Best time to visit · Melbourne · Australia
The best time to visit Melbourne
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Johntorcasio, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Melbourne are March to April and October to November, when days are mild, the parks are green or turning gold, and the events calendar is full. January and February bring the warmest, driest weather and the Australian Open, with higher prices and occasional extreme heat. Winter (June to August) is cool and grey but the lowest-priced season and a good time for food, bars and galleries.
Key facts
- Best months
- February–April and October–November
- Shoulder season
- May, September and December–January
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Coldest month
- June (avg high 14°C (57°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–August
Seasons
Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate known for changeable weather: summer days can swing from mild to above 40°C during hot northerly winds, while winters are cool, grey and showery but rarely frosty in the city. Rain is spread across the year, with more rainy days in winter and early spring.
December–February
Summer
Warm to hot, mostly dry days with long evenings, the Australian Open and beach days at St Kilda, interrupted by occasional 40°C heat and sudden cool changes.
March–May
Autumn
Often the most settled weather of the year, with the Grand Prix, comedy and food festivals, and golden leaves in the gardens by May.
June–August
Winter
Cool, grey and showery with short days, but low hotel prices, the footy season, MIFF and cosy bars and restaurants.
September–November
Spring
Changeable and windy at first, then warmer and greener, with the AFL Grand Final, the Fringe and Melbourne Cup week.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C | 15°C | 5 | 20°C | 14.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 26°C | 16°C | 5 | 20°C | 13.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 24°C | 14°C | 6 | 19°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| April | 20°C | 12°C | 7 | 17°C | 11.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 17°C | 10°C | 9 | 15°C | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 14°C | 8°C | 9 | 13°C | 9.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 14°C | 7°C | 10 | 12°C | 9.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 15°C | 7°C | 10 | 12°C | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 17°C | 9°C | 10 | 13°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 20°C | 10°C | 9 | 15°C | 13.1 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 22°C | 12°C | 8 | 17°C | 14.2 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| December | 24°C | 14°C | 7 | 18°C | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park (usually the second half of January); Midsumma Festival — LGBTQ+ arts and culture (usually January to February); Lunar New Year in Chinatown (late January or February) |
| February | Midsumma Festival (usually until early February); Summer night market at the Queen Victoria Market (usually Wednesday evenings) |
| March | Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park (usually March); Moomba Festival on the Yarra (Labour Day weekend, usually March); Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (usually March); Melbourne International Comedy Festival (usually late March to April) |
| April | Melbourne International Comedy Festival (usually until mid or late April); Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance and the Anzac Day AFL match at the MCG (25 April) |
| May | AFL home-and-away season at the MCG and Marvel Stadium (March to August) |
| June | RISING — arts and live performance festival (usually June); King's Birthday AFL match at the MCG (second Monday of June) |
| July | Winter night market at the Queen Victoria Market (usually Wednesday evenings in winter) |
| August | Melbourne International Film Festival (usually August) |
| September | AFL Grand Final at the MCG (usually the last Saturday of September); Melbourne Fringe Festival (usually September to October) |
| October | Spring Racing Carnival — Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate (usually October); Melbourne Fringe Festival (usually early October) |
| November | Melbourne Cup at Flemington — a public holiday in Melbourne (first Tuesday of November); Summer night markets return to the Queen Victoria Market (usually from November) |
| December | Boxing Day Test cricket at the MCG (26 December); New Year's Eve fireworks over the CBD and the Yarra (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May–August, and the sights are quietest in May–August.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Melbourne?
The best times to visit Melbourne are March to April and October to November, when days are mild, the parks are green or turning gold, and the events calendar is full. January and February bring the warmest, driest weather and the Australian Open, with higher prices and occasional extreme heat. Winter (June to August) is cool and grey but the lowest-priced season and a good time for food, bars and galleries.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Melbourne?
Usually in May–August. Cool, crisp and often grey, with autumn leaves in the Fitzroy Gardens; a good month for galleries, cafés and the footy.
+What is the rainiest month in Melbourne?
July, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Melbourne get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F).