Darwin or Cairns in August?
On climate data, Cairns comes out ahead overall in August. See the per-criterion details below.
DarwinPhoto: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
CairnsPhoto: Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in August
| Criterion | Darwin | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 31 °C | 24 °C |
| Average daily low | 23 °C | 16 °C |
| Sea | 26 °C ★ | 24 °C |
| Rainy days | 1 rainy day (est.) ★ | 8 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 7 h/day ★ | 6 h/day |
| Humidity | 55 % | 78 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Darwin is about 7 °C warmer by day.
- Darwin is drier, with about 7 fewer rainy days.
- The sea at Darwin is about 3 °C warmer.
Darwin or Cairns in August: the short answer
In August, Cairns comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Darwin 81/100 vs Cairns 87/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on August as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Darwin averages a climate score of 63/100, Cairns 72/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in August, side by side
The average daily high is about 31 °C in Darwin and 24 °C in Cairns — warmer in Darwin. Average daily lows are around 23 °C versus 16 °C.
On rain, Darwin sees about 1 rainy days in August and Cairns about 8 — drier in Darwin. Darwin gets more sunshine (7 vs 6 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In August the water is about 26 °C at Darwin and 24 °C at Cairns — warmer for swimming at Darwin. Over the year, Darwin is comfortable for swimming (from ~21 °C) in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, Cairns in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Peak sea warmth is December for Darwin and February for Cairns.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Darwin records roughly 173 rainy days and Cairns about 176 — the drier of the two overall is Darwin. At their sunniest, Darwin reaches about 8 hours of sun a day (October) and Cairns about 9 (November). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Darwin is at its best in May, June, July and August, while Cairns peaks in July, August, September and October. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the August scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Darwin scores higher in August (Darwin 91 vs Cairns 87).
City breaks: Cairns scores higher in August (Darwin 74 vs Cairns 93).
Active & hiking: Cairns scores higher in August (Darwin 67 vs Cairns 79).
Family: Cairns scores higher in August (Darwin 85 vs Cairns 88).
Verdict: which should you pick?
There is no single winner — it depends on your month and your priority. For August specifically, use the head-to-head above; over the year, Cairns carries the slightly higher overall climate score. Choose Darwin if its strong months and profile match your plan, Cairns if its do. The month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.