03 June 2024
26 mins Read
As the days cool down, you may be looking for things to do that’ll warm you up, body and soul. If so, June is your lucky month – there are plenty of things to do around the country.
From art fairs and foodie feasts to cosy winter events and harvest season celebrations, there’s something for everyone to delight in. To help plan your calendar, we’ve collated a guide of the best goings-on for the month of June.
NSW | VIC | QLD | TAS | WA | SA | NT | ACT
The Central Coast Harvest Festival will be in full bloom again in 2024, celebrating the region’s abundant and beautiful hinterland just north of Sydney. This June long weekend, you’re invited to take a glimpse behind the farmgate! Follow a quaint event trail through the spectacular Central Coast hinterland, visiting up to nine rural farming communities and exploring picturesque heritage villages along Tourist Drive 33 and beyond.
Both free and ticketed events are your gateway to accessing over 30 unique Harvest Festival experiences. Travel between event hubs to valleys, views and tasty food. Pit stop to soak up live music, pick your own produce and meet local farm animals. The ultimate country weekend is filled with fresh air, fun, food and drinks all proudly made on the NSW Central Coast.
Returning for its fifth year, the National Indigenous Art Fair is taking over the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay. Offering an opportunity to ethically purchase artworks, textiles, jewellery and ceramics, the marketplace directly supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres.
As well as browsing and buying art, you can meet and chat with the artists and makers, taste and learn about native bushfood and join Indigenous weaving circles and other workshops. There’s only a $2.50 entrance fee, with kids under five allowed in for free.
Voted one of the top 50 wine events in the world last year, the Burning of the Barrell at Glandore Wines is a Hunter Valley stalwart. Set among rolling vineyards and backdropped by mountains, the event is all about good wine and great company.
The evening culminates in a spectacular bonfire and fireworks display, often noted as the highlight of the night. To celebrate the harvest season, guests can look forward to live jazz music, delicious food, friendly locals and all-round cosy vibes.
Held over the June long weekend, the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts commemorates Australian writer and poet Henry Lawson in Grenfell, the regional town in which he was born. The festival aims to promote aspiring artistic endeavours whilst showcasing the Grenfell region’s heritage and tourist attractions.
Those attending can expect market stalls, competitions and live performances as well as a car show, poetry reading and the iconic Henry Lawson Festival street parade. Grenfell and NSW’s Central West region also offer country-style accommodation, stunning wineries, family-friendly attractions and jaw-dropping scenery.
In 2024, the 71st Sydney Film Festival will present a range of films from all over the world, including world and Australian premieres, bringing together hundreds of international and local stories. The festival will unfold across various iconic Sydney venues including the State Theatre, Art Gallery of NSW, Dendy Cinemas Newtown and the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne.
Films entered span countless genres, ranging from gender and sexuality to thrillers and political documentaries. Between screenings, head to the festival hub at Sydney Town Hall for a bite to eat or drink at the bar, plus filmmaker talks, panels and themed parties.
Cheese lovers head to the Overseas Passenger Terminal for the ultimate cheese-fest. Literally translated from French to “good cheese”, Bon Fromage is sure to live up to its name. Savour delectable French cheeses and discover new favourites while soaking up breathtaking views across Sydney Harbour during Vivid Sydney 2024, which also has so much on offer.
This year, guests will love the Stinky Market, where you can sample and purchase as much cheese as your heart desires. Or opt in for a free masterclass, where you’ll learn about the delicate art of cheese-making. There will also be cooking demos, workshops, live entertainment and more.
Foodies, get excited. The long-running Good Food & Wine Show is heading up to Sydney. Visitors to the ICC can enjoy some of Australia’s best bites and top drops at the annual festival, which includes specialty masterclasses, workshops, tutored tastings and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs.
This year, you can grab cooking tips and recipe recs from top chefs like Miguel Maestro, Kirsten Tibballs, Emelia Jackson and Alastair McLeod. And with over 350 exhibitors on show, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it come to finding a bite to eat.
Lovers of top-notch vino and good tunes – run, don’t walk to Winter Wine Festival at Crooked River Estate on in the NSW South Coast. Over two epic days, the winery will host mega musicians like Icehouse, The Rubens, Alex Lloyd, Jack River and Daisy Pring.
As well as dancing along to your favourite artists, you’ll have the opportunity to sample wine grown right there on the estate, plus devour mouth-watering local food too. Tickets are on sale for each day now, or you can opt for a two-day pass to experience it all.
The much-loved Affordable Art Fair is coming to Sydney, marking the third time the global phenomenon has taken the city by storm. And in exciting news, more than 50 independent Australian galleries, representing hundreds of artists and thousands of artworks, will be at the show this year.
