Best Things to Do in Sydney in Spring
Springtime in Sydney provides a variety of spectacular sights and activities.
As winter gives way to longer days and warmer evenings, Sydney beckons us from hibernation. Spring brings vibrant blossoms, inviting weather, and a plethora of activities. Explore Sydney's beaches, gardens, and coastal seascapes, embark on camping and day trips, and witness the annual whale migration along New South Wales' coastline. Stroll beneath the stunning purple-blue jacaranda blooms that adorn Sydney's streets during this season, making it a truly enchanting experience.
Sydney's Spring Splendour is a Season of Sights and Adventures
Sydney's spring is ideal for exploring, offering less rainfall than summer and pleasant temperatures around 21 to 23°C. Discover all of the best spring activities in one convenient location below.
The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains at sunrise
1. Visit Breenhold Gardens
Taking the effort for a trip to Breenhold Gardens, which is located close to the Blue Mountains is well worth it in spring especially as they are only open for a few weeks. Be reminded of the English countryside in an ideal location for families, couples, and groups of friends that isn’t overcrowded. There are dining options on the property, so bring a picnic and sprawl out in the gardens. Breenhold Gardens, which is located in Mount Wilson close to the Blue Mountains, is open for two weeks at the end of September.
2. Explore the coastal walks and beaches
We encourage you to go through our Guide to the 15 Best Beaches in Sydney as the weather begins to warm up. NSW is no exception to the fact that Australia is known for having some pretty incredible beaches and surfing spots! In spring, the weather is ideal for surfing—not too hot, the sun isn't too intense, and there's a pleasant wind. A fantastic day trip from Sydney, Palm Beach has so much more to do than just see the lighthouse that you'll want to return often. You could even unintentionally discover one of Sydney's numerous undiscovered beaches, where you can relax and enjoy a tranquil afternoon with your friends or family before returning to the city. As most of these beaches are unpatrolled, be sure to only swim where it safe.
The Bondi to Coogee beach walk is one of the most well-liked seaside routes close to the city. The 6.5km, two to three-hour trek will pass via Bronte Beach and Aboriginal carving sites and provide you with breath-taking vistas of the ocean and the mighty sandstone cliffs. Walk from Spit Bridge to Manly for another well-liked stroll among visitors and residents despite being a little longer. A 10-km trip across Sydney Harbour National Park, which takes around 4 hours, offers stunning harbour vistas. You will pass by Fisher Bay, Reef Beach, and Forty Baskets Beach along the walk. In the spring, you could even see a whale at Forty Baskets Beach.
Explore the Hermitage Foreshore walk, which is around 1.8 km long and takes 30 minutes to complete, to find out about secret beaches like Hermit Bay and Milk Beach. These beaches will whisk you away from Sydney and onto a tropical island paradise where there are hardly no people!
3. Experience Sydney Fringe Festival
Sydney Fringe Festival is jam-packed with thrilling experiences, including dance performances, theatrical shows, art and other incredible sights and things to do. Go there for some free activities and get set for some hilarious comedy acts. Prepare to have a good time because the event will last the full month of September and includes over 450 events at 70 sites throughout Greater Sydney. The fantastic Sydney Fringe Festival celebrates regional performers and artists, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage. The best aspect is that it introduces you to areas of Sydney you may not have known about or visited before. Expect performances to occur in obscure pubs and locations across Sydney.
4. Stroll among Jacaranda Trees in Sydney
When the stunning jacaranda trees come to life, you can tell it's springtime in Sydney. McDougall Street is one of the greatest places to check out the trees but get there as early as possible because Instagrammers love to visit this location. The trees here form a jacaranda "tunnel," simulating an ethereal canopy with lovely lavender colours – just make sure to pay attention to the traffic! These lovely blooms are now as closely associated with Sydney's spring as cherry blossoms are with Japan, and many visitors come to the city and Grafton in rural New South Wales only to take pictures of them. There are many more locations in Sydney where you may see the jacaranda blossoms, though, if you don't like crowds. For breathtaking views of the purple flowers against Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House, head towards the metropolitan region near Circular Quay and The Rocks. Visit the University of Sydney for both history and beauty. Set up a picnic with the family and take cover in the Paddington or Lavender Bay neighbourhoods on the North Shore to spend a relaxing afternoon among the trees.
Visit the Grafton Jacaranda Festival at the end of October if you really want the full jacaranda experience; it's about a seven-hour journey from Sydney. Witness the city lit up in purple and take part in one of Australia's longest family floral celebrations. The rest of the family may take part in festival activities and enjoy the float procession and fireworks show while you take shots of the lovely jacarandas!
5. Go Whale Watching in Sydney
The start of the southern whale migration in the spring makes this the best time of year for whale viewing excursions. The humpback whale migration occurs in Sydney between May and November, meaning there are plenty of chances to spot these magnificent creatures. You have the best chance of seeing whales since they are swimming slowly and nearer to the surface so their infants can keep up. There are several points around the NSW coast where whale watching trips depart, providing us all lots of chances to witness these amazing animals in the wild. In Sydney and its surroundings, there are more than 38 places where you can observe whales from shore. Many of these locations may be found along coastal hiking paths, and Barrenjoey Lighthouse, which is 113 metres above sea level and is a popular location for whale viewing. Otherwise, you can take one of the many cruises that leave from Sydney Harbour and get as near to the whales as possible. You can opt to get on board the gorgeous sailing boat with Sydney Eco Whale Watching to observe whales up close.
Still having no success spotting whales? For more chances to see the whales migrating, head to Jervis Bay on the South Coast of New South Wales. While you're there, take advantage of one of their year-round dolphin tours, which will allow you to see playful bottlenose dolphins up close.
