Vivid Sydney Opera House and Cruise

When is the best time to visit NSW

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In a word, Anytime! Just steer clear of the summer school holidays unless you book way in advance and a happy to part with a large sum of money. February to April is ideal for a coastal holiday; head west from April to October.

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The best time of year to visit NSW

When is the peak or high season in Sydney & NSW

Sydney’s peak season kicks in from December through to the end of January with many people arriving to enjoy the NYE fireworks and long summer holidays. Accommodation prices and availability improve from early February until Easter.

If you plan to be in Sydney over New Year’s Eve, get your accommodation sorted early, and it’s worth noting many properties with views of Sydney Harbour have minimum stays (3 days usually) at this time of year.

The entire east coast is very busy over the summer months with a six week nationwide school holiday period. Inland areas are not as popular, but they are hot at this time of year, so it’s not an ideal time to head west.

Summer is the most expensive time to visit most of the state.

The next busy period for Sydney and the east coast is the Easter school holidays when locals try to grab the last days of beach weather. Easter’s public holidays usually combine with autumn school holidays and an extra public holiday on April 26 for Anzac Day can sometimes result in long getaways that see a rush on campgrounds and holiday parks throughout the state.

The only other busy time in NSW over the winter is during the Vivid Festival in Sydney and the ski season in NSW, which tends to kick off on the June long weekend.

Sculpture by the Sea
Sculpture by the Sea in October-November

Daylight saving begins in early October and continues until the end of April. This delivers an extra hour to your day for sightseeing!

The winter is the lowest season for prices and while you won’t want to be taking a dip in the sea, the days can be lovely with low visitor numbers and the lowest hotel prices.

When is the absolute best time to visit Sydney?

March to May and October to early December are our choice for a mix of weather and things to do.

For a summer visit that combines the best of the weather and accommodation prices, then early December or after school returns from the end of January is your best bet.

Weather in New South Wales

NSW is the large state that has a diverse range of climates. Spanning from coastal regions to inland areas and mountainous terrain, there is always somewhere in the state to find a temperature you will enjoy. .Here’s a general overview of the weather you can expect in different parts of NSW

Coastal Areas
The coastal regions, including cities like Sydney, experience a temperate climate. Summers (December to February) are typically warm to hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). Winters (June to August) are mild, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C to 17°C (46°F to 63°F). Rainfall is spread throughout the year, with slightly wetter conditions during the autumn months.

Northern NSW
The northern part of the state, including coastal regions like Byron Bay and the Tweed, experiences a subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid, with average temperatures between 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while winters are mild with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 22°C (54°F to 72°F). Rainfall is higher in this region, and tropical cyclones can occasionally affect the area during the warmer months.

Inland Areas
As you move further inland, the climate becomes more arid and can vary between temperate and semi-arid conditions. The summer temperatures can reach higher, sometimes exceeding 40°C (104°F) in the western areas. Winters are colder, and temperatures can drop below freezing at night.

Snowy Mountains
The Snowy Mountains in the southeastern part of NSW experience alpine conditions with snowy winters. Snowfall is common from June until September.

The seasons in NSW

Summer (December to February)
Temperatures get progressively warmer as summer progresses. Most days will see temperatures above 25°C and by Jan these are likely to be high 20s. Humidity is at its highest in February and summer sees about 5-7 days of rain a month, particularly at the end of the season.

Autumn (March to May)
The weather at this time of year is still warm, and many locals are swimming until early May. Average temperatures range from 19-26°C. This is a very comfortable time to visit. The chance of rainy days increases towards the end of the season.

Winter (June to August)
While the temperatures drop and locals may describe it as cold by most standards, winters in Sydney and NSW coastal areas are cool rather than cold. Perfect weather for hiking and the best time to visit Outback NSW. There are 6-9 days of rain per month.

Spring (September to November)
Mid spring is one of the best times to visit NSW. Temperatures range from 20.1°C to mid-20s and there are about seven days of rain per month.

Average Temperatures in Sydney by Month

Month Maximum temperatureMinimum temperature Average rainfall (mm)
January27.019.579mm
February26.719.7118mm
March 25.318.088mm
April 23.015.0119mm
May 20.312.0106mm
June17.89.2100mm
July17.18.173mm
August 18.78.974mm
September21.111.462mm
October23.014.064mm
November24.116.085mm
December26.018.274mm
Source: Climate of Australia

New South Wales Festivals and Events

Some events may have their dates changed or be postponed, so please check individual links before making any plans.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

New South Wales School and Public Holidays

School holidays see prices go up and availability reduce. If you don’t need to be travelling at this time, you can save quite a bit by avoiding it.

Public Holidays in New South Wales 2025-26

Holiday 20252026
New Year’s Day + Monday Holiday 01 January01 January
Australia Day27 January27 January
Good Friday18 April03 April
Easter Sat.19 April04 April
Easter Mon.21 April06 April
Anzac Day25 April 25 April
King’s Birthday 09 June08 June
Labour Day06 October05 October
Christmas Day25 December 25 December
Boxing Day26 December 26 December
Boxing Day Holiday 28 December
Source: NSW Government June 2025


School Holidays in New South Wales 2025-2026

Period20252026
Autumn break:14 April – 24 April7 April to 17 April
Winter break7 – 18 July6 July to 17 July
Spring break:29 Sept – 10 October28 Sept – 09 October
Summer break:22 Dec – 26 January 202618 Dec – 27 January 2027
Source: NSW Department of Education