Australia
A long weekend in Australia: Sydney in three days
Australia is huge, so choose just one region for a short stay. September is a good month to visit: it's spring, not too hot and quieter than in summer. Stay close to Sydney and pick either the famous icons or the nature just outside the city. That way you won't spend all your time on a plane.
22 September 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 3 sources
Friday evening: arrival in the city
Land in Sydney and walk straight to the harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House sit next to each other and are beautifully lit up at night. In September it's still light and pleasant at this time of day, around 18 degrees, ideal for a walk along the water.
You don't need to exchange any money for this trip. Almost every shop and restaurant in Sydney accepts credit or debit cards.
Leave the outback for another time. With only a few days you won't have time for the remote areas. Stay close to the coast and the city.
- Take an evening walk along the harbour by the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Pay by card: you'll hardly need any cash.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge towers over the harbour, connecting the city to the north.Australia
Saturday: action and adventure
Make Saturday a day full of movement. Around Sydney you can skydive, take a hot air balloon ride, or get on the water with a surfboard or kite. September is still a bit cooler than summer, so wear a wetsuit if you go surfing or kitesurfing.
Don't count on seeing a cassowary. This bird only lives in the rainforests of North Queensland, far from Sydney, and is also an endangered species, so the chance of spotting one is very small.
In the evening you could visit a casino to unwind after an active day.
- Book a skydive or a hot air balloon flight for the views.
- Go surfing or kitesurfing, but expect to need a wetsuit in September.
- End the day at a casino: you must be 18 or over to gamble.
Sunday morning: nature and calm
Use your last morning to look for something special: the platypus. This animal lives in quiet, vegetated creeks and is most active at sunrise. Expect around a three-hour drive from Sydney to the reserves near Bombala or Delegate, so this is only doable if you leave early or are already staying nearby.
If you don't have that much time, choose a peaceful forest walk closer to the city instead. You might not see a platypus, but you'll still see what makes Australian nature so special.
Skip the Torres Strait Islands. These islands lie far north of Queensland, and you need permission from the traditional owners to visit. That doesn't fit into a short weekend.
- Visit a reserve at sunrise or sunset for the best chance of seeing a platypus.
- No time for the trip to Bombala or Delegate? Choose a forest walk closer to Sydney instead.
