Is Cairns sunnier than Hamilton?

Hamilton is the sunnier: about 3,060 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,763 — a difference of 297 hours.

Which is warmer, Cairns or Hamilton?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Cairns averages 28°C (82°F), Hamilton 27°C (81°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Cairns or Hamilton?

Hamilton scores better across November–February: 76/100 average versus 71, with daytime highs around 30°C.

Which has the warmer sea, Cairns or Hamilton?

Cairns — its sea peaks at about 31°C (88°F) versus 30°C.

Cairns vs Hamilton: which is sunnier?

🇦🇺 Australia vs 🇦🇺 Australia · 513 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Hamilton is the sunnier overall: about 3,060 hours of sunshine a year to Cairns's 2,763. Hamilton has the higher Sunshine Score in 9 of 12 months; the other 3 are within 2 points.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Cairns	Hamilton
Sunshine hours / year	2,763	3,060
Sunniest month	August (90/100)	September (95/100)
Nov–Feb average score	71/100	76/100
Jun–Aug average score	87/100	93/100
Rain / year	1,935 mm	985 mm
Warmest sea	31°C / 88°F	30°C / 86°F
Peak midday UV	12 (extreme)	12 (extreme)

Cairns vs Hamilton month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Cairns	Hamilton	Cairns	Hamilton	Cairns	Hamilton	Cairns	Hamilton
January	68	70	31°	30°	352	219	31°	30°
February	68	70	30°	29°	392	228	31°	29°
March	68	70	29°	29°	392	155	29°	28°
April	68	85	28°	27°	191	66	28°	27°
May	76	91	26°	26°	103	36	26°	24°
June	84	91	25°	24°	63	35	24°	22°
July	86	93	25°	23°	53	24	24°	22°
August	90	94	26°	24°	31	16	24°	21°
September	90	95	28°	26°	31	14	25°	23°
October	84	92	30°	28°	62	27	27°	25°
November	79	88	31°	29°	86	50	29°	27°
December	68	76	32°	30°	179	115	30°	28°

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr Hamilton · May Hamilton · Jun Hamilton · Jul Hamilton · Aug Hamilton · Sep Hamilton · Oct Hamilton · Nov Hamilton · Dec Hamilton.

When to pick which

November–February: Hamilton (average score 76/100 vs 71). Daytime highs are similar (31°C vs 30°C).
March–May: Hamilton (average score 82/100 vs 71). Daytime highs are similar (28°C vs 27°C).
June–August: Hamilton (average score 93/100 vs 87). Daytime highs are similar (25°C vs 24°C).
September–October: Hamilton (average score 94/100 vs 87). Cairns is the warmer, around 29°C daytime highs vs 27°C.

Sea temperature

Cairns's sea gets warmer: 31°C / 88°F at its peak vs 30°C. Swimmable water (21°C+): Cairns all year, Hamilton all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Cairns weather by month · Hamilton weather by month · Best time to visit Australia.

More comparisons: Cairns vs Port Moresby · Cairns vs Townsville · Cairns vs Proserpine · Hamilton vs Townsville · Hamilton vs Mackay · Hamilton vs Rockhampton · all head-to-heads