Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SYDNEY THROUGH THE YEAR
Sydney's temperate climate
into one another with little to
mark their changeover. Balmy
nights, the sweet, pervasive
scent of jasmine blossom and the
colourful blooming of shrubs and
flowers are typical of spring. Summer
caters for sun- and surf-lovers as
well as being Sydney's festival
season. Autumn, with its warm
days and cooler nights, is often
perfect for bushwalks and picnics.
And the crisp days of winter are
ideal for going on historic walks and
exploring art galleries and museums.
allows for the enjoyment of
outdoor activities through-
out the year. Seasons in Sydney
are the opposite of those in the
northern hemisphere. September
ushers in the three months of
spring; summer stretches from
December to February; March,
April and May are the autumn
months; while the shorter days
and falling temperatures of June
announce the onset of winter. In reality,
however, Sydney seasons often merge
Reveller at the
Mardi Gras
SPRING
With the warmer weather, the
profusion of spring flowers
brings the city's parks and
gardens excitingly to life.
Food, art and music festivals
abound. Footballers finish their
seasons with action-packed
grand finals, professional and
backyard cricketers warm up
for their summer competitions
and the horse-racing fraternity
gets ready to place its bets.
SEPTEMBER
Spring display of tulip beds at the Leura Garden Festival
David Jones Spring Flower
Show
(first two weeks)
,
Elizabeth Street department
store. Breathtaking floral art-
work fills the ground floor.
Festival of the Winds
(dates
vary)
, Bondi Beach
(see
p137)
. Multicultural kite-flying
festival; music, dance.
Primavera
(Sep-mid-Nov)
.
Highly regarded talent-spotting
show at the Museum of
Contemporary Art
(see p73)
.
Tulip Time Bowral
(late Sep-
early Oct)
, Bowral
(see p162).
A two-week festival of open
gardens, talks, specialist shows
and 100,000 tulips in bloom.
Spring Racing Carnival
(Sep-Oct)
. The horse-racing
action is shared between
Rosehill racecourse and the
Royal Randwick racecourse.
Australian Rugby League
Grand Final
, Stadium
Australia, Homebush.
New South Wales Rugby
Union Grand Final
, Sydney
Football Stadium
(see p52)
.
magnificent private gardens
featuring flower displays of
a particularly high standard
may be viewed.
Australian International
Motor Show
(mid-Oct)
,
Sydney Convention and
Exhibition Centre, Darling
Harbour
(see p92)
.
NOVEMBER
Melbourne Cup Day
(first
Tue)
. The city almost grinds to
a halt mid-afternoon to tune
in to Australia's most popular
horse race. Restaurants and
hotels offer special luncheons
on the day.
Sculpture by the Sea
(early
Nov)
, Bondi Beach. Hugely
popular outdoor exhibition
of fantastic sculptures on the
path between Bondi and
Tamarama beaches.
Sydney to the Gong Bicycle
Ride
(first Sun)
. From Moore
Park to Wollongong. Over
10,000 cyclists of all standards
do this 92-km (57-mile) ride.
OCTOBER
Manly International Jazz
Festival
(Labour Day week-
end)
. World-class jazz at a
variety of venues
(see p133)
.
Fiesta
(Labour Day weekend)
,
Darling Harbour
(see pp92-3)
.
Fiestas, parades and festivals
from all nations, including
music, arts, dance, puppets
and fireworks.
Leura Garden Festival
(early
Oct)
, Blue Mountains
(see
pp160-61)
. A village fair
launches the festival, when
Sacred ibis stilt-dancer at the
Sydney in Bloom festival
