The Blue Mountains calendar is written by the weather. Using the 1991-2020 climate averages, we can tell you what each season is like and what suits each part of the year, which is the heart of planning around Blue Mountains events and seasonal highlights.
The range is popular: 8.4 million people visited in 2018. For ideas that run to no fixed date, see our Blue Mountains activities page. For official state listings, check Visit NSW for current events.
Blue Mountains events and the seasons at a glance
The figures below are monthly averages for the Blue Mountains area. January is the warmest month, with an average maximum of 23.5 degrees. July is the coldest, with a maximum of 9.8 and a minimum of 1.3.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.5 | 12.6 | 123.2 | 15.0 | 27.2 |
| February | 22.1 | 12.4 | 145.2 | 15.3 | 24.4 |
| March | 19.7 | 10.5 | 106.9 | 15.0 | 27.0 |
| April | 16.7 | 7.4 | 56.4 | 9.0 | 26.6 |
| May | 13.1 | 4.4 | 48.0 | 6.7 | 26.8 |
| June | 10.2 | 2.4 | 63.6 | 7.7 | 24.5 |
| July | 9.8 | 1.3 | 36.8 | 6.3 | 27.2 |
| August | 11.3 | 1.6 | 45.9 | 6.7 | 28.3 |
| September | 14.9 | 4.0 | 53.0 | 8.3 | 27.8 |
| October | 17.9 | 6.4 | 74.5 | 10.4 | 27.6 |
| November | 20.0 | 8.7 | 104.2 | 13.5 | 26.4 |
| December | 21.9 | 10.8 | 118.7 | 13.3 | 27.7 |
Summer: December to February
Summer is mild on the mountains rather than hot. Maximums run from about 22 to 24 degrees, and nights stay between 11 and 13. It is also the wettest part of the year. February is the wettest month, with 145.2 mm over 15.3 rain days, and January and December are not far behind.
That does not mean grey skies all day. January still averages 27.2 sunny days, so rain tends to come as a passing event. Waterfalls are the obvious reward for a wet season, and a tour that stops at them suits these months. Our private Blue Mountains tour of waterfalls, koalas and views is one option, from AUD 543.75 for eight to nine hours.
Autumn: March to May
March is still warm and wet, at 19.7 degrees and 106.9 mm. Then things shift fast. April drops to 16.7 degrees and 56.4 mm, and May falls to 13.1 degrees with 48.0 mm over 6.7 rain days.
We reckon April and May are the sweet spot for walkers. It is cool enough for cliff-top tracks to be comfortable, and rain days have roughly halved compared with February. May has 26.8 sunny days on average. Nights drop to 4.4 degrees by then, so pack a layer.
Winter: June to August
Winter is cold, with July maximums of 9.8 degrees and minimums of 1.3. It is also the driest stretch. July gets 36.8 mm over 6.3 rain days, and August has the most sunny days of the year at 28.3.
So the cold comes with clear weather. It is a good time for lookouts such as Echo Point, where the Three Sisters rock formation is best seen. Rug up and plan for early darkness. If you want to stay in town and keep warm, browse Blue Mountains accommodation.
June breaks the pattern slightly, with 63.6 mm and 24.5 sunny days, the lowest sunny count of the year.
Spring: September to November
Temperatures climb steadily. September averages 14.9 degrees, October 17.9 and November 20.0. Rain days rise as well, from 8.3 in September to 10.4 in October and 13.5 in November.
September and October still have more than 27 sunny days each, so they make a good middle ground: warmer than winter, drier than summer. November is when the wetter pattern starts to build again, with 104.2 mm.
Choosing a tour and planning around the weather
For a full day with a local guide who adjusts stops to the weather, the Blue Mountains full day guided tour runs eight hours from AUD 330.0. For long light, the Ultimate Blue Mountains and Wildlife Tour is timed to catch sunset over the escarpment and runs 11 hours from AUD 305.0, with a lunch stop in Leura. Check current prices with the operator.
The Blue Mountains sit about 104 km from Sydney by road, roughly 104 minutes. Orange is 158 km away and Mudgee 168 km, so a longer loop is possible.
If you would rather camp, Katoomba Falls and Blue Mountains National Park both offer powered sites and cabins. Contact either park for current rates and availability. Our Blue Mountains travel guide covers the wider trip, and background on the region's geography and history is at Wikipedia: Blue Mountains (New South Wales).
Frequently asked questions
When is the Blue Mountains wettest?
February, with an average of 145.2 mm over 15.3 rain days. January, March and December are also wet.
When is the Blue Mountains coldest?
July, with an average maximum of 9.8 degrees and minimum of 1.3.
Which months have the most sunny days?
August leads with 28.3 sunny days on average, followed by September at 27.8 and December at 27.7.
