Melbourne in January: a seasonal travel plan
Melbourne, Australia. In january, the average daytime high is 26.0 °C and the night-time low is 15.4 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Melbourne
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 26.0 °C
- Nighttime low
- 15.4 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 76.3 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 9.4
- Daylight
- 14.5 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 25.4 | 15.2 | 3.3 |
| Days 11–20 | 26.1 | 15.2 | 2.9 |
| From day 21 | 26.4 | 15.6 | 3.2 |
What this month is like
Melbourne, Australia. In january, the average daytime high is 26.0 °C and the night-time low is 15.4 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 9.4 wet days on average, with about 76.3 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 14.5 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 24.0 °C, January — 26.0 °C, next month — 25.1 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 9.3, 9.4 and 5.4.
Things to do
Melbourne grew along the Yarra, where a grid of lanes and trams gives way to parks and dockland quarters. The centre is easy on foot, and trams run from Flinders Street station to St Kilda beach and the neighbourhood cafés.
Laneways and the market
Start in the lanes between Collins and Bourke streets, where murals cover the walls and coffee bars open early. Then walk to Queen Victoria Market for cheese, fish, bread and seasonal fruit, with cheap food counters around the sheds.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Follow the paths of the Royal Botanic Gardens down to the Yarra, then climb to the Shrine of Remembrance. Continue along St Kilda Road to the National Gallery of Victoria and stay for the Australian rooms.
St Kilda
Tram 96 reaches St Kilda in about half an hour. Walk the foreshore to the pier, where people gather towards evening, then return to Acland Street for coffee and pastries in the old cake shops.
Where to stay
Fitzroy
Fitzroy suits bars, wine shops and vintage stores along Brunswick Street. The centre is twenty minutes away by tram, but evenings are loud and good rooms are hard to find.
Carlton
Carlton works for families and anyone who likes Italian cooking on Lygon Street. Museums and gardens are within walking distance, though nightlife ends early and parking in the lanes costs money.
Southbank
Southbank sits on the Yarra opposite the centre, with a promenade, casino and restaurants. The skyline view is good, but evenings are crowded and expensive, and beaches need a tram ride.
Getting to and around Melbourne
Tullamarine airport lies about twenty kilometres from the centre, with the SkyBus reaching Southern Cross in roughly half an hour. Trams are the main way around: rides inside the central grid are free, and lines run to Fitzroy, St Kilda and the riverfront. Walking covers the grid, and City Loop trains serve the outer districts.
Three days in Melbourne
The centre and its lanes
Walk the lanes from Collins Street to Federation Square, then come out on the Yarra promenade. Visit Queen Victoria Market in the afternoon and spend the evening in the bars of Fitzroy.
Gardens and galleries
Begin in the Royal Botanic Gardens and at the Shrine of Remembrance, then cross to the National Gallery of Victoria. Walk Southbank after lunch and go up to a viewing deck above the river.
St Kilda and the beach
Take the tram to St Kilda, follow the foreshore to the pier and have breakfast in a cake shop on Acland Street. Return through Albert Park, leaving time for dinner.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.0 | 15.4 | 76.3 | 9.4 | 14.5 |
| February | 25.1 | 15.1 | 38.5 | 5.4 | 13.5 |
| March | 23.8 | 14.5 | 53.5 | 8.8 | 12.3 |
| April | 19.9 | 11.9 | 68.1 | 8.4 | 11.1 |
| May | 16.4 | 9.5 | 62.8 | 12.5 | 10.1 |
| June | 13.6 | 7.5 | 57.9 | 12.1 | 9.6 |
| July | 12.9 | 6.6 | 60.4 | 14.1 | 9.8 |
| August | 13.7 | 7.0 | 62.7 | 13.9 | 10.7 |
| September | 16.0 | 8.0 | 57.2 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| October | 19.0 | 9.8 | 91.1 | 12.7 | 13.0 |
| November | 21.2 | 11.8 | 79.9 | 11.0 | 14.1 |
| December | 24.0 | 13.4 | 66.7 | 9.3 | 14.7 |
Frequently asked questions
Melbourne: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 26.0 °C and the night-time low is 15.4 °C. Start a long walking route in the morning. Plan lunch and shaded breaks for the middle of the day.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 9.4 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 76.3 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in January?
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 25.4 °C; 11–20 — 26.1 °C; 21 to month-end — 26.4 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 14.5 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Melbourne worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 26.0 °C and nights around 15.4 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Melbourne on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Melbourne in January?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 14.5 hours.