Looking for the best things to do on the June long weekend in Sydney? If you’re looking for last minute things to do, look no further.
Let’s be honest, it’s winter, we’re getting colder and the June long weekend can creep up on us. But do not waste the public holiday, we have put together a list of awesome activities you can get your cold hands stuck into in Sydney and New South Wales.
As we say goodbye to the Queen’s birthday weekend and hello to the Kings long weekend, here’s our ultimate guide, jammed packed with all of our favourite places to visit, luxury accommodation ideas and things to do this long weekend in Sydney.
23 Best Things To Do On The June Long Weekend In Sydney
1. Check out the Northern Lights in Bowral!
Always wanted to see the Northern Lights but don’t have the cash to head over to Tromso in Norway or to the Arctic Circle? Luckily for you, you’ll be able to experience a human-made rendition of the Aurora Borealis in a vineyard in the Southern Highlands! It’s on from 25 May – 30 June 2023, adults tickets cost $25 and kids tickets are just $10.
Make the most of the weekend in Bowral by checking out our popular guide, 28 Best Things To Do In Bowral which includes the best places to eat, shop and things to do in the area.
2. Kick off the Snow season at Perisher Peak Festival
Boasted as ‘Australia’s coolest festival’ event, Perisher Peak Festival celebrates the start of the ski season with a 3 day non ticketed music weekend! Book your ski pass and accommodation with Perisher and enjoy a full weekend of snow and entertainment.
3. See the city shine at Vivid Festival
Vivid Sydney Festival showcases creatives by lighting up the city and running incredible art, music and creative events from May to June. Book onto one of the events or just take a walk around Darling Harbour and be amazed by the cool installations and colourful Opera house.
Stay at Sydney Harbour YHA to see amazing views of Vivid from the incredible rooftop. We also recommend visiting on the opening night after 9pm. Trust us! It’s always quiet at this time!
4. Dine like a Queen or a King(?) in the Queen Victoria Building
The QVB was built in 1898 to replace Sydney markets and named to honour the monarch’s diamond jubilee. Now it is a beautifully restored shopping centre with grand staircases and mouldings to admire. Why not have a decadent high tea at The Tea Rooms and celebrate the new Kings birthday in style?
5. Did somebody say Truffle Season?
From June to September you can visit The Truffle Farm in Australian capital territory and join them on a truffle hunt and dine. Did you know that truffles are hunted by dogs? They can sniff out the truffle growing in the ground so you know where to dig up. Pretty cool!
Since you will be close to Canberra, read onto our next suggestion to make an awesome weekend of plans.
6. Spend the weekend in Canberra
From free museums to spectacular hot air balloon rides, Canberra has something for everyone. Read our Best Things To Do In Canberra guide to discover that there’s way more to Canberra than you might think!
7. Learn to ski in Thredbo
Wondering what it’s like to ski in Thredbo and if it matches up with any ski fields in Europe? Check out our review about everything you need to know about Skiing in Threbdo, written by Londoner In Sydney reader, Nina Moussu.
Nina grew up next to the French Alps and shares 13 Tips For Skiing in Thredbo NSW which is perfect anyone looking to learn to ski for the first time. If you’re looking to know the difference between skiing at Thredbo vs Perisher as well, the post is also a must read!
8. Get your British winter fix at The Best British Pubs In Sydney
Situated in Paddington, The Lord Dudley Hotel is Sydney’s oldest family run English pub, running since 1895. Let me tell you, as a Brit myself if is a perfect place to go when you are feeling homesick and need that cosy pub fix. Enjoy their British Sunday roast by the fireplace with a pint and play one of their many boardgames.
Make sure you check out our Best British Pubs Guide in Sydney and these Paddington Pubs That Will Make You Feel Like You’re Back in UK as well.
9. Warm up in a Japanese Bath House
Read our review of the Sparadise Japanese Bath House in the Blue Mountains and you will want to book your visit immediately. They use mineral water 300m below the property and control the temperature to create a blissful experience for every visitor.
Whilst you’re there, check out our list of the 45 Best things to do in The Blue Mountains and jam pack your public holiday with an awesome getaway.
10. Go whale watching
From the southern hemisphere from May to November, humpback whales migrate from Antartica to the Pacific and swim right past the Sydney coastline. You can walk along the coastal path and see many whales breaching the water or book onto the Best whale boat tour in Sydney to get up closer.
11. Get cosy in the Southern Highlands
Visiting the Southern Highlands is like stepping into a the stunning English countryside and quaint towns, I couldn’t think of a better location for a public holiday! Read our Ultimate Guide For Visiting The Southern Highlands on this area and fill the Queen’s birthday holiday with hikes, shopping, delicious food and beautiful views.
12. Take off at iFly in Penrith
Have you always wanted to skydive but keep bottling it? Well at iFly in Penrith, you can experience what it would be like to skydive without actually having to jump out of a plane. Read our iFly in Penrith review, Annie loved her visit as you get all the thrill without the fear!
