Australians have a well-known love for the outdoors, and Sydneysiders are no exception. But where does that leave us during the winter months? Luckily, there are plenty of winter activities in Sydney to keep even the most outdoorsy of us occupied, despite the winter chill!
Sydney is best known for its beaches, harbourside dining, and sunny, sprawling parks. But when winter arrives you might be surprised to learn that there is a whole other world to explore, both indoors and out, in our beautiful city. Keep reading to discover the best winter activities in Sydney so you can jump off the couch and start exploring!
1. Go whale watching
When the mercury drops, the whales head north seeking warmer waters – and hey, who can blame them? Lucky for Sydneysiders, it means that May to August is the perfect time to go whale watching.
You can sharpen up your whale-spotting skills from the shore on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk while working up a sweat. Or head to Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Sydney’s north, just a short but steep hike up to the top of the hill. All you need is your walking shoes and a keen eye for spotting a whale tail or two!
2. Head to the Cherry Blossom Festival
Auburn’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. An Instagrammer’s dream, the festival takes place over two weeks in August. Not only can you enjoy seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom, but you can also explore the rest of the Auburn Botanic Gardens.
The festival also includes plenty of other cultural activities; you can watch sumo-wrestling, eat sashimi, and enjoy live music performances while you admire the blooms.
3. Head to Vivid Sydney
Of course, we couldn’t write a list of winter activities in Sydney without mentioning Vivid. Vivid Sydney returns on the 6th of August. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Vivid, but it’s always amazing to see Sydney transform by night into a bright, colourful wonderland.
Stroll the city streets and just admire the art installations, or check out some of the many workshops, presentations and other events available. Just be sure to rug up!
4. Try an escape room
An escape room, or puzzle room, is one of our favourite winter activities in Sydney, especially when it’s wet outside. Paniq Room in the Rocks, right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, has four different escape rooms, one of which even sees you blindfolded and handcuffed inside a prison cell!
You can enter the magician’s room, escape from a high-security supercell, play a real-life puzzle game of Jumanji, or uncover the rat in a Mafia’s headquarters. Each room has been carefully curated with clever clues. It’s made to be tricky but not impossible! Escape rooms are the perfect activity for families, friends, or even teams at work.
5. Visit the Sydney Solstice
The Sydney Solstice is a brand-new event running this year showcasing the best food, entertainment, culture and the arts in our beautiful city. Running for two weeks in June this year, it will be held in various locations in Sydney including in hidden bars.
We live in constantly changing times. Be sure to take note of any current restrictions in Sydney, and check event websites before making your plans!
What are your favourite winter actives in Sydney? Stay tuned to discover more of our favourite things to do in this incredible city, or browse our other blogs to uncover more local insights.
