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When is the Best Time to Visit New South Wales?

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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Sydney is busy from Dec through to the end of January with many people arriving to enjoy the NYE fireworks. The country has a 6-week school holiday period, and it seems almost everyone heads to the coast. Inland areas are not as busy, but they are hot and it’s not an ideal time to head west.

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

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

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.

Daylight saving operates from early October until the end of April, seeing an extra hour added 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.

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

Weather in New South Wales

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 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 7 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 2022-2023

Holiday 20222023
New Year’s Day + Monday Holiday 01 and 03 January01 and 02 January
Australia Day26 January26 January
Good Friday15 April07 April
Easter Sat.16 April08 April
Easter Mon.18 April10 April
Anzac Day25 April 25 April
Queens Birthday 12 June12 June
Labour Day02 October02 October
Christmas Eve24 December24 December
Christmas Day25 December 25 December
Proclamation Day27 December26 December
Boxing Day26 December 26 December
New Year’s Eve31 December31 December
Source: NSW Government March 2022

School Holidays in New South Wales 2022-2023

Period 20222023
Autumn break:15 April – 1 May10 April – 21 April
Winter break: 28 June – 9 July3 July – 14 July
Spring break:20 September – 1 October25 September – 6 October
Summer break:20 December -27 January 202220 December – 29 January 2024
Source: NSW Dept of Education

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