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Best time to visit Gold Coast: month by month
Short answer
April to June and September to November are the best times, with highs of about 21-25°C, sunshine and fewer crowds. Summer (December to February) is hot and humid (about 27°C, with storms and 15-21 rainy days a month) and busy with school holidays, while winter is mild and dry, about 20-22°C by day, and good for whale watching.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C | 21°C | 21 | very high |
| Feb | 27°C | 21°C | 15 | medium |
| Mar | 27°C | 21°C | 18 | medium |
| Apr | 24°C | 18°C | 11 | high |
| May | 22°C | 15°C | 10 | low |
| Jun | 21°C | 13°C | 4 | medium |
| Jul | 20°C | 12°C | 8 | high |
| Aug | 22°C | 13°C | 7 | medium |
| Sep | 23°C | 15°C | 8 | high |
| Oct | 25°C | 17°C | 11 | medium |
| Nov | 25°C | 18°C | 13 | high |
| Dec | 27°C | 20°C | 15 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs of 23-25°C, about 8-13 rainy days a month and warming seas; Schoolies fills Surfers Paradise in late November.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and humid, highs about 27°C and lows of 20-21°C, with afternoon storms and 15-21 rainy days a month; peak school holidays.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Highs fall from 27°C in March to 22°C in May, with fewer rainy days (about 10-11 in April and May).
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Mild and dry, highs of 20-22°C and lows of 12-13°C, with 4-8 rainy days a month and humpback whales passing offshore.
Events worth planning around
- Gold Coast Marathon, usually in early July
- Gold Coast 500 Supercars street race in Surfers Paradise, usually in October or November
- Schoolies week for school leavers, late November
- Whale-watching season, roughly June to November
When to avoid
Avoid the late-November Schoolies week if you dislike crowds of school leavers in Surfers Paradise, and the December-January school holidays if you want lower prices.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit the Gold Coast?
May, September or October, with sunny days around 22-25°C and fewer crowds.
Can you swim in winter?
Many do: the sea stays around 20°C and daytime highs are about 20-22°C.
When is whale-watching season?
Roughly June to November, when humpbacks migrate past the coast.