Month guide · Sydney · Australia
Sydney in December
What December is really like in Sydney: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Servite et contribuere, CC0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 14.4 hours of daylight. Christmas and New Year make December busy and expensive; harbour-view hotels book out months ahead for New Year's Eve.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 22°C (72°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 3rd-warmest month in Sydney: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (24°C (75°F)), December is warmer; by January highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:39
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 20:02
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F)
Autumn (March–May). Warm, settled weather and a still-swimmable sea in March and April, cooling into crisp sunny days in May as whale season begins.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race start on the harbour (26 December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks over the Harbour Bridge (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Architecture · Sydney CBD
Queen Victoria Building
The QVB fills a whole block of George Street with a Romanesque Revival arcade completed in 1898, crowned by a copper dome and lit by stained glass.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
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Garden · Darling Harbour
Chinese Garden of Friendship
Finish with a pot of tea in the teahouse overlooking the lake, then walk into Chinatown and Haymarket for lunch.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
- Nature
- Photo spot
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Landmark · Bennelong Point
Sydney Opera House
Jørn Utzon's sail-roofed performing arts centre opened in 1973 and is UNESCO World Heritage-listed.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- After dark
- Couples
- Views
Landmark · The Rocks
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Reach the footpath by the stairs from Cumberland Street in The Rocks, walk to Milsons Point and come back by ferry for a different angle.
- Time needed
- 1 hour walk; 3.5 hours to climb
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
The sea averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Sydney.
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 17°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Sydney?
A shoulder-season month, 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 December a good time to visit Sydney?
It is a shoulder-season month. Christmas and New Year make December busy and expensive; harbour-view hotels book out months ahead for New Year's Eve.
+How warm is Sydney in December?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sydney in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.