Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand cruises in December
Sydney Harbour’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are the biggest event of the cruise calendar here, and voyages timed for them sell out very early. Christmas is celebrated with seafood and summer barbecues. School holidays begin mid-month, fares are at their highest and cyclone season starts in tropical Queensland.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 74°F
- 15 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in December: Best time to go
Sydney Harbour’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are the biggest event of the cruise calendar here, and voyages timed for them sell out very early. Christmas is celebrated with seafood and summer barbecues. School holidays begin mid-month, fares are at their highest and cyclone season starts in tropical Queensland.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, December brings average highs around 74°F (23°C) and lows near 62°F, with about 3.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 15 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane
- Average high / low
- 74°F / 62°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights between Sydney and Auckland; 3- to 10-night coastal cruises from Australia
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7625 | 7624 | 7423 | 6921 | 6518 | 6116 | 6016 | 6116 | 6418 | 6720 | 7122 | 7423 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6518 | 6518 | 6317 | 6015 | 5613 | 5312 | 5111 | 5111 | 5312 | 5613 | 5915 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.0101 | 3.897 | 3.998 | 3.179 | 3.077 | 3.179 | 3.486 | 2.871 | 2.769 | 2.872 | 2.871 | 3.588 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 77°F | 67°F | 2.8 in | 14 h |
| Auckland | 72°F | 61°F | 3.1 in | 15 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 66°F | 54°F | 7.6 in | 16 h |
| Melbourne | 76°F | 57°F | 2.6 in | 15 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 69°F | 53°F | 2.8 in | 15 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 71°F | 62°F | 3.6 in | 15 h |
| Bay of Islands | 69°F | 65°F | 2.8 in | 15 h |
| Wellington | 64°F | 57°F | 3.5 in | 15 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 60°F | 52°F | 2.0 in | 16 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 62°F | 55°F | 2.3 in | 15 h |
| Cairns | 91°F | 77°F | 8.3 in | 13 h |
| Brisbane | 84°F | 72°F | 4.3 in | 14 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 87°F | 77°F | 5.6 in | 13 h |
| Napier | 74°F | 59°F | 3.3 in | 15 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Australia & New Zealand in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Sydney Harbour’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are the biggest event of the cruise calendar here, and voyages timed for them sell out very early. Christmas is celebrated with seafood and summer barbecues. School holidays begin mid-month, fares are at their highest and cyclone season starts in tropical Queensland.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in December?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, December brings average highs around 74°F (23°C) and lows near 62°F, with about 3.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 15 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in December?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.