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Best time to visit Melbourne
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Melbourne, Australia
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20-28°C, sunny and warm with occasional sea breezes | peak | peak |
⚠ High demand due to school holidays and summer break. | |
| February | 20-28°C, warm and generally sunny | high | high |
⚠ Still busy with summer vacationers. | |
| March | 17-25°C, mild and pleasant with sunny days | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Shoulder season begins, offering a good balance. | |
| April | 14-22°C, crisp and cool with sunny spells | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Easter holidays can cause a slight bump in crowds and prices. | |
| May | 11-18°C, cool and often overcast with rain | low | low |
⚠ Can be quite gloomy and wet. | |
| June | 9-15°C, cold and damp with frequent rain | low | low |
⚠ The start of winter brings chilly, wet weather. | |
| July | 8-14°C, cold, wet, and windy | low | low |
⚠ Coldest month, often with persistent rain and wind. | |
| August | 9-16°C, still cold and changeable with showers | low | low |
⚠ Can be unpredictable, with a mix of cold, wet, and occasional sunny days. | |
| September | 10-18°C, cool and windy, often with spring showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Weather is highly variable as spring sets in. | |
| October | 12-20°C, mild and pleasant, often sunny | moderate | moderate |
⚠ A sweet spot with good weather and fewer crowds than summer. | |
| November | 14-22°C, warm and sunny, with occasional showers | high | high |
⚠ Can be busy due to the Melbourne Cup and approaching summer holidays. | |
| December | 16-25°C, warm and sunny, can have heatwaves | peak | peak |
⚠ Crowds and prices surge with the start of summer and Christmas. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
One of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, attracting global stars and fans.
Melbourne's largest community festival, featuring parades, carnival rides, and free entertainment.
The opening race of the Formula 1 season, held at Albert Park.
A national day of remembrance, with dawn services and marches.
One of the world's largest comedy festivals, featuring local and international comedians.
A series of major international art exhibitions hosted by the National Gallery of Victoria.
A series of prestigious horse racing events, culminating in the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
Festive decorations, markets, and events throughout the city leading up to the holidays.
Insider timing tips
- •Melbourne experiences four seasons in one day; pack layers regardless of the month.
- •While summer (Dec-Feb) is popular, the shoulder seasons (March-April and October-November) offer milder weather and fewer crowds.
- •Winter (June-August) is undeniably cold and wet, making it best suited for indoor pursuits and those seeking the lowest prices.
- •The Spring Racing Carnival (Sept-Nov) significantly increases accommodation prices and crowds, especially around Melbourne Cup week.
- •Public holidays like ANZAC Day (April 25th) can mean some businesses and services have reduced operating hours.
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