Summer Activities & Things to Do Around Sydney
Sydney turns into a summer wonderland with dazzling landscapes and endless fun!
From iconic landmarks to breath-taking beaches and lively festivals, the city comes alive. Explore vibrant parks, paddle in Sydney Harbour, and immerse yourself in outdoor concerts under the stars. Dive into enchanting night markets, outdoor movies, and more. With GoGet as your sidekick, grab your sunglasses, sunscreen, and this guide – your ticket to an unforgettable summer adventure in Sydney!
Visit Bondi Beach
Sydney has an abundance of beaches, which is where summers are frequently spent. During your summer day out in Sydney, a visit to Bondi Beach is a must! One of Australia's most well-known beaches, Bondi Beach is known for its ivory sands, azure waves, and breathtaking sunsets. For this reason, packing a picnic meal to bring to Bondi Beach together with a few friends and a blanket is the ideal formula for a carefree summer evening that will never be forgotten. Grab a couple of pizzas from the neighbourhood or pack a classic picnic spread consisting of breads, cheeses, deli meats, fruits, and sweets from the grocery store. Remember to bring a Bluetooth speaker to create the mood and your swimsuit for a refreshing plunge in the water.
Kick back at an Outdoor Cinema
With your significant other or your buddies, unwind on bean bag, sip some wine, and watch the latest films or classic in the summer evening air. An outdoor movie theatre is the ideal place to spend a summer evening, serving up tasty fare and popcorn as well as serving up your favourite beverages, or save some money and pack your own picnic. Visiting the Moonlight Cinema is one of the most traditional summertime activities in Sydney. Taking place in Centennial Park over the summer, the Moonlight Cinema offers an amazing selection of the best new releases, beloved classics, family-friendly movies, and holiday films leading up to Christmas.
Just choose the movie you want to watch, get your tickets online, pack a picnic blanket, some food, and some beverages, and travel to the theatre to enjoy the performance on the big screen. A fantastic night out with friends or family is created by the combination of the beautiful outdoors with the warmth and comfort of a well-chosen film.
Bring refreshments and the family to Skyline Drive-in in Blacktown, Sydney's only drive-in theatre that plays both current and historic films. Alternatively, head down to the Sunset Cinema in North Sydney which features a full bar and food trucks. For a movie with a view, Westpac OpenAir presents outdoor films at Mrs. Macquaries Point, which is next to the Royal Botanic Garden. As the sun sets, the movies provide beautiful vistas of Sydney Harbour.
Enjoy Sydney Harbour in Summer
One of the things you have to do when in Sydney in the summer is to visit Sydney Harbour. However, boating is another thing you need to do but may be unaware of. Apply sunscreen, let your hair down, and take a boat ride while admiring Sydney Harbour's picturesque scenery. Sydney Harbor is well-known for its boating scene, so prepare yourself and don't forget to take some visually appealing photos. If you believe it's difficult to locate your own private beach in Sydney, think again. A quick cruise around the harbour will lead you to some of the most remote beaches in the city. Whether you're looking for a romantic seaside getaway whilst enjoying an onboard seafood platter, or you're looking to take the kids to explore hidden national park beaches only accessible by boat, My Sydney Boat can customise a cruise to fit your needs. Do you like to work alone? For a self-guided day on the water, rent a powerboat from Salty Boat Hire; no licence is needed. Want to enjoy the full view in summer? The 11-kilometer Barangaroo Foreshore Walkway offers views of the city from all directions, from boats sailing the harbour to bustling gourmet districts. The shared footpath runs from Anzac Bridge to Woolloomooloo, passing some of the harbor's most picturesque locations along route. Travel via Pyrmont's historic piers, pause at Darling Square for a variety of delectable refreshments, and then continue to Barangaroo by means of the Wulgul Walk, which circles the verdant Barangaroo Reserve. If you’re after other great walks in Sydney, read our guide to the 33 Best Walks and Hikes in Sydney.
Attend the Sydney Festival
Running throughout January, the Sydney Festival makes its way into the city every summer. Without this yearly festival, summer would scarcely be the same. A wide range of acts, including dance, theatre, and cabaret, as well as both indoor and outdoor art installations, family activities, circus shows, and more, are all included. There really is something for everyone to enjoy at these events, which range in price from free to charged and are spread out over the city. Booking and planning ahead is advised because there are fewer events and a high demand for tickets. So head to the official website and check out the current lineup of events and attractions, get your friends together, and spend January taking in some of the greatest local and global acts the city has to offer.
Spend a Summer Weekend at the Markets
Spending a summer morning at one of Sydney’s many markets is a great way to kick the start the day. Sydney's Glebe Markets hold equal significance to the Opera House. These famous, old-world markets in Glebe are only open on Saturdays once a week. The booths will remain open even in the event of rainy or inclement weather in Sydney. You can get lost among the booths here and discover antique apparel, exquisite jewellery, handcrafted arts and crafts, new and used clothing, household goods, and a plethora of other treasures. Read our guide to the 22 Best Markets in Sydney and tick them off on your summer weekends. You can really make a day of it with friends as you catch up, enjoy excellent cuisine, and support local producers while treating yourself to something new for your home or wardrobe.
Make a splash in Sydney
Experience an adrenaline rush at the water adventure playgrounds in Western Sydney. Experience the thrill of the rapids at Penrith Whitewater Stadium; this demanding course replicates the features of a raging river, with 14,000 litres of whitewater pouring over a succession of obstacles at a quick pace. Want to try a new watersport? Take a wakeboarding or waterskiing trip at Cables Wake Park to race across the water and experience the thrills (and spills!). If you’re want to cool off in the summer heat, head to Sydney's top water park Raging Waters, offering 25 hectares of excitement for all ages. With more than 40 waterslides and attractions, including an entire area just for young water explorers and exhilarating action on some of the world's tallest and fastest water coasters, Raging Water’s is a great summer’s day out. Illawarra's Jamberoo Action Park is an exhilarating adventure water park featuring coasters, slides, and attractions including The Rock, Funnel Web, Taipan, and the Toboggan, located just two hours west of Sydney. Gosford's Central Coast Aqua Park is an inflatable water park that is the perfect destination for an exciting family day out. Although the outdoor water park does not provide catering, families are allowed to bring their own food and beverages. Every youngster accessing the park needs to be older than five. You’ll find another aqua park in Penrith, 45 minutes west of Sydney. Penrith's Cables Aqua Park provides action-packed inflatable slides, runways, jumping pillows, and family-friendly ambience that will provide hours of enjoyment. The park is equipped with picnic tables, a covered BBQ area, and parking.
Spend Summer Chasing Waterfalls in Sydney
If you're searching for an amazing day trip or way to spend a summer weekend, whether you live in Sydney or not, there are many of amazing alternatives available to you, from visiting the coast and beaches to climbing mountains and valleys. But if you can go waterfall hunting instead of settling for the norm, then this guide is for you. These Best Waterfalls Near Sydney are scattered around Sydney and New South Wales, offering a peaceful haven for those seeking a getaway. A fun way to take in Sydney's national parks' beauty and diversity is to chase waterfalls, cooling off in temperate forests, or taking dips in rockpools. Some are secluded and need a quick trek to find, some are in national parks, and some are open for swimming.
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