Canberra in December

Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (heat), Jun–Aug (cold nights).

December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

• MarchGreatInside Canberra's best window: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
• AprilGreatInside Canberra's best window: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
• MayGreatInside Canberra's best window: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
• SeptemberGreatInside Canberra's best window: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.

• CanberraHighs around 27 °C (81 °F), lows around 12 °C (54 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 81 °F (27 °C), lows around 54 °F (12 °C), rain on about 7 days
• South-east coast, Australia · Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaidebest weather

  Summer is beach season and school-holiday peak; Melbourne swings between cool and 40 °C (104 °F) in a day. Winter is mild and sunny in Sydney, grey and cool in Melbourne.Summer is beach season and school-holiday peak; Melbourne swings between cool and 104 °F (40 °C) in a day. Winter is mild and sunny in Sydney, grey and cool in Melbourne.

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.

• Christmas and Boxing Day big impact

  25–26 December · Australia

  Shops closed on Christmas Day; Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the Sydney–Hobart yacht race start.

Crowds · Australia overall

High

Prices · Australia overall

High

Australia overall: Summer holidays begin; bushfire risk and heatwaves in the south, wet season in the north; book everything early.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

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

• A warm layer for the evenings

Build the full packing list for your trip →