The 5 Best Things To Do In Sydney in Autumn

The 5 Best Things To Do In Sydney in Autumn

Throughout much of the world, autumn is regarded as the golden season in all senses of the word: Neither too hot nor too cold and with the foliage revealing all of its splendour before falling into deep winter sleep. In Sydney, autumn is seen as the ideal time to visit the city's attractions not only due to the temperate climate but also because the city tends to be quieter during these months and food, drink, accommodations, etc. are somewhat cheaper.

The 5 Best Things To Do In Sydney in Autumn

Weather: What to Expect

The Australian autumn, which starts on March 1 and ends on May 31, is comfortably temperate, with temperatures that range from around 15°C (59°F) at night to 22°C (72°F) in the daytime. It's a fairly moist season, averaging from 120mm to 135mm of rain per month. March is the wettest month.

Autumn Activities

While autumn is more laid-back than summer in Sydney, there's still lots to see and do around this iconic city. The following five attractions are widely considered to be the best things to do in Sydney in autumn:

The Saint Patrick's Day Parade

With those of Irish descent making up 10 per cent of the Australian population, Saint Patrick's Day in Sydney is a spectacle to behold, involving a parade with drums, bagpipes, and traditional costumes. The parade is typically held on a weekend close to St Patrick's Day (March 17).  In 2021, the parade will take place at the iconic heritage-listed Rocks precinct of Sydney on Saturday the 20th of March. However, please be sure to check local guides as the event is subject to be cancelled due to Australian and New South Wales covid restrictions.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Sydney Royal Easter Show was cancelled in 2020 and may be cancelled in 2021. Held by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales each year at Easter time, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is a celebration of the best of Australian agriculture, with its massive displays of Australian farm produce, thrilling carnival rides, rodeo events, motorcycle and skateboarding stunts, livestock races, woodchopping competitions, parades, fashion shows, etc.

Visit the beaches

In early autumn, the weather in Sydney is often still warm enough for swimming along the eastern shoreline, which is dotted with world-renowned beaches. As the summer crowds have thinned, swimmers often have a more private and relaxing experience in autumn.

Take a walking tour of Sydney

The cooler autumn temperatures and cloudier skies mean that one can walk around Sydney for hours without worrying about heat stroke or the perils of too much sun exposure, making this the perfect season to explore the city on foot. Your walking tour should include a visit to The Rocks, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park, Chinatown, and Darling Harbour.

Visit a museum

The Australian Museum, the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary, and the Powerhouse Museum at Darling Harbour all tend to put on special family-friendly events during the Autumn School Holidays from the 5-16th of April 2021. If you have children.

For more information on things to do in Sydney, check out our resource on things to do in Sydney, in spring.