When the temperature starts to drop and the nights draw in, winter is coming. In Sydney, the lifestyle is very active and revolves a lot around the outdoors (namely the beach), but when there are chilly winds or rainstorms, Sydney-siders must find other ways to have fun.
Sydney has a lot to offer in the winter months (June – August), but you need to know where to look. For ideas on what to do during winter in Sydney, we have 8 great ideas. Keep reading.
1 . Take a hike
The Sydney winter is a great time to make the most of the hiking trails. The temperature is cooler meaning you won’t work up such a sweat; the paths will be quieter meaning you won’t have to battle your way through large groups of tourists, and the sun will still be shining, meaning the scenery will still be beautiful.
In Sydney, the most popular coastal walks are Coogee to Bondi and Manly to Split, but during winter is also a great time to take a bus journey or train ride out of the city and hike in the Blue Mountains. You could even trek to one of New South Wales’ many beautiful waterfalls, such as Wentworth Falls or Fitzroy Falls in the Morton National Park.
2. Swim outdoors
Just because the temperature has dropped, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the outdoors, and this includes swimming in Sydney’s many outdoor pools – ask any active Sydney-sider.
Most pools are open all-year-round, including Bondi Icebergs and North Sydney Olympic Pool, which both have spectacular views of Bondi Beach and the Sydney Harbour Bridge respectively. (Just have your towel waiting nearby for when you get out of the water!)
3. Explore new restaurants
When the weather is bad or it’s too cold to be outside, it’s a good idea to eat your way around new restaurants in town. Instead of returning to your favourite restaurant, again and again, branch out and find new places to eat.
Head out to Sydney’s west to dine at Lidcombe’s restaurants, or perhaps travel even further afield. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised and find your new favourite dining spot?
4. Go to the pub
Leading on from the above point, winter is a great time to cosy up in your local pub next to a roaring fire with a glass of full-bodied red wine – it’s a rite of passage!
Sydney is home to many cosy pubs and bars that come alive in the wintertime, so make the effort to scope them and enjoy after work drinks or a relaxed Sunday afternoon.
5. Take a trip to the markets
When the winter rolls around and the beach becomes somewhat uninviting, you need to find new ways to spend your Saturday and Sunday mornings. Luckily, there are plenty of markets dotted around the city, such as Paddington Markets, Bondi Markets and Glebe Markets.
At the markets, you can find all sorts of treasures, from homewares to clothing to accessories, and even delicious home-made food. Explore a market near you and see what you can discover.
6. Celebrate Christmas in July
Sydney-siders may not get to celebrate Christmas in the “traditional” way (i.e. with snow). Instead, Christmas down under involves the beaches, barbecues, icy beverages and a lot of air-conditioning. However, every winter Sydney will host Christmas pop-ups around the city, including an ice rink at Bondi Beach and wintry stalls at Circular Quay.
7. Go to Luna Park
When the beach is off-limits, you must find other ways to have fun, and that means heading to one of Sydney’s many tourist attractions. Luna Park (located in North Sydney, just over the Sydney Harbour Bridge) is a great day out, especially in the evening. Even if you don’t go on any of the rides it’s fun to enjoy the novelty of it, and maybe get some candy floss, too!
8. Go to the library
Another way to spend a chilly afternoon in winter is to head to a library or book shop, and curl up with an old classic and a cup of coffee. There are a lot of great book shops in Sydney including Gertrude and Alice in Bondi and Berkelouw Books in Paddington.
Even though Sydney is made for the summer, it doesn’t shut in the wintertime, so make the most of what the city has to offer.
