Melbourne in January
In January, Melbourne averages 26°C (79°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (45 mm total).
Peak seasonConditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
January is a great month to visit Melbourne: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.
How January compares to the rest of the year in Melbourne
January is one of the warmest months in Melbourne (1st of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C above the annual average (20°C). January runs 1°C warmer than December (25°C) and stays flat into February.
January sunrise & sunset in Melbourne
Times shown for Melbourne local time (Australia/Melbourne), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Melbourne — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Melbourne's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Melbourne in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Peak season) and Melbourne's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in Melbourne
Melbourne is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.
Why this tier: excellent tourism weather Southern Hemisphere summer holidays
Sun & mosquito risk — January in Melbourne
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
Sea temperature in Melbourne — January
Across the year Melbourne's sea swings from 10.5°C (July) to 22.2°C (January) — January sits at 22.2°C.
Melbourne in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C / 79°F | 14°C / 57°F | 45 mm | 8 | 0 |
| February | 26°C / 79°F | 15°C / 59°F | 50 mm | 7 | 0 |
| March | 24°C / 75°F | 13°C / 55°F | 50 mm | 9 | 0 |
| April | 20°C / 68°F | 11°C / 52°F | 55 mm | 12 | 0 |
| May | 17°C / 63°F | 9°C / 48°F | 55 mm | 14 | 0 |
| June | 14°C / 57°F | 7°C / 45°F | 50 mm | 14 | 0 |
| July | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 50 mm | 14 | 0 |
| August | 15°C / 59°F | 7°C / 45°F | 55 mm | 15 | 0 |
| September | 18°C / 64°F | 8°C / 46°F | 60 mm | 14 | 0 |
| October | 20°C / 68°F | 9°C / 48°F | 65 mm | 14 | 0 |
| November | 22°C / 72°F | 11°C / 52°F | 60 mm | 12 | 0 |
| December | 25°C / 77°F | 13°C / 55°F | 60 mm | 10 | 0 |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Melbourne in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Melbourne in January?
In January, Melbourne averages a high of 26°C (79°F) and a low of 14°C (57°F) — generally warm.
Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in January?
January sees occasional rain in Melbourne, with about 8 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit Melbourne?
January is warm. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Melbourne in January?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full January packing list for Melbourne for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.