This post was last updated on 2024 April 13
I’m still getting used to summer in the Southern Hemisphere and being able to hang out at the beach on Christmas and on my February birthday while the rest of the world seems to be bemoaning winter. I’m not sure if this will ever NOT feel weird to me.
But no matter where I am in the world, it’s a given that I’ll be worshipping summer whatever time of year it happens to fall.
Bondi Beach.
I love how summer weather tends to draw more people outdoors, and in Sydney it’s no exception. This Aussie city is blessed with plentiful natural swimming ops, social gatherings, and other al fresco events during summer months. There is SO MUCH to do in Sydney in the summer, and even though the season technically only lasts for 3 months, the weather lasts for 5-6 months (mid-November through mid-April or so). That’s nearly half a year of summer activities and adventures!
Here are 7 things to do in Sydney in the summer, nearly all of which take place outside —
Sydney Outdoor Cinema
One of my favorite summer things in NYC thankfully also exists in Sydney: outdoor movies! What better way to unwind at the end of the day than by kicking back to watch a movie on the big screen, al fresco?
In NYC these outdoor movies are mostly free, while in Sydney you have to buy a ticket to the outdoor cinema (and it’s often pricier than a ticket to the regular cinema). I think I can make peace with the price tag when the movie backdrop is Sydney Harbour, or when it comes with a bed as a seating option though!
Mov’In Bed Open Air Cinema.
At the Sydney outdoor cinema, part of the experience is getting there early for drinks and the sunset. Most of the productions have food and drink vendors onsite so you don’t have to BYO.
Here’s where to catch outdoor movies in Sydney this coming summer:
- Moonlight Cinema – 28 Nov 2019 – 29 March 2020, Centennial Park
- Westpac OpenAir Cinema – 9 Jan – 21 Feb 2019, Royal Botanic Garden
- Mov’In Bed Open Air Cinema – 17 Jan 2020 – 8 Mar 2020, Entertainment Quarter
- Rooftop Cinema – TBD 2020, Luna Park
- American Express OpenAir Cinemas – 6 Feb 2020 -15 Mar 2020, Bondi Beach
- Sunset Cinema – TBD 2020, North Sydney
- Floating Cinema– 3 Dec 2019 – 26 Feb 2020, Sydney Harbour
Beaches in Sydney
This is my favorite thing to do in Sydney anytime of year, but it’s especially magical in summer when you have the hottest weather and the longest days.
Whether you wake up early for a jog in the sand when the beaches are at their most peaceful, spend the day sunbathing (or sunbaking, as the Aussies call it), or wind down the day with a sunset surf or swim, summer days tend to revolve around the beach in Sydney.
Coogee Beach.
Sydney’s got over 100 beaches to choose from, so I’m not about to list them all out here… but you can’t go wrong with Bondi, Coogee, Manly, or the Northern Beaches.
Harbourside, Ocean, & Rooftop Pools in Sydney
With hundreds of ocean and harbour beaches scattered around Sydney, it seems kinda silly to seek out a pool instead.
But Sydney also happens to have several swimming pools with absolutely sensational views worth taking a break from the sand.
There are a few hotels with rooftop pools open to the public:
- InterContinental Double Bay – Infinity pool with a view of Sydney Harbour from outside the city. Non-hotel guests are allowed access from October-March, Tuesday through Sunday from 11am til 1 hour after sunset. Only hotel guests are allowed in the pool or on the lounge chairs, but visitors can hang out at the poolside bar.
- Sheraton On The Park – Non-hotel guests can pay $60 to access the Sheraton’s rooftop pool and jacuzzi, which are enclosed by glass walls rather than al fresco.
- Ivy Pool Club – Ivy is infamous as a bit of a sceney spot (think LA vibes) and tends to draw lots of backpackers and students with its drink specials, but it’s more of a nightclub with a pool than a place to hang out and sunbathe. Free entry on weekdays.
North Sydney Olympic Pool.
And then there are some swimming pools situated RIGHT ON Sydney Harbour:
- North Sydney Olympic Pool – Has the most sensational and close-up view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Non-members pay $8.30 to use the pool.
- Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool – A pool overlooking Woolloomooloo Bay; $6.50 for pool entry.
