With great feats of engineering, love for art, wonderful hospitality, exotic cuisines, and a culture that makes you want to go gala all day, Sydney is a city that has so much for you to experience. Known as ‘The Emerald City', Sydney is the global vacation destination to explore right from the sandy beaches to sunny harbors, botanical gardens to parks, and major adrenaline spiking activities.
Septembers in Sydney experience springtime, when the city’s botanical gardens and natural pathways come to light as the weather transitions from cool to warm and is a great time to plan the ultimate vacation.
What makes Sydney in September special?
Situated on Australia’s east coast, Sydney is a city with a lot of beaches, serene parks, and an array of outdoor adventure activities to indulge into. This dynamic city is a blend of different cultures and places and is easily one of the most visited cities by tourists.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Sydney during September as it gears up to host numerous concerts, festivities, and adventure-filled activities like skydiving, surfing, etc. to make your trip a fun one. During this time, the flowers can be seen blooming in the Royal Botanical Gardens and parks, making it the perfect time to visit and stroll through a peaceful and green habitat.
With so much to do, you may be dazzled with where to start from. Here, we bring to you a perfect itinerary on what to see, where to stay, everything to help you plan your trip with safety measures in place to ensure you have a great stay.
Sydney in September : Weather
The weather in Sydney is usually subtropical with mild, sunny weather throughout the year. September is the beginning of spring in Sydney, so there can be an increase in temperatures and sunshine, which makes it pleasant for sightseeing activities. The average daytime temperature in September is around 16°C and can hit a peak of 20°C on warmer days.
Sydney in September: Top experiences
1
Irukandji Tawny Nurse Shark Encounter
Experience walking on the sandy beaches of the lagoons and get a chance to interact with various sea animals. Have an up-close time and indulge in knowing the different species of aquatic animals in this private experience. The highlight is the 20-minute encounter with the biggest shark in the aquarium, the tawny nurse shark. This is followed by a relaxing cruise around the tropical aquarium.
September Timings
Daily at 3pm
2 Jessie Rd, Anna Bay NSW 2316,Sydney
Australia
Getting There ›
2
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Meet your favorite stars at the Madame Tussauds Sydney Museum. The space consists of 8 sections filled with realistic wax figures of well-known celebrities. These sections have the Justice League, Marvel, Film & TV, MTV Music, Party, Sports, Fashion, History, and World Leaders. Take a picture with the wax figure of Jackie Chain or Wolverine or stand next to Angelina Jolie at a party this September.
September Timings
Daily 10am to 4pm
Aquarium Wharf, 1-5 Wheat Rd, NSW 2000, Sydney
Getting There ›
3
Australian National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum portrays stories of naval wars, talks about the modern beach culture, ancient saltwater traditions, and aquatic sporting achievements. You get an insight into the lives of sailors aboard a naval warship as well as a submarine. Walk through the galleries and learn about sailing, surfing, naval defence forces, and much more.
September Timings
Daily 10am to 4pm
Darling Harbour, (the Pyrmont side) at 2 Murray St, Sydney
Australia
Getting There ›
4
Sydney Opera House Show
Enjoy an evening filled with iconic opera hits by some of the country’s finest singers. The 90-minute show brings to you some of the best opera hits and enjoys the works of art from Puccini, Bizet, Versi, and Rossini, sung with a piano accompaniment. Here is a good introduction to the world of opera and admire the infrastructure of the Sydney Opera house show.
September Timings
Daily 8.45am to 9pm
Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
5
Skydive Sydney
For adventure seekers, skydiving in Sydney is one of the most exhilarating experiences. Jump from a height of 15000 ft. and freefall as you take in the stunning city views around you. There are three amazing skydiving locations available in Sydney – Wollongong, Newcastle and Hunter Valley. Visitors can choose to just experience skydiving or get their videos and photos taken during skydiving too.
September Timings
Daily, 7am – 11am
Sydney NSW,
Australia
Getting There ›
6
Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains
Escape from the city for a full-day tour to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves. You can experience the breathtaking highlights of Blue Mountains National Park, including the Three Sisters pinnacles at Echo Point, and also oversee the beautiful rainforests and valleys. You will also explore the Jenolan Caves on this tour, the world’s oldest and deepest caves with underground rivers.
New South Wales 2787,
Australia
Getting There ›
7
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
Indulge into the fascinating world of marine life by visiting Australia’s vast SEA Life Aquarium. You will see diverse species of aquatic creatures such as penguins, platypuses, sharks amongst 13,000 other animals from various species distributed over 14 themed zones.
September Timings
Daily 10am to 5pm
1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
8
Take a Day Trip From Sydney to Hunter Valley
This September, escape into a wine country, with top-class wineries, delicious local produce, luxurious hideaways await. Take a trip from Sydney to Hunter Valley, merely two hours long, to a magnificent beauty where you can discover all about the wine-making process while walking through the famous vineyards. You get a chance to get your palette exposed to award-winning wine tastings and sample locally-made cheese cubes. If this doesn't sound like something you'd like to do, there are still plenty of day drips from Sydney to choose from!
