01Weather
Melbourne weather in March
Afternoons in March average 25.4 °C (78 °F) and nights cool to 14.2 °C (58 °F). The month brings about 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain spread over roughly 6 days. Compared with February it is 1.3 °C cooler; April is 4.2 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical March | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 33 °C / 91 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 20 °C / 67 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 10 °C / 51 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 6.4 | 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 March day 2016–2025 | 40.4 °C / 8.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March | 07:04 | 20:00 | 12.9 h |
| 15 March | 07:18 | 19:39 | 12.3 h |
| 31 March | 07:33 | 19:15 | 11.7 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 72 minutes over the month. Times are local (Australia/Melbourne), including the clock change on the last Sunday of March.
03Crowds
How busy Melbourne is in March
very busy The main sights are very busy in March. What drives it:
- Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
- Moomba Festival
- Labour Day long weekend
- Food and Wine Festival
04Public holidays
Public holidays in March 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| 27 Mar 2027 | Holy Saturday |
| 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
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 March
Every year in March
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix | March, Albert Park | sport |
| Moomba Festival | Labour Day long weekend, Yarra River | festival |
| Melbourne Food and Wine Festival | March | food |
07Packing
What to pack for Melbourne in March
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 6 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
March is autumn's start and the city's busiest festival month, with afternoons around 24 °C, the Grand Prix at Albert Park over a weekend in March, Moomba on the Labour Day weekend with the Birdman Rally on the Yarra, the Food and Wine Festival and the Comedy Festival opening late in the month. Weather is warm and settled. Book ahead. Rain falls on about seven days.
The Labour Day holiday on the second Monday makes a long weekend. The AFL season opens in the second half, filling the MCG. The plane trees begin to turn in the final week. Daylight shrinks from thirteen hours to twelve. For the golden autumn with the Comedy Festival and Anzac Day, see April.
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 March? See the best time to visit Melbourne.
10Elsewhere
March in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney in March | 26 °C | 11 |
| Singapore in March | 32 °C | 9 |
| Bangkok in March | 35 °C | – |
| Shanghai in March | 17 °C | 12 |
| Kyoto in March | 16 °C | 9 |
| Tokyo in March | 16 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Melbourne in March: your questions
Is March a good time to visit Melbourne?
March is a good month to visit Melbourne. Daytime highs average 25 °C (78 °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 March?
Expect warm days around 25 °C (78 °F) and nights near 14 °C (58 °F). One March in ten brings afternoons above 33 °C, and one in ten stays below 20 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in March?
March brings about 45 mm (1.8 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 March?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella for occasional showers.
Is Melbourne crowded in March?
The main sights are very busy in March. Main drivers: Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix; Moomba Festival; Labour Day long weekend.
What time does it get dark in Melbourne in March?
Around the middle of March the sun sets at about 19:39 and rises at 07:18, giving 12.3 hours of daylight.