Sydney weather in short
Sydney weather is mild by most standards. Summer days average about 26 °C, winter days about 16 to 18 °C, and average nightly lows stay above 8 °C. Rain can come in any month, with the heaviest averages in autumn and early winter and the lightest in late winter and spring.
The figures below are long-term averages for central Sydney, based on records going back to the 1850s. They describe a typical month, not a forecast. Check a current forecast a few days before you go, especially if you plan a cruise or a coastal walk.
Sydney weather month by month
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with what is on around the harbour.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | On the harbour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.0 °C | 18.8 °C | 101.2 mm | Warmest month. BridgeMuseum is open until 20:30 in December and January. Camp Cove has daily patrols in the summer school holidays |
| February | 25.8 °C | 18.9 °C | 119.3 mm | After the school holidays Camp Cove is patrolled on weekends |
| March | 24.8 °C | 17.6 °C | 131.6 mm | Still warm, with one of the higher rainfall averages |
| April | 22.5 °C | 14.8 °C | 126.5 mm | Weekend patrols at Camp Cove run until 25 April |
| May | 19.5 °C | 11.6 °C | 117.4 mm | Whale season begins along the coast. The Shark Beach net is taken out for winter from May to August |
| June | 17.0 °C | 9.3 °C | 133.1 mm | Highest rainfall average of the year. Whale season |
| July | 16.4 °C | 8.1 °C | 96.3 mm | Coolest month. Whale season |
| August | 17.9 °C | 9.0 °C | 80.2 mm | Drier than the months before. Whale season |
| September | 20.1 °C | 11.1 °C | 68.1 mm | Lowest rainfall average. Mild days suit the harbour walks |
| October | 22.2 °C | 13.6 °C | 76.7 mm | Whale season continues. Camp Cove patrols start on the last weekend of the month |
| November | 23.7 °C | 15.7 °C | 83.8 mm | The last month of the whale season |
| December | 25.3 °C | 17.6 °C | 77.1 mm | New Year's Eve fireworks on 31 December. Peak surcharge at the BridgeMuseum from 25 December to 4 January |
High and low are the averages of daily maximum and minimum temperatures, not records. Rainfall is the average monthly total, not the chance of rain on a given day.
Our pick: a cruise for any weather
Our take: on a wet or windy day, a covered boat with lunch still gets you onto the harbour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Harbour cruises and tours through the year
Sightseeing cruises, sunset dinners, kayaks and bridge tours around Sydney Harbour, with live prices and availability.
How the weather shapes a harbour day
Rain, heat and light, and what to do about them.
No dry season
Every month averages more than 65 mm of rain. September is the lowest at 68.1 mm and June the highest at 133.1 mm. Keep a wet-weather plan: the permanent galleries of the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour are free, and the aquarium and the BridgeMuseum are indoors. See Darling Harbour and the Harbour Bridge page.
Hot days
The ships at the Maritime Museum close at 36 °C. Take water and sun protection on a cruise, a ferry ride or a walk such as the Hermitage Foreshore track, and start early.
Sunset cruises
The evening cruise is named Sunset, Winter Twilight or Summer Glow depending on the season, so one departure time does not meet the sunset all year. Look up the sunset time for your date. The dinner cruise page shows example departures.
Swimming after rain
At harbour and estuary swim sites, avoid swimming for up to 3 days after heavy rain. At ocean beaches wait at least 1 day. NSW issued a warning in February 2026 about bull shark activity in murky water after heavy rain. Details on the harbour beaches page.
Walks and kayaks
National park tracks can close for bad weather or fire danger, so check before you set out. Kayak hire bases ask you to check conditions with them before you go. See kayaking.
Whale watching
The whale season along the NSW coast runs from May to November, and the boats go out into the open sea, so a rough day changes the trip. See whale watching.
Which season suits what
A quick read of the table above.
| Season | Typical highs | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (December to February) | 25.3 to 26.0 °C | Swimming at the harbour beaches, sunset cruises, New Year's Eve |
| Autumn (March to May) | 24.8 down to 19.5 °C | Walks, ferries to Manly and Watsons Bay, the start of the whale season |
| Winter (June to August) | 16.4 to 17.9 °C | Whale watching, indoor sights at Darling Harbour |
| Spring (September to November) | 20.1 up to 23.7 °C | Walks, whales until the end of the season |
For most visitors, spring and autumn give the easiest mix of mild days and open attractions. If you come for one thing, the best time to visit page ties the season to whales, fireworks and swimming.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with the season you picked.
Best time to visit
Whales, fireworks and swimming by month.
Harbour beaches
Camp Cove, Balmoral and Shark Beach, with patrol seasons.
Harbour walks
Spit to Manly, Hermitage Foreshore and South Head.
Whale watching
Season dates and where to watch from land.
For the city side of the trip, the Sydney Opera House guide has a page on the best time to visit Sydney.
Sydney weather: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month in Sydney?
January, with an average high of 26.0 °C and an average low of 18.8 °C. February is almost the same at 25.8 °C and 18.9 °C.
What is the coolest month in Sydney?
July, with an average high of 16.4 °C and an average low of 8.1 °C.
When does it rain most in Sydney?
June has the highest average at 133.1 mm, followed by March at 131.6 mm and April at 126.5 mm. September is the lowest at 68.1 mm. Rain can fall in any month, so these are averages and not a promise of a dry or wet week.
Does bad weather cancel harbour cruises?
Terms differ by operator. Read the booking terms before you pay, and check the departure again on the day. A cancelled New Year's Eve fireworks show does not always cancel the cruise, so read those terms with extra care.
Is it warm enough to swim in the harbour?
Summer is the main swimming season, and patrols at Camp Cove follow the school holidays and weekends. Check the local status and the recent rainfall on the day. The beaches page has the details.
Is this an official weather or tourism site?
No. This is an independent guide to Sydney Harbour. It is not run by a weather service, a tourism body, a ferry operator or a tour company. Check a current forecast before you travel.