Perth in May: a seasonal travel plan
Perth, Australia. In may, the average daytime high is 21.1 °C and the night-time low is 15.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Perth
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 21.1 °C
- Nighttime low
- 15.9 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 53.1 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 7.3
- Daylight
- 10.5 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 | 21.4 | 16.1 | 2.0 |
| Days 11–20 | 21.7 | 16.0 | 1.9 |
| From day 21 | 20.4 | 15.6 | 3.4 |
What this month is like
Perth, Australia. In may, the average daytime high is 21.1 °C and the night-time low is 15.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 7.3 wet days on average, with about 53.1 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 10.5 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
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 23.5 °C, May — 21.1 °C, next month — 19.0 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 4.7, 7.3 and 11.7.
Things to do
Perth spreads along the Swan River, with the city towers facing Kings Park across the water. It is a spacious, sunny place: trains link the centre with Fremantle and the beaches, and free CAT buses loop through the districts.
Kings Park
Climb into Kings Park by the steps above Elizabeth Quay and walk through the botanic garden. The lookout shows the towers and the river; return through the park to the centre.
Rottnest Island
The ferry from Barrack Street jetty reaches Rottnest Island in about ninety minutes. Hire a bike to ride between the white-sand bays and take a late ferry back. Quokkas live there and nowhere else.
Cottesloe and Fremantle
The train reaches Fremantle in half an hour: walk the port streets and the market. On the way back get off at Cottesloe and swim at the town beach. Cottesloe has a long ocean promenade.
Where to stay
City centre
The centre suits a short visit, with Elizabeth Quay, the station and Kings Park close together. The office district empties in the evening, so head to Northbridge for dinner. Northbridge is fifteen minutes on foot.
Northbridge
Northbridge works for restaurants, bars and Asian cooking. The centre is ten minutes on foot, nights are noisy, and the hotels are plain. Cross the footbridge to reach the station and centre.
Fremantle
Fremantle sits at the mouth of the Swan, with a port, a market and old warehouses. It suits quiet days by the water, though the train to the centre takes half an hour.
Getting to and around Perth
Perth airport connects to the centre on the Airport Line, with trains reaching Perth station in about twenty minutes. Transperth trains are the main way around and run to Fremantle and the beaches, while free CAT buses loop through the centre. A car is worth hiring only for longer trips, such as the wine regions to the south.
Three days in Perth
Centre and Kings Park
Walk the Elizabeth Quay waterfront, then climb into Kings Park to the botanic garden. At sunset return to the park lookout over the river, and ride to Northbridge for dinner afterwards.
Rottnest
Take the morning ferry to Rottnest, hire a bike and ride to the bays on the western side. Come back towards evening and eat by the water in Fremantle. Hire a mask and snorkel there.
Fremantle and Cottesloe
Look round Fremantle's port and market, then take the train to Cottesloe. After a swim, return to the city and walk the Swan riverfront. Lunch at a café by the beach in Cottesloe.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.8 | 19.7 | 23.2 | 2.4 | 14.0 |
| February | 27.2 | 20.1 | 25.8 | 1.7 | 13.2 |
| March | 26.0 | 19.5 | 23.0 | 3.5 | 12.3 |
| April | 23.5 | 17.6 | 29.5 | 4.7 | 11.3 |
| May | 21.1 | 15.9 | 53.1 | 7.3 | 10.5 |
| June | 19.0 | 14.7 | 84.9 | 11.7 | 10.1 |
| July | 18.0 | 14.1 | 110.0 | 14.2 | 10.3 |
| August | 17.7 | 13.4 | 81.9 | 12.0 | 11.0 |
| September | 18.7 | 13.6 | 37.2 | 7.9 | 11.9 |
| October | 20.4 | 14.8 | 30.3 | 6.6 | 12.9 |
| November | 22.9 | 16.4 | 13.7 | 2.8 | 13.7 |
| December | 25.6 | 18.6 | 9.2 | 2.2 | 14.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Perth: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 21.1 °C and the night-time low is 15.9 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 7.3 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 53.1 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 May?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. 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 — 21.4 °C; 11–20 — 21.7 °C; 21 to month-end — 20.4 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 10.5 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Perth worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 21.1 °C and nights around 15.9 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Perth on a wet day in May?
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 Perth in May?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 10.5 hours.