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Best time to visit Sydney: month by month
Short answer
September to November and March to May are the best times, with highs of 21-24°C. Summer (December to February) is warm at 25-26°C and busy, while winter (June to August) is mild at about 17-19°C, sunny and the cheapest season.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°C | 19°C | 16 | very high |
| Feb | 25°C | 19°C | 17 | high |
| Mar | 24°C | 18°C | 19 | high |
| Apr | 22°C | 14°C | 11 | high |
| May | 19°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Jun | 17°C | 8°C | 7 | high |
| Jul | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | medium |
| Aug | 19°C | 9°C | 7 | low |
| Sep | 21°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Oct | 23°C | 13°C | 13 | high |
| Nov | 23°C | 15°C | 14 | medium |
| Dec | 25°C | 17°C | 11 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs of 21-23°C and lows of 11-15°C, with 10-14 rainy days; jacarandas bloom purple in November.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Warm to hot, with highs of 25-26°C and 11-17 rainy days, often thunderstorms; peak beach season and New Year's Eve.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Highs from 24°C to 19°C; March is the wettest month (19 rainy days), May calm and sunny.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Mild, with highs of 17-19°C and lows of 8-9°C; Vivid Sydney and whale watching.
Events worth planning around
- New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbour, 31 December
- Sydney Festival, January
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, February-March
- Vivid Sydney light festival, late May to June
- Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi to Tamarama, October-November
When to avoid
Late December to January brings peak prices, school holidays and crowded beaches. March can be wet.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Sydney?
Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May), with highs of 20-24°C.
Is Sydney cold in winter?
Not really: highs of about 17°C and sunny days, with cool nights around 8°C.
When can I see whales from Sydney?
From about May to November, from cliffs and on whale-watching cruises.