Season guide · Cairns · Australia
Cairns in the peak wet season
February–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The heaviest rain and highest cyclone risk; lush rainforest and full waterfalls, but flooded roads and cancelled trips are possible. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 43 rainy days across February–April.
Key facts
- Months
- February–April
- Temperatures
- 22°C (72°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 43
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in the peak wet season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 15 | 12.7 h | 2/5 |
| March | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 | 12.2 h | 2/5 |
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 12 | 11.7 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 29°C (84°F), and 43 of the year's roughly 107 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in the peak wet season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: ANZAC Day services (25 April)
Good choices for the peak wet season
Gallery · Cairns City
Cairns Art Gallery
A good one-hour stop in the heat of the afternoon between the lagoon and dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Free
Aquarium · Cairns City
Cairns Aquarium
A modern aquarium in the city centre that showcases the ecosystems of Far North Queensland, from rainforest rivers and mangroves to the Great Barrier Reef, with a large oceanarium of sharks and rays.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
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
Day trips in the peak wet season
- Mossman Gorge (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Clear water tumbles over granite boulders in the southern Daintree.
- Port Douglas (About 1 hour by car) — The coastal drive north is one of Queensland's most scenic, and Port Douglas rewards it with Four Mile Beach, Macrossan Street's cafés and a Sunday market in Anzac Park.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the peak wet season a good time to visit Cairns?
It is a trade-off: The heaviest rain and highest cyclone risk; lush rainforest and full waterfalls, but flooded roads and cancelled trips are possible. The best months overall are June–October.
+What is the weather like in Cairns in the peak wet season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 43 rainy days over the season.