Sydney is amongst the most famous tourist destinations in the world and for good reasons! The beautiful coastal city is home to many distinct physical landmarks including the iconic Sydney Opera House with its sail-like design, the arched Harbour Bridge, the enormous Darling Harbour, and more! Yes, there may be some rainfall in August but the 10 rainy days are offset by plenty of sunny ones. The stunning city isn't just buildings and concrete, though! There are gorgeous beaches and national parks within and around the city, creating a wonderful symphony of the natural and the man-made. Beyond its iconic attractions, Sydney's unique blend of laid-back charm and glamour sets it apart. Planning to visit Sydney in August? Read this blog to plan your trip better!
What makes Sydney in August Special?
Low season advantages
Sydney in August is considered low season due to cooler weather. This means fewer tourists, resulting in lower hotel prices and cheaper flights. If you prefer avoiding crowds, August is an ideal time to visit. The city becomes more accessible and budget-friendly, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of its attractions.
Time-saving benefits
The lack of crowds in August offers a significant advantage: time savings. During peak seasons, popular attractions often have long waiting lines. In August, these lines are virtually non-existent, allowing you to explore more efficiently. You can maximize your visit by experiencing more attractions and activities without wasting time in queues.
Vibrant events and festivals
Despite being the low season, Sydney in August is far from dull. The city hosts numerous exciting events and festivals during this month. From the iconic City2Surf Run to the thrilling Bledisloe Cup, there's something for everyone.
Sydney in August: Weather
Sydney in August is bang in the middle of the winter season, although July happens to be the coldest month. The average high during August falls around 18.9 degrees Celsius and the average low is approximately 9.7 degrees Celsius. The daily mean in Sydney in August is 14.3 degrees Celsius and average rainfall is around 91.8 mm. There are occasional biting winds, especially along the beaches and coastal suburbs but there are dry and sunny days as well. If you don't mind the cold, August is a great time to visit Sydney.
Things to do in Sydney in August
1
Skydiving in Sydney
Prepare for the jump of a lifetime as you take off from 15000 feet in the air. Skydiving is one of the most popular adventure sports in Sydney and the breathtaking views of the city from up in the air and spectacularly unique. The best part? You don't have to spend days training for the jump because you'll be jumping with a trained tandem master. The experience is safe and you don't have to worry about navigation since the tandem master controls your movement.
Skydive Newcastle, Lake Macquarie Airport, 864 Pacific Highway, Marks Point,
Australia
Getting There ›
2
The National Maritime Museum
Featuring maritime collections and exhibits, the National Maritime Museum explores the relationship between Australia and the sea. You'll also get the opportunity to learn more about the aboriginal people of Australia, and the country's ties to surfing and immigration. Historical vessels are on display as well, and on some days, you might be able to tour them as well!
August Timings
Daily: 10am - 4pm
2 Murray St, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
3
Sydney Harbour Cruise
Sydney is renowned for its stunning harbours and your trip to the city is incomplete without embarking on a beautiful Sydney Harbour cruise. A Harbour cruise covers all the iconic parts of the city, including the Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens, Harbor Bridge, Garden Island Naval base, Taronga Zoo, Government House and more. There are various kinds of cruise options you can choose from including dinner cruise, cocktail cruise, and more.
August Timings
Depends on the tour you choose
Circular Quay Wharf No.6, Sydney
Harbour, Sydney
Getting There ›
4
Blue Mountains
A breathtaking range of mountains located approximately 56 km from Sydney, Blue Mountains make for an exciting tourist attraction. Given their proximity to the city, you can opt for a 1-day tour of the mountains and witness the glorious peaks, thriving rainforest and rolling green valleys. There are various short treks available in the Blue Mountains for the adventure junkies as well.
August Timings
Depends on the tour you choose
New South Wales 2787, Australia
Getting There ›
5
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Get up close and personal with the marine life of Australia, featuring over 13,000 animals from 650 species. The aquarium features a stunning 360-degree ocean tunnel, interactive displays, and a shark valley where you can walk among grey reef sharks and stingrays. Additionally, the aquarium offers behind-the-scenes tours, animal feedings, and a chance to snorkel or dive with the sharks.
August Timings
Depends on the tour you choose
1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Getting There ›
6
Taronga Zoo
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife and there's no better place to experience it than at the Taronga Zoo, one of Australia's largest zoos. This 100-year-old zoo houses over 4000 animals from more than 350 species. The zoo is segregated into eight geographical regions, each based on a particular theme. At the zoo, you can also get pictures clicked with native Australian animals, including wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, wallabies and more.
August Timings
Daily: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Bradley's Head Road, Mosman, Sydney,
Australia
Getting There ›
7
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is the most iconic landmark on the Sydney skyline and has become synonymous with the city. Attracting over 8 million visitors annually, the Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt for a guided tour of the opera house to best experience this majestic performance venue. Alternatively, you can also watch a performance at the Sydney Opera House for a memorable experience.
Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
8
Madame Tussauds
Renowned around the world, Madame Tussauds is now in Sydney as well. The iconic global wax museum is divided into eight individual themed sections like Film and TV, Marvel, History and World Leaders. Click selfies with life-like wax figures of your favorite celebrities and fictional characters. Some popular figurines include personalities like Jackie Chan, Barack Obama, Kylie Minogue, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Gibson, the British Royal family, Don Bradman, Angelina Jolie and others.