From up-and-coming young talent to well-recognised artists, guests to the Royal Randwick Racecourse pop-up will have the opportunity to purchase original art priced between $100 and $10,000. There will also be a creative hub, with everything from workshops to kids’ activities for all to enjoy.
Welcome winter the right way with Crystalbrook Kingsley in Newcastle. The luxury hotelier will again be hosting the Kingsley Winter Lodge throughout the cold season, bringing a unique European-inspired dining dome experience to Aussie shores.
The cosy pop-up consists of dome-like bubbles featuring a communal fire pit, cosy interiors and falling snow. Spend the evening sipping on a curated menu of signature Reyka Vodka cocktails and feasting on an incredible three-course dinner. There are two experiences available: the Winter Wonderland Package ($99 pp) and the Chateau Kingsley Package ($135 pp).
Pier One Sydney Harbour has teamed up with creative ceramicist Guy Vadas, also known as Pottery Boy, for a very special winter experience. The Glass Rooms X Pottery Boy comprises two unique rooms open for guests who are looking for a one-of-a-kind night out. Adding to the picture-perfect setting, you’ll also be treated to cocktails and delicious share plates.
There are two rooms available; the Luxe Lounge Suite, which sleeps two, and the Soiree Suite, suited for groups of up to 12. For the ultimate winter activity, guests will be able to book a variety of different pottery workshops with Guy himself; both private and group bookings are available.
Yulefest brings Christmas to the Blue Mountains in July each year. It’s all about welcoming winter to the stunning region and celebrating the colder months with Chrissie-style commemorations. Channelling the festive spirit of a traditional European Christmas, this is one that’ll warm the soul.
Iconic venues across the Blue Mountains will be hosting Christmas celebrations. Historic The Carrington in Katoomba is putting on a delicious five-course gala dinner, while the Hydro Majestic will host another delectable six-course dining experience. You can also head to the Fairmont Resort a festive buffet with a side of live music.
The Winter Night Market brings together Melbourne’s best street food traders, brewers, distillers, artisans and entertainment for the perfect midweek winter experience. Attendees can wander the market’s iconic open-air sheds and laneways to enjoy street foods from around the world that will warm the soul.
Each week will see a rotating line-up of talent from Melbourne and beyond play live music on the main stage. Attendees can also discover specialty stalls selling locally made arts and crafts before settling in beside one of many roaring open fires. With free entry, the only prerequisites are to come hungry and ready for a good time.
Honour the harvest of liquid gold this June long weekend at the stunning Grampians Olive Co. This year, you can expect grand festivities like all-you-can-eat woodfired pizza paired with local wines, a behind-the-scenes walking tour and a harvesting demonstration from branch to bottle.
Treat yourself to breathtaking views over the grove’s 28,000 olive trees and the surrounding Grampians National Park in Victoria. Chat with the experts about their process, olive pruning and curing, or how to care for your olive trees at home. It’s the perfect foodie day out.
During the first week of winter, artists from all walks of life pulse through Melbourne in the name of Rising. A surge of music, food, art and culture come together under moonlight and you’re invited to experience it all. This year’s immersive program is exploding with dance, music and theatre, as well as visual, performance and exhibition art from Australia and around the world.
Rising also has a key focus on accessibility, with assisted access, assisted listening, audio description, Auslan translation, captioning, wheelchair access and quiet spaces all available. Built by and for Melbourne, this has got to be one of Australia’s most exciting winter festivals.
Experience a truly unique spin on the cold season at the month-long East Gippsland Winter Festival. Running over both the Winter Solstice and Victorian winter school holidays, the program has been curated to rival any winter festival program.
Think musical performances, live ice sculpting, fire-breathing shows, lantern-making workshops, winter feasts, wellness experiences and more. From Benambra to Bemm River, Paynesville to Mallacoota and everywhere in between, winter in Gippsland just got a whole lot more exciting.
The open-air museum of Sovereign Hill in the regional town of Ballarat will once again come alive with Winter Wonderlights. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, this winter celebration transforms Sovereign Hill into a winter escape, with magical light and sound displays.
This year, Winter Wonderlights celebrates its tenth year – so it’s sure to be an exciting one! Get excited for dazzling projections, blazing fires, delicious food, live music, interactive theatre shows and even snow (the fake kind, but still) – all culminating in a Christmas in July like no other.
For one night only, the Grampians are coming to Melbourne for the Grampians in a Glass to showcase the region’s acclaimed wines. A collective of 17 winemakers, from large cellar doors to boutique wineries, will present more than 50 handcrafted wines between them.
