Friends enjoying a visit to the Carriageworks Farmers Markets, Eveleigh
October Long Weekend Labour Day
There are lots of ways to enjoy a long weekend in Sydney. The first Monday in October is Labour Day, giving the whole city three days off to enjoy the start of Spring. Head to the beach for the first swim of the season, enjoy a festival, get tickets to a show, explore a coastal walking trail or spot whales making their way back home.
Festivals, shows and events
Watch the year’s top rugby league players battle it out at the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final on Sunday October 6. The atmosphere at ANZ Stadium will be electric as thousands of fans cheer on their team. If you can’t make it to the game, watch it on the big screens at your favourite pub.
The Manly Jazz Festival is a long weekend favourite. Running over the whole weekend, local and international acts perform in front of Manly Beach. Then visit one of the city’s bustling outdoor markets. Discover local designers at Bondi Markets, Glebe Markets and Paddington Markets, or pick up fresh produce at Carriageworks Farmers Markets.
Sing along to one of Sydney’s big name musicals. At the Sydney Opera House, you can see West Side Story and Hair, while Chicago is playing at the Capitol Theatre. Catch the last days of Shaun Gladwell: Pacific Undertow at the MCA or celebrate 50 years of Kaldor Public Art Projects at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Beaches and outdoor activities
With the weather warming up, the October long weekend is a great time for a dip. Join the crowds at Bondi, catch the ferry to surf at Freshwater or discover one of Sydney’s secret harbour beaches. Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a swim at the North Sydney Olympic Pool or try the 112-year-old Wylie’s Baths in Coogee.
Celebrate Walktober in Sydney and get active by exploring the city’s wonderful and diverse tracks and trails, from coastal walks to suburban pathways. Bondi to Coogee, the Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head and the Manly to the Spit Bridge all provide glorious views of the city and its surrounds.
Whale watching
In October, thousands of whales will be making their way back down the east coast of Australia towards Antarctica. Spot them from vantage points like Barranjoey Lighthouse, North Head, the Federation Cliff Walk and Cape Solander. You can also hop aboard a whale watching cruise. Check out Wild About Whales for recent sightings.