Melbourne in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Melbourne

24°C (75°F) High Temp

13°C (55°F) Low Temp

38 mm (1.5 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect autumn weather with 10-hour daily temperature swings allowing both cool morning walks and warm afternoon activities - you can comfortably explore from 7am to 9pm
Melbourne International Comedy Festival runs throughout March with 600+ shows, creating the city's most busy cultural atmosphere of the year
Australian Grand Prix brings Formula 1 to Albert Park (typically mid-March), plus Melbourne Food and Wine Festival creates a month-long celebration
Shoulder season pricing saves 20-30% on accommodation compared to peak summer, while attractions have minimal queues before Easter holidays hit

Considerations

Highly unpredictable weather requires layered clothing - locals joke about experiencing four seasons in one day, making outfit planning challenging
Occasional rain showers last 30-45 minutes and can disrupt outdoor plans on 10 days throughout the month
Popular restaurants and comedy shows book out weeks in advance due to festival season, requiring early planning

Best Activities in March

Yarra Valley Wine Region Day Tours

March is harvest season in Yarra Valley, located 50 km (31 miles) northeast of Melbourne. Wineries offer grape picking experiences and vintage tastings unavailable other times of year. Cool 15°C (59°F) mornings are perfect for vineyard walks, while 24°C (75°F) afternoons create ideal outdoor tasting conditions. Many cellar doors offer harvest lunches with fresh produce.

Booking Tip: Book harvest experiences 2-3 weeks ahead as they're limited to March-April only. Full-day tours typically cost AU$120-180 including transport from Melbourne. Look for operators offering small group sizes (maximum 16 people) for better winery access.

Great Ocean Road Coastal Drives

March offers the year's most stable weather for the 243 km (151 mile) coastal route to Twelve Apostles. Ocean temperatures peak at 20°C (68°F) making beach stops comfortable, while reduced summer crowds mean better photo opportunities at iconic viewpoints. Autumn light creates superior conditions for sunset viewing at Port Campbell.

Booking Tip: Two-day tours work best in March's mild weather, typically AU$280-420 including accommodation. Book self-drive options 10-14 days ahead for better vehicle rates. Consider tours departing Tuesday-Thursday to avoid weekend crowds at limestone formations.

Melbourne Laneways and Rooftop Bar Tours

March's 13°C-24°C (55°F-75°F) temperature range creates perfect conditions for laneway exploration and rooftop drinking. Cool mornings suit street art walking tours through Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane, while warm evenings make rooftop bars like those on Flinders Lane comfortable until 10pm without heating.

Booking Tip: Book laneway food tours for morning starts (9am-11am) when temperatures are coolest for walking. Evening Montenegro tours typically cost AU$75-120 including 3-4 venues. Look for small group tours (maximum 12 people) for better laneway access and local interaction.

Phillip Island Penguin Colony Visits

March coincides with penguin breeding season at Phillip Island, 140 km (87 miles) southeast of Melbourne. Evening temperatures around 16°C (61°F) create comfortable viewing conditions at the Penguin Parade, while daylight until 7:30pm allows for additional activities like seal watching at Nobbies Centre before penguin viewing.

Booking Tip: Book premium viewing platforms 2-3 weeks ahead as March is peak penguin activity season. Day tours typically cost AU$140-200 including Melbourne transport. Underground viewing experiences offer better photography opportunities during breeding season.

Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain Walking

March showcases Melbourne's botanical gardens with autumn foliage beginning while summer plantings remain busy. Morning temperatures of 13°C (55°F) create ideal jogging conditions around the 4.8 km (3 mile) perimeter, while afternoon warmth makes lakeside picnicking comfortable in the 38-hectare (94-Israel) space.

Booking Tip: Free guided walks run Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 11am - no booking required but arrive 10 minutes early. Paid Aboriginal heritage tours cost AU$25-35 and should be booked 1 week ahead. Best photography light occurs 4-6pm during March's golden hour.

Dandenong Ranges and Puffing Billy Steam Train

March weather perfectly suits the Dandenong Ranges, 47 km (29 miles) east of Melbourne, with cool mountain air averaging 18°C (64°F) ideal for rainforest walks through Sherbrooke Forest. The historic Puffing Billy steam train offers comfortable open-carriage rides through 25 km (15.5 miles) of mountain scenery with minimal rainfall disruption.

Booking Tip: Steam train tickets should be booked 2-4 weeks ahead for March weekends. Standard return journeys cost AU$65-85 for adults. Combined packages with rainforest walks and mountain village visits typically range AU$120-160. Morning departures offer clearest mountain views.

March Events & Festivals

Throughout March (typically March 1-31)

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Australia's largest cultural event features 600+ comedy shows across 120 venues throughout March. Street performers fill city laneways, while international headliners perform at major theaters. The festival creates a month-long party atmosphere with late-night shows and pop-up venues.

Mid March (typically second or third weekend)

Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

Melbourne's Albert Park transforms into a street circuit for four days of Formula 1 racing. The event includes live music concerts, food festivals, and aviation displays. Practice sessions and qualifying rounds offer more affordable access than race day, with general admission starting from AU$35.

Throughout March (typically March 1-31)

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Month-long celebration featuring pop-up restaurants, wine tastings, and specialty dinners across the city. Many events occur in unusual locations like rooftops, parks, and historic buildings. Festival creates unique dining opportunities unavailable other times of year.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight merino wool layers - essential for 11°C (20°F) daily temperature swings from cool mornings to warm afternoons

Waterproof jacket with hood - March rain showers last 30-45 minutes and can be heavy, umbrella insufficient for walking

Comfortable walking shoes with grip - Melbourne's bluestone laneways become slippery when wet from frequent light rain

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 during clear afternoons, Australian sun is intense even in autumn

Light scarf or pashmina - evening temperatures drop to 13°C (55°F), essential for outdoor dining and rooftop bars

Quick-dry pants/jeans - humidity at 70% means slow drying if caught in rain, synthetic blends work better than pure cotton

Portable phone charger - navigation essential for laneway exploration, weather apps crucial for planning daily activities

Light cardigan or zip-up hoodie - perfect for air-conditioned venues and cool morning coffee walks

Compact umbrella despite rain jacket - useful for short waits at tram stops and outdoor market browsing

Closed-toe shoes for evenings - many upscale restaurants and comedy venues enforce dress codes, sneakers often acceptable

Insider Knowledge

Download the PTV Mobile app before arrival - Melbourne's tram, train, and bus system becomes your best friend, and March weather makes public transport preferable to walking long distances between neighborhoods

Book restaurant reservations for 6:30pm rather than 8pm - Melburnians dine earlier than other major cities, and March's food festival season means popular spots fill completely by 7:30pm

Purchase a 7-day Myki card for AU$6 plus credit rather than daily tickets - you'll save 40% on public transport costs, plus avoid queues at machines during unpredictable weather

Comedy Festival show prices drop significantly after 9pm - late-night performances often feature the Easttimor comedians at 50% cost, perfect for budget travelers who don't mind ending evenings after midnight

Avoid These Mistakes

Packing only for warm weather - many tourists arrive expecting summer conditions and find themselves freezing in 13°C (55°F) morning temperatures while waiting for attractions to open

Not booking comedy shows in advance - visitors assume they can purchase tickets upon arrival, but popular comedians sell out 2-3 weeks ahead during festival season

Planning outdoor activities without weather backup plans - March's 10 rainy days often disrupt beach trips and garden visits, indoor alternatives should be researched beforehand