If you prefer the cold to heat, especially if seeking to esape the northern summer, the best time to visit Sydney could be in the Australian winter from June 1 to August 31.
The Sydney winter isn't really harsh and the weather's generally pleasant. It's great for touring the city on foot and for bushwalking. And the ski slopes are not too far away.
Holiday time
You get the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend in June and the school holidays in July. Aside from within those periods, accommodation costs in the city will generally be lower.
Winter weather
Expect generally cool conditions. The average temperature should range from around 8°C (46°F) at night to 16°C (61°F) in the daytime in mid-winter.
Expect from 80mm to 131mm of rain in a month, with the most rain in June tapering into August.
Winter accommodation
Outside of the holiday periods, Sydney accommodation will usually be available and should be relatively cheaper.
Winter activities
- The weather's fine for a walking tour of Sydney. Visit The Rocks, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Museum, Hyde Park, Chinatown, Darling Harbour.
- Go on a harbour cruise. At the very least, take a Sydney ferry and cross the harbour to Manly.
- Take a daytrip north, south and west of Sydney.
- Spot the whales as they travel north in the whale migration season.
- Go bushwalking, say, at the Royal National Park.
- Sample Sydney cuisine.
- If you think it feels like Christmas, take a drive to the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and experience Yulefest with roaring log fires, Chistmas dinners, and carols in the air.
- If you feel like skiing, drive — or take an organised bus tour — to the Snowy Mountains. Note that accommodation in the ski resorts can be expensive and difficult to find unless you've booked well in advance.
Surviving Sydney
See our travel guide.
The Best Time to Visit Sydney > Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
