The best time to visit Brisbane

18.12.2024 - 15:03 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 17, 2024 • 10 min read

Brisbane’s fantastic subtropical climate is one of its biggest claims to fame. The city enjoys around 280 days of sunshine each year, making Brisbane perfect for outdoor activities almost year-round. It never gets really cold – even in July, the city’s coldest month, daytime temperatures range from 51–73°F. 

But it does get humid in this part of Queensland. At the height of the Australian summer, from December to February, Brissie can get uncomfortably sticky with average temperatures of 85°F and 65% humidity. Plus, big thunderstorms sometimes roll in at the end of the day. If you're coming from the northern hemisphere winter, however, that's a small price to pay, and you can always cool off on the Gold Coast or at Brisbane's city beach.

That said, it shouldn't be entirely surprising that the busy season in Brisbane is during the cooler and drier months. This is when most big events are scheduled and it’s the most comfortable time to be in town, and still warm enough to swim and enjoy the sun.

The main thing to watch when choosing a time to visit is the Australian school calendar. In Brisbane, like the rest of Queensland, school holidays bring a huge increase in visitor numbers as families flock to the sunshine state with the kids. Here's a guide to the best times to visit Queensland's first city.

Brisbane has four distinctive seasons:

Spring runs from September to November and sees average temperatures of 59°F to 77°F. The humidity is much more tolerable during this time.

Summer starts in December and finishes in February. The daytime heat averages 86°F, but the sudden storms and humidity make it a hot and sticky season.  

Autumn (Fall) is from March to May, and temperatures and humidity start to become a more pleasant 59°F to 77°F. This is a great time to avoid the crowds.

Winter averages 50°F to 68°F and runs from June to August. For those who aren’t fans of heat and humidity, this is the best time to take advantage of all Brisbane has to offer. 

Best time to visit for sunshine and festivals

The Australian winter from June to August is the peak season for Brisbane, when the sun shines reliably and there’s very little rain. The high season includes the surrounding months due to the favorable weather. The best festivals are held at this balmy time of year, especially in May and September. Temperatures are warm but not overpowering, rising to around 79°F and rarely dipping below 11°C (51°F). You’ll still be in your T-shirt and flip-flops by day, but you’ll need long sleeves for the evening.

This season is when Australia's southerners, shivering in their offices in Melbourne and Sydney, take quick, impulsive weekend trips to Queensland to defrost. During the school holidays (which are