Each winemaker will be setting up an interactive cellar door at Victoria by Farmer’s Daughter in Federation Square. Guests will be offered tastings and have the opportunity to meet the winemakers. Why not take the personality quiz to discover which Grampians wine is your perfect match? All-inclusive tickets are on sale now for $149 per person.
The historic town of Swan Hill on the NSW/Victoria border is gearing up for one of the biggest events of the year. Each evening from the end of June through to the beginning of July, Swan Hill will come alive in a dazzle of lights and sound for River Lights.
The immersive light and sound experience is a favourite among locals, with vibrant light sculptures, laser effects, interactive projections and magical holograms. Tickets are priced at $7.50 for children and $12.50 for adults; alternatively, a family of four (two adults, two children) can nab a pass for just $29.
Eat Local Month is truly a gastronome’s dream. The festival of farming and food takes place in various locations around Queensland‘s Scenic Rim region, which is just one hour’s drive from Brisbane. Choose from a wonderful variety of events, each sure to tantalise your tastebuds.
Why not try a spirit blending class at Tamborine Mountain Distillery? Or learn about the world of winemaking at Witches Falls Winery? Maybe you’d rather eat your way through the longest lunch at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards? Or wander the Scenic Rim twilight markets? Whatever your pick, you’re sure to have a blast.
Celebrate the motor cars, music, fashion and lifestyle of yesteryear at Cooly Rocks On in Coolangatta, which sits right on the NSW/Queensland border on the Gold Coast. This year, there’s a lot for attendees to get excited about.
Amongst stalwart events like live rock music and vintage car displays, there’s also swing dancing, pin-up pageants, market stalls, dance workshops and the annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. For returning lovers of the festival, opt for the VIP Legends Pass for exclusive, premium access to all your favourite shows!
Hopheads – this one’s for you. If you’re a lover of beer, you’ve no doubt heard about the Great Australasian Beer SpectTAPular, known as GABS for short. Well, this year, the festival is coming to Brisbane, bringing with it over 500 beers for you to try, including 120 brand-new craft brews.
Sample ales from your favourite breweries, like Balter Brewing, Felons Brewing Co, Mountain Culture Beer Co and Rusty Penny Brewing. You can also tempt your tastebuds with more wacky inventions; think Tim Tam and Biscoff beer as well as brews inspired by Dunkin Donuts, pastries, bacon and pizza. The festival will also visit Sydney (31 May – 1 June) and Melbourne (21–23 June).
Running across three days in June, the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival is all about reimagining chamber music in a contemporary context. Suitable for all music lovers, the festival has created a jam-packed program bursting with all kinds of genres, from classical to jazz.
This year’s line-up features a number of exciting Queensland and Sunshine Coast premieres from some of the biggest names in Australian classical music. Guests can look forward to seeing Elena Kats-Chernin, Tamara-Anna Cislowska, Simon Tedeschi and Alex Raineri take to the stage, among others.
Known as Queensland’s premier sustainability event, the Cairns Ecofiesta is a platform for sharing net zero news and sustainable living solutions. From live performances and expert panels to local food and hands-on workshops, there’s a lot to learn at this eco-conscious Cairns gathering.
What’s more, you’ll be right on the doorstep of not one, but two World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. The free event is perfect for a family day out of both learning and leisure.
Let your childlike wonder run free at the iconic Mary Poppins Festival in Maryborough. The jolly event celebrates the power of storytelling and embraces imagination and play, no matter your age. Taking place on Queensland’s beautiful Fraser Coast, it’s the perfect day out for your inner child and/or families with kids.
This year’s program is sure to delight, featuring live performances, roaming dance troupes, races and challenges, costume competitions, crafty workshops and a grand parade that ends in a giant sing-along. So, grab your umbrella and get ready to be inspired!
It’s time to warm up those vocal cords folks – the Festival of Voices is back! This state-wide festival is a favourite among Tasmanians who love everything to do with music, for good reason too. The extensive program is full of fantastic events for the musically inclined, like choral workshops, live performances, silent discos and song trivia.
The event that garners the most attention is The Big Sing. The free event actually used to be the only event; it’s how the festival originally began and has since become Tassie’s largest annual sing-along. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice vocalist or a celebrated singer – everyone is invited to join.
The usually invite-only Mona Gala in Hobart is opening its doors to the public in 2024 for a lavish mid-winter extravaganza of live performances, art, charity and, of course, food. Aptly taking place at Tasmania‘s famed Mona, you’ll have exclusive access to both the event and the museum itself.
