Australia, Oceania & Pacific

Sydney in March

Golden late-summer light, swimmable ocean, and calmer streets. One of the smartest months on the calendar.

BestWarm, settling, highs near 77F (25C)

Sydney Opera House — SydneyPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Sydney. Golden late-summer light, swimmable ocean, and calmer streets. One of the smartest months on the calendar.

Weather: Warm, settling, highs near 77F (25C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What March is like in Sydney

March brings golden late-summer light and settling weather, with highs near 77F (25C). The ocean is still warm enough for swimming, the streets are calmer, and prices are fair. Mardi Gras wraps up with its Oxford Street parade on the festival's final weekend, often in late February or early March depending on the year, and the rest of the month is relaxed and easygoing.

It is one of the smartest months to go and suits almost everyone: couples, families on spring break, and first-timers. It is less ideal only for travelers on the tightest budget, who should look at May through August, when hotel rates hit their lows.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Sydney this month.

Mardi Gras parade

The Oxford Street parade caps the festival season, on the festival's final weekend. Book nearby hotels early if you want to be close.

Swimmable ocean, softer sun

The water is still warm, and the sun is less fierce than midsummer.

The Manly ferry at golden hour

The late-afternoon ferry across the harbor to Manly is one of the best cheap rides in Australia.

What to pack for March

Swimwear and a beach towel
Sunscreen and a hat
A light layer for evenings
Comfortable walking shoes for coastal walks

Our timing tip

Plan beach days midweek and do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk in the morning for soft light and cool temperatures.

Book Sydney for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Sydney
Opens a hotel search for Sydney in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Sydney
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Sydney
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Sydney for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Mid February to early March, parade on the final weekend

One of the world's great pride festivals; the Oxford Street parade night books out the surrounding neighborhoods.

Things to do in Sydney

Full guide

Sydney Opera House

Tour it by day, but seeing a performance inside is the real unlock; book ahead. The best photo angles are from the Manly ferry and Mrs Macquarie's Chair.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

Six clifftop kilometers of beaches, ocean pools, and headlands. Go early for soft light and lap swimmers; October and November add the Sculpture by the Sea installations.

Tickets and tours →

The Manly ferry

The best value sightseeing in Australia: thirty minutes across the harbor, past the Opera House and the heads, to a beach town afternoon.

Tickets and tours →

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Walk the deck free, or book the BridgeClimb for the summit view. Sunset slots sell out well ahead in peak season.

Tickets and tours →

Taronga Zoo

Ferried-to and terraced above the harbor, with giraffes photobombing the skyline. The cable car down to the wharf caps it properly.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The Rocks and Circular Quay

The city's convict-era lanes, weekend markets, and pubs that pour history with the beer, all steps from the ferries.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Aim for February through April or October and November: the weather matches summer's brochure with a fraction of the school-holiday crowd.
Do Bondi and the coastal walk before 9am, especially on weekends; by late morning in season, the path is a slow parade.
Ride ferries instead of booking harbor cruises: same water, same views, transit prices, and locals for company.
For New Year's Eve, decide early: free vantage points fill by morning, and paid vantage points sell out months ahead. There is no casual version of that night.

Know before you go

Nothing shuts seasonally: Sydney runs all year, and winter is a fully open, cheaper, milder version of the city with whales thrown in.
Christmas Day closes most shops and restaurants (Bondi's famous backpacker beach Christmas notwithstanding), and Good Friday brings the year's other near-total trading pause.
Late December through January is peak-price, peak-crowd season inside Australian school summer holidays; the city is at its liveliest and least affordable at once.
Beach flags matter more than open signs: ocean beaches are patrolled seasonally (roughly October through April at most), rips are real, and swimming between the flags is the rule locals actually follow.

Sydney in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Sydney?

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Sydney. Golden late-summer light, swimmable ocean, and calmer streets. One of the smartest months on the calendar.

What is the weather like in Sydney in March?

Warm, settling, highs near 77F (25C).

Is Sydney crowded in March?

Crowds in Sydney are moderate in March; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Sydney in March?

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (mid february to early march, parade on the final weekend).