Balloon flight
Season: Year-round, weather permittingHot-air balloon flight over Camden
- Sunrise over farmland, rivers and the Razorback Range
- Many flights finish with breakfast
The essentials
| Location | The south-west of Greater Sydney, New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Main centres | Liverpool, Campbelltown, Camden, Fairfield and Picton |
| Time zone | Australian Eastern Time (daylight saving from October to April) |
| Best seasons | Spring and autumn |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Nearest airport | Sydney Airport (SYD), about 30–40 minutes from Liverpool |
| Emergency number | 000 |
When to visit
The best times to visit South West Sydney are spring and autumn, when the days are warm and the nights are mild. Summer is hot, and winter is sunny and cool, with cold nights away from the coast.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| September to November | Spring: warm days, wattle and wildflowers, and tulips in the Southern Highlands. One of the best times to visit. |
| December to February | Summer: hot, sometimes above 40 °C, with afternoon storms. School holidays and Christmas make it busy. Lunar New Year in Cabramatta. |
| March to May | Autumn: warm, settled days. The Festival of Steam at Thirlmere and autumn colour in the Southern Highlands. |
| June to August | Winter: sunny, mild days around 17–18 °C, and frosty mornings in Camden and Wollondilly. Good for bushwalking. |
Weather and what to wear
South West Sydney is further from the sea than the eastern suburbs, so it is hotter in summer and colder on winter nights. On hot days, plan outdoor activities for the morning and spend the afternoon somewhere cool.
- A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses all year: the Australian sun is strong
- Light, loose clothing in summer, and a warm layer for winter mornings
- Comfortable shoes for bushwalks and garden paths
- A water bottle, especially in summer
Events
- Lunar New Year: January or February, with celebrations in Cabramatta.
- The Festival of Steam: Thirlmere, usually in March. See the NSW Rail Museum.
- The Camden Show: one of the oldest agricultural shows in New South Wales.
- The Moon Festival: Cabramatta, around September.
- The Festival of Fisher’s Ghost: Campbelltown, every November.
Read our festival guide for more.
Money and costs
Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, and tipping is not expected, though rounding up for good service is welcome. Food in Cabramatta and the suburbs is good value, and accommodation usually costs less than in central Sydney.
Outdoors and safety
- Heat: drink plenty of water and avoid hard walks in the middle of hot days.
- Bushfires: check fire danger ratings and park closures before bushwalking in summer, and follow the advice of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
- Wildlife: watch for kangaroos on rural roads at dawn and dusk, and leave snakes alone.
- Water: creeks and rock pools can hide rocks and currents. Swim only where it is safe and allowed.
Visiting responsibly
- South West Sydney is Aboriginal land, including the Country of the Dharug, Dharawal and Gundungurra peoples. Respect sites of cultural significance.
- Stay on tracks in national parks and take your rubbish home.
- Respect private farmland around Camden and Wollondilly.
- Eat and shop locally in the region’s towns and suburbs.
