01Weather
Melbourne weather in January
Afternoons in January average 27.9 °C (82 °F) and nights cool to 15.7 °C (60 °F). The month brings about 51 mm (2.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 6 days. Compared with December it is 2.5 °C warmer; February is 1.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 36 °C / 96 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 21 °C / 70 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 12 °C / 54 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 10.8 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 20 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 45.2 °C / 9.8 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 06:02 | 20:45 | 14.7 h |
| 15 January | 06:15 | 20:43 | 14.5 h |
| 31 January | 06:33 | 20:34 | 14.0 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 42 minutes over the month. Times are local (Australia/Melbourne).
03Crowds
How busy Melbourne is in January
very busy The main sights are very busy in January. What drives it:
- Australian Open in the second half
- summer school holidays
- Australia Day
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| 26 Jan 2027 | Australia Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Melbourne in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | second half of January, Melbourne Park | sport |
| Midsumma Festival | late January to February | festival |
07Packing
What to pack for Melbourne in January
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 11 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is high summer, hot and dry with afternoons around 27 °C and occasional days above 38 °C, and the Australian Open filling the city in the second half, when hotels near Melbourne Park charge peak rates. School holidays run all month. The bayside beaches at St Kilda and Brighton are busy. Cool changes arrive abruptly, dropping the temperature by fifteen degrees in an hour. Rain falls on about six days.
Australia Day on 26 January brings fireworks on the Yarra. The Midsumma festival opens in late January. The Boxing Day Test is over; the Big Bash cricket fills the MCG. Daylight runs from about six in the morning to half past eight at night. For the warmest month and the end of the tennis, see February.
09Compare
Melbourne month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 °C | 16 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| February | 27 °C | 15 °C | 5 | – | busy | Excellent |
| March | 25 °C | 14 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| April | 21 °C | 11 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 17 °C | 9 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| June | 14 °C | 7 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 14 °C | 6 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Good |
| August | 15 °C | 7 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Good |
| September | 18 °C | 8 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 20 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| November | 23 °C | 12 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 25 °C | 13 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Melbourne.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney in January | 28 °C | 8 |
| Singapore in January | 30 °C | 11 |
| Bangkok in January | 33 °C | – |
| Shanghai in January | 10 °C | 11 |
| Kyoto in January | 10 °C | 6 |
| Tokyo in January | 10 °C | 4 |
11FAQ
Melbourne in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Melbourne?
January is a good month to visit Melbourne. Daytime highs average 28 °C (82 °F), rain falls on about 6 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Melbourne in January?
Expect warm days around 28 °C (82 °F) and nights near 16 °C (60 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 36 °C, and one in ten stays below 21 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in January?
January brings about 51 mm (2.0 in) of rain over roughly 6 days, which is fairly dry by Melbourne standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 20 percent.
What should I wear in Melbourne in January?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Melbourne crowded in January?
The main sights are very busy in January. Main drivers: Australian Open in the second half; summer school holidays; Australia Day.
What time does it get dark in Melbourne in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 20:43 and rises at 06:15, giving 14.5 hours of daylight.