Cairns weather in December
December is a good time to visit Cairns, although it falls during the wet summer season.
You can expect hot weather with around eight hours of sunshine daily and rain showers that mostly fall at night.
Frequently asked questions
We answer the most commonly asked questions (FAQs) about Cairns weather in December.
How hot is it in Cairns in December?
Daytime temperatures usually reach 31°C (87°F) in Cairns in December, with high heat and humidity, falling to 23°C (73°F) at night.
What does the humidity feel like in Cairns in December?
The average dew point temperature in Cairns in December is 22°C (71°F), which can feel muggy and unpleasant.
There are on average 29 days in December that may feel muggy.
How sunny is it in Cairns in December?
There are normally eight hours of bright sunshine each day in Cairns in December – that's around 61% of daylight hours.
Sunrise & sunset in December?
Sunrise is around 5:40am with sunset around 6:45pm.
How warm is the sea around Cairns in December?
The average sea temperature around Cairns in December is 28°C (82°F).
Does it rain in Cairns in December?
There are usually 10 days with some rain in Cairns during December; the average rainfall is 158mm (6in).
How windy is it in Cairns in December?
December sees an average wind speed of around 19 kilometres per hour (12 mph; 10 knots). The predominant wind direction is from the east.
What to do in Cairns in December?
December weather conditions are great for rainforest tours, white-water rafting and are ideal for game fishing and snorkelling or diving the Great Barrier Reef.
Note: December falls within the so-called ‘marine stinger season’. While it is rare for anyone to get badly stung, it’s probably advisable to swim on beaches with swimming enclosures; all beaches in and around Cairns have small, netted enclosures for swimming.
Local holidays?
Christmas Holidays – 25th / 26th Dec. While December falls during low season, hotel rates increase during the summer school holidays and from 26th December to the end of January.
Cairns weather in November
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High Temp: 31°C (87°F) |
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Low Temp: 23°C (73°F) |
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Sunshine: 8 hours per day |
13
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Daylight: 13 hours per day |
 |
Wind speed: 19 km/h (12 mph; 10 knots) |
 |
Rainfall: 158mm (6in) per month |
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Wet Days: 10 days with some rain |
 |
Comfort Level: High heat; ≤ 29 muggy days |
11
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UV Index: Extreme |
 |
Sea Temp: 28°C (82°F) |
| Cairns, Queensland | |
Best time to visit Cairns
The best time to visit Cairns is during the winter dry season from June to November, when the skies are invariably blue and the days warm and sunny, with a gently breeze.
Cairns weather by month
Climate source: Meteorological data for Cairns is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) from the closest weather station: Cairns International Airport (CNS), located 7km (4mi) north of Cairns CBD.
Advice on the best time to visit Cairns is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices. Dew point temperature measures moisture content in the atmosphere: a higher dew point feels more humid, while a lower dew point feels drier.
Latest update: Cairns Weather in December: 21 August, 2025
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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