6. Sea the famous Sculpture by the Sea
The Sculpture by the Sea festival, which takes over Sydney's famous Bronte Walk and attracts thousands of visitors and residents, is one of the city's most adored annual events in the spring. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the sculptures strewn around the walking paths. Make sure to go either early in the morning or later in the day to escape the crowds; it's a magnificent art exhibit. Since most visitors wait until near the conclusion of festivals to attend them, our advice is to go on the first few day. This outstanding outdoor show is a tradition in Sydney. Numerous visitors stroll between Bondi and Tamarama for three weeks at the end of October through November whilst taking in the more than 100 sculptures on show next to the expansive Pacific Ocean.
7. Relax in Sydney’s Lush Gardens
Sydney is home to a variety of flowers, not only tulips and jacarandas, and spring is the greatest time to wander around the many lovely gardens as they come to life. Visit Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden to view cherry blossoms, tulips, and lovely roses at the Palace Rose Garden. Other popular spots include Vaucluse House (for the wisterias), the Australian Botanic Gardens at Mount Annan, the Chinese Garden of Friendship, Hyde Park, Nutcote in Neutral Bay, and Nutcote in Neutral Bay. Another park where you may see tulips in the spring is Centennial Park. Why not make a day of it and pack a picnic, read our guide to the 13 Best Picnic Spots in Sydney and head out there to enjoy the springtime weather.
8. Take a Trip to the Blue Mountains
There is never a shortage of things to do in the Blue Mountains because it is such a breathtaking location to explore close to Sydney. Even if hiking isn’t your ideal day out, there are many things to do in the region. The Blue Mountains are a breathtaking sight at any time of year, but spring, when the flowers are in full bloom, is the best time to visit the mountains. One and a half hours by car from Sydney, you can enjoy the spring blooms in the Blue Mountains area. Spring is also the best season to go to Scenic World to view the lush greenery from stunning vantage points. Experience the Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger train in the world. Take a trip along Australia's longest boardwalk, the Scenic Walkway, to discover the Jurassic rainforest and distinctive springtime flora and fauna. Take the picturesque cableway to Jamison Valley, which descends 545 metres and provides a unique vantage point for seeing the wildlife and springtime blooms.The pleasant spring weather is also ideal for bushwalks that will lead you past the region's historical sites, amazing flora and fauna, and magnificent panoramic lookouts like Echo Point Lookout.
9. Shop at Sydney’s Farmers Markets
Aside from fresh seafood, Sydney's springtime yields some of the most abundant and fresh local produce. At one of Sydney's several farmers' markets, you can easily eat fresh, local fruit and vegies. Popular markets include Bondi Farmers Market, Marrickville Organic Food Market, Cambridge Markets, and the Carriageworks Farmers Market. If you’re a market lover, make sure to read our guide to The 22 Best Markets in Sydney.
10. Attend Sydney Spring Carnival
Horse racing is popular in Australia, and in the spring, you'll see a lot of people heading to Randwick dressed up to spend the day cheering on and enjoying the revelry of the races.
The primary occasion that merits mentioning is undoubtedly Melbourne Cup Day, which occurs on the first Tuesday in November. For this race, Melbourne residents have a day off from work, although most Sydney residents also give it a lot of attention. Everyone dresses to impress and wears a fascinator to work before going to the bar or watching the races on television. Literally, it is race that stops the nation.
11. Celebrate the NRL & AFL Grand Finals
In Australia, both the AFL and NRL football are held in spring. Celebrate your favourite team's victory at the Rugby League or AFL Grand Finals. This is the finest way to spend a day with friends and family, regardless of whether you support the winning team. From backyard barbecues and picnics in the park, to watching on the big screen in a sports bar or the city, get into the sporty spirit this spring.
12. Be Surrounded by Tulips at the Tulip Festival in Bowral
Bowral is flooded in blossoms in September when neighbourhood cottage gardens burst with colour and the annual Tulip festival comes around. The biggest event in the Southern Highlands is called Tulip Time, which offers guests the breathtaking sight of more than 90,000 tulips that have been planted in Corbett Gardens. With so many flower festivals to select from throughout the spring, one to definitely attend is the Tulip Time Festival in Bowral since it features one of Australia's greatest displays. Expect parades and market booths to celebrate the tulips that are now in bloom. In Bowral, which is in the Kangaroo Valley region and is one hour and thirty minutes south of Sydney, Tulip Time lasts for two weeks from the end of September to the beginning of October. After viewing the blossoms, you can explore the town of Bowral, which is also a bustling centre of activity, and visit its eateries, coffee shops, and charming vintage shops. You can also stay an extra night in one of the estate's opulent cottages.
13. Go Camping in Spring
Sydney's springtime is the ideal time to go camping, before the hot summer weather arrives. Looking to spend quality time with your loved ones but one a budget? Read our guide to the 14 Best Free Camping Spots Near Sydney that have tonnes of hiking and swimming opportunities. If you want to bring your four-legged friend along check out these 4 Places to Camp with Dogs near Sydney, or if you want to stay in the lust Blue Mountains then these 6 Free Camp Spots in the Blue Mountains is for you.
14. Go Spring Hiking in Sydney
Spring is the best season to discover the fantastic trails around Sydney and the greater region. It's the ideal season since it's not too hot, and Sydney is home to several fantastic wild swimming locations. The nice part is that hiking is one of the top free activities you can do. Who said you needed a car to go on adventures? Not us! Without a car, you can enjoy many wonderful walks and treks in the Sydney area, and for those farther out who require a car, why not grab a GoGet? Read our guide to the 33 Best Walks, Trails & Hikes Around Sydney & NSW for you to make the most of your weekend. Please review the alerts and advisories from NSW National Parks as well as the weather predictions before you go. Don your hiking boots and get ready to explore some of New South Wales’ most beautiful treks and trails.
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