Best Things to Do In Spring In Sydney (2025)

SEARCHING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY IN SPRING? LOOK NO FURTHER!

Spring in Sydney is spectacular! The city comes alive with vibrant festivals, blooming flowers, and perfect weather that makes you want to spend every moment outdoors. From September to November, Sydney showcases one of its most beautiful seasons, with jacarandas painting the streets purple, paper daisies adding bursts of color to gardens, whale migrations passing by the coast, and world-class festivals filling the calendar.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect jacaranda photo spot, planning a camping adventure, or wanting to experience the city’s incredible spring festivals, here’s your guide to the best things to do In spring In sydney. From the quirky Sculpture by the Sea installations to the aromatic delights of Sydney Beer Week, there’s something special happening every weekend!

When is Spring In Sydney?

Spring in Sydney spans from September to November, marking a season of mild temperatures, sunny days, and cooler mornings and evenings. Rainfall is generally low during this transitional period from winter, making it an ideal time to enjoy outdoor activities and festivals. With temperatures ranging between 11°C and 23°C (52°F to 73°F), spring brings vibrant blooms, whale migrations along the coast, and a host of events across the city and surrounding regions.

Spring in NSW also brings a wave of events and celebrations across the city and beyond. I’ve rounded up some of the most popular festivals happening in Sydney and NSW below.

And of course, it’s jacaranda season. The dreamy purple blooms take over streets and parks, with Lavender Bay and Kirribilli among the best places to see them. But don’t worry, there’s so much more going on than just flowers—these are some of the best things to do in sydney in spring!

Spring Activities in Sydney

1. The Sydney Fringe Festival

• 🗓️ 1 – 30 September 2025
• 📍 Newtown, Marrickville & Surry Hills, Inner West Sydney

The Sydney Fringe Festival brings independent artists, performers, and creative minds together throughout the city. This celebration of experimental arts takes place across numerous venues throughout Sydney, from intimate bars to converted warehouses.

Expect everything from avant-garde theater and comedy shows to interactive installations and musical performances. The festival particularly shines in neighborhoods like Surry Hills, Newtown, and the Inner West, where creative energy is already bubbling. Many shows are affordable, making it accessible for everyone to experience Sydney’s artistic underground.

2. Sculpture By the Sea

• 🗓️ 17 October – 3 November 2025
• 📍 Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach

Returning to Bondi as the world’s largest free-to-the-public sculpture exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea is one you can’t miss! One of the best things to do in Sydney in spring, it features sculptures along the coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama, creating an outdoor art gallery. More than 100 sculptures by local and international artists line the clifftop path, creating an extraordinary fusion of art, ocean, and landscape.

3. Sydney Beer Week

• 🗓️ 17 October – 3 November 2025
• 📍 Various pubs & breweries across Sydney CBD & Inner West

Sydney Beer Week is a paradise for craft beer enthusiasts, featuring over 300 events across the city’s best pubs, breweries, and restaurants. From exclusive brewery tours and beer-paired dinners to quirky events like “Beer Yoga” and brewing masterclasses, the week celebrates everything hoppy and malty.

The festival highlights Sydney’s thriving craft beer scene, with many local breweries launching limited-edition spring ales and seasonal brews. Special events often sell out quickly, so booking ahead is essential for the most popular experiences.

4. Festival of the Winds Bondi

• 🗓️ 14 September 2025
• 📍 Bondi Beach, Eastern Suburbs

Bondi Beach hosts the Southern Hemisphere’s largest kite festival, where the sky fills with colorful kites of every imaginable shape and size. This free family event features kite-making workshops, cultural performances, and food stalls representing Sydney’s diverse communities.

Professional kite flyers demonstrate spectacular aerial choreography, while children can participate in kite-making activities using eco-friendly materials. The festival celebrates wind power and environmental awareness, making it both entertaining and educational.

