Australia is known for hot summers, beach days and an outdoor lifestyle – but what does it have to offer in winter?
When we ask our students why they chose Sydney for their studies the most common answer is “the beaches and lifestyle” – but is a great summer all Sydney has to offer? What happens to the iconic beaches and lifestyle in the cooler months?
The winter months in Sydney are June, July and August. July being the coldest month when average daytime temperatures reach about 17°C. Good news for everyone wanting to make the most of the beautiful beaches: the water temperature remains at 20-22°C. The temperatures are nothing like the average winter most countries experience and a great opportunity for divers outdoor activities.
NSW winter facts:
– Snow is extremely rare in Sydney, with significant snowfall being last reported in the Sydney area in 1836
– The south of NSW is popular for skiing during winter
– Christmas in July is an informal occasion where families and friends get together to celebrate and exchange gifts
Benefits of winter in Australia:
– Generally less crowded, get excited to have beaches all to yourself or be able to enjoy the sound of a waterfall without noisy tourist groups around
– Festivals, Sydney offers many free festivals around that season
– Lower prices, especially the cost for flights, accommodations and tours drop drastically
– Late sunrises, Australia offers impressive sunrises and in winter you won’t have to get up too early to watch the sun rise over the beaches
Winter activities:
Exploring Australia during winter is pleasant and offers a diverse range of activities:
#1 Winter is whale watching season in Sydney
During the winter months more than 40.000 humpback and southern right whales make their way along Sydney’s coastline on their annual 10.000km journey from Antarctica to the Pacific.
There is no need to book a guided cruise to spot these majestic creatures since whales often swim close to shore. You can see them in Sydney Harbour on a casual city day. Our students also regularly spot dolphins from our campus balconies!
Best whale watching spots close to our campus: North Head Lookout, Avalon Beach and barrenjoey lighthouse, Palm Beach.
#2 Bigger and brighter each year: visit the iconic VIVID light festival
The annual creative festival will leave you speechless – in collaboration with the most brilliant and boundary-pushing artists and musicians of our time Vivid Sydney fuses mesmerising art displays and 3D light projections with exhilarating live music performances around Sydney’s CBD.
We recommend to take on the 8km light walk from Sydney Opera House to Central Station to catch all the light installations and art works.
#3 Swimming in heated pools with iconic views
Take a swim in a heated pool while enjoying an amazing Harbour view – right next to the famous Harbour Bridge the North Sydney Olympic Pool facilities include a heated outdoor pool, gym, sauna, spa, 25m indoor pool and cafe. Perfect for the colder days!
Bondi Festival heats up Sydney’s winter with local artists, interactive performances and ice skating right on the famous Bondi Beach. Enjoy the spectacular 360-degree views of the beach on the 22-metre high Ferris wheel!
#5 Discover the beautiful walks Sydney has to offer
Winter in Sydney is all about hiking – Sydney offers great routes for all levels, taking you past some of Sydney’s most spectacular lookouts and beaches.
Stunning walks that are close to the campus: Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk (Palm Beach), Spit Bridge to Manly, Manly to Shelly beach, Bondi beach to bronte coastal walk
Sydney enjoys a mild winter with a lot of benefits for tourists.
If you are looking for a less crowded experience, wanting to discover all the amazing hikes or enjoy perfect temperatures for active outdoor days, Sydney in winter will be just perfect for you.
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Sydney!
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