sydney in November

cinnamon fern

I'm going to be in Sydney for ten days in mid-November. Australian fabbers, any packing tips? I'll be at a conference - should I expect the freezing cold AC we have in the US? Do Australian academic types dress up? Long-range weather forecasts seem to be hovering in the low 20s. Where I'm from that's summer and everyone is wearing sandals, sleeveless tops, etc - where I live now that's jacket weather.

For that matter, any other Sydney advice?

8 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Cinnamon Fern, I can't speak for what Academics wear here but maybe someone will chime in. I live in Victoria but my experience with Sydney weather is that is it is generally more humid. And yes expect freezing A/C. Hope that helps a little.

8 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Sydney is such a fab city....it is not too dressy in my experience. I think you might want sleeves in a conference and in the evening though.

And good walking shoes so you can explore the lovely bays and beaches!!

Hopefully Brooklyn chimes in...

8 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

Hello from Sydney ! I'm just on my way to the airport heading back to Brisbane but I lived most of my life in Sydney . It's a great city and fun to visit !

Weather can be really variable at that time of year . Today for example it is really hot - 35 degrees . When I flew in on Friday (four days ago !) it was 22!

I would tend to wear short sleeves or sleeveless but definitely have a jacket or cardigan at all times .
I'm also an academic . I think it very much depends on your discipline. I'm an historian and I'd would wear reasonably dressy clothes but not a suit . I would not do jeans . But i think in the sciences it is far more casual .

8 years ago

Beck

Active Member

I'm an academic who has worked in the US and Australia. In my discipline, the dress code is pretty similar in both places. I'm in the humanities and I'll typically wear jeans+blazer to a conference or to teach.

8 years ago

saraohyland

Member

I know this can be a hot button issue with many varying opinions. I'm curious to hear your opinions on whether this outfit is ok for me to wear.

I considered sharing lots of background on why I love this skirt, but I'm really more curious, not if I could convince someone through a long conversation, that this isn't inappropriate, and more curious what the man on the street, knee jerk responses will be.

I don't want to inadvertently cause anyone hurt in the name of a cute outfit, but maybe I'm being obtuse to think this skirt on me could cross into hurtful territory?

I'm curiously awaiting your thoughts, and heading upstairs to change because I'm not confident this doesn't cross a line.

8 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Thank you all! Sal - walking shoes packed! Or at least planned.

8 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Late to this. But just another issue I wanted to mention. In Sydney we have a weather phenomenon called a southerly buster. It's when a cold front sweeps up from the south at the end of a very hot day (or sometimes after a series of hot days). On Monday we had a 35c/95f day, but then a buster arrived at around 5 pm and the temperature dropped to about 20c/68f in around 30 minutes. So, just because it's a very warm day, don't assume that it will stay that way! Best to carry a cardi if you are not wearing a jacket. Hope you enjoy your stay

8 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn! That is useful info indeed. Also, I need an airbnb for a few days after my conference is over - any suburb recommendations? Basically I want to wander around, eat, shop, hopefully paddle around or even swim if it's warm enough (looking at water temperatures now I'm not sure it'll be warm enough - I know I swam in the 18 degree ocean as a teenager but I can't do it now).

8 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

Yes, good advice Brooklyn! I left Sydney on Monday just before the southerly came through! It's one of the big differences we noticed when we moved to Brisbane. In Sydney, if it was hot for a few days, a southerly would come through and cool things down. In Brisbane, it just stays hot A cardigan or denim jacket is very handy in Sydney.

8 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

It could well be warm enough to swim. We do have some hot days (as Lucy said) and our ocean temps are warmer than those down south.

If you want to stay near the beach I recommend Bondi or surrounding suburbs in the eastern part of the city (Bondi is very popular with tourists).

Paddington is one of our ritziest suburbs and is well placed between the city and eastern suburbs beaches. Lots of great cafes, restaurants and shops and very pretty architecture. Lots of Australian designers have retail stores there. Can be expensive but there is no charge for looking

Closer to the city there is Pyrmont/Darling Harbour, which is easy walking distance to the CBD. Darling Harbour has lots of restaurants and tourist attractions and good access to the harbour for ferry rides etc. Pyrmont has a more city (high rise) feel than Paddington (which is a more leafy suburban area, full of lovely terraces).

Feel free to PM me when you have some suburb candidates in mind, and I will try to help out.

8 years ago

anne

Veteran

Hope you enjoy your time in Australia. I'm on the other side of the continent and have never been in Sydney in November, so have no advice.
I can say that it is a wonderful city for a visit!

8 years ago

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