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Best time to visit Melbourne

The best time to visit Melbourne is October–April, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

°C

mm

−10°0°10°20°30°40°
0100200300400500
  • Average daily high and low
  • Precipitation
  • Good month
  • Best month
  • Made good or best by an event
Average daily high and low temperature, average precipitation and each month's verdict
MonthAverage daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitationVerdict
January26.4 °C / 80 °F14.7 °C / 58 °F50 mm / 2 inbest month
February25.7 °C / 78 °F14.6 °C / 58 °F35 mm / 1.4 inbest month
March24 °C / 75 °F13.5 °C / 56 °F39 mm / 1.6 inbest month
April20 °C / 68 °F10.6 °C / 51 °F48 mm / 1.9 inbest month
May16.3 °C / 61 °F8.6 °C / 47 °F45 mm / 1.8 ingood month
June13.5 °C / 56 °F6.7 °C / 44 °F47 mm / 1.9 inneither best nor good
July13.1 °C / 56 °F6.5 °C / 44 °F49 mm / 1.9 inneither best nor good
August14.4 °C / 58 °F6.8 °C / 44 °F48 mm / 1.9 inneither best nor good
September16.9 °C / 62 °F7.8 °C / 46 °F55 mm / 2.2 ingood month
October19.6 °C / 67 °F8.9 °C / 48 °F62 mm / 2.4 inbest month
November21.9 °C / 71 °F11.2 °C / 52 °F65 mm / 2.6 inbest month
December24 °C / 75 °F12.5 °C / 55 °F60 mm / 2.4 inbest month
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen

Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:

  • Daytime highs
  • Night-time lows
  • How warm it feels
  • Humidity
  • How much of the day is sunny
  • Hours of daylight
  • Monthly rainfall
  • How many days it rains
  • Days of heavy rain
  • Wind
  • Snowfall and days with snow
  • Major events, such as festivals

The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.

The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.

Best months by activity

Exploring outdoors

Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: best
  4. AApril: best
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: good
  10. OOctober: best
  11. NNovember: best
  12. DDecember: best
Best
October–April
Good
May, September

Melbourne sees very little heavy rain in any month, so exploring outdoors mostly comes down to temperature and daylight: the warm, bright stretch from spring through autumn (Oct-Apr) is best, May and September are decent shoulder months, and the cold, damp, short winter days of June-August fall short.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 26.7 °C / 80 °F, precipitation 50 mm / 2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, average daily high 26.4 °C / 80 °F, wet days 5.5 days, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, average daily low 14.7 °C / 58 °F, relative humidity 65%.

    Also on: Australia Day celebrations, Australian Open, Lunar New Year celebrations, Midsumma Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Bushfire season hazard, Summer school holiday price surge.

  • February · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 25.8 °C / 78 °F, average daily high 25.7 °C / 78 °F, precipitation 35 mm / 1.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 84%, wet days 5.1 days, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, average daily low 14.6 °C / 58 °F, relative humidity 66%.

    Also on: Lunar New Year celebrations, Midsumma Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Bushfire season hazard.

  • March · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.3 °C / 74 °F, average daily high 24 °C / 75 °F, precipitation 39 mm / 1.6 in, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, wet days 5.8 days, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, average daily low 13.5 °C / 56 °F, relative humidity 68%.

    Also on: Australian Grand Prix (Formula One), Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Easter weekend travel rush.

  • April · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 18.2 °C / 65 °F, average daily high 20 °C / 68 °F, precipitation 48 mm / 1.9 in, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, days with heavy rain 1.4 days, wet days 7 days, average daily low 10.6 °C / 51 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 73%.

    Also on: Australian Grand Prix (Formula One), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: ANZAC Day closures, Easter weekend travel rush.

  • May · good

    In its favour: precipitation 45 mm / 1.8 in, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, feels like (high) 14 °C / 57 °F, average daily high 16.3 °C / 61 °F, days with heavy rain 0.7 days, average daily low 8.6 °C / 47 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 78%, wet days 9.2 days, sunshine per day 7.6 h.

  • September · good

    In its favour: precipitation 55 mm / 2.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, feels like (high) 14 °C / 57 °F, average daily high 16.9 °C / 62 °F, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, average daily low 7.8 °C / 46 °F.

    Against: wet days 10.8 days, relative humidity 72%.

    Also on: AFL Grand Final.

  • October · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 17.8 °C / 64 °F, average daily high 19.6 °C / 67 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, precipitation 62 mm / 2.4 in, days with heavy rain 1.5 days, average daily low 8.9 °C / 48 °F, relative humidity 69%.

    Against: wet days 9.5 days.

    Also on: AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

  • November · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 21.1 °C / 70 °F, average daily high 21.9 °C / 71 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 78%, precipitation 65 mm / 2.6 in, days with heavy rain 2 days, average daily low 11.2 °C / 52 °F, relative humidity 69%.

    Against: wet days 9.9 days.

    Also on: Melbourne Cup / Spring Racing Carnival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

  • December · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.7 °C / 75 °F, average daily high 24 °C / 75 °F, precipitation 60 mm / 2.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, wet days 7.8 days, average daily low 12.5 °C / 55 °F, relative humidity 66%.

    Also on: Boxing Day Test, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Bushfire season hazard, Christmas Day closures, Summer school holiday price surge.

