When to go

Seasonal tips and advice
Talk of the town: In 2011/2012, Sydney experienced its coldest summer in 51 years. But with an average temperature of 24.6°C, the city would have still felt like a sauna to non-Equatorialites.

Word to the wise: Some states observe Daylight Savings Time; worth keeping in mind if you're planning interstate travel.
Rather than seasons, Sydney has summer (Dec-Feb), winter (Jun-Aug) and some generally warm weather in between (Mar-May and Sep-Nov). Unfortunately, La Nina has thrown up some particularly wild weather across the calendar in recent years, making it more difficult to plan a well-timed visit.


With daily temperatures generally exceeding 25°C, Sydney is hot, sweaty, busy and fabulous during summer. Beach season generally runs from Nov-Mar, but be sure to bring a cardigan for chilly evenings and brace yourself for random deluges - in recent years, summer has received more rain than Sydney's winter months.


In winter, single digit temperatures clear the beaches, but frequent crisp, sunny days are ideal for seaside strolling and cafe hopping without the crowds. Shoulder seasons are luck of the draw - summer may linger (or even better, come early), but cold snaps can strike at any time. Keep an eye on weather forecasts leading up to your visit to help you pack appropriately.