Experience Oz Blog The Best Places in Australia to Visit in June
By Experience Oz StaffJune marks the official beginning of winter in Australia – and although certain southerly locations get quite cold, Australian winters are generally far milder than many other non-tropical locations throughout the world.
However, as far as travel goes, June is a great time to take a domestic trip with plenty of great destinations offering either a thawed-out escape from the cool climate, or the chance to embrace it in full.
But where are the best places to travel in Australia in June? We’ve put together a list of six excellent destinations throughout the country that serve as enjoyable winter travel spots, covering both cold and warm weather climates.
Check out our top picks for Australian travel in June below.
6. Exmouth/Ningaloo, WA
Average Temperatures during June: 24.2 degrees C (75.5 degrees F) – 15.6 degrees C (60.0 degrees F)
Ideal for: Unique wildlife encounters and enjoying water and land adventures
Top things to do: Swim with the Whale Sharks; explore Cape Range National Park; visit Turquoise Bay; Vlamingh Head Lighthouse; enjoy seafood at Exmouth; go Whale Watching; Jurabi Turtle Centre
While the east coast of north QLD is an obvious choice for those looking for an aquatic escape during the winter, WA’s coastline is not to be forgotten. Ningaloo Marine Park is the West Coast’s equivalent to the Great Barrier Reef with the Exmouth region featuring its own spin on the spectacular coral reef environment.
Far more isolated and untouched than its eastern sibling, Ningaloo Reef is ideal for swimming and snorkelling and its famous resident Whale Sharks. This portion of Western Australia’s Coral Coast extends from Exmouth along a roughly 150-kilometre stretch. This part of Australia is draped in unspoilt beaches, vibrant blue waters and seemingly eternally sunny skies.
As a result, aquatic adventures are the main drawcard for visitors travelling to the region.
Visitors flock to the region from thousands of miles away to swim alongside the world’s largest fish – the Whale Shark. These impressively large and docile animals can grow up to a massive 18 metres long and swim at a pace of 3-5km/h.
The whale sharks swim just off the coast of the reef and are easily accessible for tour groups
Water temperatures are fairly cold during this time, typically hovering anywhere between 18 degrees C and 24 degrees C, making wearing a wetsuit all the more necessary. Those sticking to the reef will find conditions far warmer than out with the whale sharks.
Visitors flock to the region from thousands of miles away to swim alongside the world’s largest fish – the Whale Shark.
The rest of the marine park is as expansive as it is diverse. Stretching out 300km along the coastline the reef is home to a variety of marine life including turtles, dolphins and dugongs.
Additionally, the annual whale-watching season typically kicks off around June in the Exmouth region. Local operators conduct daily tours out on the water to get up close to humpback and southern right whales as they migrate up and down the west coast.
The beauty of this region isn’t reserved for the ocean, as Cape Range National Park holds the fort on land. Famed for its wildlife, including emus, echidnas and kangaroos, the national park blends a limestone-rich landscape of canyons, caves and gorges.
Sections of the park can also be driven, so you won’t have to keep your hiking shoes on for the whole time.
Exmouth’s climate and conditions during June make it idyllic and highly favourable, however, this also results in it being peak season. While staying in Exmouth provides a greater choice of accommodation options as well as other attractions, you’ll have to ensure to book well in advance.
If you’re after an environment that’s completely different from the Great Barrier Reef in terms of both landscape and commercialisation then Exmouth ticks all the boxes. It’s one of the most distinctive and contrasting environments in Australia and while its isolated location requires more effort to reach it, the numerous positives make the adventure well worth the effort.
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5. 1770, QLD
Average Temperatures during June: 21.9 degrees C (50 degrees F) – 14.5 degrees C (58.1 degrees F)
Ideal for: Enjoying a sunny beach environment away from the crowds
Top things to do: Visit and snorkel at Lady Musgrave Island; explore Deepwater National Park; go fishing; relax on the beach; take a 4WD tour; enjoy local restaurants
1770 has long served as a viable alternative to many of the larger and more developed Queensland coastal destinations. This small seaside region is popular for travellers who want all the benefits of a beach-and-reef environment without the large crowds and price tags.