- Maccallum Pool– A small harbourside pool near Cremorne Point that’s free to access and has a fabulous view of the Sydney Opera House. This is more of a local rock pool than a lap pool, so come here more to relax and take in the view.
And of course, most of Sydney’s beaches are equipped with an ocean pool – i.e. a pool built right in the ocean that shelters swimmers from the waves. These are typically free to enter, with a few noteworthy exceptions:
- Icebergs – A not-to-be-missed Sydney (nay, Australian) icon with a sweeping view over Bondi Beach. Pool entry is $7.
- Wylies Baths – An ocean tide pool by Coogee Beach. Pool entry is $5.50.
Bondi Icebergs.
Boating on Sydney Harbour
There are few things more glorious than being out on Sydney Harbour on a boat on a beautiful summer day. Sun on your skin, breeze in your hair, 360-degree harbour views – does it get any better?
I will be forever envious of those who own a boat in Sydney and can just take it out into the harbour whenever the mood strikes (and also those who are friends with these folks and get invited to all the boat parties I see happening every summer weekend). And I’m maybe a little bit wistful about not working for a company that takes its employees out on a harbour cruise for company functions (this seems to be a thing in Sydney).
But no worries, you can still get onto a boat in Sydney Harbour if you’re not so well connected. Groupon regularly has deals on Sydney Harbour boat cruises. Alternatively, you can get a group of friends together and charter a boat to take you around the harbour on a private cruise.
OR, you can take the frugal option and just catch ferries around Sydney Harbour – preferably on a Sunday when you can enjoy unlimited public transport for $2.70 all day.
Alternatively, you can incorporate a workout into your harbour boat experience by hiring a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and paddling yourself around some of the bays in Sydney Harbour.
Christmas in Sydney
Hailing from New England, I’m not quite sold on Christmas in Australia yet. I don’t know about you, but I just can’t wrap my mind around Christmas on the beach in 90-degree weather when all my favorite Christmas songs reference cold and snow and roasting fires.
Christmas tree in the QVB.
If you should find yourself in Sydney around Christmas, there’s plenty to do to enjoy the holiday season that doesn’t involve bundling up or feasting on warm hearty food. A few of my favorites:
- Manly Santa Sunday Session – Held on the second Sunday in December each year, this pub crawl raises money for charity. It’s a lot like SantaCon in NYC, but by the beach.
- The Lights of Christmas – Christmas lights at St. Mary’s Cathedral
- Christmas Markets – Several seasonal craft markets pop up in December around Sydney, convenient for getting all your Christmas shopping done. My favorite is the Finders Keepers market.
- Christmas Lights & Displays – Parts of the city are decorated for Christmas; the best include Martin Place, Pitt Street Mall, and the giant Christmas tree in QVB (which is 24 meters tall and decorated with 82,000 Swarovsky crystals).
New Years Eve in Sydney
New Years Eve in Sydney is LEGENDARY. There’s no better way to ring in the new year than by watching the fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which you can do from numerous different vantage points.
View from Midnight at the Oasis.
In general, 1). You can either pay for a ticketed event which offers a view of the fireworks (quality of view will vary), OR 2). You can head to one of the free viewing places (e.g. Circular Quay, the Rocks, Milsons Point, Mrs. Macquaries Chair) several hours in advance to claim a spot.
A few resources for planning your NYE in Sydney:
- Sydney NYE – the official Sydney NYE site
- What’s On – City of Sydney – has a searchable database that includes NYE events
- Midnight at the Oasis – my account of the ticketed NYE party I went to in the Royal Botanic Garden
Swimming Holes Near Sydney
Lastly, if you’re keen for some outdoor adventures and wild swimming, summer is the best time to head off on a day trip or weekend trips from Sydney to explore the swimming holes outside the city.
Upper Gledhill Falls.
A couple years ago, I invested in the Wild Swimming Sydney book and it has since become my summer bible. It details out hundreds of gorgeous swimming spots in nature within 3 hours of the city. A few favorites:
- Jingga Pool & Minerva Pool – Dharawal National Park
- Upper Gledhill Falls – Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Mermaid Pool – Tahmoor
- Figure 8 Pool – Royal National Park
- Karloo Pool – Royal National Park
- Blue Pool & Jellybean Pool – Glenbrook
- Mares Forest Creek – Wombeyan Caves