Winter in Sydney – 6 Things to Do

Sydney weather is fairly temperate year round, but it the chill can put a damper on some of our favourite summer activities. We aren’t heading to the beach or walking through the Blue Mountains, but there are plenty of things to do in Sydney’s winter.

Winter in Sydney – Outdoors

Train for a race

Sydney hosts two huge running races in the fall: the 14km City to Surf and the Blackmores Running Festival. We have participated in both, and love them for different reasons. City to Surf boasts the best running atmosphere with huge crowds, and rolling hills from the city to a phenomenal post-race celebration at Bondi Beach. The Blackmores Running festival offers several different lengths to appeal to all runners. The fast, flat course traverses the Sydney Harbour, Royal Botanic Gardens, and Prymont for stunning skyline views around each turn.

While race day is invigorating, training is also a great activity. We love stepping out of the house and breathing in the brisk, early morning air before heading towards Centennial Park. The wide sidewalk at Centennial park is great for jogging with the pram, and we run the 4.5km loop around the inner parklands. It does get fairly busy by 9:30/10:00, which can make navigating pedestrians and children a bit more challenging. Regardless, it is a great way to spend the morning.

Whale Watching

Whale season off the coast of Sydney stretches for months, with Humpbacks migrating North from Antarctica from May to August, and back South with the new calves from August to December. We have observed whales from some lookouts at some of our favourite hikes (Watson’s Bay is the best), as well as from a boat.

We embarked on our lunchtime cruise with Oz Whale Watching on a cold, wet Sunday. The captain found a group of three whales to follow and we breathlessly observed their majestic leaps and coy tail flips. “Did you see that?!!?” was the phrase of the day. We must have said that to each other about twenty times.  We loved our cruise, and would love go again in the summer to see the calves when CZ is old enough to enjoy it more (she slept through the exciting parts).

Taronga Zoo

Winter is an excellent time to visit Taronga for two reasons: crowds and heat. The zoo is the highest revenue generating attraction in Sydney, meaning long queues for the ferry ride and the exhibits when tourists flood the harbour during summertime. While we love the zoo, it lacks shade in many of the exhibits, and it can be brutal in the direct sun. Additionally, it is situated on the harbour with steep, rolling hills, which can be vicious to push a pram up.

We bought a zoo season pass when we first moved, and it has definitely been worth it! The zoo is quite large to see everything in one day, especially with a baby. Instead of cramming everything into one day, we explore new bits and pieces, along with returning to our favorites. CZ is growing so quickly, and she is able to appreciate new things every time we go. Her favorites include the farmyard, bird show, and nocturnal animal exhibit.

Winter in Sydney – Indoors

Explore the MCA

We are becoming huge fans of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay. The exhibits rotate regularly, and we explore the museum every few months to see what’s new. While some modern art museums can be a little racy, especially with a toddler who questions everything, most of the art is appropriate for a younger audience as well. We particularly enjoy the interactive pieces and those that integrate technology. Additionally, the kids room hosts a range of activities, books, and crafts related to the current paid exhibit.

Here is a little sampler video of one intriguing exhibit:

Learn to Swim with City of Sydney

In 2015, CZ and JZ enrolled in baby swim lessons at the indoor Ian Thorpe Aquatic Center. JZ wanted to get her acclimated to the water in preparation for our beach-filled summer. The class is a mix of splashing, games, and songs with a lifesaving focus. The intent is to equip children with the ability to hold their breath long enough to turn and hold the side of the pool, in case they fall in the water. The sessions are held throughout the week, and run during school terms.

If you aren’t looking for a commitment, you can always buy a casual pass for a day’s worth of splashing.

Sydney Aquarium

The Sydney Sealife Aquarium offers a great hideout from winter rain!! You can wander through the under water shark tunnels, pet a starfish, and ride a boat through the penguin exhibit. CZ’s current highlights are the above ground dugong exhibit and the penguin tunnel. You can leisurely explore the aquarium in about three hours, depending on the crowds.

What are some of your favourite Sydney winter activites?