Beach and swimming

Hot, dry and sunny. Penalises the monsoon hard.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: good
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: neither
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: neither
  10. OOctober: neither
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: good
Best
January–February
Good
March, December

Melbourne's sea stays cool all year, so real beach weather is limited to the warm summer of January-February (best) and the mild shoulder months of March and December (good, sea still on the cool side); from April to November both the air and the sea are too cold for a comfortable beach day.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: average daily high 26.4 °C / 80 °F, precipitation 50 mm / 2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, feels like (high) 26.7 °C / 80 °F, wet days 5.5 days, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, wind (daily max) 21 km/h / 13 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 22.4 °C / 72 °F, average daily low 14.7 °C / 58 °F.

    Also on: Australia Day celebrations, Australian Open, Lunar New Year celebrations, Midsumma Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Bushfire season hazard, Summer school holiday price surge.

  • February · best

    In its favour: precipitation 35 mm / 1.4 in, average daily high 25.7 °C / 78 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 84%, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, feels like (high) 25.8 °C / 78 °F, wet days 5.1 days, wind (daily max) 21 km/h / 13 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 21.7 °C / 71 °F, average daily low 14.6 °C / 58 °F.

    Also on: Lunar New Year celebrations, Midsumma Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Bushfire season hazard.

  • March · good

    In its favour: precipitation 39 mm / 1.6 in, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, average daily high 24 °C / 75 °F, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 5.8 days, feels like (high) 23.3 °C / 74 °F, wind (daily max) 19 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 21 °C / 70 °F, average daily low 13.5 °C / 56 °F.

    Also on: Australian Grand Prix (Formula One), Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Easter weekend travel rush.

  • December · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 82%, precipitation 60 mm / 2.4 in, average daily high 24 °C / 75 °F, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, wet days 7.8 days, feels like (high) 23.7 °C / 75 °F, wind (daily max) 21 km/h / 13 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 20.3 °C / 69 °F, average daily low 12.5 °C / 55 °F.

    Also on: Boxing Day Test, Outdoor and moonlight cinemas.

    Watch out for: Bushfire season hazard, Christmas Day closures, Summer school holiday price surge.

An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Mount Buller, 148 km away.

Weather averages

Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Feels like (high) 26.7 °C25.8 °C23.3 °C18.2 °C14 °C10.9 °C10 °C11.2 °C14 °C17.8 °C21.1 °C23.7 °C
Days with heavy rain 1.8 days1.1 days1.1 days1.4 days0.7 days0.9 days0.5 days0.7 days1.6 days1.5 days2 days1.8 days
Time rain usually falls 1 pm5 pm4 pm3 am5 pm5 pm2 pm4 pm4 pm4 pm3 pm6 pm
Sunshine per day 11.8 h11.4 h10.1 h8.7 h7.6 h7.1 h7.1 h8.3 h9.5 h10.3 h11.1 h12.1 h
Relative humidity 65%66%68%73%78%82%80%77%72%69%69%66%

Sea temperature

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sea temperature 2022–202522.4 °C21.7 °C21 °C17.9 °C14.9 °C12 °C10.5 °C11.6 °C13.3 °C15.8 °C18.2 °C20.3 °C
Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–202522.7 °C22 °C21.3 °C18.1 °C15 °C12.1 °C10.7 °C11.7 °C13.5 °C16 °C18.5 °C20.6 °C
  • Very cold 10 °C or less
  • Cold 10 to 15 °C
  • Cool 15 to 20 °C
  • Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
  • Warm 25 to 28 °C
  • Very warm over 28 °C

The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.

Air quality

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–20258.9 µg/m³7.8 µg/m³7.9 µg/m³9.6 µg/m³8.7 µg/m³7.2 µg/m³6.2 µg/m³8.3 µg/m³6.9 µg/m³7.4 µg/m³7.8 µg/m³7.8 µg/m³
Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–202513 µg/m³11.5 µg/m³12 µg/m³16.9 µg/m³14.3 µg/m³12.7 µg/m³11.6 µg/m³14.6 µg/m³11.8 µg/m³11.9 µg/m³12.5 µg/m³12.2 µg/m³
  • Good 15 µg/m³ or less
  • Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
  • Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
  • Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
  • Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
  • Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³

Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.

Events and seasons

What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.

Reasons to go

  • Australian Open

    January

  • Lunar New Year celebrations

    January and February, dates vary from year to year

  • Midsumma Festival

    January and February

  • Outdoor and moonlight cinemas

    January, February, March, April, November and December

  • Australia Day celebrations

    26 January

  • Australian Grand Prix (Formula One)

    March and April

  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival

    March and April

  • Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

    March

  • RISING festival

    June

  • Melbourne International Film Festival

    August

  • AFL Grand Final

    25 September–7 October, dates vary from year to year

  • Melbourne Fringe Festival

    October

  • Melbourne International Jazz Festival

    October

  • Melbourne Cup / Spring Racing Carnival

    2–7 November, dates vary from year to year

  • Boxing Day Test

    26–30 December

Worth knowing before you go

  • Summer school holiday price surge

    January and December

  • Bushfire season hazard

    January, February and December

  • Easter weekend travel rush

    March and April, dates vary from year to year

  • ANZAC Day closures

    25 April

  • Christmas Day closures

    25 December

World Heritage sites nearby

UNESCO World Heritage sites within 25 km, nearest first.

  • Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

    1 km away

Other places in Australia

Compare places month by month on the travel calendar

Monthly averages over 2006–2025, unless stated otherwise.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0), generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5). City data from GeoNames (CC-BY 4.0). Air quality from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and sea temperature from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, both via Open-Meteo.com. Coastline from Natural Earth. Ski areas from OpenSkiMap.org, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Skimap.org. World Heritage sites from Wikidata (CC0), from the World Heritage List © UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Readership from Wikimedia pageview data (CC0). Destination classification derived from English Wikivoyage, © Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).