Sydney might be best known for its surf, sand and sunshine. But there’s a lot more to the city – all year round. In fact, it’s just as stunning in winter as it is in summer.
Here are five activities in and around the harbour city to enjoy in the colder months – from whale watching to wandering through cherry blossoms.
LIGHT UP AT VIVID FESTIVAL SYDNEY
Winter in Sydney officially starts with Vivid, a festival of light, music, ideas and food. It begins in late May and runs for around three weeks, finishing up in mid-June.
Every year, the city is transformed into a magical wonderland of light installations, which take over buildings, parks, public spaces and even ferries – and most are free.
In addition, there’s a colourful program of talks, concerts and dining experiences. Many of these are ticketed, so it’s important to get in early. It’s also a good idea to book your hotel in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit on a weekend.
My NRMA members get discounts on Vivid light show cruises along with Taronga Zoo, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Aquarium & IMAX Sydney.
WARM UP AT YULEFEST IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
If one Christmas a year isn’t enough for you, then head to the Blue Mountains in winter for Yuletide. Hotels are decorated with fairy lights, restaurants host classic Christmas feasts and there’s even a chance of meeting Santa.
On top of all that, every year, the Winter Magical Festival takes over Katoomba for several days around the Winter Solstice (the 20th or 21st of June). You can count on live music, fireworks and a Winter Solstice Ball at the Carrington Hotel.
WANDER THROUGH CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN AUBURN
One of Sydney’s most beautiful sights in winter is the cherry blossom forest in Auburn Botanic Gardens, inspired by the traditional gardens of Japan. The bright pink flowers appear for just two weeks in August, and thousands of people flock to see them.
A week-long festival, with a focus on Japanese traditions, culture and food, also takes place. Previous events included sumo wrestling displays, ikebana (flower arranging) demonstrations and origami workshops. There’s usually a Japanese food village and cocktail bar, too.
GO WHALE WATCHING IN SYDNEY HARBOUR
From May till November, tens of thousands of whales swim north from the Antarctic, where they feed in summer, to northern Australia, where they breed in winter – then back again.
Sydney, with its beautiful beaches and spectacular headlines, is an excellent place to go whale watching. Among the best spots are North Head, South Head and Barranjoey Lighthouse (at the north end of Palm Beach).
Another option is to climb aboard a whale watching tour and head out to sea. That way, you’ll get to see the gentle giants up close.
SEE SNOW (AND GO SKIING OR SNOWBOARDING)
Sydney doesn’t get cold enough for snow, so, if you want to see it, then you’ll need to hit the road. Keen to keep your emissions to a minimum? Book one of SIXT’s electric vehicles.
Some years, snow falls in the Blue Mountains or slightly further west in Oberon, Lithgow or Orange.
But, for guaranteed snow, your best bet is the Snowy Mountains, which re five hours’ drive southwest of Sydney. There’s a variety of ski resorts to choose from, including Thredbo, Perisher Blue, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn.
GETTING TO SYDNEY
Sydney is nine hours’ drive north of Melbourne and 10 hours’ drive south of Brisbane. Save time and fly into Sydney Airport, then pick up a SIXT car rental.
You’ll also find SIXT at loads of other locations around NSW and Australia. Whether you hire a roomy SUV or a minibus, so you can travel with all your friends, you can rely on our well-maintained vehicles and great customer service.
