How to Enjoy a Sydney Summer

One of the best aspects of living in Sydney is the incredible summer weather. Beach season, cocktails in the sun, long lazy summer days – if this is your first summer in Sydney, you have a lot to look forward to.

Photo Credit: Australiaphotos.co.uk

At the same time, if you have not experienced a summer here before then you may need to prepare yourself especially when it comes to the summer heat waves. Here is what you need to know to help you survive a Sydney summer.

1. Air conditioning

Early February is usually when you can expect to experience a Sydney heat wave, and the weather can exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

During this time, air conditioning is an absolute life saver: if you don’t have air conditioning at home, you will find it very difficult to sleep at night or feel at all comfortable during the evenings.

If air conditioning at home isn’t an option, it is essential you invest in several fans at the very least!

2. Swim

If you have an outdoor pool, make sure you have the right pool supplies so that the water stays nice and clean and can provide some respite on the weekend, or after you’ve gotten home from the office. There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool swim after enduring the sticky heat of the train system or having spent the day walking from one air-conditioned building to another.

3. Sunscreen

Due to the depletion of the ozone layer, the sun is a lot stronger in Australia and NZ than anywhere else in the world, even on a somewhat overcast day.

It is therefore very easy to get sunburnt, and while a nice even and brown tan can look healthy, if you are not careful you could place yourself at risk of skin cancer.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world: avoid becoming a statistic and use sunscreen daily, and try to stay in the shade during peak sun hours (10am-3pm) where possible.

4. Water!

Carry a water bottle with you at all times so that you avoid getting dehydrated and find yourself suffering from sunstroke.

You’ll need to drink a lot more than you are used to and carrying water with you at all times will mean you don’t get caught out or waste money (and plastic) always buying a new bottle.

If you find drinking water difficult, try and trick yourself by carrying a bottle of cold herbal tea or water with a little flavouring. Your skin and body will thank you for it also.

5. Embrace the shade

Spend the hot summer evenings in the privacy of your backyard - if you don’t have garden fencing, now might be the time to invest.

If you don’t have shade in your garden, then you may like to look into planting some trees for future summers: in the meantime, a large sun umbrella or other awning should do the trick.

6. Enjoy the outdoors

It will be very tempting to spend as much of your time as possible in air-conditioned buildings, but some fresh air is still essential. Too much stale air and you will find yourself with unnecessary headaches.

As long as you are keeping up your fluids, embracing the shade and practicing sun smart habits, you will still be able to enjoy the outdoors - even during those hot summer heat waves.