By ANNA USHER

People of the lower north shore, get ready – longer days are coming! Daylight Saving means more evenings at Balmoral, cold drinks in the beer garden, and backyard barbies that roll on well past sunset.

On Sunday, 5 October, clocks across New South Wales will leap forward an hour at 2am, signalling the start of warmer weather good vibes as we begin the countdown to summer holidays.

When do the clocks change?

Daylight saving will start at 2am on Sunday, October 5.

That means at 2am, your clock will jump forward to 3am AEDT.

So, is the time going forward or backwards?

Clocks will move forward by one hour.

Mobile phones, computers and digital devices will (mostly) automatically adjust to your relevant time zone.

Remember that things like microwaves, ovens and the clock in your car will need to be manually adjusted. Grrr!

Are there any tips for a smooth transition?

If you have young children, it’s a good idea to get them to bed a little earlier in the days leading up to the change.

Also, remember to let morning light in – open the curtains to reset your body clock.

And, keep evening routines calm; the extra light can trick your brain into staying awake longer.

Which states and territories observe daylight saving?

On October 5, the clocks will move forward in:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria

The Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia don’t observe the time change.

What time zones does Australia have during Daylight Saving?

Here’s where it gets a little complicated!

The ACT, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria will all be in the same Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) zone.

Queensland remains on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and will be one hour behind eastern daylight saving time.

Residents in South Australia will follow Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT) and will be half an hour behind the eastern daylight saving time.

• As for Western Australia, they are three hours behind daylight saving time on Australian Western Standard Time (AWST).

Case in point, 3pm in Sydney (during Daylight Saving) is:

• 2pm in Queensland
• 2:30pm in South Australia
• 1:30pm in the Northern Territory
• 12pm in Western Australia

When does Daylight Saving end?

Each year, daylight saving time ends at 2am on the first Sunday of April.

In 2026, that falls on April 5.

You’ll get an extra hour of sleep as clocks wind back one hour, and we head into the cooler months.

Why It Matters Here

Nowhere feels the benefits of longer days quite like the lower north shore. It’s the time of year when we can finish work and still have time for a dip at Balmoral, a run around Cremorne Point, or a ferry ride home across Sydney Harbour under a golden sky.

Set your alarms, turn your clocks forward, and get ready for evenings that stretch. For locals, the best season of the year starts now!