When is the Best Time to Visit Sydney?

Our friends and family back home are excited at the opportunity to visit Australia and have a place to stay. Therefore, the most common question we answer is “when’s the best time to visit Sydney?” We always struggle with our answers because there is so much to do all year, but depending on your travel objectives, there may be a best time for you. Read through our guide on the best time to visit Sydney, and we share what to expect each season, along with details about major Sydney events throughout the year.

Spring (Sept 1 – Nov 30)/ Summer (Dec 1 – Feb 28/9)

Spring is an awesome time to visit Sydney, as the weather is warming up but the holiday crowds haven’t quite hit the beaches. Relish in luxuriously spacious Manly ferry across the Harbour and watch (or join) the surfers on Manly beach, or hike up to North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park. If you have the time, take the longer trek (3-4 hours) from Manly to Spit Bridge, or better yet start at the Spit Bridge, and ride the ferry back to the city. The locals still think it is a bit chilly so the cycleways are clear, and you can find parking at the beach.  It is also a great time for hiking, although blustery coastal walks require a light jacket.

Summer can heat up in Sydney. While the average daily high hovers around 25C (77F), the direct sun makes it feel much warmer. You will get the occasional high around 40C (104F), but those days are rare. Usually, it is perfect weather to dip into the refreshingly cool water at one of Sydney’s many beaches. Here are twelve of our top summer activities. With school holidays running from mid-December into late January, summer is also the busiest time of year around Sydney, and local tourist destinations are often packed. Plan ahead, book your tours and leave ample time for travel. The upside: loads of festivals and events on throughout January and February.

Spring / Summer Events:

October – Sydney Rides Festival –  Several weeks of family friendly bike related activities, the highlight being the ride across the Harbour Bridge. We are really looking forward to next year, since CZ is old enough to spend more time on the back of the bike. They don’t have much on their site until the festival is approaching.

mid October – early November – Sculpture by the Sea A free public sculpture exhibition on the walk and beaches from Tamarama to Bondi beach. The sculptures range in size and subject matter, but all incorporate the beach or ocean.

Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve – Sydney puts on a massively popular NYE firework show that draws over 1.5 million people to the Harbour and Opera House. We finally got to see the action up close from the Royal Botanic Gardens, and are still awestruck.

The Beach exhibit SydFest 2017

January Sydney Festival – A city-wide cultural festival with concerts, performances, art installations and more throughout the city at more than 30 venues. There is an overwhelming amount of things to do and see, I suggest using the online festival planner to organize your desired events and buy tickets, if necessary.
Jan 26 Australia Day – A national holiday that marks the arrival of Captain Arthur Philip to Australia and his claiming of the land for the British Empire. Sydney celebrates with a Harbour morning swim, tall ship and ferry parade, an enchanting ferry and yacht “ballet”, concerts, and fireworks.

Early February Chinese New Year Festival (date differs by year) – Sydney hosts one of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of China with cultural events, lunar feasts at local restaurants, dragon boat races, and the largest parade we’ve ever attended. Our favourite part of the festivities are the Lunar laterns positioned around the city!

Autumn (Mar 1 – May 31)/ Winter (Jun 1 – Aug 31)

Fall is lovely, and depending on the week, feels more like summer than winter. It’s perfect weather for outdoor activities, although with daylight savings time, the sun goes down around 5pm. Take a stroll through the expansive Botanical Gardens. If you stay until 4pm, you will likely see (and hear) the yellow crested Cockatoos loudly returning to their evening roosts. Taronga Zoo is also a great place to visit at this time, as it a quieter but the animals are still in their outdoor areas.

Winter in Sydney is usually quite mild, with temperatures ranging from 10-18 °C (50-65°F) during the day. We think it is the perfect time to hike and explore the outdoors without the heat or the beach crowds. The iconic walk from Bondi to Coogee, is perfect for the cooler weather. If you are longing for cold weather, take the train up to the Blue Mountains, and hike in the misty trails around the Three Sisters or the Jenolan Caves. Read this article for more ideas!

Autumn / Winter Events:

March – early June Biennale of Sydney – one of the longest running contemporary arts festivals, the Biennale curates and showcases art from around the globe. The installations are placed throughout Sydney, to engage and interact with visitors and passerbys.

late May- mid June Vivid Sydney – A festival of lights, music, and ideas illuminates the city for 15 days. Activities take place mostly in the evenings, starting at dusk in venues throughout the city. Don’t miss the projections on the Opera House and Circular Quay, but also check out some of the smaller installations that creatively meld technology and art.
June – August Yulefest – If you are craving wintery Christmas spirit, head up to the Blue Mountains and enjoy full on Christmas in July. Katoomba, Leura, and Mount Victoria decorate venues, put on crackling fires, and invite Santa to a winter wonderland.  Many hotels and resorts offer yulefest packages with accommodations, dinner, and entertainment. It’s perfect for Southern Hemisphere dwellers missing a winter Christmas, but probably not for everyone.

June – August Whale Watching – This is more of a natural event than cultural, but we absolutely loved the tour we took in June. Humpback Whales begin their Northern Migration from Antartica in the winter, and return in the summer. The winter is best to catch a glimpse of whales breaching the surface, as the males display dominance and impress the females for breeding up North. In the summer, calves and their mothers return south, but remaining close to the surface. Many companies offer whale watching, and we loved Oz Whale Watching for an informative and respectful (of the whales) tour.
July 28 – August 01, 2016 Sydney International Boat Show – Hundreds of boats crowd the marinas as exhibitors and hobbyists gather to share their love of boats. This is the largest recreational boat show in the Southern Hemisphere and definitely worth checking out if you have an interest in watercraft.

Tell us what you think the best time to visit Sydney for your trip in the comments below!

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