Due to the vastness of the country, the climate in Australia varies greatly from region to region. Sydney, the capital of New South Wales (NSW) is located on the Southeastern coast of the country. Sydney is known worldwide for the Opera House, beautiful bay and a pleasant climate can be enjoyed throughout the year. However, some months offer much warmer temperatures than others so if you’re looking for the best time to visit, this article covers everything you need to know.
Best season to visit Sydney
The best season to visit Sydney is Spring, from September to October as the temperatures are mild and you can expect sun-filled days. However, this season is also perfect because you will avoid the crowds of tourists and Australians who congregate during the Summer and school holidays. This period is ideal to visit the many city museums, go for walks , visit the zoo or discover the many shops in Sydney.
If you want to enjoy the outdoors, either swimming, visiting the beaches and picnics in the park, it’s best to visit Sydney in Summer. During this time, there is little risk of rain (except the odd thunderstorm) and you can spend your days discovering Sydney Bay and the many beautiful beaches around the city. However, when peak Summer hits during the school holidays, expect crowds of people, especially in the famous tourist spots.
For swimming, Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the city, especially in Summer when the water is hot enough. Between January and March, the water temperature averages 24 ° C.
The climate in Sydney
Due to Sydney’s geographical location in the southeastern part of the country, the city enjoys a mild climate throughout the year. Unlike the North of the country with two seasons, the dry season and the rainy season, Sydney has four seasons. The seasons are, however, reversed compared to those in Europe.
The city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, with an average of 8 hours sunshine a day all year round.
From December to February, it is Summer in Sydney. The days are warm and the average temperatures vary between 18° and 26° C.
In Winter, during the months of June to August, average temperatures range from 8° C to 16° C with the month of July often particularly cool.
The rainfall in Sydney is quite high with over 1,200 millimetres per year. The rain is spread over the year, however, the rainiest season is Autumn which is between March and June. On average, there are about 105 days of rain a year in Sydney.
| Month | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Max (°C) | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 17 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 101 | 117 | 130 | 128 | 118 | 133 |
| Mois | July | Aug | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min (°C) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 |
| Max (°C) | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 25 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 96 | 80 | 67 | 77 | 84 | 77 |
Seasons in Sydney
The Winter in Sydney, (from June to August) is still mild. Mornings and evenings are cool but temperatures can reach 17 ° C during the day. It never freezes in Sydney, so for Winter sports fans, you will need to travel to the Snowy Mountains which are 500 km from the city.
The Spring, from September to November is mild, so expect sunshine and a little rain. It is an ideal climate to visit Sydney and the surrounding region.
The Summer, from December to February is hot. The average temperatures are pleasant and usually around 26 ° C. However, some days these can exceed 40 ° C due to the desert wind. In January 2018, temperatures of 47.3 degrees were reported in the suburb of Penrith (West of Sydney). High temperatures are usually associated with brief, violent showers and thunderstorms, often at the end of the day.
The Autumn in Sydney is from April to May and although a short season, there is usually a lot of rain during this time.
FAQ Weather in Sydney
Sydney is in the UTC + 10 time zone in Winter and UTC + 11 in summer. The state of NSW applies Summer/Winter time changes, so the time difference between Paris and Sydney changes during the year.
The days are longest in summer. In December, the sun rises around 5:30 am and goes down around 8 pm. In June, (the middle of Winter) the days are shorter. Instead, the sun then rises later at around 7 am and sets earlier at 5 pm.
In winter, temperatures can drop below 10 ° C. It is especially cool in the early morning and evening, so pack a warm jacket.
Summer is sunny and warm in Sydney. Some days can be hot, VERY hot. Pack light clothing, hat and swimsuit to enjoy Sydney’s beautiful beaches and bay.
