Holiday in Sydney in Winter - would it be mad?

[sunnydelight]

My head is bursting trying to make decisions about emigrating to Oz. The next logical step is to take the kids for a holiday and see how we all feel about it. I have lived in Sydney through an Ozzie Winter but it's a long time ago and I was so loved up it could have pissed down for months and I wouldn't have noticed! Would it be a real waste of money, or could we have a great holiday regardless of what we eventually decide to do? Is the whole beach thing totally off the agenda? Would it be better to wait until September when Spring is sprung? If anyone has done it I would love to hear your experiences, any Oz residents with an opinion would be great (kids are 12, 7 and 3 by the way).

We have been to Sydney in late August/September and December/January. To be honest we had more rain in December/January but obviously a bit warmer. I would describe the weather in August/Sept to be like our spring. We went to the beach and went into the sea, all the Austalians thought we were bonkers but it was no worse than the English Channel in the Summer. The nights got really cold, but during the day it was fine and clear, we had to wear long sleeves but we didnt need coats.

Hi SunnyD.

Well, I have to say, it's starting to get a little chilly. I'm not sure though if that's because I'm getting used to the warmer summer weather, so it seems colder now IYSWIM or not though (moved here last August).

The weather was fabulous from about Nov to the end of April and suddenly has got cold in the mornings and evenings, but warm during the middle part of the day. Wouldn't fancy the beach though.

I think you would still have a great holiday though, for most, it would be a holiday of a lifetime. If you wanted some beach & sunshine head a bit farther north for part of your break, to show the DC what a wide variety of climates there are.

There is heaps for your family to do though - my 2 DSS came out last month and loved every second, and they are 20 and 15 (I was expecting them to be a bit indifferent because they are cool teens, but they were thrilled to see the kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, Bondi Beach etc etc).

I'm sure some of the locals will be on soon, and they will be able to advise much better about the weather.