Best Time to Visit Blue Mountains, Sydney
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What can be better than having the option to visit a World Heritage site near downtown? Yes, you heard it right. You can visit the mesmerising Blue Mountains from Sydney any time you want, as it is just 50 km to the city’s west. Although this region can be visited year-round, the best time to visit the Blue Mountains is when the temperature is not scorching hot or freezing. In other words, you can enjoy this place best from September to October, the spring months.
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Average weather conditions (temperature, & rainfall) in the Blue Mountains
Summer (December to February) Weather Conditions
The summer months in Australia start in December and continue till February. Summertime’s average temperature remains between 22 and 30 degrees centigrade. The Lower Blue Mountains region, in summer, tends to have a warmer climate, which can sometimes even double the average summertime temperature. To give a perspective, Penrith, a local government area recorded 40C a few days in Summer, of 2020 as per the Bureau of Meteorology.
For people who cannot bear chilly temperatures, the best time to visit the Blue Mountains can be the summer months. Undoubtedly, the summer months are the busiest in this region. But the bright weather and the compilation of various outdoor activities make it a favourable time to travel. So go hiking, camping, bushwalking, and picnicking if you want to take full advantage of the summer months.
That being said, we suggest you book your hotel months in advance to avoid any last-minute disappointment and lower booking fees.
Summer attractions
The dinosaur valley by the Scenic World in the Blue Mountains is the main attraction during summer among kids and adults. You can see life-sized dinosaurs including T-Rex, Triceratops, & Stegosaurus and tickets start at $ 49.90 for an adult.
Autumn months – March to May in the Blue Mountains
These months in Australia are cooler (than summer months) and humid. The average temperature remains between 29 and 18 degrees centigrade. This is one of the best times to visit the Blue Mountains to witness the enchanting fall with leaves turning a warm orange-red hue. Our favourite places are Mount Wilson and Wentworth Falls to see the cornucopia of colour in the Autumn. Take a detour from Sydney if you are on a Blue Mountains Day trip from Sydney and drive into the tunnel of trees at Sinclair Crescent.
Since the temperature tends to fall, the days get cooler with less rain, making bushwalking conditions ideal. However, the fall months are the second busiest for tourism. So, expect to see the crowd on your left and right.
Key Attractions during Autumn in Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains Music Festival
Enjoy folk, roots, and blues music in the annual Blue Mountains Music Festival held in Katoomba in March every year. This festival is held for three days and features artists across the world.
Winter – June to August
The average temperature of the Blue Mountains during winter months hovers around 5 degrees centigrade, offering pleasant weather for outdoor activities like camping. This season also receives the least (2- 5) days of precipitation per month. The Winter months can be the best time to visit the Blue Mountains if you love snow, log fires, Christmas fairs, and festive spirit. Blackheath and Mount Victoria are common places that receive early snowfall. If you are visiting Three Sisters during winter, check out Katoomba’s Melrose Park for a winter wonderland.
Keep in mind that winter here can get very cold and foggy, making roads slippery, and obstructing the views of the Three Sisters and Echo Point, among others. Also, June is the wettest month, and you should avoid it if you are not a fan of rain.
Festivals in winter months
Key attractions you can have in winter include
Yulefest
Yulefest is the event to experience the Christmas spirit and winter frolics of the Blue Mountains. Celebrated in July, during the Yulefest, the grandest hotels of this region are decked with Christmas lights and trees. Enjoy fabulous music along with sumptuous food, and who knows; you may also bump into Santa.
The Winter Magic Festival
The Winter Magic Festival takes place in Katoomba in June. During this festival, the whole region of Katoomba wears the sheen cover of music and festivity. The entire town becomes a stage, as the main streets are closed for motor traffic and open to pedestrians. So, to experience the mammoth celebration of winter, you can also participate in the Winter Magic Festival.
Spring in Blue Mountains, NSW
Spring (September to November) is the month of Australia’s prime tourism time. The spring season brings with it a temperate climate, most suitable to spend long hours outdoors. The temperature during this season ranges between 28 and 20 degrees centigrade, and it receives 2- 7 days of rainfall.
It is a perfect time to get immersed in the beauty of mother nature. During this season, the Blue Mountains remain covered with thousands of bulbs and cherry blossoms. In spring, the best sites to visit are Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, Katoomba, Leura, and Blackheath.
Also, if you are an adventure junkie, spring can be the best time to visit the Blue Mountains for you. Major outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, swimming, and biking are also arranged during this time of the year.
Key Attractions
Spring in the Blue Mountains is all about flowers bursting with colours, and outdoor activities. Some of the key attractions to look for during this season are
The Leura Gardens Festival
One of the major attractions in the Blue Mountains during springtime is the Leura Gardens Festivals. It takes place in October every year. The Leura Garden Festival is the perfect time to enjoy the true essence of spring in the Blue Mountains. Cherry blossom is the top attraction in the Leura Garden, which peaks between September and October. However, the exact date depends on local weather conditions.
Opening time: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Entry fee: $20
Mount Wilson Spring Garden Festival
This annual spring festival takes place every September. Under this festival, you can visit eight local gardens – Bisley, Breenhold, Carmarthen (Sat. only), Hawthorn Hill (Sun. only), Merry Garth, Nooroo, Sefton Cottage, and Withycombe.
Opening time: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Entry fee: Adults $7- $9
Campbell Rhododendron Garden
Another spring attraction of the Blue Mountains is the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens. Located in Blackheath, this garden displays bulbs of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Pieris, Lilacs, and other exotic species. You can expect this place to be covered in blossoms of mesmerising colours. So, do not forget to carry your camera along to capture some of the best flower snaps you can ever get.
Opening time: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Entry fee: Suggested donation of at least $5 per visitor
Verdict
To wrap it up, we can say that any season can be the Blue Mountains season. However, if you prefer enjoying nature, outdoor activities, and a milder climate, then spring is the best time to visit the Blue Mountains for you. There are different days trips to the Blue Mountains, and to learn more about which one suits you the most, you can visit Blue Mountain Tours.
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