When To Visit Cairns
When is the best time to visit Cairns? The shoulder season months of April, May, September, or October have the best weather. But each season offers something different, so it depends on what you're looking for. That said, Cairns has a tropical climate and plenty of unique attractions that are amazing year-round, so you can visit this warm, inviting city any time!
Whether you're looking to go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, swim in waterfalls in the rainforest, or have immersive cultural experiences, Cairns has it all. You can enjoy all of the best activities in Cairns no matter what month you visit, but weather, crowds, prices, and wildlife do vary throughout the year. Our local travel experts are here to guide you through the different seasons so you know when to visit Cairns!
When To Visit Cairns: A Breakdown Of Each Season
There is truly no bad time to visit Cairns, but there are distinct seasons in Australia's Tropical North that may influence your time there. We're going to break down the different seasons in Cairns so you can decide for yourself when to visit. Due to its tropical climate, the weather is pleasant and warm year-round and the wildlife is always thriving. So you can visit Cairns at any time of year, but it's still handy to know the differences between various seasons up in Cairns.
Wet Season
- Months: November to March
- Wettest month: February
Being a tropical destination, Cairns has two main seasons: wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to March, and during this time you'll see increased rainfall and humidity. The rainy season also coincides with summer in Australia, so you'll find hotter temperatures during this time as well. February tends to be the rainiest month.
The wet season is a great time to visit the rainforest areas around Cairns, such as the Daintree Rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands. All the waterfalls will be extra powerful and the vegetation will be lush and green. Besides, wet season doesn't mean it will rain all day every day. You can still have some sunny days, and often it only rains in the afternoon so you can still enjoy clear mornings full of adventure.
Dry Season
- Months: April to October
- Driest month: August
The dry season in Cairns begins in April and continues until October. Temperatures will drop a little, but it will still be warm throughout winter in Cairns. You'll probably only need a light jumper! With the cooler temperatures comes decreased rainfall and humidity. Thanks to the warm, dry, sunny, and pleasant weather throughout winter, the dry season is the best time to visit Cairns for outdoor activities.
Water activities such as sailing, scuba diving, and snorkelling are preferred during the dry season! You can do these things year-round in Cairns, but the drier weather means clearer water and increased visibility for diving and snorkelling. And the lack of rain means better sailing weather as well. For those that don't like the heat, the temperatures are more mild during the dry season as well.
Check out our top Cairns day trips!
Stinger Season
- Months: November to May
Stinger season is an unfortunate and inescapable part of visiting Tropical North Queensland, but Australians have figured out how to live with it! From November to May every year, the ocean around Australia's tropics becomes populated with marine stingers, also known as jellyfish. Common species include Box Jellyfish and Irukandji, both of which have venom that can harm humans if stung.
But never fear! You can still enjoy the ocean around Cairns during the Stinger Season, you just have to take extra precautions. These jellyfish species are tiny and you can protect your skin by wearing a full-body lycra stinger suit. All snorkelling and diving tours will provide these so you can explore the reef safely. Just be sure to avoid swimming in the ocean off the coast without a stinger suit. Some beaches in the area also set up stinger nets that will keep stingers out of a designated swimming area. Plus, Cairns has lots of freshwater swimming locations and the popular Esplanade Lagoon where you can escape the heat during Stinger Season.
Whale Season
- Months: May to September
One of the best times to visit Cairns is whale season! If you're a fan of whales, you can see these majestic giants frolicking around the Cairns oceans between May and September. Every year, thousands of whales leave the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica around May so they can migrate north. They all head for the warm, calm, tropical waters of Queensland so they can mate, give birth, and raise their young.
June and July are the best months to spot Dwarf Minke whales around Cairns. You can even book a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard that specialises in spotting Minke whales! July and August are the best months to see Humpback whales near Cairns. Book any boat tour during these months and there is a chance you'll see these incredible creatures out at sea!
Peak Travel Season
- Months: April to October
- Busiest times: School holidays, public holidays
Peak travel season in Cairns tends to coincide with dry season when the weather is the most pleasant. So with better weather comes more crowds and often higher prices for flights, tours, and accommodations. If you plan to visit Cairns during peak travel season, make sure you book everything well in advance to ensure nothing sells out!
Within the busier months of April to October, certain periods are particularly busy in Cairns. These are school holidays and public holidays! Though Cairns is a bit busier and pricier during these times, it's still a wonderful and convenient time to holiday here if you have a family or you can't get time off otherwise. Here are some peak travel times to look out for when visiting Cairns:
- Cairns Festival: End of August - early September
- School holidays: First two weeks of April, end of June/early July, last two weeks of September and all of December/early January
- Busiest public holidays in Cairns: Christmas, New Years, Easter
Off Season
- Months: November to March
- Quietest times: January and February
Off season in Cairns coincides with the rainy season. Because the weather isn't as nice, tourism drops. But this is the perfect time to visit Cairns if you're looking to save money and escape the crowds! You can score super cheap flights to Cairns during off season, particularly during January and February. Tours and accommodations are often cheaper at this time as well due to the lack of demand.
So if you're looking to travel on a budget, off season is the best time to visit Cairns! Not only will your trip be more affordable, but you can enjoy a less crowded city with quieter attractions. Again, there can still be nice, sunny days during the wet season so you shouldn't have to sacrifice too much exploring time if you visit Cairns during off season.
Shoulder Season
- Months: April, May, September, October
Many would argue that the transition months between wet and dry season are the best months to visit Cairns (April/May or September/October). Nestled right in the middle of the changing weather patterns, these months are considered shoulder season. During April and May, it's the autumn season so the weather is starting to get cooler and drier. But you don't have the rush of crowds that June and July bring!
The same goes for September and October. These months are spring in Cairns, so the weather is starting to get warmer but the heavy summer rains haven't started yet. Shoulder seasons allow you to get the best of the weather without any of the increased prices or crowds!
What Is The Best Month To Visit Cairns?
The best months to visit Cairns are April, May, September, or October during the shoulder season. But it really depends on what you're looking for in your holiday! If you want to travel Cairns on a budget, off season is the best time to visit. This is when prices for tours, accommodations, and flights are at their cheapest. But if your main priority is good weather, then visit during the dry season.
If you want to visit Cairns on a family getaway, then school holidays might be your only free chance to go. Plus there is a lot of buzz in the city during holidays, so that can be an exciting time to explore Cairns. Or if you're interested in seeing whales, whale season is a magical time to visit. The main takeaway here is that there is no bad time to visit Cairns! Each season has its own specialties, and Cairns is honestly stunning year-round.
