Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Cairns in January
Cairns edges cooler than December, with highs of 87°F (31°C), lows of 76°F (25°C) and about 13.9 in (352 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 36/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by rain.
- Avg high
- 87°F (31°C)
- Avg low
- 76°F (25°C)
- Rain
- 13.9 in (352 mm)
- Humidity
- 85%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 54 min
- Comfort score
- 36/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Afternoons run hot at about 87°F (31°C), which leaves mornings and evenings as the time for walking.
Even at night it stays warm, around 76°F (25°C).
With 85% average humidity, it feels muggy.
It's a very wet month, with around 13.9 in (352 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July – September.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (January – March), which brings about 44.7 in (1136 mm) in total.
- Comfort slips from 50/100 in December to 36/100.
- Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route recommends May – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Light, breathable clothes87°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Refillable water bottleeasy to dehydrate in the heat
- Quick-dry fabrics85% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes13.9 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cairns in January
With 13.9 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Rusty's Markets
Weekend produce market with tropical fruit, local coffee and food stalls.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 13.9 in of rain.
Salt House
Marina-side bar and restaurant with DJs and open-air decks.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 13.9 in of rain.
Ochre Restaurant
Marina restaurant whose menu uses more than 30 Australian native ingredients.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Free saltwater swimming lagoon on the waterfront, with lifeguards and lawns.
Why now Go early — afternoons average 87°F.
Kuranda Scenic Railway
Heritage train climbing the Barron Gorge to the rainforest village of Kuranda.
Why now Best first thing, before the 87°F afternoon heat.
Nearby in January
- Port Douglas & Daintree in January~36 mi · highs 85°F, 14.3 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~404 m to Cairns's ~5 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cairns in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Cairns?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 36/100, held back mainly by rain. The best months are July – September. Expect highs of 87°F (31°C) and 13.9 in (352 mm) of rain. Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route recommends May – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Cairns in January?
Average highs are 87°F (31°C) and average lows 76°F (25°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cairns in January?
Yes: about 13.9 in (352 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 76.2 in (1935 mm).
What should I pack for Cairns in January?
Bring light, breathable clothes (87°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), refillable water bottle (easy to dehydrate in the heat), quick-dry fabrics (85% average humidity) and rain jacket and waterproof shoes (13.9 in of rain on average).
Planning Cairns in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.