Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand cruises in January
The height of summer, with Sydney highs around 80°F (26–27°C) and New Zealand pleasant in the low-to-mid 70s °F (21–24°C). Australian and New Zealand school holidays run until late January, so ships are busy and fares peak. Australia Day on January 26 brings fireworks and harbor events. The tropical north is hot, wet and in cyclone season.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 76°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in January: Best time to go
The height of summer, with Sydney highs around 80°F (26–27°C) and New Zealand pleasant in the low-to-mid 70s °F (21–24°C). Australian and New Zealand school holidays run until late January, so ships are busy and fares peak. Australia Day on January 26 brings fireworks and harbor events. The tropical north is hot, wet and in cyclone season.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, January brings average highs around 76°F (25°C) and lows near 65°F, with about 4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 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
- 76°F / 65°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4 in
- Daylight
- About 14 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. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How January 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 January
| 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 |
January weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 79°F | 70°F | 4.1 in | 14 h |
| Auckland | 75°F | 64°F | 3.5 in | 14 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 69°F | 56°F | 7.6 in | 15 h |
| Melbourne | 80°F | 60°F | 3.0 in | 15 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 72°F | 56°F | 2.4 in | 15 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 73°F | 65°F | 3.6 in | 15 h |
| Bay of Islands | 71°F | 67°F | 3.5 in | 14 h |
| Wellington | 68°F | 60°F | 1.9 in | 15 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 63°F | 54°F | 2.1 in | 15 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 64°F | 58°F | 1.7 in | 15 h |
| Cairns | 88°F | 78°F | 12.5 in | 13 h |
| Brisbane | 85°F | 74°F | 4.4 in | 14 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 86°F | 78°F | 9.3 in | 13 h |
| Napier | 77°F | 62°F | 2.8 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 January
- Caribbean in January
- Eastern Caribbean in January
- Western Caribbean in January
- Southern Caribbean in January
- Hawaii in January
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in January
- Panama Canal & Central America in January
- South America in January
- Galápagos Islands in January
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in January
See every destination for January, with a port weather map →
Australia & New Zealand in January: FAQs
Is January a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
Yes, it's one of the best months. The height of summer, with Sydney highs around 80°F (26–27°C) and New Zealand pleasant in the low-to-mid 70s °F (21–24°C). Australian and New Zealand school holidays run until late January, so ships are busy and fares peak. Australia Day on January 26 brings fireworks and harbor events. The tropical north is hot, wet and in cyclone season.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in January?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, January brings average highs around 76°F (25°C) and lows near 65°F, with about 4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in January?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. 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 January?
January is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Hawaii.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.