Average Cairns temperatures: 23.6ºC (min) / 31.4ºC (max)
DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY
This time of year is a full sensory experience: like a time-lapse before your eyes, see the landscape transform from the warm tones of spring to fresh green tones of summer as the first rains begin; feel the cool relief of jumping into a freshwater stream on a hot day; listen to the wildlife come alive as the land is rejuvenated; inhale deeply for the fresh scent of rain; and taste sweet tropical produce as summer species flourish.
Summer rains help keep temperatures cooler, with average temperatures only just exceeding 30ºC. So come and swim, dive, walk, eat and breathe this summer in Tropical North Queensland.
Thanks to the regular, quenching rainfall, summer is the ideal time to bask in the spray of a waterfall.
Ditch the hot showers and feel the cool relief of jumping into a freshwater swimming hole or waterfall on a warm tropical day.
Northerly winds can bring calmer seas and incredible water clarity on the Great Barrier Reef through summer. The pleasant temperature of the water and active marine life on the reef means you’ll never want to jump out.
Relax and rejuvenate in a rainforest cabin as the land rejuvenates itself. The gentle tinkle of rain on the roof and chorus of birdsong makes for the perfect soundtrack to unwind to.
These also offer a great base to explore the diverse landscapes of the incredible and ancient Wet Tropics rainforest.
Through summer, find weird and wonderful fruits you’ve never heard of, but also many of your favourite exotic fruits for a fraction of the supermarket prices. Markets stalls overflow with local mangoes for 99c a kilo, tangy lychees, juicy pineapples and sweet papayas.
With trees in peak fruiting, wildlife is out and about as food is plentiful. Cassowaries roam extensively with their young through this time while birds, frogs and other unique wildlife of Tropical North Queensland (think tree climbing kangaroos – yes, it’s a thing) might be spotted while you explore.
With miles of sandy shores, hundreds of swimming holes and rainforest on your doorstep, it’s not hard to find a patch of paradise to yourself. Set up in the shade of a beach almond tree and while away your time with a good book or a picnic of local produce.
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Always take care at swimming holes and waterfalls and heed the advice from Queensland Parks. Only swim where it is safe to do so and never venture into flooded waters. Sometimes it’s safer to admire from afar.
The iconic Barron Falls (Djabugay: Din Din) is at its most impressive after a good dose of tropical summer rain. Keep an eye on the forecast because it’s only at its famous peak for a few days of the year.
Small moments can stay with you for life such as the smell of eucalypt through the forest on a warm rainy afternoon. So don’t forget to slow down and notice the little things.
Marine stingers may be present in coastal waters through summer. It’s recommended you wear a protective suit to help shield you from the sun and to minimise the risk of jellyfish stings.
Find the most picturesque waterfalls, taste the sweetest fruit, or jump into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.
From cosy rainforest retreats to once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef reef events, epic waterfalls to spectacular outback scenery, this is why you should put the green light on your summer holiday.
Whether you're chasing air-conditioning or water fun, we've got you covered with these ways to beat the heat in Cairns.
When it rains, activities pour in Cairns. See why Cairns shines all summer long with this wet weather activity guide.
Throughout Tropical North Queensland, Indigenous seasons are celebrated differently than in western culture. Discover summer through the eyes of the Traditional Custodians of Tropical North Queensland.
Rocky, wild, and undeniably dramatic, Barron Falls has a regal presence that is suitably fitting to its moniker. Whether you witness it as a scenic trickle in winter or as a mist-filled force in summer, Barron Falls deserves a spot in your tropical travel itinerary. Get ready to chase the ultimate waterfall with this guide to Barron Falls near Cairns.
Mighty mountain ranges and Wet Tropics Rainforest create the optimum environment for a myriad of extraordinary waterfalls. Fall in love with these 20 waterfall wonderlands only a short drive from Cairns.
This summer, swap your inner city stresses for cool, rainforest rejuvenation, checking into one of these accommodation providers in the rainforest.
From wandering through the top of the rainforest canopy, to venturing to thundering waterfalls, these rainforest boardwalks are short on distance but big on experience.
Summer in the Wet Tropics brings a different beauty to the area. For locals, it offers a sense of nostalgia; for visitors, an understanding of why it’s affectionately named “the big wet”.
With tropical fruit in peak season, summer is the ideal time to indulge in local produce including the summer favourite, mango. Here's where you can get a mango fix in Cairns.
Mother Nature sees your backyard swimming pool and raised you her take on it with these waterfalls and swimming spots– each perfectly moulded and best explored with a sense of adventure.
There’s plenty of reasons to visit Cairns & Great Barrier Reef in summer – balmy weather, crystal clear reef visibility and pumping waterfalls – but what you might not know is it’s also the best time of year to spot Australia’s living dinosaurs and their chicks, cassowaries.
From earthy bush tucker and exotic fruits to ocean-caught seafood and a biodynamic dairy farm, Tropical North Queensland offers up a menu with a unique ingredients list.
Have you ever dreamed of scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef? Just imagine sinking down into the warm waters, exploring coral gardens and seeing this wondrous world through the eyes of a fish. Learning to scuba dive is easy and is your passport to a brave new world. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about learning to Scuba Dive.
Get to know our famous forest, which spans 8940 square-kilometers and covers more ground than Samoa, Luxemburg and Puerto Rico, with this list of 10 things you didn’t know about the Wet Tropics.
Hit the famous waterfall circuit, uncover those lesser known or stretch a little further and take a dip in Australia’s widest, single-drop waterfall on the Atherton Tablelands.
Kids restless and suffering cabin fever? Let them release that pent-up energy by ziplining over a crocodile, exploring underwater coral gardens or venturing through the Southern Hemisphere’s largest butterfly sanctuary.
Get out & about in summer
Cairns to Atherton Tablelands
It’s time to hit the road, from Cairns into the Atherton Tablelands and towards today’s destinations along the Waterfall Circuit.
View itineraryTownsville to Cairns
Stretching between Cairns and Townsville, this under-the-radar route can be completed in four hours, but is best enjoyed over a couple of days so you can soak up the region’s spectacular natural assets and relaxed friendly vibe.
View itineraryCairns to Cape Tribulation (return)
Welcome to the loveliest little drive in Queensland. Short but oh-so-sweet, the Great Barrier Reef Drive covers just 140km in a straight line north from Cairns to Cape Tribulation via Port Douglas.
View itineraryCairns to Cairns
Get ready to discover the very best of Tropical North Queensland on the Great Tropical Drive. Some 26 different routes make up the drive, taking you from coast to Savannah, islands to the outback, rainforest to reef.
View itinerary
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