This year, think black-tie class with a side of dance parties, insane live showcases, exclusive art previews, private transport, a charity auction and as much food and drink as your heart desires. Tickets to this swanky evening are limited, so get in quick!
The three-day Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival showcases the best and most unique artworks of this stunning region via a number of diverse mediums. This year, the event program is full of activities for all to enjoy, like open studios, garden trails, exhibitions and the Dawn Dash & Splash.
A number of prize winners will also be announced, including the Bay of Fires Art Prize, Youth Art Prize and the epic $20,000 Art Prize. This fun-filled festival in the gorgeous Bay of Fires on Tassie’s east coast is a celebration of the imagination and is sure to bring out your creative side.
Calling all golf lovers – the annual Halliday Barnbougle Cup is back for another year of good golf, great wine and spectacular views across the Bass Strait. Designed by modern golf architect Tom Doak and Australia ex-European Tour pro, Mike Clayton, Barnbougle is one of Australia’s premier golf destinations.
You’re invited to conquer the links in a Stableford golf competition, then have a tipple or two as Halliday’s Jane Faulkner guides you through a detailed food and wine masterclass. The event is all-inclusive; golf rounds, accommodation and a four-course dining experience with matched wines are all included.
Celebrate the shared joy of food simplicity at the Tasmania X Milano dinner, held at the stunning Josef Chromy winery just south of Launceston. The five-course degustation features local Tasmanian produce inspired by the earthy beauty of Milanese fare. Each meal will be perfectly paired with a glass of wine from Josef Chromy’s cellar door.
The elegant evening is the perfect opportunity to gather your closest friends or family and embrace the flavours that winter welcomes in Tassie. Tickets are on sale now, priced at $140 per guest.
Come together this month to celebrate one of the world’s most luxurious ingredients, the not-so-humble black truffle. Manjimup in Western Australia is the largest producer of truffles in the Southern Hemisphere, so you’ll experience the delectable fungus on the fertile land in which it is produced.
This year, Truffle Kerfuffle commemorates the truffle in a variety of ways, from candlelit long-table feasts and intimate masterclasses to truffle dog demos and live harvesting. There will also be an undercover marketplace brimming with all kinds of truffle and produce experiences, including cooking demonstrations and tastings at stalls.
The Denmark Festival of Voice is a celebration of the power and beauty of the human voice in all its forms. The annual festival in Denmark is now in its 21st year and to celebrate, the program is directing focus to the many elements that make up a voice.
Music is only a part of the project, with storytelling, dance, spoken-word poetry and experimental performance also featuring throughout the line-up. The performance-heavy program is rounded out with workshops, open-mic sessions, writing classes and food-focused events.
Experience the spectacle of vintage and classic cars competing on a contemporary street circuit at the Albany Classic ‘Around the Houses’ this June. This leading historic motorsport event presents a wide variety of cars from vintage wire wheels, post-vintage and classics as well as open-wheel racers and big cube muscle cars.
Alongside the action in Albany, this family-friendly festival also hosts a variety of kids activities, markets, car displays, food stalls and exhibitions, alongside an epic display of vintage cars and street machines. Tickets are on sale now, priced between $5 and $20.
Gather your friends and head to Pinjarra in the Peel region of WA for the aptly named 2024 Pinjarra Festival. The Murray Shire’s largest free community event is set to entertain no matter your age, with an exciting array of acts, activities and attractions.
Think live music, market stalls, vintage car and machinery displays, a wine-tasting shed, wood-turning demonstrations and food trucks at the iconic Edenvale Heritage Precinct. Running between 10 am to 4 pm, the festival is perfect for a family day out.
The Brooks Rottnest Running Festival is a community-minded event presented by the West Australian Marathon Club Inc., with all proceeds donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Now in its 30th year, the race takes place on the stunning Rottnest Island and showcases some of its most spectacular views.
From the full and half marathon to a 10-kilometre race and a five-kilometre fun run, there’s something suited to all abilities. The 300-metre Simmos Quokka Dash is also back for its fourth year. Available for children eight and below (or young ones who cannot compete in the five-kilometre race), it’s an adorable dash to the finish line.
Now in its 24th year, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival is the biggest cabaret festival globally and a major event in the Australian arts calendar. It’s garnered a reputation for highlighting outstanding local, national and international artists through an eclectic program of classic and contemporary performances. This year’s program is no different, with artists taking to the stage to showcase their talents.
Curated to perfection, the all-star line-up includes the likes of Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, Christina Bianco, Maeve Marsden, Imogen Kelly and Lisa Simone, among other talents. Each brings their own flair to the program, making it a festival not to be missed.
