If you’re planning to visit Sydney during the winter months, you might be wondering what to do. While the city is notorious for blue skies, brilliant beaches and sunny days, we’re here to tell you that there is a lot more that makes Sydney a non-negotiable on your Australian travels. So, whether it’s raining, windy, or just a bit cold, we hope you can take inspiration from our list below of 32 unique things to do in Sydney this winter.

Oh, and by the way… winter is also a great time to visit Sydney’s beaches. Less crowds means you can take your time to really savour in the view (which is still absolutely stunning in winter, by the way!).

What To Do In Sydney In Winter

  1. Vivid Sydney
    A festival of light, music and ideas that transforms the city into a rainbow of neon colour from late May to mid-June, every year. Take a self-guided light walk, or join in our free hostel activities for guests at Wake Up! Sydney.
    • Hot Tip! Guests at Wake Up! Sydney can enjoy a special edition activity schedule during Vivid Sydney, including Vivid themed nights, Vivid walking tours, and a Vivid pub crawl.
  1. Sydney Film Festival
    One of the longest-running film festivals in the world. Running throughout June, see some of the best local and international cinema with over 200 films to pick from.
  1. Bondi Winter Festival
    Bondi keeps up the heat throughout winter. It’s annual Bondi Winter Festival sees an ice-skating rink, ferris wheel, local artists, and interactive performances.
  1. Darling Harbour Winter Festival
    A winter wonderland throughout July, with free live music, foodie markets, outdoor bar, firepits and igloos.
  1. Visit the Sydney Opera House
    Take a tour, attend a show, or just admire the stunning architecture and views of the harbour. They also offer a free sketching/drawing tour – the best kind of souvenir (all skill levels welcome)!
  1. NAIDOC Week
    In July, discover food, song, art, dance and stories in Hyde Park, as we celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.
  1. Bastille Festival
    A free day-and-night festival in July in Circular Quay, with a Parisian Foodie Village, Chef Village, a Wine Passeport experience, and so much more.
A backpacker's guide of what to do in Sydney during winter. Is it worth visiting Sydney and Australia in winter? Absolutely! Here's why, with a list of 32 things to do.
What to do in Sydney during winter: a backpacker's guide. Take a tour of the Sydney Opera House, attend a show, or just admire the stunning architecture and views of the harbour. They also offer a free sketching/drawing tour
  1. Explore Sydney’s Museums & Galleries
    There are plenty of museums in Sydney to explore, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Australian Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
  1. Visit the Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
    See its beautiful architecture across multi-levels, high-end shops, and the very narrow spiral staircase.
  1. Join in the hostel activities
    Meet new people at Wake Up! Sydney’s Wine & Cheese Night – a complimentary activity for all guests, every week.
  1. Check out the State Library of NSW
    It gives off major Harry Potter vibes! There are regular exhibitions, workshops and experiences as well as the books, of course!
If you're travelling to Sydney, Australia during winter, then read our list of 32 things to do across the city, including a visit to the beautiful NSW State Library for Harry Potter vibes!
  1. Go for a walk or hike
    It might seem counterintuitive, but winter weather doesn’t always mean rain! On a cold but dry day, take advantage of the smaller crowds along Sydney’s beautiful walking trails like the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk and the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk.
  1. Shop at the markets
    Some of our favourites include the Bondi Markets, Paddington Markets, Carriageworks Farmers Market, and The Rocks Market.
  1. Sydney Fish Market
    Wake up early for a Behind The Scenes Tour of the Sydney Fish Market to see the weird and wonderful world of Australian seafood.
  1. Eat all the food at Chinatown’s Friday Night Markets
    Admittedly this isn’t exclusive to winter, but what better way to warm up than with a hearty bowl of fresh-made noodles, dumplings, pho or laksa. Better yet, it’s walking distance from Wake Up! Sydney.
  1. Visit Gelato Messina’s new HQ
    Our #1 favourite gelato-maker has epic headquarters where you can visit its ice-creamery as well as the full gelato and chocolate production facility, encased in floor to ceiling glass.
  1. Catch a concert
    Keep your eyes out for gigs at Hordern Pavillion or Qudos Bank Arena, which often houses some of the biggest shows in town.
  1. Go on a food tour
    Explore your favourite type of cuisine and pick from some of our recommendations, like a Gourmet Food Safari, or the Newtown Chewtown Food & Street Art Tour!
  1. The Rocks Pub Tour
    Drink in history and have a beer at Sydney’s oldest pub with The Rocks Pub Tour.
  1. Taco Tuesday
    Eat cheap tacos at everyone’s favourite place for a Mexican fiesta, El Camino, every Tuesday.
  1. Watch an Australian sporting match
    Experience an Australian Rules Football (AFL) game at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), or catch an NRL match at Allianz Stadium.
A list of 32 things to do in Sydney, Australia during winter. Don't miss seeing whales at Bondi Beach!
  1. Bouldering and beers
    Go climbing at NOMAD Bouldering Gym and afterwards walk one-minute away to Wayward Brewing Co for craft beers and food trucks.
  1. Do a Hunter Valley day trip
    Take a day trip to the world-famous Hunter Valley by joining a hop-on or hop-off bus or organised winery tour.
  1. Go shopping at a DFO
    Go shopping at Birkenhead Point factory outlet, where you can pick up bargains from brands including Adidas, Glassons, Nike, Sheike, Superdry, and Ugg!
  1. Dance the night away
    Call us biased, but Side Bar put on the best party nights, seven days a week, with themed nights, cocktail buckets, and great opportunities to make friends from around the world.
  1. Attend a ghost tour
    Explore the city’s haunted history! Try the Ghost Tour of The Rocks or the Quarantine Station Ghost Tour for a spooky experience. These tours will run in rain, hail, and moonshine.
  1. Spot whales
    Winter is the perfect time to go whale watching in Sydney as more than 40,000 humpback and southern right whales make their way north along Sydney’s coastline in their annual migration from Antarctica to the warmer waters of the Pacific. Cape Solander is one of the best places to spot the whales, but the walking trail along the Bondi to Coogee walk also offers great (and more convenient) viewing opportunities.
  1. Climb the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout
    For a unique panoramic view of Sydney that is significantly more affordable than climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge (without the sky high prices of climbing the Harbour Bridge), visit and climb the 200 steps of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout.
  1. Take in panoramic views of Sydney
    See 360º views of Sydney from the Sydney Tower’s indoor Observation Deck, located at the highest point of our city! Or instead of purchasing a ticket, buy a drink and snacks at the bar instead!
  1. Take a cocktail class
    Stir, shake, strain and have a heap of fun at a cocktail class. After all, Sydney is home to some of the finest bars and cocktail-makers around! We love the classes with Archie Rose and Kittyhawk.
  1. Drink at Sydney’s underground bars
    Drink at a moody, low-lit bar like Shady Pines Saloon, Uncle Mings and The Baxter Inn.
  1. See Brett Whiteley Studio
    The art museum and former home of avant-garde Australian artist, Brett Whiteley. Experience his unique studio with unfinished paintings, art equipment, and his graffiti wall covered with quotes and images. Walk to one of the nearby cafes or bars in Surry Hills afterwards.