Month guide · Cairns · Australia
Cairns in July
What July is really like in Cairns: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kerry Raymond, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
July is one of the best months to visit Cairns. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 11.2 hours of daylight. Mild, dry and sunny — the busiest month with southern Australian school holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 11.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 24°C (75°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in July
July is the coolest month in Cairns: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 29°C (84°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with June (26°C (79°F)), July is about as warm; by August highs stay near 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 06:47
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 17:59
- Daylight
- About 11.2 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, July rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: July is one of the pricier months.
Events in July
- Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (usually July)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Gallery · Edge Hill
Tanks Arts Centre
Check the programme for evening concerts or the monthly markets in the dry season.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Free
Gallery · Cairns City
Cairns Art Gallery
The regional gallery near the Esplanade focuses on the art of Far North Queensland, including strong collections from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, in a heritage-listed former public office building.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Free
Island · Great Barrier Reef
Green Island
Snorkel near the jetty and along the western beach at high tide, and go early before the bigger boats arrive.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
![user riftreef, [1]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Welcomebay.jpg){kind=link}
Island · Great Barrier Reef
Fitzroy Island
A mountainous continental island about 45 minutes by ferry from Cairns, with rainforest walks to a summit and lighthouse lookout, fringing coral off Welcome Bay and Nudey Beach, and a turtle rehabilitation centre that runs tours.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Couples
The sea averages 24°C (75°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Cairns.
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 17°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July 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 and August–October. Compare every month.
Cairns in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is July a good time to visit Cairns?
It is one of the best months to visit Cairns. Mild, dry and sunny — the busiest month with southern Australian school holidays.
+How warm is Cairns in July?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cairns in July?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.