Is Townsville sunnier than Cairns?

Townsville is the sunnier: about 3,126 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,763 — a difference of 363 hours.

Which is warmer, Townsville or Cairns?

Townsville is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 30°C (86°F) versus 28°C.

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

Townsville scores better across November–February: 76/100 average versus 71, with daytime highs around 32°C.

Which has the warmer sea, Townsville or Cairns?

Both peak at about 31°C (88°F); month-by-month sea temperatures for both are on this page.

Townsville vs Cairns: which is sunnier?

🇦🇺 Australia vs 🇦🇺 Australia · 285 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Townsville is the sunnier overall: about 3,126 hours of sunshine a year to Cairns's 2,763. Townsville has the higher Sunshine Score in 10 of 12 months; the other 2 are within 2 points.

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

At a glance

	Townsville	Cairns
Sunshine hours / year	3,126	2,763
Sunniest month	September (96/100)	August (90/100)
Nov–Feb average score	76/100	71/100
Jun–Aug average score	94/100	87/100
Rain / year	875 mm	1,935 mm
Warmest sea	31°C / 88°F	31°C / 88°F
Peak midday UV	12 (extreme)	12 (extreme)

Townsville vs Cairns month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Townsville	Cairns	Townsville	Cairns	Townsville	Cairns	Townsville	Cairns
January	70	68	32°	31°	215	352	31°	31°
February	70	68	31°	30°	236	392	30°	31°
March	74	68	30°	29°	131	392	29°	29°
April	89	68	30°	28°	48	191	28°	28°
May	92	76	28°	26°	28	103	25°	26°
June	93	84	26°	25°	23	63	23°	24°
July	94	86	25°	25°	22	53	22°	24°
August	95	90	27°	26°	12	31	23°	24°
September	96	90	29°	28°	11	31	25°	25°
October	94	84	31°	30°	20	62	27°	27°
November	90	79	32°	31°	42	86	28°	29°
December	73	68	33°	32°	87	179	30°	30°

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

When to pick which

November–February: Townsville (average score 76/100 vs 71). Daytime highs are similar (32°C vs 31°C).
March–May: Townsville (average score 85/100 vs 71). Daytime highs are similar (29°C vs 28°C).
June–August: Townsville (average score 94/100 vs 87). Daytime highs are similar (26°C vs 25°C).
September–October: Townsville (average score 95/100 vs 87). Daytime highs are similar (30°C vs 29°C).

Sea temperature

Both seas peak at 31°C / 88°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Townsville all year, Cairns all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

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

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