If you’ve ever found yourself shivering in your own lounge room, rugged up in more layers than a polar explorer, you’re not alone.
In fact, it’s a uniquely Australian winter experience—one that’s left even hardy Canadians scratching their heads and reaching for the Ugg boots.
Let’s set the scene: Cat Edmondson, a Canadian expat who’s braved the bone-chilling -20°C winters of Toronto, thought she’d left the worst of the cold behind when she moved to sunny Australia.
But after a decade Down Under, Cat admits she was completely unprepared for the icy reality of an Australian winter—indoors.
‘In Canada, it could be -30°C outside, but inside, it was always a toasty 23°C,’ Cat explains. ‘Here, I always find it is 10 degrees colder inside than outside.’
She recalls her first winter in a rental in Annandale, New South Wales, when a draft through a wall crack left her feeling ‘tortured’. The shock was so great, she nearly packed her bags for home.
If you’re nodding along, you’re in good company. Many Australians have long suspected that our homes are, paradoxically, colder inside than out during winter. And it’s not just a feeling—there’s a reason for it.
Why are Australian homes so cold in winter?
Unlike their North American or European counterparts, most Australian homes are built with summer in mind.
Our houses are designed to keep us cool during those 40°C scorchers, with wide eaves, high ceilings, and plenty of ventilation.
Insulation? Double glazing? Central heating? For many, these are foreign concepts, or at best, afterthoughts.
The result? When winter rolls around, the cold seeps in and stays put. Our walls are thin, our windows single-paned, and our heating options often limited to a portable heater or, if you’re lucky, a reverse-cycle air conditioner. The upshot is that while it might be a mild 15°C outside, it can feel like the Arctic Circle inside.
The great indoors: Layering up like never before
Cat’s experience is all too familiar. ‘I’ve never worn slippers before,’ she laughs. ‘Australian winters shocked me—while it’s still 17°C outside, inside somehow feels 10 degrees colder.’
Her winter uniform now includes socks, slippers, sweatpants, at least one jumper (sometimes two), and a scarf. Gloves are next on her shopping list.
After sharing her plight on social media, Cat was met with disbelief from Canadians and Australians alike.
‘No way is Australian winter colder than Canada,’ one commenter scoffed. But as Cat points out, ‘I don’t think the rest of the world realises how cold it can get indoors when not properly insulated.’
Australian construction: Built for heat, not for cold
The heart of the issue is our building standards. In places like Canada, homes are built to withstand months of sub-zero temperatures.
Central heating is standard, insulation is thick, and double-glazed windows are the norm. In Australia, especially in older homes, these features are rare.
Cat notes, ‘Whether you are south or in NSW, the infrastructure compared to North America is way different and houses are built with less intention to keep warm, which can be understandable when summer can hit 40 degrees. But there needs to be a solution to help during both seasons.’
Social life on ice
The cold doesn’t just affect comfort—it changes how we socialise. In Canada, Cat says, ‘I’d go out for a night in a skirt and heels in the snow, and inside was always hot. I never wore a jacket to the shops, I always knew inside would be warm.’
In Sydney, she’d rather stay home in her layers than brave a chilly house party.
The surprising upside: The ocean’s warmer than your house
If there’s a silver lining, it’s this: ‘The only positive to winter here is the ocean is warmer,’ Cat says.
‘Sometimes it’s warmer in the ocean than my house.’ So, if you’re desperate for warmth, maybe it’s time for a mid-winter dip!
What can be done?
If you’re tired of shivering through winter, there are a few things you can do:
- Insulate: If you own your home, consider adding insulation to your roof and walls. Even simple draught-proofing can make a big difference.
- Rug up: Layering isn’t just for fashion—thermal underwear, thick socks, and a good pair of slippers can help.
- Portable heating: Invest in an efficient heater, and use it in the rooms you spend the most time in.
- Curtains and rugs: Heavy curtains and floor rugs can help keep the warmth in and the cold out.
- Government rebates: Check if you’re eligible for any state or federal rebates for energy efficiency upgrades.
Have your say!
Do you find Australian winters colder inside than out? Have you got any tips for staying warm, or horror stories of your own? We’d love to hear from you—share your experiences and advice in the comments below. Let’s help each other survive another chilly season!
The not yet 20 year old house has insulation, but tiles everywhere except the three bedrooms, which have floating floor. Tiles are exceptionally cold in winter, so the only way is to use the ducted reverse cycle aircon for the room you are in. Bear in mind that the aircon in the lounge dining area in an open plan home will always be on when the aircon is operating. The other saviour is putting the electric blanket on an hour or so before retiring, to make it easier to slip in between the sheets. Not for everyone, but it works for me as I intensely dislike the cold.
She is correct in that Australian homes are not built for winter except possibly in Tasmania.
Most houses here are freezing in winter and the older ones are impossible to warm up.
I fixed that by moving to north Queensland fifty years ago where along the coast the winters only last about six weeks and temperatures rarely fall below 12C.
I almost feel sorry for southerners in those freezing months either shivering or spending a lot of money to keep warm.
Yes David,
She is correct! No insolation, no double glassing or double brick walls in 90% of Aussie homes. Built for summer all year round except for Tassie maybe. I think it will change with the way the weather is changing, maybe.