Cairns in Summer — Weather & What to Expect
Summer in Cairns (December, January, February) averages daytime highs of 30.6°C and lows of 24.1°C, with around 1077.6mm of rain across the season (60 rainy days in total). It includes some of the best months of the year to visit (December, January, February).
In the southern hemisphere, summer in Cairns covers December, January, February.
Summer in Cairns month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 30.6°C | 23.9°C | 343.7mm | 17 | 8/10 |
| January | 30.4°C | 24.1°C | 417.4mm | 23 | 8/10 |
| February | 30.8°C | 24.4°C | 316.5mm | 20 | 8/10 |
What to pack for Cairns in summer
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- High SPF sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Reusable water bottle
- Compact travel umbrella
- Waterproof jacket
- Quick-dry clothing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is summer a good time to visit Cairns?
Summer in Cairns rates around 8/10 — good time to visit. Average highs are 30.6°C with 1077.6mm of rain across the season.
How hot is Cairns in summer?
Daytime highs average 30.6°C (87.1°F) across December, January, February, with nights around 24.1°C.
What months are summer in Cairns?
Cairns is in the southern hemisphere, so summer covers December, January, February.
See also: best time to visit Cairns · Cairns annual climate · Cairns in spring · Cairns in autumn · Cairns in winter
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Once you know what summer in Cairns looks like, find out exactly what to pack for Cairns at 247PackingList. For currency, language and country facts, see the Australia guide at 247CountryInfo.
Summer in Cairns — what to pack
Lightweight travel clothing
Lightweight, breathable clothing and a compact travel umbrella are essential in this climate.
Check Price →Check clothing sizes in Australia at 247Sizing before you shop.
More summer travel essentials
Last updated:
Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.