Between March and May and September and November, Melbourne is at its best. There are fewer tourists and more comfortable temperatures during these shoulder seasons, and airfare is cheaper as a result.
Melbourne's summer months (December–February) see an influx of hot, sweaty tourists, while the winter months (June–August) offer cooler temperatures and fewer visitors.
The city is beautiful year-round, from the hot summer days that have people frolicking in the surf to the cool winter nights that have the city's cultural riches empty of tourists and ready to be explored at your leisure.
The spring and fall shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather and less tourists. If you want to know when to visit Melbourne so that you may go to the beach, arrange your trip to coincide with major events like the Melbourne Cup, or simply avoid the city during its busiest time, read on.
Shoulder season: March-May and September-November
The period of year with the best weather and fewest tourists.
Melbourne's shoulder season typically spans the transitional period between spring and fall. You'll enjoy this visit to the city because there are less visitors and it's not as hot. First before horses start riding in the weeks leading up to the Melbourne Cup in November, the city is swept up in a wave of footy-finals excitement in the months of September and November.
High season: December-February
This is the peak season for festival-goers and sun worshippers.
The peak season in Melbourne features warm summer nights, grand slam tennis tournaments, and music festivals, all of which contribute to a buoyant mood. Weather are hot, hot, hot (sometimes painfully so), and the streets and beaches are packed with tourists from around the world.
Low season: June-August
Cheapest time to visit for vacationers
Low season falls during Melbourne's winter, which means cool temperatures (for Melbourne, that is). In truth, daytime highs rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in these months, making it a fantastic time to come if you want to avoid crowds at the city's top museums, galleries, and markets. Additionally, lodging costs drop.
Here's a rundown of Melbourne's monthly weather and events to help you plan your trip. Nothing is set in stone; plans might shift.
January
Temperatures in January often soar into the forties for several days at a time, but they can also plunge below 20 degrees Celsius for a few days as well. It's the middle of the school year, which means the beaches are packed with families.
Both the national public holiday of Australia Day and the Australian Open, in which the best tennis players in the world compete despite the sweltering heat of summer, bring a flurry of extra activity to the latter part of the month. One of Melbourne's largest music festivals is St. Jerome's Laneway.
February
Again, temperatures will soar in August, but with school in session, the beaches will be less crowded. Extreme heat is common at night, and occasional thunderstorms are possible, despite the generally dry conditions. Chinatown has been celebrating the new year with costumed dragons parading the streets for almost 150 years. There is some flexibility in the date, falling anywhere between the months of January and February.
March
The start of the month can still be uncomfortably hot, but the end of the month typically brings welcome relief from the heat. The weather is drier and the nights are substantially cooler, however some downpours are possible. When the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is held in March, the excitement level among racing fans is through the roof.
April
A great month with hot days and comfortable nights, while some morning fog and gusty winds are possible. Melbourne weather is notoriously unpredictable, so even the mild rainfall that is the norm here is not always guaranteed. In April, people can attend festivals devoted to everything from comedy to food and wine.
May
There is a noticeable drop in temperature in May, with some areas even seeing nighttime frosts by the month's end. Frost and fog are usually followed by bright days, but with winter on the horizon, you can expect to see some cloudy and rainy days as well.
In May, Melbourne has Good Beer Week, a celebration of all things ale and a great opportunity to imbibe in a wide variety of regional, state, and international brews while mingling with other beer aficionados at bars and restaurants across the city.
June
The winter season has officially begun, and with it comes freezing temperatures,random frosts, thick fog, and overcast sky. Although a drizzle can be annoying, it rarely turns into a downpour. Luckily, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival takes place in June, giving foot-tapping songs to ward off the winter blues.
July
Each year's coldest day often falls in July, so stock up on warm garments to stave off the chill. Sometimes the fog settles in and refuses to lift, though it generally lifts by midday. It's not the busiest time of year, so popular attractions are empty.
August
Sometimes the heaviest rain falls in August, but more often than not, the wettest month is characterised by light, steady rain. While the temperature is still below freezing, there may be a few days where it reaches twenty.
September
Even by Melbourne's standards, the weather in the spring may be unpredictable. Depending on the day, the weather could be windy, calm, chilly, or warm. Expect a lively environment on the last Saturday of September for the AFL Grand Final, widely regarded as Australia's premier sporting event. This game represents the dreams and hopes of Melbourne's Aussie Rules footy enthusiasts.
October
Even more so than in September, the weather in October is unpredictable, with highs dropping as low as 15 degrees Celsius and rising as high as 25 degrees Celsius. A scattering of raindrops can also be seen. Happily, the Melbourne Festival brightens spirits by filling the city's stages and galleries with a wide variety of events and exhibitions.
November
Seasonal extremes of heat, cold, wet, and dry are common, and nothing is predictable. Temperatures in November can range from the mid-30s to the low-16s. Extreme weather can occur at times. Without a question, the highlight of this month is the Melbourne Cup, the most prestigious horse race in the world, and the culmination of Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival. Everyone is off work, so the mood is festive.
