Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 CNY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Net unrecognized losses on terminated derivative instruments expected to be reclassified to earnings			$ 64
Term of gain or loss recognition in interest expense on terminated derivatives recorded in OCI			12 months
Description of Net Investment Hedge Activity			In June 2015, Woodward designated an intercompany loan of 160,000 RMB between two wholly owned subsidiaries as a hedge of a foreign currency exposure of the net investment of the borrower in the lender. A foreign exchange gain on the loan of $11, net of taxes, is included in foreign currency translation adjustments within total comprehensive earnings for the three and nine-months ended June 30, 2015.
Intercompany Loan [Member]
Foreign exchange gain/loss on loan to hedge foreign currency exposure	$ 11
Value of Net Investment Hedging Instruments Used | ¥					¥ 160,000
Interest Expense [Member] | Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]
Amount of Gain/Loss Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivative	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings [Member]
Unrecognized gains (loss)						$ 244	$ 170