AI-generatedWollongong at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – May, Aug – Feb
- Warmest month
- Jan · 25°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 23.6°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,700 h
- Rain a year
- 911 mm
- Climate
- Subtropical
- Time zone
- UTC+11 / UTC+10
- Elevation
- 29 m
Climate in Wollongong
Wollongong has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 25 °C, while July is the coolest at 15 °C. With around 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, Wollongong is sunny; September is the sunniest month with 8.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: April – May, August – February
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 16°
- Midday, 13:00: about 20°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 20°
- Evening, 20:00: about 17°
- Night, 23:00: about 16°
06:1519:09
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:00–06:49 · evening 18:35–19:25
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:50–06:00 · evening 19:25–19:35
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Wollongong in October?
In October, Wollongong is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 19.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 54 min06:15 – 19:09
- UV index
- 9 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 23 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 49 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+11Australia/Sydney
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %83 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %62 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Wetsuit for longer swims
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in Wollongong
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 18.1 – 20.4 °C
Swimming season: Nov – May
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Wollongong ranges from 18.2 °C in August to 23.6 °C in February. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from November to May.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. From March to August the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 22.7 and 24.7 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 22.8° | 21.9° | 23.5° | refreshing |
| FebruaryFeb | 23.6° | 22.7° | 24.7° | pleasant |
| MarchMar | 23.4° | 22.6° | 24.3° | pleasant |
| AprilApr | 22.4° | 21.6° | 23.3° | refreshing |
| MayMay | 21.1° | 20.0° | 22.6° | refreshing |
| JuneJun | 19.6° | 18.8° | 20.6° | fresh |
| JulyJul | 18.6° | 17.5° | 19.9° | fresh |
| AugustAug | 18.2° | 17.2° | 19.6° | fresh |
| SeptemberSep | 18.4° | 17.4° | 20.0° | fresh |
| OctoberOct | 19.3° | 18.1° | 20.4° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 20.1° | 19.4° | 20.9° | refreshing |
| DecemberDec | 21.5° | 20.3° | 22.5° | refreshing |
Sunshine hours in Wollongong
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 8.0 of 12.9 hours of daylight in Wollongong, 62 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Wollongong
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 9 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 11).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 25 min
- Olive skin
- about 35 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Wollongong: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Wollongong has about 9 rainy days with 66 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Wollongong
How breezy and how cloudy Wollongong is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Wollongong typically peaks at 23 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting, and here it gets there all year.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 49 % of the sky over Wollongong: variable cloud, with about 8.0 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Wollongong
How often the day gets hot in Wollongong (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Wollongong has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 21 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Wollongong
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
CoolOctober: nights around 14°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in July (10°), the warmest in February (19°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from November to April. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 44 days a year, mostly from January to February.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 82 | 25° | 19° | 22.8° | 7.9 h | 11 | 85 |
| FebruaryFeb | 76 | 24° | 19° | 23.6° | 7.5 h | 13 | 107 |
| MarchMar | 74 | 23° | 18° | 23.4° | 7.2 h | 13 | 105 |
| AprilApr | 78 | 21° | 15° | 22.4° | 7.3 h | 11 | 82 |
| MayMay | 81 | 18° | 13° | 21.1° | 6.7 h | 9 | 75 |
| JuneJun | 66 | 16° | 11° | 19.6° | 5.7 h | 9 | 81 |
| JulyJul | 71 | 15° | 10° | 18.6° | 6.8 h | 8 | 58 |
| AugustAug | 82 | 16° | 10° | 18.2° | 8.0 h | 7 | 60 |
| SeptemberSep | 90 | 19° | 12° | 18.4° | 8.1 h | 7 | 51 |
| OctoberOct | 85 | 21° | 14° | 19.3° | 8.0 h | 9 | 66 |
| NovemberNov | 82 | 22° | 15° | 20.1° | 7.8 h | 11 | 79 |
| DecemberDec | 82 | 23° | 17° | 21.5° | 7.8 h | 11 | 62 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
34.42° S, 150.89° E · 29 m · Australia/Sydney
Best time to visit Wollongong
The best time to visit Wollongong is from April to May and from August to February. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go from December to January. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to January. Rain is most frequent from February to March; the wettest month is February with 107 mm.
Wollongong through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Wollongong in spring
Sep – Nov
Excellent
- 19–22 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days in all
Wollongong in summer
Dec – Feb
Excellent
- 23–25 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Wollongong in autumn
Mar – May
Good
- 18–23 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Wollongong in winter
Jun – Aug
Good
- 15–16 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 25 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Wollongong for you.
