Month guide · Cairns · Australia
Cairns in August
What August is really like in Cairns: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steve Fitzgerald, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Cairns. Expect average highs of 27°C (81°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 11.5 hours of daylight. Dry and pleasant with cool nights; dwarf minke whales visit the northern reefs in winter.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 27°C (81°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the 10th-warmest month in Cairns: days average 27°C (81°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with July (26°C (79°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:35
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:08
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F)
Build-up (September–November). Hot, sunny days and the calmest, clearest seas for the reef before humidity rises and stingers return in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Cairns Festival (usually late August to early September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Experience · Smithfield
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
A 7.5-km gondola glides just above the rainforest canopy of Barron Gorge National Park from Smithfield to Kuranda, with stops at Red Peak for a boardwalk among giant kauri pines and at Barron Falls for lookouts over the gorge.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours one way
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Kids
Experience · Kuranda
Kuranda Scenic Railway
The train pauses at the Barron Falls station for the lookout platform; be ready to step off quickly, as the stop is short.
- Time needed
- About 2 hours one way
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Iconic
Garden · Edge Hill
Cairns Botanic Gardens
The gardens in Edge Hill hold one of Australia's best collections of tropical plants, including palms, gingers and rainforest species, with boardwalks through swamp forest to Centenary Lakes and trailheads for Mount Whitfield.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Redlynch
Crystal Cascades
Swim only in the designated pools and stay away after heavy rain, when flash flooding is a real risk.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cairns.
What to pack
For highs near 27°C, lows near 17°C and 4 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Cairns?
One of the best months to visit Cairns, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June–July and September–October. Compare every month.
Cairns in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Cairns?
It is one of the best months to visit Cairns. Dry and pleasant with cool nights; dwarf minke whales visit the northern reefs in winter.
+How warm is Cairns in August?
Average highs are around 27°C (81°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairns in August?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.