Region of New South Wales,
Australia
Getting There ›
9
Sydney Tower Eye
The Sydney Tower Eye allows you to see a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. It is at a point of 820 feet above the ground from where you can spot some of the famous local landmarks like the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the Blue Mountains, to name a few. It has a touchscreen which allows you to get an interactive introduction and see everything up close with the high-powered binoculars.
September Timings
Daily 10am to 6pm
100 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
10
Taronga Zoo
When in Sydney, do something quirky and explore the wild side of the city. Head to Australia’s most premier zoo and get astonished by its fauna and get to witness more than 350 varieties of species of animals at the Taronga Zoo. You can learn all about the lives of the animals residing and experience the world from their eyes.
September Timings
Daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm
Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088,
Australia
Getting There ›
Sydney in September: Events to look out for
Sydney Fringe Festival
1 - 30 September, 2024
The largest independent arts festival in New South Wales, embracing the alternative and eccentric through a diverse array of performances, exhibitions, and talks. From 1st to 30th September, expect dynamic displays at five cultural villages, with 300 productions in over 50 venues every September.
Sydney Colour Frenzy
29 September, 2024
Celebrate at Sydney Colour Frenzy at Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park! Enjoy 5 Colour Stations, a Foam Station, and inflatable obstacles in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you walk, jog, run, or crawl, the untimed event caters to all ages.
Sydney in September : Essentials
Where to stay in Sydney in September
Finding a suitable stay at this time of the year should not be an issue. Here is a list of places to stay in Sydney to suit your requirement.
What to pack for Sydney in September
Since it is the beginning of spring, few days are warm, while some can get cold. It is ideal to pack for both kinds of weather. You can pack shorts, T-shirts, jeans if you prefer. Women can carry a sarong, as it is common in Sydney to go out for a lazy breakfast right by the beach. Men can carry a pair of jeans or shorts or cropped pants for daytime. You can also pack sneakers or flip-flops to have a comfortable walk.
Getting around in Sydney in September
- Bus – The bus fares depend on the number of zones you travel with. The fare begins at 2.25 AUD for off-peak travel.
- Train – The City Circle is the train that runs in a loop which stops at all the main stations.
- Ferry – The ferry takes you through Sydney Harbour, the Manly, the Taronga Zoo, the Olympic Park, to name a few.
- Bike Share – Car rental – You can rent a car and go around the city at your own convenience. The general rate starts from 60 AUD.
Sydney in September : Seasonal Delicacies
This flaky package is a pure guilty pleasure and is the epitome of Australian food. This item is on the menu at every house party. The meat pie has many different variations of it, but if you like it simple, have the one with mashed potatoes and gravy. Grab a bite of this pie at Harry's Cafe de Wheels.
This dish is quick and easy to make. Squid or calamari covered in salt-and-pepper batter, deep-friend and is accompanied by sweet chilli sauce. This is a pub staple and is often served as a snack with a side salad. You can try this out at Nicks Seafood Restaurant.
An Australian barbeque is made up of sausages, steak, lamb cutlets, burgers, and fresh seafood. All this is washed down with a few stubbies (beer). If you wish for a more refined barbeque experience, you should dine at Firedoor, a grill restaurant in Surry hills, Sydney.
This is a traditional seafood starter made from shelled prawns in mayonnaise and tomato dressing, served in a glass with a lettuce leaf. This was embraced by Australia as its own in the 1970s. You can enjoy this exotic cocktail at Felix.
John Dory is a popular fish variety amongst the local Australian cuisine. It is battered and fried/ pan-fried with herbed oil and is served with chips on a bed of mashed potato with salad on the side. This is a popular Australian food and can be had at Golden Sheaf Hotel.
Tips for Visiting Sydney in September
- The weather in September is generally pleasant, so you are blessed with a shoulder season. You can just carry light clothing like shorts, t-shirts, skirts etc.
- Since September is not a peak season in Sydney, you are bound to find cheap airfare.
- The perfect way to get around the city would be through Sydney Trains. The City Circle Line is a great deal for travelers looking to see some of the city’s well-known attractions.
- If you want to get from one part of the city to another, you can also catch a ferry across Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a stellar ferry trip while sailing through the soothing weather at this time of the year.
- Visiting the city during September is an ideal choice if you wish to beat the crowd.
FAQs
Yes! In fact, September is the start of the peak season for Sydney. The weather is comfortable and tourists are present, but manageable, making it the perfect time to visit.
It is expected to rain for about 11 days across the month, an average of 60mm.
The average daytime temperatures in Sydney in September are around 16 degrees celsius, while high temperatures can hit peaks of 20°C on te warmer days. While the weather is warming up at the time, there can still be chilly winds occasionally.
Maybe not whales, per sé, but you will have plenty of opportunities to spot Orcas, Minkes and if you're extra lucky, humpback whales. In September, Orcas are your best bet!
The weather will be comfortable but the water is going to be sea is pretty cool! The average temperature of the sea water in September is about 18 degrees celsius.