We can start to kiss the winter months goodbye, Aussies and visitors! Spring is around the corner and just after that we can be back on the blissful waves, feeling the sand between our toes in the summertime. However, there is still a lot of joy to be had this September with a plethora of events unfolding across the country. 

Book these in your calendar, and explore as many as you can in the weeks to come!

Brisbane Festival, September 6-27

This annual cultural event is an ideal time to visit Brisbane, so hire a car and make your way around more than 70 productions and 400 performances. There are art installations to admire, and South Bank is a particularly great place to go during the festival as it will be transformed into a lit-up spectacle called Arcadia. Two tents will be set up here with stunning aerobic performances called Club Swizzle and Fear and Delight.

You could also watch 3D chalk creations live, marvelling at the optical illusions and artistic talent of the creators. Food trucks galore await you here, and there are also a multitude of bars to hop through, so you will be fed and watered with delightful cuisine and toast to the good times.

Sydney Running Festival, September 20

Running enthusiasts can unleash their best impersonation of 'run, Forrest, run!' as they charge through the streets of this fine city. With nearly 35,000 participants each year, you'll make plenty of friends and can enjoy picking a run that best suits your fitness level – there's a half marathon, marathon and cruisy 3.5km family fun run so the kids can have a ball too. 

One of the best activities as part of this event is without a doubt the 9km bridge run, which involves running along the main deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since it was built back in 1924, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been an icon of the skyline and affectionately called the 'Coathanger' by locals. The views from this world's largest steel arch bridge, soaring high above the waters at 134 metres, are truly spectacular and a reward in itself for all your running efforts. 

Melbourne Fringe Festival, September 23 – October 4

The city renowned for its artistic flair lives up to its reputation in this annual festival, which, this year, will showcase 4,000 artists and nearly 300 shows. There are art forms to please every palette, from circuses, theatrical performances, stand up comedy, visual arts, dance and cabaret. 

An entire program just for the kids has been developed, so take them and their friends on a Melbournian road trip to see the various screenings. One not to miss is 'An Awesome Alliterated Alphabet', which is a novel experience since it is inside The Nylon Zoo's inflatable salmon story theatre.

AFL Finals Series, September 11 – October 3

Although the Australian Rules Football season has a lot to offer footy fans, the icing on the cake is seeing the Grand Final at the colossal Melbourne Cricket Ground. If your favourite team wins the cup and you're there in person witnessing this glorious moment, you're likely to cherish the memory for a lifetime. 

Tickets sell like hot cakes, so even if you didn't manage to get your hands on one, you can still enjoy the palpable atmosphere from one of the sports bars in the city. Cruise through the streets chanting with fellow fans, face paint smeared across your cheeks, your voices hoarse from yelling! 

Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival, September 11-12

Don't think the glitz and glam of the racing season is only reserved for Melbourne during Cup Week. Sunny Cairns is home to the Amateurs Racing Carnival, a weekend of horse racing with complemented with a myriad of activities involving food, fashion and fabulousness. Live music sets the tone and the ladies can flaunt their carefully-coordinated chic outfits on fashions on the field. 

Off the track, there's several key events to consider attending: Cairns Amateurs Ball, Cairns Amateurs Garden Party or the Cairns Airport Ladies Fashion High Tea. Dress to the nines for each of these events and enjoy people watching as over 20,000 racegoers will be around this weekend. Ask a friend to be the sober driver and hire a car in Cairns to enjoy the buzz around the race course all weekend long!