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When to go · Cooktown

Cooktown in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Apr (wet season; road flooding and stingers).

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
32°C (90°F) / 24°C (75°F)
average high / low
Rain days
17
Crowds
High
Australia overall
Prices
High
Australia overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Cooktown

Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Apr (wet season; road flooding and stingers).

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • CooktownHighs around 32 °C (90 °F), lows around 24 °C (75 °F), rain on about 17 days

Festivals and holidays

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 and prices

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.

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    May: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: 32 °C (90 °F)

    May: 28 °C (82 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)

    May: 20 °C (68 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 17

    May: 8 (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    May: Low

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 2

    May: 0

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Apr (wet season; road flooding and stingers).

May: Inside Cooktown's best window: May–Oct (dry season).

Cooktown: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Australia in January →