Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Cairns in March
Cairns edges cooler than February, with highs of 84°F (29°C), lows of 75°F (24°C) and about 15.4 in (392 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 41/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by rain.
- Avg high
- 84°F (29°C)
- Avg low
- 75°F (24°C)
- Rain
- 15.4 in (392 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 07 min
- Comfort score
- 41/100 · Tough
What March feels like
Highs settle around 84°F (29°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Even at night it stays warm, around 75°F (24°C).
With 88% average humidity, it feels muggy.
It's a very wet month, with around 15.4 in (392 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Plan around March
March is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, January – March.
- Comfort improves from 36/100 in February to 41/100.
- Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route recommends May – Oct, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Light, breathable clothes84°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Quick-dry fabrics88% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes15.4 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cairns in March
With 15.4 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 15.4 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 15.4 in of rain.
Ochre Restaurant
Marina restaurant whose menu uses more than 30 Australian native ingredients.
Why now Easy to slot in when March's rain moves in.
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Free saltwater swimming lagoon on the waterfront, with lifeguards and lawns.
Green Island
Coral cay 45 minutes from Cairns with rainforest, snorkeling and glass-bottom boats.
Nearby in March
- Port Douglas & Daintree in March~36 mi · highs 83°F, 16.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, 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 March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Cairns?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 41/100, held back mainly by rain. The best months are July – September. Expect highs of 84°F (29°C) and 15.4 in (392 mm) of rain. Our Sydney, Blue Mountains & the Reef route recommends May – Oct, so March is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Cairns in March?
Average highs are 84°F (29°C) and average lows 75°F (24°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Cairns in March?
Yes: about 15.4 in (392 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 76.2 in (1935 mm).
What should I pack for Cairns in March?
Bring light, breathable clothes (84°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), quick-dry fabrics (88% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (15.4 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Cairns in March?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.