Best Time To Visit Sydney > Weather, Temperature & Season

What is the best time to visit Sydney?

The best time to visit Sydney is Spring (September - November) or Autumn (Mid-February to May). These two periods are characterised by pleasant and dry weather, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities and exploration. Travel and accommodation costs are also considerably lesser during these months compared to the peak summer season.

Weather in Sydney

Upcoming Sydney Weather

Monthly Weather in Sydney

Month	High/Low (°C)	Rain
January	27°/ 20°	11 days
February	26°/ 19°	11 days
March	24°/ 17°	15 days
April	24°/ 15°	7 days
May	22°/ 13°	3 days
June	18°/ 11°	9 days
July	19°/ 10°	4 days
August	18°/ 9°	6 days
September	20°/ 12°	3 days
October	23°/ 14°	4 days
November	25°/ 16°	6 days
December	26°/ 17°	1 days

Sydney Travel Packages

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10 Days / 9 Nights

New Zealand & Australia Honeymoon Tour Package

Melbourne(3N) → Sydney(3N) → Queenstown(3N)

$ 1,151

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$1,005/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

Best of New South Wales Tour Package

Sydney(3N) → Jervis Bay(2N) → Bowral(1N) → Sydney(0N)

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11% off

$1,806/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

Special Australian Cities Tour Package

Sydney(2N) → Gold Coast(2N) → Cairns(2N) → Melbourne(2N)

$ 2,528

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$2,287/person

12 Days / 11 Nights

Melbourne to Sydney Tour Package

Melbourne(3N) → Gold Coast(3N) → Cairns(2N) → Sydney(3N)

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10 Days / 9 Nights

Australian Delight Group Tour Package

Melbourne(3N) → Gold Coast(3N) → Sydney(3N)

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Cities of Australia Tour Package

Sydney(3N) → Melbourne(3N)

$ 1,685

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$1,589/person

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More about Best Time to Travel to Sydney

Sydney in Peak Season

The summer months from December to early February form the peak tourist season for Sydney. Tourists, as well as locals, are known to hit the beaches in the hot and humid weather. A variety of sporting events also take place during these months — the fares for flights and accommodation skyrocket during the peak season. The public transport is too packed and extremely busy during these months. Another factor that contributes towards the peak season is the occurrence of Christmas and New Year during this time. It is also vacation time for schools which only adds to the crowd. Travellers are advised to book their flights and accommodation well in advance if planning a trip during the peak summer season.

Sydney in Shoulder Season

The weather in Sydney during these shoulder season months (Mid-February to May and September to November) is incredibly pleasant and often ideal for sightseeing activities. The crowds and hotel fares are a lot lesser compared to the peak season. Planning a trip during the shoulder season will provide you with plenty of opportunities to explore the city, without having to bother about the soaring temperatures or the excessive crowds.

Sydney in Low Season

The winter months of June, July and August constitute the low season for tourism in Sydney. The weather can be cold and wet and often uncomfortable for tourist activities. The hotel prices are at their all-time lowest. Mid-July is slightly crowded owing to the school holiday period. Alternate exceptions can be any major sporting events.

Sydney in Whale-Watching Season

Sydney’s whale watching season starts in May and goes on until the end of November. There are exclusive cruises that depart from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay that focus on spotting these humpbacks. An alternative way is to plan a road trip down to Jervis Bay for whale sightings.

Sydney in Summer (December to February)

Summer is regarded as the best time to indulge in outdoor activities in Sydney. The average temperatures are in the range of 18.6 to 25.8 degrees Celsius. The days are longer and Australians tend to indulge in picnics, cruises and every sort of water sport - kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding etc. It is the perfect season to enjoy all the outdoor activities. Summer is also the peak season for tourism. Travelling on the city streets is often uncomfortable owing to the excessive crowds. Other modes of public transport, such as trains and buses, are also very crowded.

Key Events in Summer

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race takes place on 26th December. It is a big event that sees boats sail to the Tasmanian capital.
Christmas is celebrated widely. Almost every business remains closed on the eve of Christmas. It is also very hard to find any public transport.
Post-Christmas sales are a huge deal in Sydney. Major stores tend to offer humongous discounts for the next few days. Locals are known to line up for hours, waiting for the stores to open their doors.
The New Year is welcomed with elaborate fireworks over the Harbour Bridge. The celebrations are so spectacular that they are telecasted live across the rest of the world. New Year’s Day is another major holiday and all the businesses remain shut.
Australia Day is celebrated on 26th January. It is also a public holiday and citizenship ceremonies are hosted.
Cricket Test is a popular annual sporting event that takes place at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground every January. The seats usually get sold out so you may have to make your bookings in advance.
Sydney Festival is a popular three-day extravaganza. It includes music, dance, theatre, arts and circuses. Several free events are held throughout the city.
Silly Season is an informal period of time from 20th December to the first week of January when several businesses remain closed.
The Chinese New Year takes place either in January or February depending on the calendar. It is celebrated by the Chinese community in the Chinatown and Parramatta areas. The festivities include parades and dragon boat races.
Sydney Mardi Gras takes place towards the end of February or in early March. It is regarded as one of the world’s premier queer events. The highlight of this day is the parade.