August Timings: Daily 9:30am - 5pm
1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
Sydney in August : Events to Look Out For
Sydney International Boat Show
August 1 - 4, 2024
Taking place in the first week of August, the Sydney International Boat Show is recommended for people who have even a tiny bit of interest in anything marine. The show features an indoor and outdoor component and showcases all manners of vessels, from the latest premium yachts to lower-end tinnies.
Sydney Science Festival
August 10 - 17, 2024
During the annual National Science Week, Sydney research institutions, museums, cultural centres and universities put together a massive event exploring the areas of science, engineering, art, mathematics, and technology. The 8-day Sydney Science festival will be organized across different venues, with major centers at the Australian Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.
City2Surf
August 11, 2024
A famous annual road running event covering a 14 km course, the City2Surf is another must-attend activity in Sydney in August. The event is both a race and a fun run and brings together both competitive runners and community participants.
Sydney in August: Essentials
LanguageEnglish
Time zoneGMT+11
Country Code+61
Socket Type I
CurrencyAustralian Dollar
Where to stay in Sydney in August
Sydney is a very popular tourist destination and attracts millions of visitors annually. To make space for all these tourists, the city is well-equipped with hotels, hostels and guest houses for all budget types. Here are a few options you can choose from:
- Luxury Hotels: Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, Sir Stamford At Circular Quay.
- Mid-Range: Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks, Ibis Sydney World Square, The Ultimo.
- Budget Hotels: Song Hotel, Maze Backpackers, The Jensen Potts Point.
What to pack for Sydney in August
Winter is in full swing in Sydney in August and you need to pack keeping the cold weather in mind. Apart from your regular jeans, shirts and tops, pack an overcoat or jacket to protect you from the cold winds. Also, bring scarves and gloves for when you're out and about in the city. There's a possibility of rain in the city during August as well so you should pack an umbrella and a raincoat as well. You will be exploring the city on foot during the day. Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes. While it's not advisable to swim at the beaches in August, you should still bring some sunscreen if you're planning on visiting one.
Getting around in Sydney in August
Sydney has a robust public infrastructure, including a well-connected transport network. The city's public transport network includes buses, ferries, metros, light rail, and on-demand services like taxis as well.
Sydney's Central Station serves as the main train station in the city and is connected to most of the popular tourist attractions. The buses are also an option, but keeping the city's troublesome traffic situation in mind, not the best one. During a weekday, be mindful of the peak traffic during office hours from 07:00 AM to 09:00 AM.
One of the best reasons to pick public transport in Sydney is the Opal card. This card saves you the hassle of buying individual tickets for each mode of transport and is valid for bus, rail, light rail and ferry services.
Sydney in August: Seasonal Delicacies
Featuring a pastry crust often seen in Western cakes with the bold Asian flavor of green curry, Green Chicken Curry Pie makes for a very interesting and unique culinary experience. Eat at: Hamlet’s Coffee & Pies
Australia is blessed with a rich source of fresh seafood. This seafood pizza with a cake base is filled with the best fresh seafood caught from the seas of Australia. and the Farmer. Eat at: Da Mario
Kangaroo meat is low in fat, good for health and tastes great. While the meat is available in different forms, including fried and steamed, it's best had grilled at rare or medium rare. Eat at: I’m Angus Steakhouse
Burgers are available throughout the world but there's nothing quite like the beetroot burger available in Sydney. One or more slices of red beetroot are added inside the kernel of burger, just above a piece of delicious minced Australian beef. Eat at: Burgerman
Often referred to as “Australia’s national cake”, a lamington is a square sponge cake coated with cold chocolate and dried coconut. Some versions of the lamington consist of two half cakes with a layer of cream or jam in the middle. Eat at: My Little Cupcake
Tips for visiting Sydney in August
- Sydney is amongst the most well-developed cities in the world, a fact reflected in the city's thriving public transport network. Make good use of Sydney's public transport and save a lot of money on travel within the city. The smartest way to do that is by opting for an Opal card. This handy card can be used on trains, ferries, buses and the light rail.
- While Sydney boasts a stellar public transport network, there's nothing that rivals the experience of walking around the Central Business District and its beautiful surrounding suburbs. You can even cross the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge on foot!
- Sydney is a very busy city and there are a lot of people out and about living their lives. Try and avoid scheduling timed activities and attractions during rush hour since there's a lot of traffic from the office crowd. If it cannot be avoided, make sure to leave well in advance.
- There are a lot of beautiful handicrafts you can buy in Sydney. But please be mindful of the rules and regulations associated with handicrafts made in Australia, When you buy any such items, make sure you have the relevant documentation for it to avoid any customs trouble.
- Sydney has very strict rules about smoking in public. There are signs everywhere, including playgrounds, train stations, building entrances, eateries, and even certain public recreation areas. If you’re caught smoking in a no-smoking zone, chances are that you’ll have to shell out a huge fine.
- Instead of hailing a taxi during rush hours, it's best to book a cab using any of the taxi apps here. Taxis booked via apps are cheaper compared to the regular taxi and the apps are extremely easy to use as well. Take note that markets, malls, restaurants, bars, and even galleries are open till late into the night and taxis are also available during that time.
- Aussies are known for their friendly nature, but keep things casual! Avoid prying into personal matters like finances or weight - it's not the done thing. And remember, Sydney takes pride in its cleanliness, so make sure you don’t litter in public spaces.
