Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Australia & New Zealand cruises in September
Spring arrives, with humpbacks heading south with their calves and Western Australia’s wildflower season blooming inland from Fremantle. The first repositioning ships for the summer season arrive late in the month. Weather is mild but changeable, and New Zealand remains cool.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 64°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in September: Shoulder season
Spring arrives, with humpbacks heading south with their calves and Western Australia’s wildflower season blooming inland from Fremantle. The first repositioning ships for the summer season arrive late in the month. Weather is mild but changeable, and New Zealand remains cool.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, September brings average highs around 64°F (18°C) and lows near 53°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane
- Average high / low
- 64°F / 53°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.7 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights between Sydney and Auckland; 3- to 10-night coastal cruises from Australia
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How September compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand weather in September
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7625 | 7624 | 7423 | 6921 | 6518 | 6116 | 6016 | 6116 | 6418 | 6720 | 7122 | 7423 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6518 | 6518 | 6317 | 6015 | 5613 | 5312 | 5111 | 5111 | 5312 | 5613 | 5915 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.0101 | 3.897 | 3.998 | 3.179 | 3.077 | 3.179 | 3.486 | 2.871 | 2.769 | 2.872 | 2.871 | 3.588 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 68°F | 57°F | 1.4 in | 12 h |
| Auckland | 61°F | 52°F | 4.4 in | 12 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 56°F | 45°F | 7.8 in | 12 h |
| Melbourne | 62°F | 47°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 58°F | 45°F | 1.9 in | 12 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 60°F | 52°F | 5.5 in | 12 h |
| Bay of Islands | 61°F | 57°F | 4.0 in | 12 h |
| Wellington | 55°F | 50°F | 3.7 in | 12 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 53°F | 46°F | 1.3 in | 12 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 53°F | 47°F | 1.6 in | 12 h |
| Cairns | 85°F | 70°F | 0.8 in | 12 h |
| Brisbane | 76°F | 61°F | 1.3 in | 12 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 80°F | 68°F | 0.4 in | 12 h |
| Napier | 61°F | 48°F | 4.0 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in September
- Hawaii in September
- Canada & New England in September
- Pacific Coastal in September
- Mediterranean in September
- Western Mediterranean in September
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic in September
- Greek Isles in September
- Western Europe in September
- Tahiti & the South Pacific in September
- Danube River in September
See every destination for September, with a port weather map →
Australia & New Zealand in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Spring arrives, with humpbacks heading south with their calves and Western Australia’s wildflower season blooming inland from Fremantle. The first repositioning ships for the summer season arrive late in the month. Weather is mild but changeable, and New Zealand remains cool.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in September?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, September brings average highs around 64°F (18°C) and lows near 53°F, with about 2.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in September?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in September?
September is also a top month for Hawaii, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.