Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Melbourne in May
Melbourne cools off: highs slip to 61°F (16°C), from 68°F in April, with lows of 49°F (9°C) and about 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain.
It scores 83/100 for comfort, 8th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 61°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 49°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (60 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 58%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 58 min
- Comfort score
- 83/100 · Great
What May feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 61°F (16°C), good for long walks.
Lows average 49°F (9°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.4 in (60 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (October and December – April).
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 4°C (7°F) from April.
- Comfort slips from 89/100 in April to 83/100.
- Our Great Ocean Road route recommends Nov – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 49°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Melbourne in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Hosier Lane
Laneway covered in street art opposite Federation Square.
Why now May scores 83/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
ACMI
Free museum of film, TV and video games at Federation Square.
Why now Our curated notes list it for "rainy day", which suits a wetter month.
Lune Croissanterie
Fitzroy bakery known for croissants.
Caretaker's Cottage
Tiny 1914 bluestone cottage bar behind Wesley Church; World's 50 Best Bars listee known for its freezer martini.
Queen Victoria Market
Historic open-air market with deli halls and hot jam donuts.
Nearby in May
- Torquay in May~50 mi · highs 60°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Port Campbell in May~120 mi · highs 60°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Melbourne in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Melbourne?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 83/100 against a best of 92 in October and December – April. Expect highs of 61°F (16°C) and 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain. Our Great Ocean Road route recommends Nov – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Melbourne in May?
Average highs are 61°F (16°C) and average lows 49°F (9°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in May?
Some: about 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.2 in (716 mm).
What should I pack for Melbourne in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 49°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Melbourne
Planning Melbourne in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.