Month guide · Brisbane · Australia
Brisbane in January
What January is really like in Brisbane: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Original uploader was Lilywatanabe at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 13.7 hours of daylight. Hot and humid with frequent afternoon storms; school holidays keep South Bank busy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 13.7 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Brisbane: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with December (29°C (84°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 05:06
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:47
- Daylight
- About 13.7 hours
Autumn (March–May). Humidity eases into warm, sunny, drier days — May is one of the most pleasant months.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Brisbane International tennis (usually early January)
- Australia Day (26 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · South Bank
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Check the programme for the Children's Art Centre and the cinémathèque, both included in or alongside the free collection displays.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Gallery · South Bank
Queensland Art Gallery
The older half of QAGOMA displays Australian, European and Asian art from colonial landscapes to Indigenous works around a calm Watermall.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Museum · South Bank
Queensland Museum Kurilpa
SparkLab charges separately; the main galleries are free and suit a hot or rainy afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
Architecture · Brisbane CBD
Brisbane City Hall and Museum of Brisbane
The sandstone City Hall on King George Square opened in 1930 with a clock tower that was once the tallest point in the city.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 21°C and 10 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Brisbane?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and August–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Brisbane in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Brisbane?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot and humid with frequent afternoon storms; school holidays keep South Bank busy.
+How warm is Brisbane in January?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Brisbane in January?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.