Melbourne in March
Great time to visit
One of Melbourne's absolute best months. Perfect weather, manageable crowds, and the city comes alive with festivals before winter sets in.
Weather
Autumn arrives and Melbourne becomes glorious. Days hover around 23°C with crisp mornings around 12°C. Rain picks up to about 9 days, but it's gentle and refreshing rather than the summer's dramatic storms.
23°C high12°C low9 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$145/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
- •Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
- •Moomba Festival
March Tips
- •Book Formula 1 accommodation early - it's the last big event before winter
- •Perfect weather for exploring laneways and rooftop bars
- •Food and Wine Festival offers great value tastings across the city
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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