December
While not quite as erratic as November, the weather is still unpredictable. Even the hottest days can end with a flurry of thunderstorms and a welcome dip in temperature. As the month builds to a climax, Christmas and its associated celebrations (and decorations) take centre stage, followed by the famous Boxing Day cricket game at Melbourne Cricket Ground. This month is going out with a bang, as we have a half millio
Summer
If you enjoy the heat, drinking outside, and swimming in the summer, then this is the time to go. Even though our summers aren't quite as hot as Sydney's, they're still rather comfortable.
This is prime time to take advantage of the city's many outdoor music festivals, such as the St. Kilda Festival, Zoo Twilights, and Laneway Festival.
There is the Boxing Day Test at the MCG on the day after Christmas, which attracts tens of thousands of spectators, and the Australian Open, where tennis' biggest names compete in the sweltering summer heat.
Autumn
You may eat your fill, drink your fill, and laugh until you cry if you visit in the fall. While the top names in racing arrive in Melbourne for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at the end of March, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) will have you in fits of laughter with its lineup of over 400 hilarious performances.
Every year in the autumn, Melbourne holds the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, a culinary extravaganza that makes the entire city a real paradise for gourmands.
The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is the largest fashion event in Melbourne, where visitors can see collections by Australian designers like Alice McCall, Dion Lee, and Scanlan Theodore.
Some of the most stunning coastal scenery in Australia can be found along the Great Ocean Road, which stretches the length of Victoria's western coast.
Winter
Travel in the winter if you're an adventurer. Visiting Melbourne in the winter can save you money on airfare and lodging as it is the off-season for tourists. The city's infrastructure in Melbourne is built to withstand the cold and wet winters.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) team up every year to put on a month-long exhibition called Melbourne Winter Masterpieces, which has previously featured the work of such luminaries as David Bowie, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Pixar.
Every August, Melbourne hosts the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), which features hundreds of films from all over the world, many of them making their world premieres. During the winter, the city transforms into a giant art gallery with projections, installations, and performances that will blow your mind. This event is called White Nighttime.
During the winter, you may discover the city's numerous hidden gems, such as the 230 unique laneways and the many hidden bars you'll find. This winter is a great time to explore Melbourne's greatest restaurants and indulge in some of the city's signature meals.
Spring
If you're excited by the thought of seeing the great outdoors and experiencing cutting-edge culture, then plan your trip during the spring. The Melbourne Festival is a month-long celebration held each October that features performances by some of the world's top artists and is renowned on a global scale.
Similar jaw-dropping and eye-opening reactions are elicited by the bizarre and hilarious offerings at Melbourne's Fringe Festival. The Royal Melbourne Show is a great place to take the kids during the school breaks to view the young goats, ride the magical carpet, and stock up on show bags.
One of Victoria's most beautiful day trips is visiting the Yarra Valley wine region in the early spring. On a winery tour, you may sample some excellent local wines while driving in the area's lovely scenery of rolling hills, old barns, and twisting vineyards.
If you'd rather enjoy more fresh air and stretch your legs, there are a plethora of day treks within driving distance. Be sure to partake in a traditional Melbourne brunch before you go.
Conclusion
Melbourne is a city in Australia that has four seasons, but when you’re deciding when to visit Melbourne, there are some things you should consider.
The best time of year for visiting Melbourne is Spring because the weather will be warm and not too hot or cold.
Winter can also be a great time of year to visit Melbourne because it won't be so hot and humid, and there may even be some snow on the ground! If you're looking for warmer weather, then Summer might be your best bet as it's still very pleasant during this season.
Fall can also offer plenty of sunshine with its mild temperatures, although sometimes rainy days happen more often at this time of year.
Content Summary:
- Between March and May and September and November, Melbourne is at its best.
- There are fewer tourists and more comfortable temperatures during these shoulder seasons, and airfare is cheaper as a result.
- Melbourne's summer months (December–February) see an influx of hot, sweaty tourists, while the winter months (June–August) offer cooler temperatures and fewer visitors.
- The city is beautiful year-round, from the hot summer days that have people frolicking in the surf to the cool winter nights that have the city's cultural riches empty of tourists and ready to be explored at your leisure.
- The spring and fall shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather and less tourists.
- If you want to know when to visit Melbourne so that you may go to the beach, arrange your trip to coincide with major events like the Melbourne Cup, or simply avoid the city during its busiest time, read on.
- Melbourne's shoulder season typically spans the transitional period between spring and fall.
- You'll enjoy this visit to the city because there are less visitors and it's not as hot.
- First before horses start riding in the weeks leading up to the Melbourne Cup in November, the city is swept up in a wave of footy-finals excitement in the months of September and November.
- This is the peak season for festival-goers and sun worshippers.
- The peak season in Melbourne features warm summer nights, grand slam tennis tournaments, and music festivals, all of which contribute to a buoyant mood.
- Weather are hot, hot, hot (sometimes painfully so), and the streets and beaches are packed with tourists from around the world.
- Low season: June-August Cheapest time to visit for vacationers Low season falls during Melbourne's winter, which means cool temperatures (for Melbourne, that is).
