The Best Things to Do in Queensland in September 2026
September is one of the finest months to be in Queensland.
The oppressive humidity of summer is still months away. The days are warm and gloriously sunny. The evenings are comfortable enough to sit outside with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. And across the state from Brisbane to Cairns, from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba, the events calendar is extraordinary.
For Queenslanders this is the month to get out and explore. For visitors considering a Queensland trip there is genuinely no better time of year to come. The Great Barrier Reef is at its clearest. The humpback whales are in Moreton Bay. The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is one of the great events in the Australian calendar. And Brisbane is buzzing with world class festival energy.
Here is everything worth knowing about Queensland in September 2026.
Queensland in September — What to Expect
September sits at the very heart of Queensland’s best season. Temperatures across the southeast sit comfortably between 18 and 27 degrees Celsius with low humidity and predominantly clear skies. Further north in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland conditions are warm and dry — the ideal time to visit before the wet season arrives in November.
The school holidays fall across the middle of September in Queensland which means some popular destinations will be busier than usual. Book accommodation and tickets for popular events well in advance particularly for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers weekends which fill up fast.
September is also peak whale watching season in Moreton Bay as humpback whales make their annual migration north from Antarctica. And the wildflowers across the Granite Belt region in the Darling Downs are at their spectacular best.
Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival takes over the city each September for three extraordinary weeks of classical and contemporary music, theatre, dance, comedy, opera, circus, and major public events.
The highlight for most visitors is Riverfire — a spectacular fireworks display over the Brisbane River that is one of the most impressive free events in Australia. Tens of thousands of people line the riverbanks each year to watch the display which has become one of Brisbane’s most beloved annual traditions.
Beyond Riverfire the festival programme spans hundreds of events across the city including performances at QPAC, South Bank, and dozens of venues throughout Brisbane. Many events are free or low cost and the festival creates an extraordinary atmosphere across the city that makes September a genuinely exciting time to be in Brisbane.
Many events are free. Ticketed events start from around $20. Check the full programme at brisbanefestival.com.au.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Now in its 77th year, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is Queensland’s longest running annual festival and one of the most spectacular events in the Australian calendar.
Over 40 million petals transform the Garden City into an extraordinary floral wonderland across three weekends from 18 September to 5 October. The Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday 19 September is the centrepiece of the festival — a spectacular procession through the city that has been running for over 75 years and draws enormous crowds.
FEASTival on 26 and 27 September brings celebrity chefs, artisan markets, and boutique bars to the event with live cooking demonstrations and extraordinary local produce. Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park are free to explore daily throughout the festival with stunning floral displays in both parks.
Toowoomba is just a scenic two hour drive from Brisbane along the Warrego Highway making it a perfect day trip or weekend escape. The drive up the Great Dividing Range to the Darling Downs is beautiful in its own right with sweeping views back toward Brisbane on clear days.
Practical tips: Arrive early on parade morning to secure a good position along the route. Wear comfortable shoes — you will do a lot of walking. The Queens Park Botanic Gardens are particularly spectacular in the early morning before the crowds arrive. Book accommodation in Toowoomba for festival weekends as early as possible — the town fills completely.
Entry to the feature parks is free. FEASTival tickets start from $20. Grand Central Floral Parade is free to watch. Full programme at tcof.com.au.
Jim Henson Exhibition at QAGOMA
The Gallery of Modern Art in South Bank Brisbane is hosting an exclusive Australian exhibition exploring The Jim Henson Company — the creative force behind the Muppets, Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.
An extraordinary collection of original puppets, costumes, sketches, and behind the scenes material from one of the most beloved creative companies in entertainment history. Whether you grew up watching Kermit and Miss Piggy, remember the wonder of Sesame Street, or were captivated by the extraordinary world of The Dark Crystal — this exhibition is a genuinely moving tribute to one of the twentieth century’s most imaginative artists.
QAGOMA is located in South Bank directly across from the CBD making it easy to combine with a riverside lunch or a walk along South Bank Parklands before or after the exhibition.
Tickets from $24. Concessions available. Book at qagoma.qld.gov.au.
Anastasia the Musical at QPAC
The acclaimed Broadway musical Anastasia arrives in Brisbane this September at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The story of the lost Russian princess brings romance, adventure, and extraordinary music to one of Brisbane’s finest stages.
QPAC is located in the heart of South Bank making it easy to combine an evening performance with dinner at one of the excellent South Bank restaurants before the show. The precinct has excellent dining options at every price point.
