Month guide · Melbourne · Australia
Melbourne in January
What January is really like in Melbourne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Donaldytong, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 14.5 hours of daylight. Mostly warm and dry, with occasional scorching days above 40°C followed by sudden cool changes; the Australian Open fills the city.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 20°C (68°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Melbourne: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with December (24°C (75°F)), January is warmer; by February highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:15
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 20:44
- Daylight
- About 14.5 hours
- Sea
- 20°C (68°F)
Autumn (March–May). Often the most settled weather of the year, with the Grand Prix, comedy and food festivals, and golden leaves in the gardens by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in 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)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · South Yarra
Royal Botanic Gardens
Walk part of the Tan, the 3.8 km running track around the edge of the gardens, or join locals picnicking by the Ornamental Lake.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
- Couples
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Historic site · Kings Domain
Shrine of Remembrance
Melbourne's war memorial, completed in 1934, is modelled on ancient Greek and Roman monuments.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Waterfront · St Kilda
St Kilda foreshore and pier
Arrive around dusk to see the little penguins return to the breakwater; keep your voice down and never use a camera flash.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Couples
- Nature
Viewpoint · Southbank
Melbourne Skydeck
The observation deck on the 88th floor of Eureka Tower gives 360-degree views over the CBD, Port Phillip Bay and, on a clear day, the Dandenong Ranges.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- After dark
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 15°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Melbourne?
A shoulder-season month, with 3 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Melbourne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Melbourne?
It is a shoulder-season month. Mostly warm and dry, with occasional scorching days above 40°C followed by sudden cool changes; the Australian Open fills the city.
+How warm is Melbourne in January?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in January?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.