Month guide · Adelaide · Australia
Adelaide in December
What December is really like in Adelaide: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ashton 29, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 14.5 hours of daylight. Summer begins with beach days and Christmas events; heatwaves become more likely late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 20°C (68°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 3rd-warmest month in Adelaide: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with November (25°C (77°F)), December is warmer; by January highs climb to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:57
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 20:26
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
- Sea
- 20°C (68°F)
Autumn (March–May). Festival season in March, then mild, settled weather, vintage in the wine regions and autumn colour in the Hills.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Test cricket at Adelaide Oval (most summers, often December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Adelaide Hills
Morialta Conservation Park
A gorge in the foothills about 10 km east of the city, with three waterfalls linked by walking trails and a good chance of seeing koalas in the gum trees.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Beach · Henley Beach
Henley Beach and Henley Square
Time your visit for sunset and walk the coastal path north towards Grange Jetty.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Views
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Market · West End and Gouger Street
Adelaide Central Market
Trading since 1869, the market fills a covered hall between Grote and Gouger Streets with around 70 stalls of fruit, cheese, smallgoods, seafood and bread, plus cafés and food counters.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Gallery · North Terrace
Art Gallery of South Australia
Start with the Elder Wing of Australian art, then cross the courtyard to the South Australian Museum next door.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 15°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Adelaide?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Adelaide in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Adelaide?
It is a shoulder-season month. Summer begins with beach days and Christmas events; heatwaves become more likely late in the month.
+How warm is Adelaide in December?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Adelaide in December?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.