Sydney is world-renowned for its gorgeous summers- days at the beach, barbeques, surfing, and suntans. Not to ruin the illusion if you’re moving to Sydney or visiting, but it does actually get cold here. Yes, some people do swim year round, but if you’re not that brave (I am certainly a fair weather swimmer), there are still so many other amazing things to do in Sydney. We are glad to make your winter a bit better by sharing some of the best things to do in Sydney in winter.
Um, when is winter in Sydney, exactly?
If you’re coming from the US or the Northern Hemisphere, the complete opposite seasons can be really strange at first. Australia has Christmas in summer, and winter in the American summer months. Winter in Australia is within the months of June-August, so at least it’s over quickly!
Come to think of it, there are quite a few weird differences between Australia and the US...
How cold is Sydney is winter?
Luckily, Sydney doesn’t usually have an extreme cold. The average temps in the winter months are lows of 7-9 C, and highs of 17-18 C. However many summer afternoons in Sydney are clear, bright, sunshine days, and can feel a lot warmer. Nights and early mornings can be a lot chillier though.
The most accurate weather forecast I’ve found in Sydney is the BOM, or Bureau of Meteorology– consult them before deciding what to wear!
What are the best things to do in Sydney in winter?
We’ve talked to some Australian travel bloggers and expats to get their recommendations on the best things to do in winter in Sydney. From festivals to whale watching, there’s a surprisingly large amount of things to do in the colder months. An added bonus, the crowds in Sydney tend to be smaller in the winter, making it a good time to explore the city.
Visit Sydney’s museums
Winter in Sydney has come around. So you can’t visit the beaches for a swim, and a BBQ probably isn’t at the top of the list. My favourite thing to do as a local Sydneysider in the winter months is to explore the museums. I just love to rug up and enjoy art and culture. My favourite museum to visit in Sydney in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. This is a great place to start as it’s directly in Circular Quay and makes for a good all day thing to do. This museum is HUGE!
Other museums in the centre of the CBD include the Museum of New South Wales, the Sydney Living Museum, and the Australian Museum, to name just a few. If you only have a few days to visit Sydney then these are the best museums you can visit and they are closely located in the city centre
Luckily, I have spent my winter weekends exploring museums and can tell you about a few more. Camperdown is my favourite suburb to visit for smaller independent art galleries. If you’re in Camperdown, start with some coffee at Something for Jess – SFJ Cafe – a super cute cafe with delicious food and coffee and an ever-changing menu, then make your way to the White Rabbit Gallery. Once you have explored the White Rabbit Gallery, you are probably hungry, I would suggest popping upstairs to have some amazing dumplings and green tea.
Work off your dumplings by strolling around Camperdown and you’ll bump into plenty of small independent art galleries. Some great ones include the Artsite Galleries, which is housed in a classic 1940 Art Deco warehouse. You can also check out the Chrissie Cotter Gallery but if you simply stroll around Camperdown you will find many great small hidden gems
Rebecca, She Roams Solo
Whale Watching in Sydney
One of the reasons we love Sydney in winter- it is whale watching season! The season runs from May to December, with the winter months of June and July being among the best months to go for the best viewing opportunities.
The majority of whales are southern humpback whales, and during these months they are heading north to warmer waters to mate and have their babies. An estimated 20,000 whales migrate during this time.
There are several tour companies offering whale watching tours, with tours leaving from both Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. You can choose from mornings, afternoons and even lunch cruises and choose from big comfortable boats to more adventurous tours on a speedboat. Most of the tour companies will offer you a sighting guarantee. So, if you don’t see any whales, you get to try again another time for free.
It can get pretty choppy out there on the water so be prepared to get wet if you are sitting outside. I also wouldn’t really recommend it if you suffer from seasickness.
Marianne, Mum on the Move
View the city from up high
One thing I love to do in any city is to view it from above. Nothing gives you your bearings better than seeing it all at once. This is especially true of Sydney because the roads are a mess and it is bounded by water on two sides, and being inside obviously makes it a great winter activity.