Celebrate the arrival of Southern Right Whales into the waters of the Fleurieu Peninsula at the 2024 Winter Whale Fest. This magnificent creature can grow anywhere between 14 and 18 metres and have a lifespan of up to 100 years, so witnessing them in the wild is a rare and beautiful sight you won’t want to miss.
The month-long festival not only celebrates the arrival of the Southern Right Whales but has been crafted to engage and educate visitors about whale conservation, the marine environment and the local culture and community. With more than 25 events, the Winter Whale Fest is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of the marine world firsthand and participate in a range of educational and cultural experiences.
Join 55 boutique distillers as they showcase over 200 uniquely crafted gins for you to sample and purchase at the 2024 Adelaide Gin Festival. Grab your tote bag at the door of the Adelaide Convention Centre and make your way around to some of the best distillers across the country.
Classic, mature-aged and flavoured gins will all be on tap. If you’re looking to get experimental, there will also be plenty of new and contemporary flavours. Find a new favourite? Purchase it and pop it into that handy tote of yours. There will also be food trucks onsite to feed grumbling bellies. Tickets are on sale now and selling out fast!
Head to the Adelaide Showgrounds this June for the spectacular SA rendition of Oz Comic-Con. You’re invited to revel in the glory of pop culture with a like-minded community, all under one roof. An impressive line-up of celebs will be present, including Emilie de Ravin, Jim Beaver, Patricia Tallman and Melanie Scrofano, to name a few.
No matter what fandom you belong to, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary weekend; think exciting activations and exhibitors, workshops, competitions and interactive activities. Guests can also enter one of Australia’s most prestigious cosplay contests – the Australian Championships of Cosplay. Who knows, you may even take home the crown.
For four days across both Darwin and Alice Springs/Mparntwe, the NT Writers Festival will bring panel talks, readings and immersive events celebrating story, language, ideas and culture to audiences. This year, join a brilliant line-up of writers and thinkers as they explore the theme of reverberations.
The 2024 program is sure to get readers and writers excited. There will be a number of unforgettable events delivered by incredible talents, including Bruce Pascoe, Kim Mahood, Christos Tsiolkas, Trent Dalton and Larissa Behrendt, plus more.
There’s something for the whole family at the Betr Darwin Triple Crown this year. The 2024 program promises to be bigger and better than ever too, with supercars, muscle cars, V8 superutes, combined sedans and more taking to the track.
Get amongst the action with an epic pit-lane walk, driver signing session, night transporter convoy and more. Paired with the Northern Territory’s incredible weather and tourism experiences, the Betr Darwin Triple Crown is a must on the Top End’s events calendar.
Come the colder months, beanies are a closet essential. But in Central Australia, the handmade hats are so much more; it’s celebrated as a distinctive regional art form at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. The community-based event emerged over 20 years ago, organised to sell hats crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities and, though much larger in scale today, retains this raison d’être.
As well as browsing over 7000 unique beanies, visitors can expect a teashop, food stalls, live music, textile workshops, Indigenous beanie-making lessons and the National Beanie Competition and Exhibition. It’s also a great opportunity to explore this spectacular region and all it has to offer.
After a five-year break, Monster Fest is taking over Dendy Canberra for a weekend of international cult cinema classics. The festival, which dates back to 2011, is an ode to all things weird and wonderful in the world of film, spanning genres like horror, science fiction, fantasy and black comedy.
Thrill-seekers strap in, the program is making up for the festival’s hiatus with some good old-fashioned nightmare fuel. Settle in for screenings of all your favourite slashers: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Deranged and so much more. You may want to sleep with the light on after this!
Ever wondered what it might be like to experience the festive season cocooned in clothes rather than on the beach? Head to Canberra this winter for a state-wide favourite, Christmas in July. Over four days in the country’s capital, visitors are invited to revel in a white Christmas inspired by the annual Christkindelsmärik in Strasbourg, France.
Gather with friends and family at Parkes Place Lawns to explore a glorious range of exhibitors at the food, wine and artisan markets. Indulge in live music, boozy hot chocolate, craft beers, Christmas carols, street art and mulled wine. Partake in Christmas carols and visit Raclette stations. Or wander Snow Lane to roast marshmallows over an open fire and witness (not-so-real) snow.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal debut album, Get Born, the world-famous rock band Jet is touring the country. And lucky for Canberrans, the Aussie capital is next on their hit list. Get ready to sing and dance the night away to some of the band’s best hits, including Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Look What You’ve Done and She’s A Genius. Tickets are on sale now, priced at $79.90 per person.
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