Month guide · Perth · Australia
Perth in December
What December is really like in Perth: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gnan garra, CC BY 2.5 au
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 14.2 hours of daylight. Hot and sunny with long evenings; Christmas holidays begin and Rottnest books out.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 21°C (70°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 4th-warmest month in Perth: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with November (27°C (81°F)), December is warmer; by January highs climb to around 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:05
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 19:19
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
- Sea
- 21°C (70°F)
Autumn (March–May). Warm, settled weather and calmer winds — excellent for Rottnest, beaches and wine touring.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Summer school holidays begin (mid-December)
- New Year's Eve celebrations on the foreshore (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Architecture · East Perth
Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium
A sweeping pedestrian bridge over the Swan River links East Perth with Optus Stadium, home to AFL and international cricket.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Views
Beach · Scarborough
Scarborough Beach
Swim between the flags; the surf can be strong and rips are common.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Historic site · Fremantle
Fremantle Prison
Built by convicts in the 1850s and used as a prison until 1991, this is part of the UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Northbridge
WA Museum Boola Bardip
Start in the Ngalang Koort Boodja gallery on First Nations stories before moving to the natural-history halls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
The sea averages 21°C (70°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Perth.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 16°C and 2 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Perth?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Perth in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Perth?
It is a shoulder-season month. Hot and sunny with long evenings; Christmas holidays begin and Rottnest books out.
+How warm is Perth in December?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Perth in December?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.