Month guide · Sydney · Australia
Sydney in January
What January is really like in Sydney: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 14.2 hours of daylight. Peak summer holidays: warm sea, long evenings and crowded beaches, with occasional heatwaves well above 35°C.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 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 19°C (66°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with December (26°C (79°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:00
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 20:09
- Daylight
- About 14.2 hours
- Sea
- 23°C (73°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, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Sydney Festival — arts events across the city (usually most of January)
- Australia Day — harbour events and fireworks (26 January)
- Lunar New Year celebrations in Haymarket (late January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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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
Landmark · The Rocks
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The steel arch locals call the Coathanger opened in 1932 and carries road, rail and a footpath between The Rocks and Milsons Point.
- Time needed
- 1 hour walk; 3.5 hours to climb
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
Garden · Circular Quay
Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair
Follow the waterside path from the Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Chair early or late in the day, when the light is softest on both landmarks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Couples
- Nature
- Kids
Beach · Bondi
Bondi Beach
Sydney's best-known beach is a kilometre of sand between two sandstone headlands, watched over by the lifeguards made famous on television.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Photo spot
The sea averages 23°C (73°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Sydney.
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 19°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 January a good time to visit Sydney?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 3 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 January a good time to visit Sydney?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Peak summer holidays: warm sea, long evenings and crowded beaches, with occasional heatwaves well above 35°C.
+How warm is Sydney in January?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sydney in January?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.