01Weather
Melbourne weather in May
Afternoons in May average 17.2 °C (63 °F) and nights cool to 8.7 °C (48 °F). The month brings about 50 mm (2.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with April it is 4.0 °C cooler; June is 2.9 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 21 °C / 70 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 14 °C / 57 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 5 °C / 40 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | 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 | 29 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 26.3 °C / 0.4 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 07:01 | 17:33 | 10.5 h |
| 15 May | 07:13 | 17:19 | 10.1 h |
| 31 May | 07:26 | 17:09 | 9.7 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 48 minutes over the month. Times are local (Australia/Melbourne).
03Crowds
How busy Melbourne is in May
moderate The main sights are moderate in May. What drives it:
- autumn colours
- cooler days
- fewer international visitors
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
No public holidays in Australia fall in May, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in Melbourne in May
No major recurring events fall in May.
07Packing
What to pack for Melbourne in May
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is cool and calm, with afternoons around 17 °C, autumn colour in the Dandenongs and the Botanic Gardens and far fewer international visitors. Days are often sunny but short. It is one of the best-value months, with the laneways, galleries and restaurants at their most local. Rain falls on about nine days. The Melbourne Knowledge Week and the Jazz Festival fill the calendar.
The AFL season is in full swing with big crowds at the MCG and Marvel Stadium every weekend. The Puffing Billy steam train in the Dandenongs is at its autumn best. Daylight runs from about seven to half past five. For winter, the Rising festival and the King's Birthday long weekend, see June.
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 May? See the best time to visit Melbourne.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney in May | 21 °C | 6 |
| Singapore in May | 32 °C | 12 |
| Bangkok in May | 36 °C | 22 |
| Shanghai in May | 26 °C | 10 |
| Kyoto in May | 25 °C | 8 |
| Tokyo in May | 24 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Melbourne in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Melbourne?
May is one of the best months to visit Melbourne. Daytime highs average 17 °C (63 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Melbourne in May?
Expect mild days around 17 °C (63 °F) and nights near 9 °C (48 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 21 °C, and one in ten stays below 14 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in May?
May brings about 50 mm (2.0 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is fairly dry by Melbourne standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 29 percent.
What should I wear in Melbourne in May?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Melbourne crowded in May?
The main sights are moderate in May. Main drivers: autumn colours; cooler days; fewer international visitors.
What time does it get dark in Melbourne in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 17:19 and rises at 07:13, giving 10.1 hours of daylight.