monthly rainfall
79 mm (3.1 in)
79 mm (3.1 in)
98 mm (3.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
11 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Gold Coast

In May Gold Coast generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 23°C (73°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 17°C (63°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
25°C (77°F)
23°C (73°F)
21°C (70°F)
Min temperature
19°C (66°F)
17°C (63°F)
15°C (59°F)
Monthly sun hours
210 hours
201 hours
195 hours
Monthly rainfall
78 mm (3.1 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
97 mm (3.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
12 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Brisbane

In May Brisbane generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 24°C (75°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
26°C (79°F)
24°C (75°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
239 hours
199 hours
241 hours
Monthly rainfall
60 mm (2.4 in)
70 mm (2.8 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
11 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Perth

In May Perth generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C (72°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
26°C (79°F)
22°C (72°F)
19°C (66°F)
Min temperature
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
251 hours
208 hours
178 hours
Monthly rainfall
28 mm (1.1 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
12 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Australia.

Popular cities in May

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Australia in May.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Melbourne 17°C (63°F) 9°C (48°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sydney 20°C (68°F) 14°C (57°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Cairns 25°C (77°F) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Gold Coast 23°C (73°F) 17°C (63°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Perth 22°C (72°F) 12°C (54°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Uluru 25°C (77°F) 11°C (52°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)

Australia weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Australia in May?

Australia typically experiences tolerable weather in May, part of the season. Daytime highs in Melbourne average around 17°C (63°F), and temperatures drop to about 9°C (48°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Australia in May?

In Melbourne, the average daytime high in May is 17°C (63°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 9°C (48°F).

Does Australia get a lot of rain in May?

Not particularly. Melbourne averages just 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain in May, making it a mostly dry month for Australia.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Australia?

Given the typically tolerable weather conditions in Melbourne, May may not be the ideal time to visit Australia.

Generally speaking, January, February, March, April, October, November and December provide perfect weather in Melbourne. On the other hand, the weather in May, June, July, August and September tend to be tolerable.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Australia.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Australia? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Australia.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.