Daylight Saving ends this weekend – this is what it means for you

Daylight Saving: the clocks go back an hour in Sydney this weekend
We get an extra hour in bed, but the evenings get darker
There are some benefits for all the early birds out there though

Autumn is officially here, and Daylight Saving is coming to an end across Australia. Since October, we’ve been soaking up an extra hour of evening sunlight here in New South Wales, but as with all good things, it’s coming to an end. Wrapping up on Sunday April 6, here’s all you need to know before the switch in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Do I need to turn the clocks forward or backwards?

As we head into the winter months, the clocks turn backwards meaning sunrise and sunset will both happen an hour earlier. So while the evenings are darker earlier, we’re rewarded with an hour extra in bed and an earlier sunrise (which is great if you’re embracing Sydney’s early morning culture).

Nowadays, most clocks will automatically update so you don’t need to worry, but wind those analogue clocks or watches back on Sunday. Or before you go to bed on Saturday, to be ready to seize the day on Sunday.

Which Australian states observe daylight savings?

Testament to the size of Australia, there are multiple timezones across the country. They look like this:

Perth: Australian Western Time (AWST) – UTC +8
Adelaide & Darwin: Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) – UTC +9.30
Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) – UTC +10

As if that wasn’t confusing enough, not all states observe daylight saving either. Here in New South Wales, as well as Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Norfolk Island, we will be turning our clocks back, but Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands won’t.

What to do before the clocks go back

Before we leap back an hour, make the most of the final few lighter evenings this week with an evening walk. The sun doesn’t set until around 7pm at the moment, so there’s plenty of time to get outside to explore by foot. Opt for the classic Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, try to brand-new walk that opened just a few weeks ago or take a look at our selection of the best walks Sydney has to offer.

Eke out the evenings with an alfresco dinner at one of the city’s many outdoor dining spots. Ānnámēse is a new Vietnamese spot in Barangaroo that offers elegant fine dining with a view of the water, even from its slightly set back position — the menu is seemingly endless but the set tasting menu offers a great selection for the indecisive among us ($85pp). It’s also your final chance to enjoy Barangaroo’s Golden Hours festival.

Tucked away on the east-side of Kensington St in Chippendale, Spice Alley in a paved haven filled with hawker-style Asian street food eateries including Alex Lee Kitchen, Hong Kong Diner, Ginger & Spice and Sedap Malaysian. Finger Wharf in Potts Point is another great hotspot, teeming with restaurants that offer outdoor seating that’s still sheltered—just in case autumn showers catch you out. We’re expecting more outdoor dining spots to pop up, since outdoor dining fees have been scrapped for good.

Finally, find a viewpoint to watch the sunset while it’s still late enough to be the main event of your evening. Some of the best sunset spots in Sydney include Observatory Hill Park, Mrs Macquaries Chair, Bradleys Head and Dudley Page Reserve in North Bondi.

What to do after the clocks go back

Once the clocks have changed, the sun will rise earlier from around 6:10am for the next few weeks, so early birds can enjoy an extra hour of light. Embrace Sydney’s early morning culture with open arms and join the sun and wave worshippers on Bondi Beach.

If surfing is a little too much action for you first thing in the morning, take it slow with a meandering sunrise walk. Coastal walks along the eastern side of Sydney are best to catch a glimpse of the rainbow sunrise skies. Bondi to Bronte (or the longer Bondi to Coogee), the new Georges Head to Middle Head–Gubbuh Gubbuh route or the Curl Curl to Freshwater boardwalk route are all great options.

Australia is famed for its coffee culture so you’re never short of options for a cup of the good stuff. Our favourites include Piña in Potts Point, which is popular with chef Neil Perry, Single-O in Surry Hills and Toby’s Estate in Chippendale (it was named the world’s best, don’t you know).