Month guide · Cairns · Australia
Cairns in December
What December is really like in Cairns: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Roadrunnerz45, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 13.1 hours of daylight. Hot and humid as the wet season begins, with storms; busy over Christmas holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the warmest month in Cairns: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (31°C (88°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:39
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 18:46
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F)
Peak wet season (February–April). The heaviest rain and highest cyclone risk; lush rainforest and full waterfalls, but flooded roads and cancelled trips are possible.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
December has no major recurring festival in Cairns, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Island · Great Barrier Reef
Green Island
A coral cay about 45 minutes by fast boat from Cairns, covered in rainforest and fringed by sand and reef.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
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Island · Great Barrier Reef
Fitzroy Island
Walk the Summit Track in the morning, then snorkel off Nudey Beach in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Couples
Market · Kuranda
Kuranda village and markets
The rainforest village at the top of the railway has two market areas of craft stalls, food and Aboriginal art, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary with Ulysses butterflies, and small wildlife parks with koalas and birds.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Shopping
- Nature
Garden · Edge Hill
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Combine the gardens with the Red Arrow circuit on Mount Whitfield for a city view, early in the day before the heat.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
The sea averages 29°C (84°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cairns.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 23°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 December a good time to visit Cairns?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Cairns in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Cairns?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot and humid as the wet season begins, with storms; busy over Christmas holidays.
+How warm is Cairns in December?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairns in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.