Surrounded by marine estuaries and national parks, it’s a destination wholly oriented around enjoying its natural offerings. There is very little to speak in terms of man-made attractions and this adds to 1770’s charm.
Located between Bundaberg and Gladstone, just over 6 hours from Brisbane, 1770 has a comfortable temperature that is a welcome relief from the cold experienced down south.
Water activities are popular in the region and despite its size, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy the beach and ocean. The town is also in close proximity to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with several of the reef’s premier islands within reasonable reach.
Chief among these is the lovely Lady Musgrave Island, which sits around 59 kilometres off the coast of 1770. The island has remained relatively underdeveloped and as a result, the island’s flora and fauna continue to flourish.
Host to the Great Barrier Reef’s largest lagoon, Lady Musgrave Island is an amazing snorkelling and diving destination for beginners with some of the highest visibility levels on the reef.
Lady Musgrave Island is an amazing snorkelling and diving destination for beginners with some of the highest visibility levels on the reef.
While its marine life is diverse and plentiful, it’s the lagoon that helps set Lady Musgrave apart from its counterparts. The lagoon offers a great combination of both size and safety alongside impressive coral cover with a good mixture of both hard and soft types.
You can get to Lady Musgrave Island from 1770 on board the Spirit of 1770 vessel and, if you have a permit, you can even spend the night camping on the island.
Both 1770 and Agnes Water offer some quality estuary fishing, where dropping a line can lead to catching flathead and whiting. Alternatively, those looking to take things a step further can join a charter boat and head out for a dose of deep sea fishing.
If you don’t want to head out onto the water, you can explore several nearby National Parks. Deepwater National Park has a range of woodlands, scrubs and wildlife including cockatoos and emus, which makes for some interesting exploration.
The park is well worth venturing into on foot, however, a 4WD is required for certain areas. Several tour operators conduct trips through its wilderness for those without a suitable vehicle.
Accommodation at 1770 is varied with the choice of caravan parks through to resort complexes and holiday villages. In all, 1770 is a destination that’s all about going slightly off the beaten track. Factor in its lack of excessive tourist numbers and there are few better beach environments available in June.
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4. Jenolan Caves, NSW
Average Temperatures during June: 10.0 degrees C (50 degrees F) – 1.5 degrees C (34.7 degrees F)
Ideal for: Taking in the spectacular caves at their most peaceful
Top things to do: The Lucas Cave; Temple of Baal Cave; The Orient Cave; see Carlotta’s Arch; do the Blue Lake Walk
A destination often avoided in winter due to the dropping temperatures, but for some, June is an ideal time to visit this popular tourist destination.
One of the truly unique natural treasures of New South Wales, the Jenolan Caves network is situated in the NSW wilderness and sits roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour drive to the west of Sydney.
The walk to the caves offers a number of great lookout points and while it’s quite cold, it’s never too cold to admire this natural beauty – just make sure you’re rugged up.
The lack of school holidays in June makes a huge difference to those looking to visit, as the Jenolan Caves can often be flooded during peak periods by families with kids and school groups. Natural attractions, such as the Jenolan Caves, are best experienced in near-silence, and dozens of noisy kids can, at times, ruin the experience.
The likes of the Lucas and Orient Caves rank among the most beautiful and tours tend to sell out quickly, however, in June you’re more likely to get a spot for the tour you want.
The network itself ranks among the oldest and best-preserved cave networks in the world. The system offers a wide variety of individual caves to explore for all ages and levels of fitness, ranging from easy light strolls to more challenging climbs. However, regardless of choice, the sheer range of impressive limestone formations is sure to impress.
