Destination
When should you visit Melbourne?
Melbourne is Australia's city of coffee, laneways, food and sport. The seasons are the opposite of Europe's: summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August. The weather is famously changeable, with hot spells in summer and gray, cool winters. Big events, from the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, shape crowds and prices. Here is how every month compares.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
March
Warm, settled late-summer weather, mild evenings and a full festival calendar, with Moomba and the Comedy Festival.
Best for tennis
January
The Australian Open in the second half of the month.
Best for racing
November
The Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday.
Best for footy
September
The AFL Grand Final.
Best value
May–August
Cool winter months with lower prices.
March scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- Changeable weather
- Pack layers, even in summer.
- Event weeks
- Hotels fill up during the big events.
- Gray winter
- Cool and often cloudy, best for food and culture.
All year
January, March–April, November
June–August
Melbourne travel tip
Bring a layer whatever the month, Melbourne can have four seasons in a day. Use the free tram zone in the city center. For day trips, the Great Ocean Road and the Mornington Peninsula are best on clear, mild days in autumn or spring.
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- 16–27°C
- Warm, around 27°C, with hot spells.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy, especially in the second half.
- Prices
- $$$$$
- High rates.
Buy a ground pass for the early rounds, it's the best value.
- Tennis
- Beaches
- Temperature
- 16–26°C
- Warm, around 27°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Moderate.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Moderate rates.
Take a day trip to the Mornington Peninsula.
- Rooftops
- Beaches
- Temperature
- 14–24°C
- Mild, around 25°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Busy around events.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Higher rates around events.
Check the year's events before booking.
- Festivals
- Food
- Temperature
- 12–21°C
- Mild, around 21°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
- Moderate rates.
Drive the Great Ocean Road in clear autumn weather.
- Comedy
- Food
- Temperature
- 10–18°C
- Cool, around 18°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- $$
- Lower rates.
Try Degraves Street for coffee.
- Food
- Coffee
- Temperature
- 8–15°C
- Cool, around 15°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- $$$
- Lower rates.
Book NGV exhibitions online.
- Food
- Bars
- Temperature
- 7–14°C
- Cool, around 14°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet, apart from school holidays.
- Prices
- $$$
- Lower rates.
Watch a footy game at the MCG.
- Footy
- Food
- Temperature
- 8–15°C
- Cool, around 15°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- $$
- Lower rates.
Look for small bars with open fires.
- Film
- Food
- Temperature
- 9–18°C
- Mild, around 18°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busy around the Grand Final.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates rise on Grand Final weekend.
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens for spring blooms.
- Footy
- Gardens
- Temperature
- 10–20°C
- Mild, around 20°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
- Moderate rates.
Carry a layer, the weather turns fast.
- Gardens
- Rooftops
- Temperature
- 12–22°C
- Mild, around 22°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Busy during Cup week.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Higher rates in Cup week.
Dress up, even if you just go to a bar to watch.
- Racing
- Rooftops
- Temperature
- 14–24°C
- Warm, around 24°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Busy around the holidays.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Higher rates.
Book Boxing Day Test tickets early.
- Cricket
- Beaches
Climate
Melbourne weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 61°F | 43 mm |
| February | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 61°F | 41 mm |
| March | 25°C / 77°F | 14°C / 57°F | 41 mm |
| April | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 52 mm |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 10°C / 50°F | 51 mm |
| June | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 49 mm |
| July | 14°C / 57°F | 7°C / 45°F | 48 mm |
| August | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 51 mm |
| September | 18°C / 64°F | 9°C / 48°F | 54 mm |
| October | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 55 mm |
| November | 22°C / 72°F | 12°C / 54°F | 54 mm |
| December | 24°C / 75°F | 14°C / 57°F | 58 mm |
Climate data: Bureau of Meteorology (Melbourne Olympic Park, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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FAQ
Planning a trip to Melbourne
What is the best month to visit Melbourne?
March, with warm, settled weather and big events like Moomba and the Comedy Festival.
When is winter in Melbourne?
June to August. Average highs are around 14°C in July.