Sydney in Autumn (March to May)

The summer crowds start to recede and the locals get back to school or work. Autumn is considered the perfect time for international tourists to visit. It is the mildest time of the year and a magical time to visit all the parks to witness the falling leaves. The average temperatures fall in the range of 14.6 to 22.2 degrees Celsius. The days are warm and pleasant and the nights are mild. However, April is the wettest month in Sydney. Travellers needn’t worry about the rain spoiling their plans. Autumn is a good time to go hiking or to enjoy the famous ferry rides around the harbour.

Key Events in Autumn

Moonlight Cinema takes place in the last week of March in Paddington. The parklands become an open-air cinema where hundreds of films are screened.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show is Australia’s largest event. There are agricultural displays, rides for kids and several other events for families. It takes place over a period of 10 days.
St Patrick’s Day takes place on 17th March. Locals take part in the celebrations on this Irish holiday.
The Rooftop Cinema starts in late March and goes on for 5 weeks. Luna Park’s amusement centre hosts outdoor cinema. The patrons are provided with personal headphones.
The Biennale of Sydney starts towards late March and goes on till mid-June. It is Australia’s largest display of contemporary art and sees participation from several galleries.
The Sydney Comedy Festival takes place in April (or sometimes May). It showcases international, as well as local, artists.
Easter is celebrated either in March or April depending upon the calendar. It is a public holiday and most of the businesses remain closed. Public transport will also be limited.
Anzac Day is celebrated on the 25th of April. It commemorates Australian history. The highlight of this day is the military parade that takes place across the city.
Sydney Writers’ Festival is a one-week event that takes place in early May. It is the largest event of its kind in Australia. The celebrations include more than 500 events to celebrate literature.
Vivid Sydney is an annual festival that starts in late May and goes on till mid-June. The spectacular entertainment includes music and dance performances by international artists. Several workshops are also held throughout the city.
The Sydney Film Festival takes place in May, for a period of 12 days. Hundreds of local as well as foreign films and documentaries are screened.
Semi-Permanent takes place over three days in May. It is a gathering of creative thinkers and artistic minds from all over the world. The events include talks and debates.

Sydney in Winter (June to August)

The temperatures begin to drop and so do the prices. The weather conditions are a lot cooler when compared to spring and autumn but there are bound to be a few clear and sunny days. The average temperatures fall to a range of 8.8 to 17 degrees Celsius. It does not snow in Sydney, but the temperatures can drop to freezing point in the surrounding areas. June marks the beginning of winter and receives considerable rainfall, with chances of thunderstorms. July is the coldest month in Sydney. Winter is the least crowded time to be in Sydney. It is also the time to get the cheapest deals for travel as well as accommodation.

Key Events in Winter

June is a popular month to go watch sports events, especially football. There are matches held on every level - local, interstate, rugby union, international rugby league and soccer.
NAIDOC is National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The culture, traditions and history of the Aboriginal people is celebrated in the first week of July. There are awards, events and workshops held throughout Sydney.
The Sydney Science Festival is held for a period of 11 days in August. Some of the world’s greatest minds gather here for talks, exhibitions, events and workshops.
City2Surf takes place on the second Sunday of August. More than 80,000 people take part in Sydney’s largest fun run. The race is followed by entertainment for everyone.
The Sydney Tea Festival also takes place in August. Tea leaves, pots and everything about tea are celebrated on this day.

Sydney in Spring (September to November)

The temperatures start to rise with the advent of Spring. The average range for temperatures is 11 to 23 degrees Celsius. The weather conditions are usually very pleasant and you can expect to see blooming flowers at the peak of their beauty during this season. Spring is perfect for relaxing and exploring the city. It is also the driest season in Sydney. Walking tours are a hit during this season. They are truly enjoyable and also give you the opportunity to visit all the iconic landmarks.

Key Events in Spring

The Bondi Festival of the Winds is celebrated on the second Sunday of September. People flock to the beaches to fill the skies with kites of all kinds.
The Rugby League Finals is an important sporting event in Sydney. There is certainly a final held on every weekend of September. The Grand Final takes place on the last Sunday of the month.
The Surry Hills Festival takes place on the streets of Surry Hills throughout September. There are street performances, pop-up bars and street cafes.
The Cabramatta Moon Festival takes place on the last Sunday of September. The young and old come together to celebrate with music and dance.
Oktoberfest in the Garden is a celebration involving beer, polka bands and bratwurst stalls. It is held in the Domain Parklands.
Sculpture by the Sea begins in mid-October and goes on till early November. It is held at Bondi and is considered the largest free exhibition in the world for sculptures.
Sydney Beer Week takes place either in late October or early November. It coincides with Oktoberfest and celebrates beer with tastings, awards and carnivals.
The Newtown Festival is held in November. Music and art events are held throughout the month to raise awareness as well as funds for the less fortunate.
Volleyfest is a series of beach volleyball events held over a period of 3 weeks in November. It usually takes place on Manly Beach.