Best time to visit Sydney

The harbour takes on a softer glow as the angle of light shifts. You'll find walk-up tables at Opera Bar for the first time since March, and the ferry to Manly runs comfortably uncrowded on weekday afternoons. The Royal Botanic Gardens shed their summer crowds, leaving you to wander the palm groves alone. Pack a light rain shell because showers roll in quickly from the west.

The light installations begin at dusk, and you'll want to start at Circular Quay before the after-work crowd arrives. The sandstone of the Museum of Contemporary Art glows with projected patterns, and the Opera House sails shift colour every few minutes. Between showers, the wet pavement reflects the lights, doubling the effect. Grab a spot on the western walkway for the clearest view of the Bridge projections.

The jacarandas along McDougall Street in Kirribilli create a purple tunnel by mid-month, and the petals carpet the footpaths. You'll want to catch Sculpture by the Sea early on weekday mornings before the crowds arrive at Bondi. The harbour takes on a deeper blue as the water warms, and the Opera House forecourt fills with picnickers by 5 PM. Pack a light rain jacket because spring showers arrive without much warning.

The marathon route offers the only time civilians can run across the Harbour Bridge legally. You'll catch runners streaming past the Opera House by 8 AM, and the energy carries through Circular Quay until noon. Spring blossoms start appearing in the Botanic Gardens, and the jacarandas in Kirribilli drop their first purple petals. Pack layers because mornings stay cool but afternoons warm quickly.

The jacarandas in Glebe and Camperdown reach full bloom, turning entire streets purple. You'll find the harbour beaches warm enough for swimming by midday, and the coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte stays busy but manageable on weekdays. The sandstone of the Opera House catches the late-afternoon sun around 6 PM, and the forecourt fills with locals. Don't skip the Diwali markets in Harris Park for food and lights.

You'll need to stake out a New Year's Eve spot by 3 PM if you want a clear view of the Harbour Bridge. The crowds pack ten deep along the foreshore from Mrs Macquarie's Chair to Milsons Point, and the fireworks reflect off the water at midnight. The yacht race start on Boxing Day fills the harbour with white sails, and you can watch from any eastern vantage point. Pack water and patience because the crowds don't thin until well after midnight.

The Opera House forecourt stays quiet on weekday mornings, and you'll have Mrs Macquarie's Chair to yourself by 9 AM. Vivid's closing nights draw smaller crowds, making it easier to photograph the installations without strangers in frame. The harbour wind cuts through jackets, so duck into the Museum of Sydney for warmth between light walks. Whale spouts appear off South Head most afternoons.

You'll notice the summer humidity lingering in the canopy of the Moreton Bay figs along the harbour. The air stays thick even after sunset, and the Opera forecourt catches the last light around 7 PM. Rain interrupts harbour ferries without much notice, so keep a waterproof layer close. The Biennale venues stay open late, offering a cool escape from the sticky streets.

The race route follows William Street and then climbs Heartbreak Hill before dropping to the coast. Even if you're not running, the energy along Oxford Street on race morning is worth catching. Between showers, the winter light makes the sandstone of Sydney University glow amber. The Manly ferry offers whale spotting from the upper deck most afternoons.

The winter sun sits low enough to turn the Opera House shells gold by 3 PM. You'll want to catch the Gap Bluff lookout at South Head when whales breach closest to shore. The Rocks laneways stay quiet on weekday mornings, and you can walk into any cafe without waiting. Pack layers because the harbour wind makes even sunny days feel ten degrees colder.

The sandstone of St Mary's Cathedral glows amber at 7 PM as Oxford Street barriers go up. You'll want to claim your parade spot early because the crowd packs ten deep by showtime. Between storms, the harbour turns mirror-flat, and the evening ferry back to Circular Quay offers a rare breeze. Don't skip the after-party venues in Darlinghurst.

You'll feel the wet heat before you leave Wynyard Station. By noon, George Street footpaths shimmer, and even the shade under the Harbour Bridge offers little relief. The Domain's lawns turn to mud after sudden downpours, and the ferry to Manly becomes the only escape. Grab the upper deck for crosswinds that cut through the sticky air.