The Queen's Birthday weekend is sure to be appreciated more than ever after the home isolation restrictions that were in force during the last extended break, at Easter.
Saturday looks like having the best weather, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, which forecasts:
- Friday: 8-19C. Sunny afternoon, light winds.
- Saturday: 8-18C. Sunny day, light winds.
- Sunday: 9-17C. Shower or two along the coast, light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
- Monday: 11-17C. Shower or two, partly cloudy,winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southerly during the morning.
The surf on Thursday continued to be big, with waves of two to three metres, but will gradually decline over the next few days to a metre or less on Monday.
With NSW reopened for regional travel, the state government is urging travellers to plan ahead, allow extra journey time and stay safe.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, "This is the first time many people have been able to travel across the State since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in March,.
"Anyone who is thinking of travelling this long weekend must plan ahead and follow health advice about physical distancing and personal hygiene.
"Our state has so much to offer and there is nowhere better to take a break right now but we are urging everyone to do so safely."
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said with the increased number of people moving around, there is an increased risk on our roads.
"We have seen an increase of around 6.3 per cent across Sydney's road network and 5.9 per cent across our regions since last week, and this is expected to increase further with restrictions easing," he said.
Double demerits will apply from 12.01am on Friday June 5 until 11.59pm on Monday June 8 for all speeding, mobile phone, seat belt and motorcycle helmet offences across the long weekend.
Friday June 5 is also a gazetted school day so double demerit points will apply to relevant school zone offences.