Blue Mountains in August
 

We're considering a few days in the Blue Mountains in August and am wondering whether the weather will be an issue. We don't mind cool temperatures but very cold weather or a likelihood of rain might deter us (or cause us to limit ourselves to a day trip from Sydney). Also, should we expect attractions to be open in the Blue Mountains at that time of year? Thanks.

With the usual caveat as to predicting weather anywhere, it should be brisk but not very cold in the Mountains in August. Most Australians would call it cold, but most Australians are weather wusses. It's still a good climate in which to round off the day with a bottle of port in front of an open fire.

The historical average temperature range (celsius) is 3-11 degrees. Wind is a possibility, so you may need both a sweater and a coat of some kind at times. August is one of the drier months, 80mm being the average for the month. Snow isn't common and if it happens at all would be light. I don't see why the usual attractions shouldn't be open, for instance the Scenic Railway at Katoomba. A good thing to do is walk down the Giant Staircase from Echo Point, then along the valley floor and take the Scenic Railway back up to the clifftop. You can take a bus back to Echo Point if that's where you've left your car.

Thanks for the information. For us New Yorkers, that sounds like pleasant weather for sightseeing so I think we may include the Blue Mountains in our itinerary.

We visited the Blue Mountains in August and expected it to be really cold (we're from the UK). We wore long trousers, t-shirts and fleeces and were fine. It was beautiful with clear skies and bright sun. We went down to the rainforest walk on the 'train' (can't remember the name - sceniscender?) and back up on the cable car. We caught the train to and from the Blue Mountains and did the trip on our own. We really enjoyed it and would thoroughly recommend a visit!

We stayed in the Blue Mountains for a week in July a few years ago - in Blackheath. It was fabulous. We knew that we would have to wear clothing appropriate to the conditions, and we were never uncomfortable.
We also had good weather most days and were able to go walking and sightseeing. On the day that the weather was bad, we just went window shopping in the antique shops and had good coffee and great food.