We all love Sydney’s blue skies and sunshine, but at the height of summer, the heat can sometimes be too hot to handle.
With temperatures forecasted to hit 40–42 degrees Celsius, and the UV index an extreme 14, we’re here to help you escape the heat by sharing the best (locals-approved) places to go during a Sydney heatwave.
1. Morning and evening ocean swims
A true Sydney local knows that the best time to swim during a heatwave is during the early morning or in the evening, when the sun isn’t so strong. You’ll beat the crowds and save yourself from a pretty gnarly sunburn. Just make sure you’re sure swimming in a safe area: ocean pools are your friend if there aren’t lifeguards on duty. Bondi and Bronte Beach are patrolled from 6am to 7pm, with Coogee from 7pm-6pm and Maroubra 7am-7pm.
2. Take a dip in one of the city’s beautiful public pools
If getting to a beach is a bit out of the way for you, head to one of Sydney’s stunning public pools instead. Pictured above is the Prince Alfred Park Public Pool, which costs $7.90 for adult entry and $5.10 for children aged three to six. Sit under the large umbrellas, swim laps in the fast lane or simply dip, float and chat with friends in the recreation lane. Not only is it conveniently located right next to Central Station, but it also has a cafe serving snacks and drinks, so you can stay by the pool all day without a worry.
Another one of our favourites is the 50-metre saltwater Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, set on Woolloomooloo Bay, which offers stunning harbour views and plenty of sun lounges to relax on. Cool down in the pool and watch the huge ships coming in and out of the harbour. The pool’s location next to the Botanic Garden means that you’re surrounded by plenty of green space, perfect for a post-dip picnic in the shade in the afternoon.
Two other pools we can’t leave out: Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown and Lane Cover Aquatic, equally ideal for laps or lounging when the heat hits.
3. Visit an art gallery
You might think your best friend during a heatwave is a body of water; however, we find that the best relief from the roasting outdoors is a spacious, cool building that pumps out aircon like there’s no tomorrow. It also helps that Sydney currently has a stellar lineup of exhibitions, including Ron Mueck’s Encounter, featuring 15 hyperrealistic sculptures that will shock you with their incredible detail, plus White Rabbit Gallery’s The Hooligans, a completely free exhibition that explores how Chinese artists work and create in the face of relentless restrictions. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is also presenting a bold new exhibition titled “Data Dreams: Art and AI,” which explores the impact of artificial intelligence on contemporary life through the work of 10 visionary artists. A day trip to any of these galleries will be well worth your time, and you get the added benefit of beating the heat.
4. Head to the shops
Even if you opt to simply window shop, you can make use of Sydney’s huge and airy shopping centres during a heatwave. The QVB Building is a great choice, with a huge variety of dining options plus all the shops you could ever need. Also great to visit during a heatwave is the Strand Arcade, which has a floor solely dedicated to Australian stores, including Dinosaur Designs, Aje and Bassike. If these CBD shopping centres are too far from you, see where your nearest Westfield is, as they have centres in Sydney CBD, Bondi Junction, Parramatta, Chatswood and Miranda.
5. Watch a movie at one of Sydney’s stunning cinemas
Instead of sitting out in the sun all day, sweating and reapplying sunscreen, head to one of Sydney’s beautiful cinemas and enjoy the aircon with a bucket of popcorn and a blockbuster. You can even choose to go to two of the most beautiful cinemas in the world, according to TimeOut, which featured the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne and the Golden Age Cinema and Bar in Surry Hills on their most beautiful picture palaces list. We also love the DENDY in Newtown, the Chatswood HOYTS and the Darling Harbour IMAX.
