Northern Territory Weather in September

Top End Weather in September

Even though the Top End is inching closer to Wet Season, it’s not quite there yet. September still means warm days, mild nights and hardly any rain.

The locals can be found outside, enjoying life at the beach, swimming in waterholes and browsing through bustling markets. 

Average sea temperatures

Water temperatures in the Top End are around 29°C | 84°F in September. Before going for a swim, look out for salties (saltwater crocodiles) and box jellyfish as they can be dangerous. In inland water holes, check for freshwater crocs. 

Red Centre Weather in September

Daytime temperatures in the Red Centre are moving closer to the 30°C | 86°F mark and spring is in the air. September is a great time to explore the Red Centre on foot as it’s not too hot yet and the flies are very manageable. Nightly temperatures are climbing again as well, even though, on average, it still feels chilly. 

Average temperature in Northern Territory

Average sunshine hours

Thanks to mainly clear days in the desert, the Red Centre enjoys 8 - 10 sunshine hours per day nearly year-round. In the Top End, the average daily sunshine in Darwin in August is around 10 hours during the Dry Season. 

Average rainfall 

Best things to do in Northern Territory in September

With hardly any rain and agreeable temperatures, now is the best time to explore the Northern Territory’s Great Outdoors! 

Marvel at the Uluru Field of Light

What was originally meant to be a temporary art installation proved so popular it’s now a permanent fixture. Walk through a sea of thousands of pulsating light spheres while the stars and milky way above you twinkle almost as brightly. The award-winning ‘Sounds of Silence’ Dinner is an experience not to be missed. 

Hike the Red Centre

September is a great time to strap on your hiking boots and explore the best hikes the Red Centre has to offer! Uluru Base Walk is a relatively easy 10km | 6.2mi loop walk around Uluru (Ayers Rock) where you get to see the world’s largest single rock monolith up close and learn about its significance in Aboriginal history. Other must-do hikes in the Red Centre include Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta (Valley of the Winds). 

Meet Aboriginal artists

Aboriginal art centres and galleries can be found all over the Northern Territory. The most popular are located on the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin and near Uluru. Sit with the artists, learn more about the meaning of their art and watch them work. In some art centres (eg at Maruku Arts in Uluru), you can try your own hand at dot-painting in one of their workshops.

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

Between May and November, Mindil Beach hosts its famous Sunset Market. Every Thursday and Sunday evening from 4pm to 9pm, Darwin’s biggest market dishes up an array of street performers and buskers. Shop for souvenirs, jewellery, arts and crafts. Then munch your way through the food stalls and find your spot on the beach to watch the sunset. Perfection? I’d say so!

Recommended Northern Territory Itineraries in September

Explore the Northern Territory at your own pace. No matter how much time you have available, our NT tours and itineraries take you to the best places the Red Centre and Top End have to offer. And if you have any questions, our team of experts are more than happy to make suggestions. Just message us!