Month guide · Adelaide · Australia
Adelaide in January
What January is really like in Adelaide: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 14.3 hours of daylight. Hot and dry with occasional heatwaves; beaches, cricket and cycling draw crowds.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 21°C (70°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Adelaide: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with December (27°C (81°F)), January is warmer; by February highs stay near 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:18
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 20:32
- Daylight
- About 14.3 hours
- Sea
- 21°C (70°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, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in February). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Tour Down Under cycling race (usually January)
- Australia Day celebrations (26 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · East End
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Enter from North Terrace, walk through the Palm House and finish at the National Wine Centre for a tasting.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
Landmark · North Adelaide
Adelaide Oval
Often called one of the world's most picturesque cricket grounds, the oval keeps its heritage scoreboard and Moreton Bay figs alongside modern stands.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Active
Beach · Glenelg
Glenelg Beach and Jetty
Take the tram from Victoria Square, which takes about 30 minutes, and stay for sunset at the end of the jetty.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Iconic
Zoo · North Adelaide
Adelaide Zoo
Opened in 1883, Australia's second-oldest zoo is a compact, walkable site beside the Botanic Park, with heritage buildings, an Australian native section, primates and big cats.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
The sea averages 21°C (70°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Adelaide.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 17°C and 3 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Adelaide?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events 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 January a good time to visit Adelaide?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and dry with occasional heatwaves; beaches, cricket and cycling draw crowds.
+How warm is Adelaide in January?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Adelaide in January?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.