Is December rainy in Melbourne?

Expect roughly 9 days of rain across the month. Pack a compact umbrella and shoes that can handle wet pavement.

How hot does Melbourne get in December?

Daytime highs average around 75°F. Lean toward breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, and bring sun protection.

December Packing List for Melbourne – What to Wear & Bring

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Essentials

If you only pack a few things, pack these.

Lightweight linen or cotton shirtsEssential
Melbourne's December 75°F average high — with heatwaves above 38°C possible near the MCG and CBD by month's end — makes breathable natural-fibre shirts the summer wardrobe foundation.
Lightweight shorts or linen trousersEssential
December heat at Melbourne's Christmas markets in Federation Square and the St Kilda foreshore favours the lightest possible legwear — tailored shorts or linen trousers handle both the heat and Melbourne's smart-casual event culture.
Packable windproof jacket (cool changes)Essential
Melbourne's December cool-change fronts return to their summer frequency — a thin packable windproof jacket at St Kilda Beach and the Yarra River waterfront covers the evening 57°F low after a hot December afternoon.
Leather sandals or quality flip-flopsEssential
Melbourne's December beach culture at St Kilda and the Port Phillip Bay foreshore returns to full summer mode — open footwear transitions comfortably from sand to Acland Street cafés and Federation Square's Christmas events.
Comfortable lightweight sneakersEssential
Melbourne's CBD Christmas shopping and laneway culture in December involves extensive walking on bluestone cobblestones — supportive lightweight sneakers cover the Bourke Street Mall to Degraves Street circuit more comfortably than flat sandals.
Wide-brim hatEssential
Melbourne's December UV index is Extreme (11+) — the open parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the MCG cricket ground stands, and the St Kilda Beach foreshore require a wide-brim hat for the protection sunscreen alone doesn't fully deliver.
SPF 50+ sunscreenEssential
Melbourne's December UV is among the most intense in the world due to Southern Ocean ozone conditions — SPF 50+ applied every 2 hours is the standard for outdoor activities at St Kilda Beach and Federation Square's open Christmas events.
UV-blocking polarised sunglassesEssential
Port Phillip Bay's flat reflective surface at St Kilda and the glass-and-steel CBD amplify Melbourne's Extreme UV in December — polarised UV-blocking sunglasses protect vision during the extended outdoor summer social calendar.

Clothing

Lightweight linen or cotton shirtsEssential
Melbourne's December 75°F average high — with heatwaves above 38°C possible near the MCG and CBD by month's end — makes breathable natural-fibre shirts the summer wardrobe foundation.
Lightweight shorts or linen trousersEssential
December heat at Melbourne's Christmas markets in Federation Square and the St Kilda foreshore favours the lightest possible legwear — tailored shorts or linen trousers handle both the heat and Melbourne's smart-casual event culture.
Packable windproof jacket (cool changes)Essential
Melbourne's December cool-change fronts return to their summer frequency — a thin packable windproof jacket at St Kilda Beach and the Yarra River waterfront covers the evening 57°F low after a hot December afternoon.
SwimwearRecommended
December opens Melbourne's full beach season — St Kilda Beach, Half Moon Bay at Black Rock, and the Mornington Peninsula beaches all become weekend destinations as Port Phillip Bay water temperature rises through December.

Footwear

Leather sandals or quality flip-flopsEssential
Melbourne's December beach culture at St Kilda and the Port Phillip Bay foreshore returns to full summer mode — open footwear transitions comfortably from sand to Acland Street cafés and Federation Square's Christmas events.
Comfortable lightweight sneakersEssential
Melbourne's CBD Christmas shopping and laneway culture in December involves extensive walking on bluestone cobblestones — supportive lightweight sneakers cover the Bourke Street Mall to Degraves Street circuit more comfortably than flat sandals.
Water-resistant enclosed shoes (rain days)Recommended
Nine December rain days arrive as brief but heavy afternoon thunderstorms near Southbank and the Yarra River — enclosed water-resistant shoes handle these sudden summer storms without requiring a footwear change.
Slip-On Canvas ShoesRecommended
December in Melbourne (avg high 75°F) sees locals crowding the St Kilda Esplanade Sunday Market — slip-on canvas shoes provide easy comfort for a full day of outdoor browsing in warm conditions.