The easiest option is to go up the Sydney Tower Eye, which sits atop the Westfield shopping mall on Market and Pitt Streets. At 309 metres high it is Sydney’s tallest structure and the view of the surrounding suburbs and harbour is spectacular. Tickets are around $24, and I’ll be the first to admit this is pretty expensive. A great alternative is to find one you can go up for free. The best view I’ve actually ever seen of the city and the harbour is near the top of Governor Macquarie Tower on Philip Street. However, this was a business meeting and probably not open to the public.
However, one that certainly is open to all is the Shangri-La Hotel on Cumberland Street in the Rocks. There are a bar and restaurant at the top and while it is not quite as high as the Sydney Tower, it’s close to the harbour and the view to the north is still pretty incredible. Best of all, it’s free to get in.
Luke, Backstreet Nomad
Vivid Festival
One of my favourite events every winter in Sydney is the Vivid Festival. When the lights switch on in late May, you know that winter is coming, or at least the fairly mild winters in Sydney, still perfect for an evening stroll to explore the lights. Some of the highlights each year include the lighting of the Opera House sails, the twinkling lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and (my favourite!) the light paintings on Customs House.
The epicentre of the festival is the light displays around Circular Quay. Generally, they also extend further afield to Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Luna Park. This year once again Chatswood and Taronga Zoo will join in the displays. Consider heading to sites away from Circular Quay to avoid the crowds, or else head in on a weeknight, particularly late in the evening.
But Vivid isn’t only a festival of light. There’s also Vivid Ideas and Vivid Music, usually with some top-notch musical performances in the Sydney Opera House. It’s the perfect time to time your visit to Sydney, or to explore more of your own city if you’re a local.
Shandos, Travelnuity
Note: Vivid is so fantastic that we’ve included two perspectives! Here is the second:
Vivid Sydney is a monumental celebration of light, art and general creativity that runs for three weeks from late May. Now into its eleventh year, Vivid Sydney is an established event that Sydneysiders look forward to each year.
Events at the festival include inspirational talks, exhibitions and live music but the main attraction for me is the light installations. Seeing the Sydney Opera House and other significant buildings (including the Town Hall and Museum of Contemporary Art) lit up in stunning light installations is breath-taking and something everyone who visits Sydney should experience at least once.
Checking out the lights at Vivid is one of the best free things to do in Sydney during winter as most events are free and suitable for all ages (kids will love the interactive displays at Tumbalong Park). Plus there’s so much on you’ll need more than one night to see it all, so definitely plan multiple visits.
Get there early (some installations light up as early as 5 pm) and follow the route of the Vivid Light Walk.
Emma, Mum’s Money
Where to stay for Vivid
There are many great hotels in Sydney, but if you’re looking for an amazing budget option for Vivid, check out the Sydney Harbour YHA. Set in the Rocks, the views of the lights are completely incredible from up here, and you have the whole city within a short walk.
This YHA is actually built on top of a carefully preserved archeological dig, and is a great choice for history buffs too, as it is fascinating to see the dig site and to learn more about how the YHA has helped to preserve this important historical location.
Winter photography in Sydney
As a traveller, you would be right to think of Sydney as a destination with year-round summer… But in reality, there is a winter… OK, not a strong one. We have no snow, no blizzards, but it does get cold and crisp. With a relatively mild winter, Sydney is actually a great destination in winter. The sun does go down early but the tourist spots are far less busy than in summer. One of the best things to do in winter in Sydney is photography.
Taking pictures of the natural landmarks of Sydney is a lot easier with fewer crowds and you get a beautiful crisp light during the day. The colours are easier to capture and the volumes more defined. If you visit Sydney in winter, don’t despair at the beach, you will still get some stunning colour palettes. It is worth braving the cold with your camera or smartphone for some beautiful shots!
Delphine, LesterLost
Visit the Sydney Opera House
This building almost defines the term “Architectural Icon.” See that silhouette and you know it’s Sydney Opera House without any conscious thought. However, this familiarity perhaps makes us forget to dig a little deeper and find out what it’s all about.
