Month guide · Perth · Australia
Perth in May
What May is really like in Perth: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Pleasant days and the first winter rains; quieter and good value.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 21°C (70°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 8th-warmest month in Perth: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with April (26°C (79°F)), May is cooler; by June highs drop to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:58
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 17:28
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Sea
- 21°C (70°F)
Winter (June–August). Mild and wet, with rain fronts between sunny days; truffle season and the quietest, lowest-priced months.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Perth, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Zoo · South Perth
Perth Zoo
Take the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street and walk up; it turns the trip into a mini river cruise.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Experience · Swan Valley
Swan Valley
Western Australia's oldest wine region, about 25 km northeast of the CBD, is lined with wineries, breweries, a distillery, chocolate and nougat makers and fruit stalls.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Couples
- Outdoors
Zoo · Swan Valley
Caversham Wildlife Park
Combine it with a Swan Valley lunch; the park is a short drive from the wineries.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- 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
The sea averages 21°C (70°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Perth.
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 11°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Perth?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, March–April and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Perth in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Perth?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Pleasant days and the first winter rains; quieter and good value.
+How warm is Perth in May?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Perth in May?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.