Unsurprisingly, we love a cheeky weekend away. What we love even more is a cheeky long weekend away. Coming up is the King’s Birthday long weekend; the last long weekend before the dive into the winter months. The next one? Not until October.
So, we always aim to make the most of the June long weekend.
Whether you’re looking to stay close to home for a Vivid staycation, tuck into a cosy cabin somewhere in the wilderness or seek sun in the northernmost parts of the state, there are plenty of great options for exploring our own backyard in June.
Sydney: City break with Vivid lights
Where is it? On the mid-coast of New South Wales, about 150km south of Newcastle or 300km northeast of Canberra.
How to get there: From major cities, you can either take a train or bus to Sydney, or a short flight from further afield in the state. You can always drive, too, but parking can come at a premium in the city.
What to do: Explore the Vivid displays, enjoy the mild weather and visit gardens, zoos and coastal tracks, see a show at the iconic Opera House.
Why visit Sydney over the June long weekend? Vivid Sydney (our favourite event of the year in Sydney runs from late-May to mid-June, with the long weekend falling smack in the middle of the colourful festival. From brilliant light displays around the city to thought-provoking talks and events, there’s loads to do.
Even if Vivid isn’t your thing, there’s still a lot to do in the city in June like exploring the Botanic Gardens, Taronga Zoo and doing coastal walks when the days are mild and the sun isn’t as strong as in the height of summer. Plus, it’s one of the more affordable times to visit as it’s not peak tourist season. That means great hotel deals are likely to be found.
Where to stay in Sydney:
- The Rocks: Close to all the Vivid displays and market stalls
- CBD: Right in the heart of the city and accessible to Vivid and public transport
- North Sydney: A bit further away, but if you book a harbour-view hotel you’ll get incredible views of the skyline lit up for Vivid
📚 Read more of our posts about Sydney
- 8 free museums in Sydney to check out
- Best places to go whale watching in Sydney
- How to spend a day in The Rocks
Blue Mountains: Cosy mountain escape with plenty of hikes
Where is it? About 100km west of Sydney, depending on where you go. (It’s 100km to Katoomba). It’s 230km to Newcastle or 330km to Canberra.
How to get there: You can drive from Sydney in about 1-1.5 hours, depending on where you head, or take a train from Central in about 2 hours.
What to do: Hike on the many trails, take in the views at lookouts in Katoomba, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls, visit the Japanese bathhouse.
Why visit the Blue Mountains over the June long weekend? Offering a great little taste of winter without travelling all the way to the Snowy Mountains, the Blue Mountains offers crisp days and cool nights. Temperatures in June are great for bushwalking without getting too hot and nights are made for cosying up in a holiday home or around a fire pit and watching the stars.
While you’re in the area, head to the Western Blue Mountains, and book into the Japanese bathhouse. The combination of the cool winter air and warm water is hard to beat.
Where to stay in the Blue Mountains:
- Blackheath: Quiet village stays within easy reach of walks from Govett’s Leap.
- Katoomba: The largest town in the area with the most restaurants, pubs and accommodation options.
- Leura: A quaint town with upscale eateries and luxury stays.
📚 Read more of our posts about Blue Mountains:
- 4 best Blue Mountains towns to visit
- An avid hiker’s guide to the most unforgettable Blue Mountains walks
- Cosy winter getaways in New South Wales
Byron Bay: Beachy break (you can’t get further north than this!)
Where is it? It’s about 100km south of the Gold Coast, or 620km north of Newcastle, or 760km north of Sydney.
How to get there: It’s easiest to fly into Ballina Airport or Gold Coast airports. But, you can also drive north along the M1. It’s about 6.5 hours from Newcastle, or 8 hours from Sydney.
What to do: Visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse, take a stroll along the beach, check out nearby waterfalls.
Why visit Byron Bay over the June long weekend? Not far from the Queensland border, Byron still sees temperatures in the 20s through June. While it may be a bit cool for most to swim, it’s just about perfect for reading a book on the beach, climbing up to the iconic lighthouse and eating your way through town. Byron’s got some incredible restaurants and cafes; enough that it will be tough to squeeze them all into just a weekend. Even if it is a long one.
If you’ve got a car, or hire one from the airport, consider a drive to nearby towns like Bangalow or Nimbin, or head out to nearby waterfalls. If the weather calls for it, many are even great for swimming.
Where to stay in Byron Bay:
- Belongil Beach: A short walk from town, Belongil is a stunning stretch of sand with beachfront accommodations.
- Byron town centre: Right in the heart of it all and surrounded by bars, restaurants and cafes, but without direct beach access.
- Suffolk Park: More affordable accommodation and holiday parks that’s still within driving distance of town.
📚 Read more of our posts about Byron Bay:
Snowy Mountains: A chill weekend vibe
Where is it? It’s about 450km southwest of Sydney, or 175km southwest of Canberra to Jindabyne.
How to get there: Driving from either Sydney or Canberra is easiest, but FlixBus also goes to Thredbo.
What to do: Ski or snowboard, enjoy the après ski culture, take some cool-weather hikes, bundle up in a cosy cabin.
Why go over the June long weekend? If you’ve been itching to hit the slopes, the long weekend is finally the time. It’s the official opening weekend of ski season at both Perisher and Thredbo. While we’ve not yet been to Perisher, we can attest to Thredbo being a great winter getaway. It has plenty of mountain charm, a cute village and surprisingly good skiing.
Even if you’re not a skier or snowboarder, it’s a great little cold-weather getaway that’s very different to elsewhere in Australia. The rolling hills, blankets of snow and blue-bird skies make for a really lovely setting. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to book a cosy stay with a fireplace and curl up with a glass of red after a day in the snow.
Where to stay:
- Jindabyne: The largest town in the Snowy Mountains area, it’s a great base for any of the snow fields.
- Thredbo: Access to Australia’s highest lifted point and long ski runs.
- Perisher: A huge ski resort with more than 100 groomed runs.
📚 Read more of our posts about Snowy Mountains:
