Living in Sydney is an experience like no other.
There’s always something incredible happening here. From packing the right clothes to finding your new favourite restaurant, here’s our handy guide to life in Sydney.
Weather
Sydney is famous for its great weather all year round. Summer in the southern hemisphere happens between December and February. During this time, Sydney enjoys temperatures of around 19°C to 28°C (or 66°F to 82°F). Summer can also be very humid, which can make it feel even warmer.
The city also enjoys mild winters. Average temperatures from June to August range from around 9°C to 20°C (or 48°F to 68°F). Remember to pack a few sweaters and a coat!
Tip: Sydney's weather can change quickly, so it's a good idea to keep a light rain jacket or umbrella in your bag.
Things to do in Sydney
Sydney is a vibrant city with no shortage of things to do and see. Here are some of our favourites to get you started!
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1Beaches
Any visitor to Sydney should make a trip to see the city’s amazing beaches. Bondi Beach (external link) is probably the most well-known, but with over 100 beaches around Sydney, you’ll have plenty more to explore!
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2Sports
Sports lovers should make sure to plan a visit to Sydney Olympic Park (external link), home of the 2000 Olympic Games. Other places to visit include the beloved Sydney Cricket Ground (external link) at Moore Park, where you’ll also find UTS’s state-of-the-art sports facilities. If you're looking to make friends, stay fit and have fun closer to the city campus, UTS Sport (external link) will have you covered.
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3Culture
Sydney also has lots of amazing museums and galleries. The Museum of Sydney (external link) is a great place to start and learn more about the history of this amazing city. For some incredible art, make sure you visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art (external links).
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4History
Did you know that Sydney’s history stretches back over 60,000 years? In fact, our campus is built on the lands of the Gadigal people. Learn about the most ancient human culture on earth with Dreamtime Southern X (external link) and discover Sydney’s living Aboriginal Dreamtime Cultural Heritage.
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5Wildlife
Australia is home to some amazing animals. Can’t wait to see a kangaroo, koala or wallaby? Check out Taronga Zoo or Wild Life Sydney (external links) to experience Australia’s native wildlife for yourself.
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6Sightseeing
From the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Opera House, there are plenty of iconic sights to see in Sydney. Our tip? Hop on the Manly ferry (external link) to enjoy breathtaking views of the harbour from the water and spend a sunny afternoon exploring seaside cafes and coastal walks.
“Sydney had me on an adrenaline rush.”
Aliyaan Amlani-Kuji
Exchange student from Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
Places to eat
Sydney is a food-lover’s paradise. With multicultural flavours, fresh produce and a vibrant dining scene – not to mention some of the best coffee in the world – you’ll find something for any taste here.
Chinatown for Asian food
The centre of Sydney is home to the city’s Chinatown. Here, you’ll find restaurants serving up delicious, authentic food from all over Asia, from Malaysian rendang to Korean barbecue, Cantonese roasts and more.
Haymarket for Thai
Also central, Haymarket is the place to go for great Thai food. Make sure you visit Ultimo Road, which boasts some of Sydney’s best Thai restaurants all in one place.
Marrickville and Cabramatta for Vietnamese
Sydney is also a hub for amazing Vietnamese food. Visit inner-city Marrickville for fancy fusion and elevated dining experiences. Or, you can head out to Cabramatta (known as Little Vietnam) for even more to explore.
Leichhardt for Italian
Sydney’s own Little Italy, Leichhardt’s Norton Road is the perfect place to check out some authentic Italian cuisine. You can also head a little further afield to Ashfield and Haberfield, where the Italian community still live today.
Food on campus
Luckily, you don’t have to travel far from campus to enjoy some of the city’s best food! The UTS Food Court is home to lots of amazing eateries and cafes, and you’ll even find popular chains like Yo-Chi, Starbucks and Fishbowl right across the road.
Sydney's iconic foods
Events and festivals
There’s always something happening in Sydney. Here are just a few of the awesome events and festivals held during the year.
All links go to external sites.
Sydney Festival
January
Start the year off right with Sydney Festival. Featuring a range of free and ticketed events from dance to exhibitions, theatre and more, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Sydney Lunar Festival
February
Sydney hosts a yearly Lunar Festival, with lots of events, dancing, markets and displays in and around the city’s Chinatown.
Sydney Mardi Gras
February
The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has a wide range of fun events and a world-famous pride parade. Join in this beloved celebration of love, freedom and equality.
The Royal Easter Show
April
Sydney’s annual Royal Easter Show is where the country comes to the city. Held over twelve days, this event features everything from fairground rides and games to live performances, farmyard displays and more. Don’t miss your chance to see the woodchop, and make sure you pick up a showbag or two to enjoy later!
Vivid Sydney
May and June
As the weather gets cooler, Sydney lights up with Vivid. Enjoy stunning light projections that illuminate the city, plus a great program of talks, music and more.
Sydney Fringe Festival
September
Celebrate independent arts at the Sydney Fringe. Held over 30 days, the city’s venues are bursting with live comedy, music, theatre and more.
Sculpture by the Sea
October
Celebrate the return of Spring with Sculpture by the Sea. Explore new and incredible artworks in the open air along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
December
Finish the year in style with Sydney’s amazing annual fireworks show. Make sure you get there early to find the perfect spot!
The best of student life
Studying at UTS in Sydney means getting the advantage of a world-class education. But did you know there are other benefits, too?
Student discounts and concessions
UTS students in Sydney have access to a huge range of discounts and concessions. This means you get even more for your dollar, making it easy to make the most of your time here.
You can even use your student card at some cinemas to get discounted tickets.
Make sure you also check out UNiDAYS and Student Edge (external links). These sites help students save on everything from restaurants to retail shopping, tech, experiences and more.
Student events
UTS also hosts lots of great events throughout the year for students. From live music to movie nights, trips and more, you’ll find plenty of fun things to get involved with.
Make sure you keep an eye on ActivateUTS and the UTS International Students Instagram (external link) to find out what's coming up.
Still have room in your calendar? Check out some of UTS’s amazing clubs and societies.
“Being involved in societies around campus has allowed me to gain lifelong friends whilst giving me the opportunity to further my career development.”
Daniel Snell
Bachelor of Communication (Media Arts and Production) (Public Communication)
Lifestyle FAQs
Contact us
- Call: +61 2 8806 0230
- Email: international@uts.edu.au
- Whatsapp: +61 489 089 375 (messages only)
- Make an inquiry through our online form
- Find an approved agent in your country