Melbourne in June

Melbourne in June

Public Holidays: Queen's Birthday Holiday - 11 June 2012
Season: Winter
Average Temperatures: 14.1 - 6.9 degrees Celsius

Melbourne in JuneJune in Melbourne marks the commencement of winter, and due to its southerly location in Australia it is one of the few capital cities in the country that can actually truly get COLD. Although weather conditions are still as up-and-down as any other month in Melbourne, you can generally expect clear skies and cool nights and mornings, although it doesn't get cold enough for snow. The Queen's Birthday Holiday long weekend is held during June in Melbourne, meaning that accommodation prices typically climb accordingly, although many locals typically take this opportunity to go away for the weekend meaning that the city may be less crowded than on a regular weekend.

June is a renowned month in Melbourne and the Victorian region as its “fruit season”, with many varieties of fruit coming into their own during this month, including such staples as apples, kiwi fruit, lemons, limes, grapefruit, mandarins, oranges, pears and various kinds of melons, meaning that this is one of the best times to sample them for their freshness – with fruit platters are various Melbourne wineries and vineyards combining with cheeses to be a true delight for your tastebuds. This is of course best summed up by the famous Yarra Valley, a destination that has become widely renowned for its fare, as well as its premium foods and wines, markets, breweries and more, making it a popular place to visit during June while the days are still relatively mild. Some of the most popular activities and things to do in Melbourne in June include:

  • Mornington Peninsula ToursTravel to the Mornington Peninsula – A legitimate “holiday playground” situated outside Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is located between Western Port and Port Phillip Bays, and is adorned with a combination of long, white sandy beaches, splendid vineyards, holiday houses and a general quiet country atmosphere, it makes for a refreshing break for those looking to get out of the city for a bit of an escape. The clear, crisp days of June make it an ideal place to visit to soak in a bit of early-winter sunshine to thaw out those bones, and the Peninsula has long been a favourite destination of those who want to take in its scenic coastline and particpate in many of the activities such an area offers – not only sightseeing but also fishing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, sailing and more.

    The region is also famous for the many wineries that populate it, with over 50 separate cellar doors in operation set amongst various beautifully-landscaped gardens and terraces. If you're looking to bring the family with you, another popular pastime for those with kids and younger children is horse riding in the Mornington Peninsula, with the horse rides travelling along both native bush tracks and stretches of spectacular ocean beach that makes for another exhilarating nature-based experience. Tours provide pickup from all Melbourne CBD accommodation, making getting to the Peninsula itself a breeze!

  • Dandenong RangesVisit the Dandenong Ranges – East of the city of Melbourne itself are the Dandenong Ranges, a great natural destination that sit within an easily reachable distance from the city for a day tour. A region populated with massive Ash trees and all-encompassing greenery, the fresh air of the Dandenongs and its abundant wildlife make for an impressive change of scenery. Heading for a day in the Dandenongs in June will present you with a wide range of things to see and do, as the area is far from isolated and contains numerous restaurants, beautiful walks and hiking tracks and one of its own unique icons – a “Puffing Billy” steam train that winds through the forest and provides some great views and an enchanting little experience of the Dandenongs.

    Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to see kangaroos hopping about in the wild, as well as some of the most beautiful and distinctive plant life from ferns to forests. Take a short stroll along some of these areas and you'll be able to listen to the whistle of the famous lyrebird and simply immerse yourself in a different world away from the everyday urban hustle and bustle of Melbourne city.

  • Phillip Island Penguin ParadeView Phillip Island's Penguin Parade – One of the most popular sights to see occurs on Victoria's Phillip Island, home to the world's largest colony of Little Penguins; cute, tiny creatures that have helped make the region a huge drawcard to visitors due to their daily foray up and down the beach to their nesting areas. In June the air is brisk yet still warm enough to make the trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island and see not only the penguins but also make friends with some other furry Aussie animal favourites as well.

    Serving as a haven for wildlife of various kinds, with a visit to Phillip island you'll have the chance to cuddle a baby wombat, hand-feed the local kangaroos and get up close and friendly with koalas. With many scenic areas throughout that make for a nice stroll, you'll be able to head along the boardwalk at Nobbies to view the local colony of fur seals and then head to the beach to witness the magical procession of the penguin parade firsthand.

What to do in Melbourne by Month:

These are just a few of the most popular activities to participate in in Melbourne in June - for a full catalogue of even more things to do in Melbourne throughout the different months of the year, be sure to check out our main region page for more information!

Things to do in Melbourne in June