This post is unashamedly a completely biased view of when’s the best time to visit Sydney.
Sydney is my home. And as I write this, it’s the start of Autumn.
The weather’s still beautiful, and warm during the day, with a refreshing cool breeze at night just to remind you (an Australian) winters on it’s way.
There is a change in the air, that makes you think anything is possible. Some of your day’s are still hot enough to laze at the beach, whilst the other’s are cool and crisp, with clear blue skies.
It’s taken me a while to realize, but for me, Autumn is the most perfect time of year in Sydney.
I love Sydney in Autumn.
I’ve lived in Sydney for about 6 or 7 years, and 2 hours away from it for most of the rest of my life. I use to live for summer, maybe because that meant school holidays, Christmas, going to the beach or my Birthday.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love summer. But if you really want to see a beautiful side to Sydney, Autumn’s the time!
Most people think of Sydney or Australia and I’m sure think of summer, hot weather, beaches. And it is all that, but even in summer we can have strange weather. This past summer we had lot’s of rain and overcast days, and then in between we have 34 degree (Celsius) days, and sun beaming down.
One thing I realized last year is our sun and European sun are two different things. In Australia, I can easily burn in 10 minutes on a hot day. In Europe, I had many days, walking around in the sun all day, and I actually went brown (ok, perhaps more of an off-white colour) and didn’t burn once! Even without a hat or sunscreen! What?! This is just not how the sun works in Australia.
Here’s Why Autumn Is The Best Time To Visit Sydney
- There won’t be as many tourists
- Prices should be lower for hotels, flights etc, as it’s not peak season
- The weather is the best you will get in Sydney (completely biased)
- You can still enjoy the beach (early Autumn – March would be best for this) whilst not having super hot days
- It’s a more pleasant temperature to walk around all day and explore, like visiting national parks or doing the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
But In Case You Aren’t 100% Like Me…
Of course, everyones different, so here’s what it’s like at other times of the year:
Summer
Lets face it, if you want to come here for hot weather and to go to the beach, summer is absolutely the best time of year to come. Keep in mind that it is quite humid, it’s also school holidays for majority of summer, there are more tourists, higher prices and less availability. But you might also be able to catch a Sydney NYE (but increase prices and decrease availability even more for this time of year).
Winter
A Sydney winter can still get cold (at least to a Sydney person), but you won’t experience the severe cold/snow that you may elsewhere. Not beach weather, still great for outdoor activities, and still get clear blue skies. Catch Sydney events like Vivid (Sydney Light Show) and The Winter Festival (Outdoor Ice Skating Rink with food and other activities).
Spring
Lot’s of people love spring, it’s starting to warm up again, on a warmer day towards the end of spring you could go to the beach, and it’s not as humid as summer. Great for Sydney events like Good Food Month in October.
But really, Sydney is quite lovely all year round, so the best time to visit Sydney is really anytime…
And by anytime, I mean Autumn.