Melbourne in December
Good time to visit
Summer weather returns along with holiday crowds and inflated prices. Great weather but expect to pay premium rates and deal with busy attractions.
Weather
Early summer brings temperatures climbing to 24°C with nights around 13°C. Rain decreases to 7 days, mostly as brief afternoon thunderstorms. Humidity builds but hasn't reached January's oppressive levels yet.
24°C high13°C low7 rain days
Crowds & Cost
high crowds
~$170/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Boxing Day Test Cricket
- •New Year's Eve celebrations
- •Christmas markets
December Tips
- •Book accommodation well ahead for Christmas and New Year
- •Boxing Day Test at MCG is iconic but tickets sell out months prior
- •Christmas markets in Federation Square and Queen Victoria Market are worth visiting
All Months
March through May is Melbourne at its best. Autumn brings stable weather (finally), with temperatures sitting comfortably in the 18-25°C range. The leaves turn gold in the Royal Botanic Gardens, and outdoor dining actually makes sense.
Spring (September to November) runs a close second. Jacaranda trees bloom purple along St Kilda Road, and the Melbourne Cup brings the city to a standstill on the first Tuesday in November. But pack layers — spring weather here changes faster than a Melbourne tram schedule.
Winter (June to August) isn't as bad as locals make it sound. Sure, it rains, and temperatures hover around 10-15°C, but the cozy bar scene comes alive. Plus, hotel prices drop 30-40%, and you'll have the laneways mostly to yourself.
Summer gets hot and unpredictable. December through February sees temperatures spike to 35°C+, then drop 15 degrees when a southerly change rolls in. The Australian Open brings crowds and inflated prices in January. Beach weather at St Kilda makes up for the chaos.
Melbourne Scores
Solo
9/10
Couples
8/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
6/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
8/10
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