5. Sydney Spring Carnival

• 🗓️ 23 August – 22 November 2025
• 📍 Royal Randwick & Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney

The Sydney Spring Racing Carnival brings the excitement of horse racing to Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens. Starting in early August and running through November, this carnival features over $87 million in prize money and world-class racing events. Events range from intimate race days to the grand finale, the Championships, each with its own character and dress code. Many attendees make the fashion component as important as the racing, with spring racing fashion becoming an art form in itself. This remains one of the best things to do in Sydney for a quintessential spring experience.

Best Things to Do in Spring in Sydney

6. Hunt Jacaranda Trees in Sydney

• 🗓️ October 18 to November 30, 2025
• 📍 Kirribilli, Lavender Bay & Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

If you are wondering where to see jacarandas in Sydney, the best jacaranda hunting spots include McDougall Street in Kirribilli, Blues Point Road near Luna Park, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Each location provides different photographic opportunities, from tree-lined streets to harbor views framed by purple blooms.

Sydney’s jacaranda season is legendary, with streets becoming purple-carpeted wonderlands from October to November. These South American natives have become synonymous with Sydney spring, creating Instagram-worthy backdrops throughout the city.

Jacaranda hunting has become a beloved Sydney tradition, with locals and visitors alike planning routes to capture the perfect shot. The blooms typically last 4-6 weeks, with peak flowering varying by location and weather conditions.

7. Go Camping!

• 📍Blue Mountains & Hawkesbury region, NSW

What better time than spring to go on a camping trip around Sydney? (Okay, autumn is a close competitor!) If you’re craving a chance to wake up under the stars, these are the places we recommend.

• Cathedral Reserve – Mount Irvine
  This is one of the best free camping spots near Sydney, just under 2 hours from the city. Located along Mount Irvine Road, right across from the magical Cathedral of Ferns, the reserve is a large open space surrounded by liquidambars that burst into color during spring and autumn. There’s even a walking trail into the rainforest behind the reserve, which is occasionally open to the public.

• Cattai Campground – Cattai National Park
  Tucked along the Hawkesbury River, this is a peaceful and family-friendly campground that’s perfect for a weekend escape. You can go bike riding, canoeing, or just relax with a riverside picnic. The site has toilets, showers, and BBQ facilities—just make sure to book ahead as it fills up quickly in spring.You can check availability and fees on the NSW National Parks website.

8. Go On These Scenic Walks

• Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk – 10 km harbor walk
• 📍Mosman, North Shore
• Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk – stunning coastal views
• 📍Palm Beach, Northern Beaches

Sydney in spring is the best time to embrace adventure and immerse yourself in the great outdoors! The Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk stretches 10 spectacular kilometers, revealing breathtaking views of the Opera House while showcasing Sydney’s rich flora, including ancient angophoras and the melodious calls of New Holland honeyeaters dancing through the trees.

For a beautiful sunset, the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk is, in our opinion, one of the best short walks in Sydney! It makes for a great day trip from Sydney, only around an hour’s drive away, where you can take a guided film tour of the beach, spot some whales, and of course, catch a beautiful sunset. here.

9. Visit the Breenhold Gardens in the Blue Mountains

• 📍Mount Wilson

Breenhold Gardens emerges as the undisputed showstopper during both autumn and spring, with spring certainly not falling behind in its spectacular display! Early September transforms the gardens into a golden wonderland as thousands of daffodils and jonquils burst into full bloom. As the season progresses, magnificent rhododendrons and camellias take center stage!

Located at Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains region, approximately two hours’ drive from Sydney CBD, Breenhold Gardens comprises 45 hectares of luxuriant gardens, parkland, and native bushland.

Over six decades, many thousands of exotic and indigenous trees and flowering shrubs have been planted, their origins representing every continent on Earth. In spring, you’ll find hundreds of flowering azaleas and rhododendrons, alongside Japanese cherry trees, magnolias, and dogwood.

10. See Paper Daisies in Sydney

• 🗓Early September – Early to Mid-October (spring)
• 📍 Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan

Paper daisies in Sydney are a must-see during the spring. These blooms are part of the stunning variety of spring flowers Australia is famous for, adding bursts of pink, white, and yellow to the season. See our reel here to know what its like!