One of the most anticipated theatre events of the Queensland calendar this year. Tickets from $65 with concessions available. Book at qpac.com.au.
Tangalooma Whale Watching
September is the height of humpback whale season in Moreton Bay. Tangalooma Island Resort operates whale watching cruises from Brisbane that provide extraordinary up close encounters with these magnificent creatures on their annual migration from Antarctica to the warm waters of Queensland.
Humpback whales can reach 16 metres in length and watching them breach, tail slap, and surface alongside the boat is one of the most genuinely thrilling wildlife experiences available in Australia. The cruises depart from the Holt Street Wharf in Brisbane and the journey to Moreton Island is a beautiful experience in its own right.
Practical tips: Book as early as possible as September cruises fill quickly. Bring a warm layer as it can be cool on the water. Binoculars are useful for spotting whales in the distance before they surface close to the boat.
Cruises from $95 per person. Book at tangalooma.com.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast in September is a genuinely excellent destination. The beach weather is warm without the extreme heat and humidity of summer, the surf is consistent, and the theme parks and attractions are operating at full capacity without the peak summer crowds.
Surfers Paradise Beach is one of Australia’s most iconic stretches of coastline and September morning walks along the beach with the hinterland visible in the distance are genuinely beautiful. The Gold Coast Hinterland — the Lamington National Park and the Scenic Rim — is spectacular in spring with the rainforest at its lushest and the waterfalls running well.
For wildlife lovers David Fleay Wildlife Park in Burleigh Heads offers one of the best collections of Australian native animals in Queensland in a beautiful bushland setting. The park is named after the Australian naturalist who was the first person to breed a platypus in captivity.
The Gold Coast is approximately one hour south of Brisbane by car or Gold Coast Airport is serviced by direct flights from most Australian capital cities.
Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast in September offers one of the most relaxed and beautiful Queensland experiences available. Noosa Heads is at its absolute best — the national park hinterland walks are magnificent in spring, the main beach is uncrowded by summer standards, and Hastings Street dining is as excellent as anywhere in Queensland.
The Eumundi Markets operate every Wednesday and Saturday and are among the finest artisan markets in Australia with over 300 stalls of local produce, art, jewellery, clothing, and food. The Wednesday market is quieter and more relaxed than the Saturday market making it particularly enjoyable for a mid-week visit.
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland — the Glass House Mountains, Montville, and Maleny — is extraordinary in spring with the rolling green countryside at its most beautiful and the small towns offering excellent cafes, galleries, and artisan producers.
The Sunshine Coast is approximately one hour north of Brisbane by car or Sunshine Coast Airport is serviced by direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne.
Cairns and Tropical North Queensland
September is one of the finest months to visit Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. The dry season is at its peak — warm, sunny days with low humidity and no rain. Visibility on the Great Barrier Reef is at its annual best making September ideal for snorkelling and diving.
The Daintree Rainforest is extraordinary in the dry season — accessible, comfortable to explore, and alive with wildlife. Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef is one of the most remarkable landscapes in Australia.
September is also excellent for Cape York adventure travel for those with a four wheel drive — the roads are dry and passable making it one of the great Australian road trips for those who want to explore one of the country’s most remote and spectacular destinations.
Cairns is serviced by direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
Free Things to Do in Queensland in September
Queensland offers an extraordinary range of free activities and experiences this September.
Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands are free to explore and include the Streets Beach — a man-made beach in the heart of the city — extensive gardens, and the full riverside precinct. The South Bank Parklands are one of the great free urban spaces in Australia and particularly beautiful on spring mornings.
The Queensland Museum in South Bank is free to enter and houses an outstanding collection of natural history, science, and Queensland cultural history. The Museum of Brisbane in City Hall is also free and offers a fascinating exploration of Brisbane’s history and culture.
The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket is not free but at $35 per adult it is one of the best wildlife experiences in Queensland — the opportunity to hold a koala and hand feed kangaroos in a beautiful bushland setting just 11 kilometres from the CBD.
Noosa National Park coastal walk is completely free and offers one of the most beautiful coastal walking experiences in Queensland — the walk from Noosa Main Beach to Hell’s Gates along the headland takes approximately two hours and the views are extraordinary.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers feature parks — Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park — are free to enter daily throughout the festival period making a visit to Toowoomba genuinely accessible even on a tight budget.
The Full September Queensland Events Guide
This article covers the highlights. For the complete September 2026 Events Guide including full event descriptions, costs, booking tips, and insider advice for every event across Queensland and every other Australian state — download the exclusive PDF available to Good Years Club Premium members.