The lack of school holidays in June makes a huge difference to those looking to visit, as the Jenolan Caves can often be flooded during peak periods by families with kids and school groups.
There are ten show caves in total to choose from at Jenolan Caves, with the aforementioned Lucas and Orient caves the most popular. The Chifley Cave can be completed in around an hour and is one of the shorter options for visitors.
After exploring or seeing photos of the Jenolan Caves, it’s not hard to see why it is one of the most highly regarded natural attractions in Australia.
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3. Canberra, ACT
Average Temperatures during March: 12.3 degrees C (54.1 degrees F) – 1.4 degrees C (34. 5 degrees F)
Ideal for: Enjoying some of Australia’s best cultural attractions; great culinary opportunities
Top things to do:Visit the Parliament Houses (Old and New); the Canberra Railway Museum; indulge at Mount Majura Vineyard; visit Cockington Green Gardens; go Hot Air Ballooning; take the kids to Questacon and the National Zoo and Aquarium; The National Gallery of Australia; Australian War Memorial; The National Portrait Gallery
If you don’t mind the cold, then June is a great time to visit Canberra. Australia’s capital city might not get much praise as a travel destination, but it’s a charming and modern city full of art, history and architecture. If you’re looking to appreciate a city that blends urban cityscapes with a lovely array of greenery and a thriving culinary scene, then Canberra in June is well worth a visit.
Perhaps the best thing about visiting Canberra in winter is that many of its most interesting attractions do not require warm weather to enjoy. Most of Canberra’s key attractions are either improved during this season, or located indoors so the climate typically won’t matter. Couple this with reduced queues and you’ll likely be able to take in more with less time.
In terms of attractions, there are plenty available with each of its standouts providing something truly unique and different, including Cockington Green Gardens and its charming floral exhibits.
Another standout includes the National Art Gallery of Australia, which features incredible art exhibits and offers free admission, with the exception of certain exhibitions. As far as icons and architecture go, Canberra is winning. Pay a visit to and tour New Parliament House and Old Parliament House.
Most of Canberra’s key attractions are either improved during this season, or located indoors so the climate typically won’t matter.
Likewise, the Australian War Memorial is a museum, gallery and historical archive all in one, and is a tribute to our military veterans. It’s a wonderful feat of architectural construction that features a moving tribute to all participants in past wars.
Plenty of time and effort have been invested into the Memorial and the guides who operate the free tours are passionate about their work. If you have children in tow a visit to Questacon is a must! Questacon allows the young ones to get hands on with the science exhibits that are both entertaining and educational.
Perhaps the best thing about visiting Canberra is that it’s not a sprawling, huge city. This means that walking from one attraction to another is a very viable option without having to deal with long distances in the cold.
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2. Kangaroo Island, SA
Average Temperatures during March: 15.4 degrees C (59.7 degrees F) – 9.3 degrees C (48.7 degrees F)
Ideal for: Experiencing one of South Australia’s most amazing destinations without the crowds or inflated prices
Top things to do: Seal Bay Conservation Park; visit Vivonne Bay; explore Flinder’s Chase National Park; Cape Willoughby Lighthouse; Raptor Domain Kangaroo Island; Kelly Hill Caves; visit Dudley Wines; cruise with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures
Another travel destination that can shine any time of the year, Kangaroo Island is well worth a visit during June as well. This wildlife-rich travel hotspot sits around 112km to the south-west of SA’s capital, Adelaide, and is renowned for its intermingling of wildlife and stunning scenery.
Kangaroo Island, or KI as it’s known, is a diverse island covered by stretches of rugged coastline, towering cliffs, distinctive rock formations and gorgeous white sandy beaches. As the 3rd-largest island in the country, there’s an enormous and diverse amount of things to see here.
Travelling to Kangaroo Island in June brings along a number of substantial benefits that help to offset the cooler and sometimes blustery conditions.