11. Visit the Tulip Time Flower Festival in Bowral

• 🗓 12 September – 6 October 2025
• 📍 Corbett Gardens, Bowral

Tulip Time Bowral, the beloved annual festival, is in the Southern Highlands. Held in the charming Southern Highlands town of Bowral, it features over 80,000 mass-planted tulips and annual flowers, transforming Corbett Gardens into a Dutch-inspired wonderland. Beyond admiring the stunning tulip displays throughout the gardens, visitors discover numerous specialty shops, artisan markets, and engaging activities.

A special Family Fun Day on September 20th includes face painting, interactive workshops, and activities (detailed program to be announced). Running from September 12 to October 6, this festival represents one of spring’s most unique and Instagram-worthy experiences near Sydney.

12. Visit these Free Gardens for Spring Flowers in Sydney

Several magnificent gardens showcase Sydney’s spring beauty in all its glory. While the city is renowned for its jacarandas, you’ll discover an incredible variety of blooming flowers throughout the season. We have mentioned the best gardens to find spring flowers in Sydney here.

13. Go Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley

• 📍 Pokolbin & Lovedale, Hunter Valley

Yes, you read that correctly! We highly recommend planning a Hunter Valley wine tasting adventure for spring, when the region becomes exceptionally scenic. Spring offers the perfect opportunity to sample seasonal flavors and spring wines, renowned for their light, refreshing, and aromatic qualities that perfectly complement the season’s awakening energy.

The rolling vineyard landscapes, dotted with spring wildflowers and backed by the dramatic Brokenback Mountains, create an enchanting setting for wine exploration. Many wineries offer special spring releases and garden parties that celebrate the season’s renewal.

14. Hop on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

• 📍 Camden Valley, South-West Sydney / Hunter Valley

While exploring Hunter Valley, indulge in one of our favorite Sydney bucket-list experiences—a magical hot-air balloon ride! We completed ours in Camden Valley, about an hour from Sydney, and the experience exceeded every expectation.

Balloon Aloft, the company operating in the region and Australia’s largest running balloon company, provided an experience straight out of a storybook while maintaining impeccable safety standards. Though we flew during autumn, the ride felt surprisingly warm, so we recommend bringing layers that can be stored in the support bus during the flight. Drifting silently above the patchwork landscape as the sun rises creates an almost spiritual connection with the land below.

15. Head Over to the Floriade Festival

• 🗓️ 13 September – 12 October 2025
• 📍 Commonwealth Park, Canberra (3 hours from Sydney)

Floriade Festival, Australia’s biggest spring celebration, is held in Canberra from 13 September to 12 October 2025, just a few hours’ drive from Sydney. The festival transforms Commonwealth Park into a vibrant sea of over one million blooms, including tulips, daffodils, and other spring flowers arranged in stunning themed displays.

Beyond the floral spectacle, Floriade offers live entertainment, workshops, markets, and gourmet food experiences. Special events include NightFest (2–5 October), Dogs’ Day Out (12 October), and The Great Big Bulb Dig (13 October), making it a perfect full-day or weekend spring getaway from Sydney.

16. Visit Port Stephens

• 📍Port Stephens, 2.5 hours north of Sydney

Port Stephens emerges as an ideal spring destination, offering a perfect blend of coastal beauty and outdoor adventure just two hours north of Sydney. Spring brings optimal weather for dolphin-watching cruises in the pristine waters, where playful bottlenose dolphins frequently approach boats with curious enthusiasm. Find our complete guide to the best things to do in Port Stephens here.

The region’s 26 golden beaches invite exploration, from the family-friendly Shoal Bay to the adventurous dunes of Stockton Beach. Spring’s mild temperatures make it perfect for hiking the Tomaree Head Summit walk, which rewards climbers with panoramic views across the coastline and surrounding national parks.

17. Attend the Manly Jazz Festival

• 🗓 19 – 21 September 2025
• 📍 Manly Beach & The Corso

The annual Manly Jazz Festival transforms the beachside suburb into a musical paradise during spring’s long weekend celebrations. This free community festival fills Manly’s streets, parks, and venues with the smooth sounds of jazz, from intimate acoustic sessions to full big band performances.

