Cairns

Summer (Dec–Feb): Hot, humid wet season with heavy showers and cyclone risk; stinger season (Nov–May) means limited open‑water swimming without protection. Off‑peak rates, lush rainforests and powerful waterfalls. Autumn (Mar–May): Rain eases, temperatures remain warm. Fewer crowds and lower prices; reef trips improve late in the season, but stingers can persist early on. Winter (Jun–Aug): Dry, sunny and mild (best comfort), excellent reef visibility and whale‑watching—Cairns’ peak tourist season, so book ahead. Key event: Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (usually July). Spring (Sep–Nov): Warming with low rainfall early on—great shoulder season for reef and rainforest; Cairns Festival typically in September. Stinger season resumes in November.