Sydney in January: a seasonal travel plan
Sydney, Australia. In january, the average daytime high is 25.9 °C and the night-time low is 20.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Sydney
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 25.9 °C
- Nighttime low
- 20.9 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 105.0 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 14.1
- Daylight
- 14.1 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 25.0 | 20.5 | 5.2 |
| Days 11–20 | 25.8 | 20.7 | 3.9 |
| From day 21 | 26.7 | 21.5 | 5.0 |
What this month is like
Sydney, Australia. In january, the average daytime high is 25.9 °C and the night-time low is 20.9 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 14.1 wet days on average, with about 105.0 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 14.1 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 24.8 °C, January — 25.9 °C, next month — 25.6 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 10.4, 14.1 and 13.1.
Things to do
Sydney grew around a vast natural harbour, and water sets the pace: ferries leave Circular Quay for beaches and suburbs while the office towers of the centre stand a short walk from historic lanes. Plan each day around one side of the harbour to avoid long crossings.
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Follow the six-kilometre cliff path from Bondi Beach to Coogee, passing lookout points, small coves and ocean pools. Start in the morning, carry water and take the bus back from Coogee.
Ferry to Manly
The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly passes the Opera House and ends beside an ocean beach. Give the day to the water and the sand; the return crossing at sunset gives the best view of the harbour.
The Rocks and the Opera House
Walk around Sydney Opera House along the waterfront, climb into The Rocks and continue beneath the arch of Harbour Bridge. Half a day covers the route, and it costs nothing unless you go inside the buildings.
Where to stay
The Rocks
The Rocks is the city's oldest quarter, right by Circular Quay, with sandstone warehouses, pubs and a view of the bridge. It suits early ferries, but evenings are loud and rooms are expensive.
Surry Hills
Surry Hills suits travellers who want cafés, small restaurants and a walk to Central Station. It is calmer than the centre, though you will need a tram or bus to reach Circular Quay.
Bondi
Bondi brings beach life into the city: surfing, swimming and a promenade lined with cafés. The centre is about twenty minutes away via Bondi Junction, and evenings here stay quiet. Surfers arrive at dawn.
Getting to and around Sydney
Kingsford Smith Airport lies ten kilometres from the centre; the Airport Link train reaches Central and Circular Quay in about twenty minutes. Trains, light rail and ferries form the main network and run on the one Opal card. Ferries connect Circular Quay with Manly, Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay, light rail serves Randwick, and buses cover Bondi and Coogee.
Three days in Sydney
Circular Quay, the Opera House and The Rocks
Begin at Sydney Opera House, follow the waterfront into The Rocks and climb to the lookout by Harbour Bridge. Return to the water after dark to see the Opera House lit.
Bondi and the coast
Take the train to Bondi Junction in the morning, walk down to the beach and follow the coastal path to Coogee. After a swim, head back to Surry Hills for dinner in a small restaurant.
Manly and the north shore
Board the ferry to Manly, walk along the beach and continue to the North Head lookout. The afternoon return crossing leaves time for the Royal Botanic Garden beside Circular Quay.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.9 | 20.9 | 105.0 | 14.1 | 14.1 |
| February | 25.6 | 21.0 | 115.2 | 13.1 | 13.3 |
| March | 24.5 | 20.3 | 158.8 | 14.7 | 12.3 |
| April | 22.2 | 17.7 | 77.7 | 8.9 | 11.3 |
| May | 19.7 | 15.0 | 34.2 | 6.6 | 10.4 |
| June | 17.2 | 12.9 | 56.6 | 7.8 | 9.9 |
| July | 17.0 | 11.9 | 48.8 | 5.5 | 10.1 |
| August | 17.8 | 12.1 | 39.5 | 5.7 | 10.9 |
| September | 19.9 | 13.9 | 34.8 | 6.5 | 11.9 |
| October | 21.8 | 15.9 | 67.4 | 9.7 | 12.9 |
| November | 23.0 | 17.4 | 85.6 | 10.1 | 13.9 |
| December | 24.8 | 19.2 | 70.3 | 10.4 | 14.4 |
Frequently asked questions
Sydney: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 25.9 °C and the night-time low is 20.9 °C. Start a long walking route in the morning. Plan lunch and shaded breaks for the middle of the day.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 14.1 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 105.0 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in January?
Light breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a water bottle will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 25.0 °C; 11–20 — 25.8 °C; 21 to month-end — 26.7 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 14.1 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Sydney worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 25.9 °C and nights around 20.9 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Sydney on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Sydney in January?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 14.1 hours.