The top travelling tips for Sydney tourists, no matter the season or reason
Planning a trip to Sydney doesn’t have to make you sweat. Through careful planning and preparation, your trip – whether for business or pleasure – Can go as smoothly as can be! The key is to come up with a list of your travel essentials, and focus on careful planning. In this article, we provide tips and reminders on what to do and bring when travelling to the beautiful city of Sydney.
Dressing for the four seasons
Just like most other countries, Australia experiences four distinct seasons – though they may all be a little warmer than those in in Europe and America! Winter comes in June through to August, the time when Sydney experiences temperatures between 8.8 and 17 degrees Celsius. Summer is from November to February. It’s important to take note of the time you’re visiting as the Sydney winter could be chilly and windy, and summer time can be extremely humid with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius. It’s no wonder that it’s great to get some tips on dressing for the different seasons such as:
Spring: September to November
Spring is arguably the best time to visit Sydney. Temperatures remain in the 20s throughout the day and can drop to about 12 degrees Celsius during the evening. This marvellous weather allows visitors to enjoy the city without being too hot or too cold.
Sydney is quite casual, so your luggage should contain mainly tank tops, t-shirts and shorts. Night time becomes a little bit nippy and sometimes rainy, so it won’t hurt to pack a light jacket and comfy hoodie as well.
Summer: December to February
Those looking to go beach-hopping, summer is the time to go. Average temperatures in Sydney range from 18.6 to 25.8 degrees Celsius during Summer, but inner suburbs can get temperatures as high as 42 degrees Celsius.
Bathers, cover-ups or wraps, tank tops, shorts and sunnies are all you will ever need during the day. A light sweater will come in handy during the night. Thongs, also called sandals or flip flops, are typical footwear when going to the beach. And don’t forget a hat and sunscreen – In Australia the risk of sunburn is higher than some other countries, and it’s important to stay sun-safe.
Autumn: March to May
Autumn is when the humidity drops and temperatures range from 14.6 to 22.2 degrees Celsius. Though a bit chillier than spring and summer, it is still warm enough for visitors to enjoy the beaches around Sydney. It is recommended to bring clothes that are a bit warmer, such as jeans, long-sleeved shirts and jackets. This season can be highly enjoyable for those who love hiking or long walks, as the cooler temperatures make these activities far more comfortable – such as spending the day in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney.
Winter: June to August
Winter in Sydney is still warm by most travellers standards – July is the coolest month with an average temperature of 13 degrees Celsius. It is best to pack a jacket or two that are warm enough for when the temperature drops to below 10 degrees. Sydney’s rainfall is also the highest during this season, so bringing a waterproof jacket is important. Wetsuits are your best bet if you are really dying to go to the beach.
Regardless of the season, your luggage should contain some dressier clothes. They will come in handy, especially if you want to get into nightclubs and restaurants – many will have a more formal dress code.
Now that we’ve got your outfit covered, we’ll clue you in on other important travel essentials that you should not do without – gadgets. Here are a few things to pack in your backpack or carry bag.
Smartphone, batteries and adapters
Smartphones have become one object that we can’t live without. They are our camera, travel guide, navigation aid and entertainment centre all rolled into one. You can use your smartphone to take quick photos, call your Sydney accommodation, connect to your family and friends back home, read books, and much, much more.
Don’t leave home without spare batteries, adapters, power banks and chargers. Most hotels and public transports have USB ports that you can use to charge your phone and other electronic products so always have a USB cable handy. If a few of you are sharing a room, it might be a good idea to pick up an extension lead. After all, there never seem to be enough plugs for everyone’s gadgets!
Laptops, tablets and flash drives
Booking tours, tickets and other must-dos can be mostly done online. That is why you need to have your laptop with you. Alternatively, you can use it to store the photos and videos to take the load off your phone or camera. Tablets are a lighter version of laptops and function in more or less the same way for this purpose.
Capturing vibrant and sunny Sydney should be on your list of to do things. While most phones can take high-resolution images, nothing beats having a proper camera. DLSRs have become more compact in the form of mirrorless cameras, so bulk should not be an issue. Be sure to bring extra memory cards and flash drives or USB sticks because you will be taking a LOT of photos.
Beach lovers’ essentials
Bondi. Coogee. Manly. These are just some of the names that are popular among beach lovers. If you are going to Sydney for these stunning beaches, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, a pair of sunnies, and one or two quick-dry towels. For super hot days, picking up a sun-shelter or beach umbrella at a local store can be life saver. A nice waterproof camera to capture Sydney’s incredible underwater scene completes your beach essentials.
Toiletries, medicines, and other miscellaneous essentials
Your accommodation in Sydney should provide basic toiletries. You can also easily grab them from large local supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles, unless you’re particular and prefer to use your favourite brand. If you are travelling to Sydney by plane, make sure you carry them in 100-millilitre bottles or smaller so you can hand-carry them.
Bring enough medicines to cover the duration of your stay. Have your prescription with you too. Don’t forget to pack a reusable shopping bag and a handy water bottle to be more responsible.
Last but not least: travel documents
The most important things that you should never ever forget: your travel documents. Make sure your passport is current and you have a valid visa if you are coming from outside Australia. Always keep a copy of your flight tickets whether on your phone or laptop. An old-school printed version works too. As a smart back up, you should scan and email copies of your travel documents to a trusted family member or friend – should you lose your documents, these may help them get you fresh sets.
Book your Sydney accommodation today
Don’t lose time booking your hotel room now that you feel confident about your upcoming trip. The Savoy Hotel is a gorgeous building strategically located in the heart of Double Bay. Around us are designer boutiques, great wine bars, as well as some of the best coffee shops in Sydney. For the best Sydney travelling experience, you can trust The Savoy Hotel – Call us now or book online today. Book your accommodation early to get excellent rates!
