Month guide · Melbourne · Australia
Melbourne in September
What September is really like in Melbourne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Redtree21, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
September is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 17°C (63°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 11.9 hours of daylight. Spring begins with mixed weather and gusty winds; footy fever peaks as the finals series ends at the MCG.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 17°C (63°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 13°C (55°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in September
September is the 9th-warmest month in Melbourne: days average 17°C (63°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 30 days. Compared with August (15°C (59°F)), September is warmer; by October highs climb to around 20°C (68°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:20
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:10
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea
- 13°C (55°F)
Summer (December–February). Warm to hot, mostly dry days with long evenings, the Australian Open and beach days at St Kilda, interrupted by occasional 40°C heat and sudden cool changes.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 3 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: September is one of the pricier months.
Events in September
- AFL Grand Final at the MCG (usually the last Saturday of September)
- Melbourne Fringe Festival (usually September to October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Architecture · Melbourne CBD
State Library Victoria
Take the lift to the top gallery level for the classic view down into the domed reading room.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Aquarium · Melbourne CBD
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
On the north bank of the Yarra at the corner of Flinders and King Streets, the aquarium has king and gentoo penguins in a sub-Antarctic zone, a large oceanarium with sharks and rays, and tunnels and touch pools for children.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
.jpg){kind=link}
Historic site · Melbourne CBD
Old Melbourne Gaol
Allow time for the City Watch House next door, where a guide plays out an arrest and lock-up in the original cells.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Street · Melbourne CBD
Hosier Lane and the CBD laneways
The CBD's lanes and arcades are Melbourne's signature.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Food
- Photo spot
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 17°C, lows near 9°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Melbourne?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Melbourne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Melbourne?
It is a shoulder-season month. Spring begins with mixed weather and gusty winds; footy fever peaks as the finals series ends at the MCG.
+How warm is Melbourne in September?
Average highs are around 17°C (63°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Melbourne in September?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.