Your best months: November – January
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Wollongong
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
September has the better holiday weather in Wollongong: score 90 against 85. In September, days are 2 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 1 °C cooler in September. September has 2 fewer rainy days.
| Month | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 85 | 90better |
| Day high | 21° | 19° |
| Night low | 14° | 12° |
| Sea | 19.3° | 18.4° |
| Sunshine | 8.0 h | 8.1 h |
| Rainy days | 9 | 7better |
| Rainfall | 66 mm | 51 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Dec – Jan
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr – Jan
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Feb – Mar
12 or more rainy days
Wollongong month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
82January25° · Sea 23° · 8 h
In January, Wollongong is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 22.8 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 85 mm in total. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in January76February24° · Sea 24° · 8 h
In February, Wollongong is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 107 mm in total. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in February74March23° · Sea 23° · 7 h
In March, Wollongong is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 23.4 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 105 mm in total. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in March78April21° · Sea 22° · 7 h
In April, Wollongong is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 22.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 82 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in April81May18° · Sea 21° · 7 h
In May, Wollongong is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 75 mm in total. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in May66June16° · Sea 20° · 6 h
In June, Wollongong is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 19.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 81 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in June71July15° · Sea 19° · 7 h
In July, Wollongong is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 18.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 58 mm. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in July82August16° · Sea 18° · 8 h
In August, Wollongong is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 18.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 60 mm. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in August90September19° · Sea 18° · 8 h
In September, Wollongong is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 18.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 51 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in September85October21° · Sea 19° · 8 h
In October, Wollongong is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 19.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in October82November22° · Sea 20° · 8 h
In November, Wollongong is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 20.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 79 mm in total. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in November82December23° · Sea 22° · 8 h
In December, Wollongong is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 21.5 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 62 mm in total. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Wollongong.
Wollongong in DecemberWollongong compared
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Wollongong vs. Sydney
In October the holiday weather in Wollongong and Sydney is about equally good (score 85 vs. 87). During the day it is about as warm in Sydney as in Wollongong. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Wollongong | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 85 | 87 |
| Daytime high | 21° | 21° |
| Sea | 19° | 19° |
| Sunshine | 8 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 9 | 8 |
| Best time | Apr – May, Aug – Feb | Jul – May |
Through the year
Australia in October: the best places
In October, Wollongong ranks 14 of 24 destinations in this country.
- Airlie Beach (Whitsundays)29°25°99
- 2Perth22°19°97
- 3Cairns26°26°96
- 4Toowoomba25°94
- 5Adelaide20°16°94
- 6Mackay26°25°92
- 7Brisbane25°89
- 8Sunshine Coast25°23°89
- 14WollongongThis page21°19°85
Planning a trip to Wollongong
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Wollongong in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Wollongong has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 85) and its weakest during the Easter holidays (score 77).
- 77
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 23 °C
- 7.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 78
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 21 °C
- 6.5 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 78
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Good
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 7.6 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 85
October half-term
Oct
ExcellentBest holidays
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 82
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Excellent
- 24 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 7.9 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 21 h
- Distance
- 17,040 km
- Time zone
- UTC+11
- Jet lag
- About 10 days (10 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Wollongong
When is the best time to visit Wollongong?
The best time to visit Wollongong is from April to May and from August to February. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Wollongong?
The sea temperature in Wollongong ranges from 18.2 °C in August to 23.6 °C in February. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from November to May.
Can you swim in Wollongong in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 19.3 °C. Comfortable swimming is possible from November to May.
What is the warmest month in Wollongong?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 25 °C and nights around 19 °C. July is the coolest month at 15 °C.
When does it rain most in Wollongong?
Rain is most frequent from February to March; the wettest month is February with 107 mm. The driest month is September with 51 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Wollongong get?
Wollongong gets around 2,700 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is September with 8.1 hours a day; in June there are 5.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Wollongong in?
Wollongong uses the time zone Australia/Sydney: UTC+11 in January and UTC+10 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Wollongong?
A nonstop flight from London to Wollongong takes about 21 h, for a straight-line distance of about 17,040 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Wollongong?
Wollongong has its best school-holiday weather during October half-term (score 85) and its weakest during the Easter holidays (score 77). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 77, May half-term 78, Summer holidays 78, October half-term 85, Christmas holidays 82.
Near Wollongong
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Wollongong
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Wollongong's – good alternatives.