Winter is an ideal time to take a tour inside the shelter of the building, and the Sydney Opera House tour is both informative and enlightening. Learn about how the project was awarded to an unknown architect for a sketch of nothing but the outline of those beautiful sail shapes. The story continues, with a rollercoaster of tenuous links, with disappointments and triumphs. It’s a sad and romantic history which gives real depth to the project represented by the icon.
Another reason to spend time here in the winter is that you can see the outside at close range from inside, without leaving the building’s shelter. This is possible because of its extraordinary geometry. Those shells are clad in ceramic tiles, and you see them through the early example of facade engineering. Again, this adds another layer of interest to this wonderful story.
Ania, The Travelling Twins
The Sydney Opera House Tour only takes about an hour, so it an awesome way to experience the Opera House on a tight schedule.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
When it’s too cold to enjoy the stunning beaches, the next best thing is to do the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. This is a 6 km walk which takes in some of Sydney’s best beaches and fantastic views.
You can decide to start at either end – Bondi or Coogee. Along the way you will wander along cliffs with amazing views, so allow plenty of time to stop and enjoy the coastal landscape. There are gorgeous little rock pools, bays and plenty of opportunities to take some gorgeous photos.
Along the way, there’s also many cafes and restaurants so you can stop for morning tea or even lunch.
Whilst a little steep in parts, overall the walk is pretty easy to do, however, there are a few stairs along the way so it wouldn’t suit anyone with mobility issues or a pram. Depending upon how fast or slow you walk, the entire walk should take around 2 hours to complete.
It does get pretty hot along the way, even in winter, so be sure to bring a water bottle (there are various stations along the way to refill your bottle), a hat, sunnies and wear sunscreen.
Melissa, Thrifty Family Travels
Afternoon tea at Vaucluse House
When it cools down in Sydney you may be a loss of how to spend your weekends. My favourite thing to do in winter is to indulge in a decadent Afternoon Tea. You can experience this popular, originally British tradition, at many venues across Sydney.
One of the best is the Vaucluse House Tearooms overlooking the historic Vaucluse House. Their High Tea menu for $55 per person includes a glass of Australian sparkling wine, with options to upgrade to either a cocktail or glass of French champagne, as well as an extensive selection of black, green and herbal teas.
The food menu is a modern take on a traditional afternoon tea menu; there are no cucumber sandwiches in sight. Instead, enjoy chicken, walnut and tarragon finger sandwiches, alongside classic buttermilk scones with clotted cream and Belgian chocolate macarons. If you fancy a more creative offering, check out the Westin Hotel and their innovative Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea.
Enjoy themed dishes such as Caterpillar cherry bocconcini and tomato and the Queen of Hearts pudding, layers of raspberry buttercream, chocolate ganache and raspberry jelly. Whichever option you choose, it’s a perfect way to while away a winter’s afternoon.
Jessica, Jessica Pascoe
Vaucluse House is also amazing for its history, architecture- definitely a great place to spend a day.
Cherry Blossoms at Auburn Botanic Garden
As one of the biggest local events, Auburn Botanic Garden hosts the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in the month of August. To get a good view of Japanese Sakura blooms you might want to travel to Auburn, located 40 mins away from Central Station- a much shorter trip than to Tokyo!. From the train station, there are free buses to the Botanic Garden during these two weeks.
As the cherry blossoms are short-lived, it is best to visit them during the two Hanami (‘flower viewing’) weekends during which the Garden is at its best. The festival not only lets you enjoy the cherry blossoms but also entertains you with various Japanese performances, Ikebana (flower arranging), origami workshops, kendo (martial arts), sumo wrestling matches & very yummy food stalls.
Also, there is a small section of Australian wildlife where you can see wallabies, kangaroos, and peacocks. If you are a Cumberland resident this is a free event, otherwise you pay $5, but totally worth it.
Rohini, Why You Wander
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If the above isn’t enough for you, why not check out the City2Surf race, try rock climbing, or check out street art in Sydney? Or, if you just can’t get enough of winter, plan a road trip to the snow! Either Thredbo or Perisher, both about 5 hours from Sydney, are fantastic resorts for skiing or snowboarding. Or, even if you don’t ski, there’s still plenty to do in Thredbo.
What are your top things to do in Sydney in winter? Would love to hear your suggestions!