OK, let's get one thing straight - don't come to Tropical North Queensland if you don't like big, blue skies and lots of sunshine. Far North Queensland has a typical tropical climate, with two distinct seasons - wet (summer) and dry (winter). weather forecast | satalite photos | bureau of meteorology The average summer temperature (November - January) ranges from 23 - 31 degrees celcius. There is an average of 7.5 hours sunshine during this period. The climate during December to March is hot (can be damn hot!) and humid. The average winter temperatures (May - August) range from 18 - 26 degrees celcius with an average of 6.5 hours sunshine. It can be windy in July and August. The dry season is the most popular time for tourists as the weather is just about perfect, with blue skies and almost no humidity. It seldom gets cool at this time of year, with the exception of the Atherton Tableland which is one of the few places where you may need a jacket. It is very rare to come across an accommodation place that is not air-conditioned or equipped with heaps of ceiling fans, so even in the wet season a holiday in Tropical North Queensland is an enjoyable experience weather-wise. The wet season is the time of year when many of the beautiful native plants are in flower. Rainfall on average peaks at 500mm in March and drops to about 50mm in August. Rainfall during the wet season tends to occur late in the day and the rain can be torrential. Cyclones can occur during the wet season, particularly in January and February but fear not, as almost all buildings now are cyclone-proof. Local authorities are also very hip to cyclones and know what to do if one is lurking in the vicinity. Cairns and Port Douglas are +10 hours GMT. Port Douglas Global Position: 16' 29" S - 145'28" E.