Cairns in January

Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Mar (wet season, cyclone risk, marine stingers).

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatInside Cairns's best window: Jun–Oct (dry season, lower humidity).
• JulyGreatInside Cairns's best window: Jun–Oct (dry season, lower humidity).
• AugustGreatInside Cairns's best window: Jun–Oct (dry season, lower humidity).
• SeptemberGreatInside Cairns's best window: Jun–Oct (dry season, lower humidity).

• CairnsHighs around 32 °C (90 °F), lows around 24 °C (75 °F), rain on about 15 daysHighs around 90 °F (32 °C), lows around 75 °F (24 °C), rain on about 15 days
• Tropical north, Australia · Cairns, Port Douglas, Darwin, Kakadu, Kimberleystorm or typhoon risk

  Dry season May–Oct is the window: roads open, no stingers in most of it, waterfalls still flowing early on. Nov–Apr brings humidity, monsoon floods, cyclones and box jellyfish.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year big impact

  31 Dec – 1 Jan · Australia

  Sydney Harbour fireworks: vantage points ticketed or claimed from morning; beds book out months ahead.

• Summer school holidays big impact

  Mid-Dec to late Jan · Australia

  Coast, campsites, ferries and Tasmania fill; prices peak.

Crowds · Australia overall

High

Prices · Australia overall

High

Australia overall: Peak summer in the south: beaches, holidays and high prices; the north is in full wet and cyclone season.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cairns, side by side.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

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