Month guide · Sydney · Australia
Sydney in August
What August is really like in Sydney: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and often windy, with low hotel rates; ideal for coastal walks and the Blue Mountains, too cold for most swimmers.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 11th-warmest month in Sydney: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with July (17°C (63°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:34
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 17:26
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Spring (September–November). Dry, warm weather, outdoor dining, Sculpture by the Sea and jacaranda blossom, before summer prices arrive in December.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
- City2Surf — mass fun run from the CBD to Bondi (usually the second Sunday of August)
- Sydney Marathon (usually late August or September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Aquarium · Darling Harbour
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
On the eastern shore of Darling Harbour, the aquarium leads through underwater tunnels past sharks and rays, with a large Great Barrier Reef section, penguins and local harbour species.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
,_Queen_Victoria_Building_--_2019_--_3580.jpg){kind=link}
Architecture · Sydney CBD
Queen Victoria Building
Use the underground walkway that links the QVB with Town Hall station for a dry route across the CBD on a wet day.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
.jpg){kind=link}
Garden · Darling Harbour
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Built for Australia's bicentenary in 1988 with Sydney's sister province of Guangdong, this walled Cantonese-style garden at the southern end of Darling Harbour has a lake, waterfalls, pavilions and a teahouse.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
- Nature
- Photo spot
.jpg){kind=link}
Landmark · Bennelong Point
Sydney Opera House
For the classic photo of the Opera House with the Bridge behind it, walk through the Royal Botanic Garden to Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- After dark
- Couples
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 9°C and 6 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Sydney?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Sydney in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Sydney?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Dry, sunny and often windy, with low hotel rates; ideal for coastal walks and the Blue Mountains, too cold for most swimmers.
+How warm is Sydney in August?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sydney in August?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.