When to visit Victoria
The best time to visit Melbourne is in Spring (Sept-Nov) and Autumn (March to May). Crowds over the summer are high with several key events and Australia’s long summer school holiday period.
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Victoria in Every Season
Summer (December, January and February)
Summer sees Melbourne at its happiest and busiest with plenty of sport, including the Australian Open and the Boxing Day Cricket. It’s peak season prices everywhere and the routes to Mornington and the Great Ocean Road are very busy.
This is a popular time to head to the Victorian coast with the entire length of it busy with Melbournites heading to the beach.
Autumn (March, April and May)
The city seems to pack as many events as it can into the first few months of autumn to make the best of the pleasant weather. There is motor racing, surf carnivals, the international comedy festival and a food and drink festival.
This is the best time of year to visit regional Victoria and see the colourful displays of autumn leaves in places like Bright and Beechworth, or closer to Melbourne the Macedon Ranges and Yarra Valley.
Winter (June, July and August)
I seem to find myself in Melbourne every winter against everyone’s advice but I love it. Sure it’s cold and it can be pretty wet but Melbourne is the perfect city for indoor pursuits with great bars, cafes, museums and galleries.
Snow falls in the high country and the skiing is quite decent. The main ski runs at Falls Creek and Hotham are about 4.5 hours north of Melbourne.
Spring (September, October and November)
Melbourne can be a little wet in early spring but Melbourne comes alive with the Spring racing carnival and the highlights of the local calendar the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup.
This is a great time to head to the Grampians National Park for the state’s best hiking.
Weather in Victoria
It gets pretty cold across the state over the winter, but it’s the perfect time to enjoy a break by the fire in Daylesford or the Yarra regions and, of course, the ski season in the high country. If you want to swim at Victoria’s beaches, visit in February or March.
Average Temperatures in Melbourne
| Month | Maximum temperature | Minimum temperature | Average rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.3 | 13.6 | 40mm |
| February | 26.5 | 14.1 | 37mm |
| March | 24.1 | 12.7 | 39mm |
| April | 20.4 | 10.1 | 38mm |
| May | 16.6 | 8.4 | 36mm |
| June | 13.7 | 6.3 | 39mm |
| July | 13.0 | 5.5 | 39mm |
| August | 14.5 | 6.0 | 43mm |
| September | 16.6 | 7.1 | 44mm |
| October | 19.3 | 8.5 | 51mm |
| November | 22.1 | 10.4 | 61mm |
| December | 24.2 | 12.0 | 51mm |
Find out more weather and temperature details on the Bureau of Meteorology.
Victoria Event Calendar
The biggest event of the year might be Melbourne Cup, but the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Grand Prix are also huge. If you are planning to visit in March or April book your accommodation early as there are lots of festivals on at this time of year and they push prices up quite a bit.
| 2023 Dates | Festival name |
|---|---|
| Early March | Melbourne Fashion Festival |
| 2nd week in March | Port Fairy Folk Festival |
| 24 March – 2 April | Melbourne Food & Wine Festival |
| 29 March – 24 April | Melbourne Comedy Festival |
| April 28 – May 7 | Autumn Bright Festival |
| TBC | Melbourne Cocktail Festival |
| 5 – 7 May | Grampians Grape Escape |
| 19-21 May | Good Food & Wine Show |
Victoria School and Public Holidays
Long weekends see prices rise and availability drop, so book in advance for the best deals. Rates are exceptionally high for sporting events. Most attractions only close on Christmas day and perhaps Anzac Day or Good Friday, but please check individual places before you visit.
Public Holidays in Victoria 2023-2024
| Holiday | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 01 and 02 January | 01 |
| Australia Day | 26 January | 26 January |
| Labour Day | 14 March | 11 March |
| Good Friday | 07 April | 29 March |
| Easter Sat. | 16 April | 30 March |
| Easter Mon. | 08 April | 01 April |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | 25 April |
| Queens Birthday | 12 June | 10 June |
| AFL Grand Final | TBC – Friday before AFL Grand Final | TBC – Friday before AFL Grand Final |
| Melbourne Cup | 07 November | 05 November |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | 26 December |
Source: Victorian Government website
School Holidays in Victoria 2023-2024
If you don’t have children avoiding these dates will save you money, and you will find the museums a lot less crowded.
| Period | 2023 | 2024 |
| Autumn break: | 07 April – 23 April | 29 March – 14 April |
| Winter break: | 22 June – 09 July | 29 June – 14 July |
| Spring break: | 16 September – 01 October | 21 September – 06 October |
| Summer break: | 21 December – 28 January 2024 | 21 December – 28 January 2025 |
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