Street performers entertain crowds along the Corso, while established venues host renowned Australian and international jazz artists. The festival’s relaxed atmosphere perfectly captures Manly’s laid-back beach culture, allowing visitors to wander between venues, grab fish and chips, and enjoy world-class music with the ocean as a backdrop.

18. Try Luxury Glamping in Glenworth Valley

• 📍 Glenworth Valley, Central Coast (1 hour north of Sydney)

For those seeking outdoor adventure without sacrificing comfort, Glenworth Valley offers luxury glamping experiences that perfectly capture spring’s magic. Located in the pristine Central Coast wilderness, just 90 minutes from Sydney, these safari-style tents provide hotel-level amenities while maintaining an authentic connection to nature.

Wake to the sounds of native birds and enjoy your morning coffee while watching kangaroos graze in nearby fields. There are numerous activities, including horseback riding, quad biking, and kayaking, all enhanced by spring’s perfect weather and the valley’s spectacular wildflower displays.

19. Explore Kirribilli

• 📍 Kirribilli, Lower North Shore

The charming harborside suburb of Kirribilli becomes even more enchanting during spring, when jacaranda trees line its quiet streets and the harbor sparkles under clearer skies. Beyond its famous jacaranda displays, Kirribilli offers boutique shopping, cozy cafes, and some of Sydney’s best harbor views.

The weekly Kirribilli Markets showcase local artisans and vintage finds, while the nearby Luna Park provides nostalgic fun with harbor views. A leisurely walk through Kirribilli tree-lined streets reveals hidden gardens, heritage architecture, and peaceful harbor foreshores perfect for spring picnics.

20. Take One of these days From Sydney!

Spring opens up incredible day trip opportunities from Sydney; for more details, check our day trips from Sydney guide.

• Blue Mountains: Beyond Breenhold Gardens, explore Leura’s spring garden festival, hike the Three Sisters track, and enjoy high tea with mountain views.
• Royal National Park: Australia’s second-oldest national park bursts with spring wildflowers, offering coastal walks and pristine beaches.
• Hawkesbury River: Cruise the historic river system, visit riverside towns, and enjoy fresh seafood with spring river views.
• Southern Highlands: Explore historic Berrima, visit Bowral’s tulip festival, and discover boutique wineries amid rolling spring landscapes.
  

FAQs: Spring in Sydney

Which Gardens are the Best to Visit in Sydney During Spring?

The Royal Botanic Gardens lead the list with diverse spring blooms and harbor views, while the Chinese Garden of Friendship offers serene beauty with spring blossoms. Don’t miss the Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden for intimate harbor views, and Centennial Parklands for expansive spring displays. For day trips, Breenhold Gardens in the Blue Mountains and the tulip festival in Bowral provide spectacular seasonal shows.

What are the Famous Spring Festivals in Sydney?

Sydney’s spring festival calendar includes the Sydney Fringe Festival, featuring innovative arts performances across the city. The Manly Jazz Festival brings world-class music to the beachside suburb, while the Night Noodle Markets offer culinary adventures in Hyde Park. Don’t miss the Royal Easter Show (early spring) and numerous garden festivals celebrating the season’s blooms.

What are the Top Things to Do During Spring in Sydney?

Priority spring activities include jacaranda hunting in Kirribilli and the Royal Botanic Gardens, whale watching cruises from Circular Quay, scenic coastal walks like the Bondi to Coogee track, exploring the Blue Mountains’ spring gardens, wine tasting in Hunter Valley, camping in nearby national parks, and enjoying outdoor markets and festivals throughout the city. Each activity takes advantage of spring’s perfect weather and the city’s natural awakening.

What to wear during Spring in Sydney?

When making your Australia packing list, include versatile clothing that works for both city sightseeing and outdoor adventures. For what to wear during spring in Sydney, pack light layers like t-shirts, a cardigan or jacket for cooler evenings, comfortable walking shoes, and a hat for sunny days.

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Wrap-Up: Spring in Sydney

That’s a wrap on the best things to do in Sydney this spring! Let us know which ones you’re trying out this season, and feel free to drop your questions or suggestions in our DMs.

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