Summer in Sydney (Without the Beaches)
If there’s one thing Sydney is known for (apart from the harbour and the bridge) it’s summer life at the beaches. Sun, sand and surf: a perfect way to spend the warmer months, right?
Well, not for everybody.
Around 87% of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coastline (according to the 2020 census), and beaches are consistently ranked among the country’s most attractive destinations. But what if you don’t like sand? What if summer crowds are driving you mad? Or it’s simply too hot to be enjoyable?
This is a city that really comes into its own away from the shoreline. Ferry rides that feel like sightseeing tours, shady harbour walks, air-conditioned galleries, outdoor cinemas, late sunsets, and neighbourhoods that only start to buzz once the heat breaks. Summer in Sydney doesn’t have to mean the beach at all. Sometimes it’s better without it.
Sydney’s new GreenWay
Sydney’s latest attraction is aims to be the local version of New York’s High Line, but at twice the length. In short, it’s a walking and cycling trail running from Parramatta Road through Lewisham West and Dulwich Hill. The 6km (or 3.7 miles) connects the Paramatta River at Iron Cove to the Cook’s River (or Goolay'yari) at Earlwood. Along the way, you’ll see parks and playgrounds, historic sites, bush care and more.
🌐 Find out more at the Inner West Council website
A map of the GreenWay (Source: Inner West Council website).
Exploring Sydney by water
If you’re visiting Sydney, chances are good you’re going straight to the Harbour to see the Bridge and the Opera House. But there’s plenty to see around We’ve even written a whole guide about getting around the waterfront and seeing all the icons on a budget.
There’s the Royal Botanic Garden, filled with native plants and wildlife; the peaceful waterfront park of Barangaroo Reserve and a ferry ride can get you to Manly for only $10 on a round trip. There’s also Luna Park, a heritage-listed amusement park
For something a little lower key, Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden just on the north side of the Bridge. Created as a “guerilla garden” and living painting by artist Wendy Whiteley, who was both the wife and muse of artist Brett Whiteley, you can visit it today as a safeguarded part of Sydney.
Don't miss: Cockatoo Island
Part UNESCO site, part industrial ruin, part picnic spot, Cockatoo Island is one of Sydney’s most interesting summer escapes. Filled with historic tunnels to explore, you can even camp overnight there — or should we say glamp if that's more your speed.
Free performances, festivals and summer exhibitions
Sydney in summer is filled with free festivals and performances. Sydney Festival takes over the city for most of January, and not everything is a paid happening. Artworks, concerts, block parties, First Nations nods to country and live music are just some of the things happening around town. (Their website lets you filter by “free” events).
In the iconic rocks, The Laneway Cinema runs from November through February. It’s a free outdoor cinema playing everything from festive favourites to childhood classics. Plus, you’re surrounded by historic buildings.
Of course, the biggest party of the Sydney Summer is on New Year’s Eve, as the iconic fireworks light up the night and most of the Harbour. Be warned: if you don’t like crowds, it’s a zoo at Circular Quay from very early in the day, and getting out is even harder. Great vantage points of the Bridge and fireworks can still be found outside the city centre, including North Sydney (Blues Point, Bradfield Park) for bridge/cityscapes or some of the Inner West parks (Sydney Park, Glebe Foreshore).
Sydney After Dark
Sydney isn’t traditionally known as a nighttime city, but that is slowly changing. With later sunsets and warmer weather, Sydney really does come alive after dark in Sydney. Wander the foreshore on any given night to see the icons lit up, especially in the lead-up to Christmas.
Taronga Zoo offers Roar and Snoar, a glamping experience and Twilight Safaris for all ages. Night markets are available across the city, including the Chinatown markets that run on Fridays from 5pm to 10pm.
Outdoor cinemas abound, from the aforementioned Laneway to Moonlight Cinema in Paddington to the Sunset Cinema in North Sydney. The Skyline Drive-In Cinema in Blacktown offers throwback charm to the ‘50s, while the Westpac OpenAir and Mov'in Bed Beach Cinema at Barangaroo offer some iconic Sydney backdrops while you enjoy the latest flicks.
Sydney Harbour at night
Cool GLAM escapes: Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums
The thing we’ve always loved about the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) sector, apart from being our livelihoods for the last few decades, is that they provide one of the genuine third spaces in almost every city. They are often free, air conditioned and have exhibitions, places to sit and Wi-Fi. In Sydney, the Art Gallery of NSW, the State Library, the Museums of History, City of Sydney Library and the extensive network of public libraries are all open almost every day throughout summer. Plus, you can usually find lots of free things to do and see around the city.
Brew crawls
Nothing says summer like a refreshing beverage at your local. The Sydney beer scene is one of the best in the country, and there are stacks of places to go and get a beverage close to the source. Starting in the city, there’s a DIY trail you can follow: The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, Harts Pub, The Australian Heritage Hotel and Tap Rooms – Endeavour Brewing Co for quick classic schooner or four.
Just over the bridge you have the Manly beer scene of places like 4 Pines, Quaker’s Hat, and Felon’s Brewing. A little further from the beach is 7th Day Brewing and Nomad Brewing.
The Inner West Ale Trail is the beer mecca of Sydney with 16 (and counting) breweries in Newtown, Enmore, St. Peters and, of course, Marrickville. Following our Marrickville Brewery map, you can see how easily walkable it all is. Once you add in Alexandria close by, there’s well over 20 breweries you can hit over the summer.
Just south of the inner city is the Botany beer crawl of One Drop, Fontaine’s and Slow Lane. It’s just 15 minutes from the city or the Inner West, so it’s a nice companion with a different pace.
Now, be warned: a lot of the breweries in the area are basically big warehouses, so air con is not always present. If you don’t fancy catching public transport or a cab/rideshare, you can hire the nice folks at Dave’s to take you and your mates around on a tour. They cover all of greater Sydney, so something for everyone really.
Don't miss: The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre
Hawkes Brewing HQ, named for the former Australian Prime Minister, with its throwback '80s Chinese restaurant called the Lucky Prawn, pool room and dedication to supporting LandCare, it's a community hub as much as a bar.
Fresh film and cool comfort
You can usually find the cinemas open on public holidays, and in the summer sun, the air conditioning doesn’t hurt either. For cinephiles, summer is a great time to see a film as well. Many of the award contenders cram into the cinemas during December through February, giving you a chance to see buzzy films you may have missed as well. In Sydney, there are some great unique cinema experiences as well. Darling Harbour’s IMAX is the second largest IMAX theatre in the Southern Hemisphere, the third largest in the world. The 90-year-old Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne offers new and classic films, often with restored prints. Golden Age Cinema and Bar in Surry Hills is an intimate 60-seat haven for film buffs as well.
Getting out of the city
This may sound like a backhanded compliment, but one of the great things about Sydney is just how fast you can get out of it. (Hey, we’re Sydneysiders, ok!) It’s only a few hours at most in any direction and you
The Blue Mountains are the obvious choice, and for good reason: higher altitude, bushwalks with actual cover, and towns like Leura and Blackheath let you browse second-hand books, antiques and enjoy local markets and food. Closer in, Lane Cove and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Parks offer bushland and river walks that feel a world away without requiring a full day’s travel.
Or if it’s took hot for a hike, try going inland to Bowral or Mittagong for tree-lined streets, bookshops, galleries and long lunches.