Page 52 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

50  INTRODUCING SY DNEY

SYDNEY THROUGH THE YEAR

Sydney’s temperate climate allows for the little to mark their changeover. Balmy nights,
enjoyment of outdoor activities through out the sweet, pervasive scent of jasmine
the year. Seasons in Sydney are the opposite blossom and the colourful blooming of
of those in the northern hemisphere. shrubs and flowers are typical of spring.
September ushers in the three months of Summer caters for sun- and surf-lovers
spring; summer stretches from December as well as being Sydney’s festival season.
to February; March, April and May are the Autumn, with warm days and cooler nights,
autumn months; while the shorter days and is often perfect for bushwalks and picnics.
falling temperatures of June announce the And the crisp days of winter are ideal for
onset of winter. In reality, however, Sydney historic walks and exploring art galleries
seasons often merge into one another with and museums.

Spring
With the warmer weather, the
profusion of spring flowers brings
the city’s parks and gardens excit-
ingly to life. Food, art and music
festivals abound. Foot ballers
finish their seasons with action-
packed grand finals, profes sional
and backyard cricketers warm
up for their summer competitions
and the horse-racing fraternity
gets ready to place its bets.
September
David Jones Spring Flower Show
(first two weeks), Elizabeth Street
department store. Breathtaking
floral artwork on the ground floor. Spring display of tulip beds at the Leura Garden Festival
Festival of Dangerous Ideas (first
weekend), Sydney Opera House. week festival of open gardens, A village fair launches the
Talks and debates featuring talks and 100,000 tulips in bloom. festival, when magnificent
leading thinkers and culture Spring Racing Carnival (Sep–Oct). private gardens featuring
creators from around the world. The horse-racing action is shared flower displays may be viewed.
Blackmores Sydney Running between Rosehill race course and Bathurst 1000 (second Sun),
Festival (3rd Sun). Four running the Royal Randwick racecourse. Mount Panorama Circuit,
events catering to all ages and Festival of the Winds (dates vary), Bathurst. The premier
fitness levels. Bondi Beach (see p139). Multi- endurance event on Australia’s
Primavera (Sep–mid-Nov). Highly cultural kite-flying festival. motor-sport calendar.
regarded talent-spotting show Sculpture by the Sea (late
at the Museum of Contemporary October Oct–early Nov), Bondi Beach.
Art (see p75). Good Food Month (all month). Amazing sculptures line
Tulip Time Bowral (late Sep–early Food events across the city, the sand and path between
Oct), Bowral (see p164). A two- highlighted by Night Noodle Bondi and Tamarama beaches.
Markets in Hyde Park.
Australian Rugby League November
Grand Final (first Sun), Melbourne Cup Day (first Tue).
ANZ Stadium, Homebush. Sydney tunes in to Australia’s
Manly International Jazz most popular horse race, held
Festival (Labour Day week end). mid-afternoon in Melbourne.
World-class jazz at a variety of Restaurants and hotels offer
venues (see p135). special luncheons on the day.
Kidtopia (early Oct), Parramatta Sydney to the Gong Bicycle
Park. Three days of family fun, Ride (first Sun). From Moore
music and food. Park to Wollongong. Over
Kite-flying on Bondi Beach at the Festival Leura Garden Festival (early Oct), 10,000 cyclists of all standards
of the Winds Blue Mountains (see pp162–3). do this 92-km (57-mile) ride.

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