Best Time to Visit Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Canberra.
Canberra does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (January, 20.3°C / 68.5°F) and driest (June, 43 mm / 1.7 in) months. The drier stretch runs through February–July and December; the wetter half falls in August–November and January. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 5.9°C / 42.6°F in July to 20.3°C / 68.5°F in January, with rainfall from 43 mm / 1.7 in (June) to 74 mm / 2.9 in (November). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Canberra's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 20.2°C68.4°F | 54 mm2.1″ | — |
| December | 18.6°C65.5°F | 52 mm2″ | — |
| March | 17.7°C63.9°F | 54 mm2.1″ | — |
No month at Canberra matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Canberra?
Canberra doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on June (driest, ~43 mm / 1.7 in) and January (warmest, 20.3°C / 68.5°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Australia's national average.
When is the rainy season in Canberra?
The rainy season at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory runs through August–November and January, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 54 mm / 2.1 in. The wettest single month is November (74 mm / 2.9 in).
What is the driest month in Canberra?
The driest month in Canberra is June, averaging about 43 mm / 1.7 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 6.9°C / 44.4°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Canberra?
The least comfortable months for travel to Canberra — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, June, July, August, September, October, November. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 74 mm / 2.9 in in November, and the coldest month averages 5.9°C / 42.6°F.
Is Canberra climate different from Australia overall?
Yes, usually. Our Canberra figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Australia figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Canberra specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.