It all starts with money; Kangaroo Island is typically not a cheap destination to visit when factoring in both the prices of transport to and from the island and on-island accommodation. However, June’s status as an off-peak month means that the dent in your wallet for both won’t hit quite as hard.
This is especially relevant as seeing all the core highlights of the island simply can’t be done in a single day given its sheer size. As a result, you’ll want to stay at least one night on the island granting you two days to explore all it has to offer.
This wildlife-rich travel hotspot sits around 112km to the south-west of SA’s capital, Adelaide, and is renowned for its intermingling of wildlife and stunning scenery.
Kangaroo Island is an amazing haven for wildlife with June the time when newborn kangaroos, koalas and wallabies emerge from their mother’s pouches. The extensive natural attractions including Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Conservation Park and other inland areas are also major drawcards for visitors.
Temperatures during winter typically hover around a minimum of 8 degrees C (46 degrees F) and a maximum of 15 degrees C (59 degrees F), so make sure you pack some warm clothing.
Those who want to indulge more than their eyes can enjoy the delicious food and wine culture on the island. Visitors can sample wine at Cape Willoughby, enjoy deliciously fresh oysters at Penneshaw, and delight their taste buds with incredible cheeses at MacGillivray.
There are few destinations in Australia that can boast the mixture of escapism, impressive landscapes, friendly and down-to-earth people and culinary culture quite like Kangaroo Island. Don’t dismiss this wonderful destination in June just because it’s the winter season as you’ll not only save yourself a substantial amount of money but also have the luxury of sharing it with smaller crowds.
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1. Kakadu, NT
Average Temperatures during June: 29 degrees C (84.2 degress F) – 19.3 degrees C (66.7 degrees F)
Ideal for: Experiencing one of Australia’s unique natural wonders without the humidity
Top things to do: See the rock art at Ubirr; visit Anbangbang Billabong; witness Jim Jim Falls; Take a Yellow Water cruise; Maguk Gorge; take in a gorgeous sunset
For those who want to experience one of Australia’s true must-do’s while also avoiding both the colder destinations down south and the more crowded, beachside locations on the north-east coast, there are few better times for visiting the iconic Kakadu National Park of the Northern Territory than in June.
For one, humidity levels during the winter months are low, which can add a pleasant layer of comfort than that in the warmer months. The comfortable temperatures (with the maximum hovering around a warm-yet-tolerable 29 degrees Celsius) and flowing waterfalls from the previous wet season make Kakadu in June a great choice.
The scenic roads in the region will have opened back up following the wet season, giving you access to some of the best parts of the National Park.
The jaw-dropping landscapes in Kakadu are as varied as they are incredible – the park is home to some of the most iconic of the Northern Territory’s images. From Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls to the ancient Aboriginal rock art site of Ubirr, there’s a seemingly endless array of natural wonders contained within its boundaries.
As a destination where much of its standout spectacles can be reached only on foot, you’ll need to invest a reasonable amount of time. If you’re looking to experience its essentials in their entirety then you’ll need to devote around a week to the exploration and discovery of Kakadu’s many marvels.
The jaw-dropping landscapes in Kakadu are as varied as they are incredible – the park is home to some of the most iconic of the Northern Territory’s images.
Kakadu is distinctly different from one season to the next (it’s loosely divided up into six different seasons) and while June and its surrounding winter months provide the highest degree of accessibility and comfort, it’s only truly possible to see it at its best with a visit during both the wet and dry season.
In terms of getting the most out of a visit to Kakadu, a tour is an obvious choice, with most of the guides being extremely experienced and knowledgeable and having devised efficient routes to all the best attractions.
Driving yourself is also an option, however, you’ll likely need a 4WD vehicle to be able to reach some of the most stunning waterfalls in Kakadu. Expect to spend roughly 3 hours on the road from Darwin to reach the entrance to Kakadu’s National Park and then a further drive to reach each of the highlights of the park.
Kakadu National Park is a true bucket list item for people looking to tick off their Australian travel list.
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