Happy Layover

The best time to visit Melbourne

Best weather Feb–Apr and NovPeak season Dec–Jan4h 30m ahead of India
Photo: Scott Cresswell from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0

Melbourne is at its best from February to April and November.

It is busiest and priciest in December to January.

Here is every month at a glance, the dates to plan around, and flights from five Indian cities.

Melbourne month by month

Average highs and lows, rain, the season and what's on, for the next twelve months.

MonthWeatherSeasonWhat's on
October 2026 19° / 9°some rain, 82 mm Shoulder
DussehraMelbourne Cup Carnival
November 2026Best weather 21° / 11°rainy spells, 92 mm Shoulder
Melbourne Cup CarnivalDiwali
December 2026 24° / 12°some rain, 67 mm Peak
Christmas and New Year
January 2027 27° / 15°some rain, 72 mm Peak
Christmas and New YearAustralian OpenRepublic Day weekend
February 2027Best weather 26° / 14°mostly dry, 33 mm Shoulder
Summer averages 25-27°C, but heatwaves top 40°C and cool changes blow through: 'four...
March 2027Best weather 24° / 14°mostly dry, 44 mm Shoulder
HoliGood Friday weekendEaster
April 2027Best weather 20° / 11°some rain, 60 mm Shoulder
Indian summer holidays
May 2027 16° / 8°some rain, 58 mm Off-season
Indian summer holidays
June 2027 13° / 6°some rain, 66 mm Off-season
Indian summer holidays
July 2027 13° / 6°some rain, 56 mm Off-season
Student rush
August 2027 14° / 7°some rain, 59 mm Off-season
Student rush
September 2027 16° / 8°some rain, 65 mm Shoulder
AFL Grand Final (the last Saturday of September).

Dates to plan around

Festivals, holidays and closures in Melbourne, and the Indian holiday rushes that raise fares.

  • 20 OctDussehraDussehra falls on Tuesday 20 Oct: many take the Monday off for a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad cost more that week.
  • 31 Oct – 7 NovMelbourne Cup CarnivalSpring racing carnival; Cup Day (Tuesday 3 Nov) is a public holiday in Melbourne.
  • 6–10 NovDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 Nov): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore book up.
  • 19 Dec – 3 JanChristmas and New YearThe priciest fortnight of the year to fly out of India: school holidays, Christmas and New Year all at once. Book early or go just before or after.
  • 11–31 JanAustralian OpenGrand Slam tennis: Melbourne's hotels fill, especially for the finals on 30-31 Jan.
  • 23–26 JanRepublic Day weekendRepublic Day falls on Tuesday 26 Jan: take the Monday off and it's a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad book up.
  • 22–23 MarHoliHoli (22-23 Mar) and Good Friday (26 Mar) fall in the same week, a favourite week for short trips abroad, so fares rise.
  • 26–28 MarGood Friday weekendGood Friday (26 Mar) makes a long weekend in India, just after Holi.
  • 26–29 MarEasterGood Friday to Easter Monday: a long weekend across much of Europe and Australia, with Holy Week crowds in Rome; some shops and sights close on the day.
  • 15 Apr – 15 Jun · expectedIndian summer holidaysSchool holidays (roughly mid-April to mid-June, varying by state): outbound family travel peaks and fares climb, especially to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.
  • 20 Jul – 31 Aug · expectedStudent rushThousands of Indian students fly out for autumn intakes, so fares from India to the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Europe peak from late July through August.
  • 27–31 OctDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 Oct): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips abroad book up.

Flights to Melbourne from India

The cheapest fare our scanner has seen from each city in the last two weeks. Open a route to price every month live.

Good to know

When is the best time to visit Melbourne?

The best weather in Melbourne is from February to April and November. Summer averages 25-27°C, but heatwaves top 40°C and cool changes blow through: 'four seasons in a day'. Peak season, with the most visitors and the highest hotel prices, is December to January. The quietest months are May to August.

When is Melbourne most crowded?

Peak season is December to January, when stays cost the most and the sights are busiest.

What is the cheapest way to fly to Melbourne from India?

Of the Indian cities we track, Chennai has the lowest fare right now: ₹66,083 (return, 10 nights) for Sat 7 Nov.

How hot does Melbourne get?

The hottest month is January, with average highs of 27°C; the coolest nights come in July, around 6°C.

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