Weather in Australia in January
January in Australia is the hard heat. Outdoor plans belong to the ends of the day. The middle is for indoors or water.
A country pin in January is a warning: one region of Australia will not match another. Use a city page if you already know where you are going. January is high summer in the southern year. Do not pack Australia as if it were a northern winter. January is the peak of the warm side of the year in Australia. If you wanted the gentlest heat, this is not that month.
- Average temp
- 30°C
22–37°C
- Rainfall
- 23 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- —
What to expect
Daytime
Fierce heat in Australia in January. Start early. Hide in the middle. Come out again when the sun drops.
This is not a month for a packed walking itinerary. Water, shade, and a schedule that admits the climate is in charge.
Rain
January is the wet side of the year in Australia. Days can be heavy. Plans that cannot survive rain are the wrong plans.
This is not a reason to skip Australia if you like the place. It is a reason to pack for weather and to stop treating every grey hour as a failed holiday.
Evening
Evenings stay warm.
What to pack
Sun protection
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Australia
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for Australia
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Australia
TemperatureRainfall
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FAQs about Australia
Climate averages for Australia, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Australia is between September and December, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
January is the hottest month, with an average around 30°C.
February is the wettest month, with about 37 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
