When is the best time to visit Queensland?

There is no wrong time to visit Queensland, but knowing more about the weather and the high and low seasons can help you choose the best times.

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If you have a particular type of accommodation in mind or want a wide range of choices, I suggest booking in advance. This is particularly true in the Christmas summer holidays and in July and August in places like Cairns, Noosa and the Gold Coast.

Winter sees Australians from the southern states head north in large numbers, so May – September can be busy in most coastal towns.

Weather in Queensland

With almost 300 sunny days a year, it’s no surprise that Queensland is nicknamed “the sunshine state” The other phrase that gets thrown around a lot is “Beautiful one day, perfect the next”, except when there is a cyclone or a flood that is!

The second-largest state in Australia has three climate zones. From the NSW border to about Mackay is considered to be subtropical. While you will get four seasons, the winters are very mild. Inland of this part of the state, you will find hot, dry summers and warm winters.

From Mackay to Cape York, the area is known as North and Far North Queensland. It becomes more of a two season situation, known as the wet and the dry. The wet season begins in November to ends in May. Things are a lot drier from June to October. Summers here are humid, and winters are warm.

Brisbane

Month Average maximum Average minimum Average rainfall (mm)
January29.221.2115mm
February28.921.0144mm
March 27.919.3108mm
April 26.016.7104mm
May 23.613.7109mm
June21.210.665mm
July20.79.346mm
August 21.89.741mm
September24.112.633mm
October25.615.581mm
November26.817.989mm
December28.419.9136mm
Source: Climate of Australia

Cairns

As you will see in the chart below, Cairns get significantly more rain than Brisbane. Those periods of high rainfall are pretty humid, and I would recommend you make sure your accommodation is airconditioned.

Month Average maximumAverage minimum Average rainfall (mm)
January28.524379mm
February28.524448mm
March 27.523.4378mm
April 26.122.1215mm
May 24.420.489mm
June22.818.841mm
July22.31831mm
August 23.118.129mm
September24.919.435mm
October26.421.118mm
November27.622.5112mm
December28.523.5178mm
Source: Climate of Australia

Queensland Event Calendar

Below are some of the most significant events on the Queensland calendar. We will update this as new information becomes available, but you should also check the official regional tourism pages when you book.

January Ginger Flower and Food Festival
25 February – 6 MarchApple & Grape Festival,
19 MarchSunshine Coast Asian Food Festival.
13 – 15 MayRegional Flavours.
14 – 15 May Hampton Festival.
21 – 22 MayPaniyiri.
JuneTaste Bundaberg Festival.
25 June – 3 JulyScenic Rim Eat Local Week.
4 JuneRelish Food & Wine.
29 July – 7 AugustThe Curated Plate,
May Noosa Food and Wine Festival
May Port Douglas Carnivale
July Birdville Big Bash
AugustMount Isa Rodeo
AugustBrisbane Marathon
SeptemberHamilton Island Race Week
November Wonderland Festival 
DecemberWoodford Folk Festival
Dates correct at time of publication

Queensland School and Public Holidays

School holidays see prices go up and availability reduce. If you don’t need to be travelling at this time, you can save quite a bit by avoiding it.

Public Holidays in Queensland 2022-2023

New Year’s Day + Monday Holiday 01 and 03 January01 – 02 January
Australia Day26 January26 January
Good Friday15 April07 April
Easter Sat.16 April08 April
Easter Mon.18 April10 April
Anzac Day25 April 25 April
Labour Day04 May 01 May
Ekka Wednesday* 10 August 16 August
Queens Birthday4 October02 October
Christmas Eve**24 December24 December
Christmas Day25 December 25 December
Boxing Day26 December 26 December
*Ekka Wednesday is observed in the Brisbane area only.
**Queensland has a part-day public holiday for Christmas Eve from 6 pm to midnight.

Correct as of 17 August 2021, the Information presented is from the QLD Government sources website – https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/travel/holidays/public

School Holidays in Queensland 2022-2023

Period 20222023
Autumn break:02 April – 18 April01 April – 22 January
Winter break: 26 June -11 July16 April – 24 June
Spring break:18 September – 04 October11 July – 14 September
Summer break:11 December – 23 January 202204 October – 9 December 2024
Correct as of 07 October 2021, the Information presented is from the QLD Government sources website – https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/calendar/future-dates

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