- In truth, daytime highs rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in these months, making it a fantastic time to come if you want to avoid crowds at the city's top museums, galleries, and markets.
- Additionally, lodging costs drop.
- Here's a rundown of Melbourne's monthly weather and events to help you plan your trip.
- January Temperatures in January often soar into the forties for several days at a time, but they can also plunge below 20 degrees Celsius for a few days as well.
- It's the middle of the school year, which means the beaches are packed with families.
- Both the national public holiday of Australia Day and the Australian Open, in which the best tennis players in the world compete despite the sweltering heat of summer, bring a flurry of extra activity to the latter part of the month.
- One of Melbourne's largest music festivals is St. Jerome's Laneway.
- February Again, temperatures will soar in August, but with school in session, the beaches will be less crowded.
- Extreme heat is common at night, and occasional thunderstorms are possible, despite the generally dry conditions.
- Chinatown has been celebrating the new year with costumed dragons parading the streets for almost 150 years.
- There is some flexibility in the date, falling anywhere between the months of January and February.
- The start of the month can still be uncomfortably hot, but the end of the month typically brings welcome relief from the heat.
- The weather is drier and the nights are substantially cooler, however some downpours are possible.
- When the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is held in March, the excitement level among racing fans is through the roof.
- A great month with hot days and comfortable nights, while some morning fog and gusty winds are possible.
- Melbourne weather is notoriously unpredictable, so even the mild rainfall that is the norm here is not always guaranteed.
- In April, people can attend festivals devoted to everything from comedy to food and wine.
- May There is a noticeable drop in temperature in May, with some areas even seeing nighttime frosts by the month's end.
- Frost and fog are usually followed by bright days, but with winter on the horizon, you can expect to see some cloudy and rainy days as well.
- In May, Melbourne has Good Beer Week, a celebration of all things ale and a great opportunity to imbibe in a wide variety of regional, state, and international brews while mingling with other beer aficionados at bars and restaurants across the city.
- The winter season has officially begun, and with it comes freezing temperatures,random frosts, thick fog, and overcast sky.
- Although a drizzle can be annoying, it rarely turns into a downpour.
- Luckily, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival takes place in June, giving foot-tapping songs to ward off the winter blues.
- Each year's coldest day often falls in July, so stock up on warm garments to stave off the chill.
- Sometimes the fog settles in and refuses to lift, though it generally lifts by midday.
- It's not the busiest time of year, so popular attractions are empty.
- Sometimes the heaviest rain falls in August, but more often than not, the wettest month is characterised by light, steady rain.
- While the temperature is still below freezing, there may be a few days where it reaches twenty.
- Even by Melbourne's standards, the weather in the spring may be unpredictable.
- Depending on the day, the weather could be windy, calm, chilly, or warm.
- Expect a lively environment on the last Saturday of September for the AFL Grand Final, widely regarded as Australia's premier sporting event.
- This game represents the dreams and hopes of Melbourne's Aussie Rules footy enthusiasts.
- Even more so than in September, the weather in October is unpredictable, with highs dropping as low as 15 degrees Celsius and rising as high as 25 degrees Celsius.
- A scattering of raindrops can also be seen.
- Happily, the Melbourne Festival brightens spirits by filling the city's stages and galleries with a wide variety of events and exhibitions.
- Seasonal extremes of heat, cold, wet, and dry are common, and nothing is predictable.
- Temperatures in November can range from the mid-30s to the low-16s.
- Extreme weather can occur at times.
- Without a question, the highlight of this month is the Melbourne Cup, the most prestigious horse race in the world, and the culmination of Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival.
- Everyone is off work, so the mood is festive.
- While not quite as erratic as November, the weather is still unpredictable.
FAQs About Melbourne
So, now that you know what to expect of the seasons, what do I think is the best season to visit Melbourne?
Summer! Although it can get pretty stinking hot here, it rarely lasts that long. There’s a gorgeous buzz around the city, and everyone seems to exude good vibes and smiles. There’s so much to do, and it’s fabulous to be able to get outdoors, have barbecues at friends’ houses and picnics in the park.
Of course, the heat may not be for everyone, so after summer, I think the second-best time to visit Melbourne is in spring. Everyone’s gearing up for the warmer weather, and there are some fun events to attend.
Melbourne's top temperatures are usually in January and February. Those months are often dry, with hot spells and cooling afternoon breezes off Port Phillip Bay. June and July are the coldest months, and October is the wettest.
Melbourne's top temperatures are usually in January and February. Those months are often dry, with hot spells and cooling afternoon breezes off Port Phillip Bay. June and July are the coldest months, and October is the wettest.
September to November & March to May are the best times to visit Australia. Most of the tourists opt for these months to visit Australia. The weather during these seasons is neither too hot nor too cold, which makes it perfect to have a walk around Australia.
43°F to 79°F
In Melbourne, the summers are warm. The winters are cold and windy and partly cloudy year-round. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 43°F to 79°F and is rarely below 36°F or above 94°F.