Accessories

Wide-brim hatEssential
Melbourne's December UV index is Extreme (11+) — the open parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the MCG cricket ground stands, and the St Kilda Beach foreshore require a wide-brim hat for the protection sunscreen alone doesn't fully deliver.
SPF 50+ sunscreenEssential
Melbourne's December UV is among the most intense in the world due to Southern Ocean ozone conditions — SPF 50+ applied every 2 hours is the standard for outdoor activities at St Kilda Beach and Federation Square's open Christmas events.
UV-blocking polarised sunglassesEssential
Port Phillip Bay's flat reflective surface at St Kilda and the glass-and-steel CBD amplify Melbourne's Extreme UV in December — polarised UV-blocking sunglasses protect vision during the extended outdoor summer social calendar.
Compact umbrellaRecommended
Nine December rain days arrive as brief afternoon thunderstorms near the Yarra River and Southbank — a compact umbrella in the bag handles the short but drenching summer storms without the weight of a full rain jacket.

Local tips for Melbourne in December

Melbourne's Christmas lights along Collins Street and Federation Square are among Australia's finest festive decorations — the evening light walk from Flinders Street Station up Collins Street to Parliament House is an excellent free December event; bring a thin jacket for the 57°F evenings that follow hot December afternoons.

Boxing Day (December 26) is the start of the Boxing Day Test cricket at the MCG — one of Australia's great sporting traditions; secure tickets well in advance and bring full summer sun protection for the exposed MCG stands during the 75°F+ afternoon session.

Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula is 90 minutes by car from the CBD and offers December's best combination of beach, wineries, and hot springs — a weekend day trip on the Peninsula requires full summer sun protection kit plus a thin layer for the cooler coastal wind off Port Phillip Bay.

FAQ — Melbourne in December

Expect roughly 9 days of rain across the month. Pack a compact umbrella and shoes that can handle wet pavement.
Daytime highs average around 75°F. Lean toward breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, and bring sun protection.
Melbourne's Christmas lights along Collins Street and Federation Square are among Australia's finest festive decorations — the evening light walk from Flinders Street Station up Collins Street to Parliament House is an excellent free December event; bring a thin jacket for the 57°F evenings that follow hot December afternoons. See our full shoe picks for December: full shoe guide →

More tools for Melbourne in December

What to wear

Outfit ideas for Melbourne in December →

Layering looks and style guidance matched to the month's weather.

Best shoes

Shoe picks for December →

Waterproof, breathable, insulated — matched to the month.

Pack or skip

Umbrella? Winter coat? Sunscreen? →

Item-by-item verdict for December.

Comfort check

Will I be cold or hot? →

Day and night temp bands for December.

Packing tools

Decide jackets, outfits, shoes, and bag fees for Melbourne in December

Free calculators — city and month pre-filled when we know them. No account required. Start with how many outfits, sudoku packing, or bag fees.

Trip

Planning a trip to one city?

One city → typical weather for your month, packing counts that fit your bags, and email your plan.

Outfits

How many outfits for this trip?

Trip length, bag size, and climate → exact tops, bottoms, layers, and outfit combinations.

Jacket

Not sure about a jacket?

City + month → base / mid / shell stack and pack-or-skip verdicts for rain jacket, coat, and thermals.

Shoes

Shoes for this climate?

Climate, activities, and bag size → pair count, primary/backup types, and climate-matched picks.

Bags

Will this trip cost bag fees?

Airline + fare bucket + bags you plan to bring → fit verdicts and typical carry-on / checked fee ranges.

Capsule

Try sudoku packing for this climate?

City + month → climate-ready 3 tops / 3 bottoms / 3 layers you can edit — up to 27 mix-and-match outfits.

All packing tools

December Packing List for Melbourne — What to Wear & Bring

Hotels in Melbourne