Best time to visit New South Wales

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New South Wales

Best time of year to visit New South Wales

Even though there is no such thing as a bad season in Australia, September through November and March through May are considered the best times to visit New South Wales. You’ll find moderate crowds, mild sunny weather, and bright blue skies. Relaxing on the beach, participating in the Blackmores Sydney Running Marathon, or exploring numerous hiking trails are just a few options to choose from. Pack light layers and a jacket if you are planning a trip to New South Wales in winter. There are plenty of things to do from June to August, especially if you are a whale enthusiast or a movie addict. Summer in New South Wales can get intolerably hot, but luckily there is air conditioning everywhere. As a bonus, there are plenty of beaches and magnificent oceanside lap pools to help you cool off. Be sure to add the New Year's Fireworks in Sydney to your agenda, and treat yourself to this unforgettable event.

12 THINGS TO DO IN NEW SOUTH WALES (MAY 26 - JUNE 04)

Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney

May 24–June 15, 2024 • event

An award winning festival and the best tourist event in Sydney

Climbing Mount Kosciuszko

Climbing Mount Kosciuszko

November–May • activity

Australia's top summit might be called the smallest largest mountain in the world, four times less than Everest

Pine Mushrooms (Saffron Milk Caps)

Pine Mushrooms (Saffron Milk Caps)

March–May • food

These grow in places where the soil is densely covered with old coniferous needles, and often hide under them

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

all year round • activity

The Sydney Opera House is one of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings

Quince

Quince

March–July • food

One of the latest fruits of the year that will brighten up any dessert!

Hiking in NSW

Hiking in NSW

March–November • activity

Satisfy your inner explorer with some of the most scenic hiking trails around New South Wales

Whale Watching in NSW

Whale Watching in NSW

May–November • nature

Witness northern or southern migration of these majestic mammals from land or boat

Bicentennial National Trail

Bicentennial National Trail

April–November (southbound) | September–May (northbound) • activity

Thousands of miles winding through the wildest corridor along Australia's east coast was once passable by horse riders only

Scenic World Blue Mountains

Scenic World Blue Mountains

all year round • activity

Have a great time in one of the most fabulous tourist attractions of New South Wales

Macadamia

Macadamia

March–June • food

Taste the nut which is worth going nuts for

Pumpkin Season

Pumpkin Season

March–August • food

Pumpkin seeds were brought to Australia on the First Fleet back in 1788

Capsicum

Capsicum

December–May • food

This glossy and brightly colored fruit will be a good addition to your meal

25 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Sydney New Year's Fireworks

Sydney New Year's Fireworks

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

About one million people crowd to vantage points around the harbor for this dazzling pyrotechnics display

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

out of rangeAugust 19–27, 2023 • event

Hanami season occurs at Auburn Botanic Gardens every spring

Halloween in Sydney

Halloween in Sydney

out of rangeOctober 20–31, 2023 • event

Get into the holiday spirit with magical cruises, houses of horrors, and a zombie walk

Winter Magic Festival

Winter Magic Festival

unconfirmedJune 24, 2023 • event

Celebrate winter solstice in the beautiful Blue Mountains

Chinese New Year in Sydney

Chinese New Year in Sydney

out of rangeFebruary 10–25, 2024 • event

Celebrate the Year of the Ox with traditional food, fireworks, and festivities around the city

Electric Gardens Festival

Electric Gardens Festival

out of rangeMarch 30–April 7, 2024 (March 30—Melbourne, March 31—Sydney, April 6-7—Perth) • event

Electronic-centric music festival in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth

Boxing Day

Boxing Day

out of rangeDecember 26 • event

One of the best days to go shopping or enjoy a family BBQ

Sydney Marathon

Sydney Marathon

out of rangeSeptember 15, 2024 • event

Take in the numerous spectacular landmarks of the city during an unforgettable run

Flying Duck Orchid

Flying Duck Orchid

out of rangeSeptember–January • nature

Tiny flower resembling a flying duck lures insects into its arms, captivates, and enslaves them

Mountain Pygmy Possum

Mountain Pygmy Possum

out of rangeNovember–February • nature

A rare kind of possum once considered an extinct species is now found in a decent population of some 2600 individuals, yet only within 10 km radius of Australia's highlands

Parkes Elvis Festival

Parkes Elvis Festival

out of rangeJanuary 8-12, 2025 • event

Experience one of the most significant tributes to Elvis in the world

Sydney Film Festival

Sydney Film Festival

out of rangeJune 5-16, 2024 • event

Tune yourself to be the first in Australia to see the most brilliant and inspiring premiers

Sydney Royal Easter Show

Sydney Royal Easter Show

out of rangeMarch 22-April 2, 2024 • event

Watch how "city meets country" in Sydney

Sydney Mardi Gras

Sydney Mardi Gras

out of rangeFebruary 16–March 3, 2024 • event

Celebrate queer culture at the jaw dropping parade

Festival of the Winds

Festival of the Winds

unconfirmedJuly 14, 2023 • event

Great fun on one of Sydney's most famous beaches

Snowtunes

Snowtunes

on holdAugust 30–31, 2019 • event

A music festival in snowy mountains—a one of its kind in Australia

Wings, Wheels & Wine

Wings, Wheels & Wine

out of rangeApril 23, 2023 • event

The annual festival celebrating the best of the Mudgee region

Byron Bay Bluesfest

Byron Bay Bluesfest

out of rangeMarch 28-April 1, 2024 • event

One of the leading contemporary blues and roots music festivals in Australia

Manly Jazz

Manly Jazz

out of rangeSeptember 22–24, 2023 • event

Jazz on the beach and much more in northern Sydney

Deni Ute Muster

Deni Ute Muster

out of rangeOctober 4-5, 2024 • event

An Australian festival celebrating the car culture

Easter

Easter

out of rangeMarch 29–April 1, 2024 • event

Easter Bilbies, shows, and festivals—there's something extraordinary about Easter celebrations in Australia

Sydney Rock Oyster

Sydney Rock Oyster

out of rangeSeptember–March • food

Are you ready to taste these fancy little bivalves with a glass of Champagne?

Asparagus

Asparagus

out of rangeSeptember–November • food

In most refined dishes, asparagus should maintain its taste and structure: it should be slightly soft, but not too much

Surfest

Surfest

out of rangeFebruary 10-March 17, 2024 • event

Australia's biggest surfing festival with a wide array of activities in and out of water

City2Surf

City2Surf

out of rangeAugust 11, 2024 • event

Join thousands of runners from central Sydney to a scenic beach

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