13. Spend the long weekend at a donation based retreat
One of my favourite things to do during the June long weekend in Sydney is to spend the time at Sunnatarum Forest Monastery, located in Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands. I have been to their retreats three times because it is so good and best of all it’s donation based which means you can pay what you can afford (meals and accom included). So, say goodbye to overpriced retreats because this one isn’t about that. Read my Sunnatarum Review before you go to get an idea of what to expect.
You’ll spend the weekend doing a combination of meditation, Dhamma talks, tai chi and walking meditation. It’s such a great place to take time out and best of all, your long weekend will make you feel like you’ve been away for ages in a really good way!
Plus, you can catch the train to Bundanoon and the staff will help organise transport to pick you up from the train station so you don’t need a car.
14. Head down the beautiful South Coast
Having recently completed a South Coast road trip from Sydney to Eden, there’s so much to see in this stunning part of NSW. Think kayaking to various oyster farms, jaw dropping beaches with crystal clear water, famous landmarks like the spectacular Horse Head Rock and so much more.
Plus! Watch a free ATM tennis tournament at Batemans Bay Tennis open see who will win the $10,000 prize. With a breakfast, BBQ and all day dining, you could spend the whole public holiday here and be happy.
Check out our South Coast guides to help you plan an amazing long weekend away.
18 Best Things To Do In Bermagui
25 Best Things To Do In Narooma
16 Best Things To Do In Batemans Bay
5 Best Mimosa Rocks National Park Walks
15. See an award winning movie at Sydney Film Festival
From arthouse quirky movies to worldwide releases, Sydney Film Festival has a cinematic story for everyone. The festival runs from 7th to 18th June at a wide range of venues across the city so you can’t miss it!
Check out our list of the Best Cinemas in Sydney and complete your motion picture long weekend!
16. Take a trip to the Hippest Small Town of Bellingen
Known to many as the town Byron Bay used to be like, the Londoner in Sydney team loved this small town so much we created a guide for The Best Things To Do In Bellingen.
Spend the Kings’ birthday eating incredible food, horse riding, finding waterfalls and visiting ‘The Promise Land’ (an actual place) and you will not be disappointed. You’ll soon realise why we keep going back there time and time again! Watch our viral reel about Bellingen before you go!
17. Spend a romantic weekend at the Blue Mountains
That cold season screams nothing more than visiting the Blue Mountains! Think gorgeous Blue Mountains accommodation, cosy fires, warm food and lots of hiking trails and much more to discover. Check out our popular Blue Mountains guides below to plan your long weekend in Sydney here.
- 23 Ideas For A Romantic Getaways in Blue Mountains
- 46 Best Things To Do In Blue Mountains
- 10 Best Blue Mountains Lookouts You Can Drive Right Up To
- How To Spend a Weekend Hiking in Blue Mountains
- Where To Stay In Blue Mountains
- 30 Best Hikes In Blue Mountains
18. Find the best things to do indoors in Sydney
Whether it’s raining or super cold and the idea of being outside is less appealing, we’ve got some great things to do on the Kings long weekend in Sydney! Think mooching around antique stores, cosy cinemas, art galleries and much more to spend a beautiful relaxing and cheap weekend in Sydney.
Check out our popular guides to help you plan something special.
18 Best Art Galleries In Sydney
10 Best Antique Shops In Sydney
10 Best Fine Dining In Sydney Restaurants You Need To Try
37 Best Things To Do In The Rain In Sydney
19. Missing Europe? Check out these European restaurants
Winter in Sydney is always so hard to deal with when you’re friends are lapping up a European Summer. Even if you’re living with FOMO, we’ve got you covered! Check out our17 Best European Restaurants in Sydney guide as you’ll feel right at home. In this guide, you’ll find some proper hidden gems! Think German wine cellars, old school Italian restaurants, and Austrian restaurants that you’ll wonder if you’re still in Sydney!
20. Hike to your hearts content
One of the best things about nature and living in New South Wales is we are never short on stunning National Parks to hike! Australia celebrates their natural parks and have created endless routes for all levels of fitness, making it the perfect thing to do this June Long Weekend in Sydney! Check out our guide for the Best 18 Hikes In Sydney for all fitness levels!
21. Visit the underrated city of Newcastle & Hunter Valley
If you’re a Brit then you may find it interesting to know that this city was named after our Newcastle in Great Britain and it’s famous coal port. This Newcastle has it’s own style, endless beaches and an awesome food scene to explore. Read up on our 26 Best Things To Do In Newscastleand book your public holiday trip to celebrate the King’s birthday.
You might like to check out our Hunter Valley guide as well which dives into some of the more affordable wine tasting venues and restaurants which won’t cost you an arm and a leg!
22. Do go chasing waterfalls
Hear us out, embracing the cold water in winter can be incredible for your health, skin and mood! So mark your map with our favourite hidden waterfalls, pack your swimmers and hiking gear and feel incredible with your cold therapy experience!
23. Go on a road trip from Sydney to Byron Bay
Fancy getting out of Sydney and heading up to Byron Bay? Why not go on a road trip and end the June long weekend in Sydney at none other than Byron Bay? Bring your work laptop and experience what the meaning of ‘working from home’ truly looks like from one of the most popular holiday destinations in Australia!
Read our Ultimate Guide For Road Tripping From Sydney To Byron Bay which has a map of all of our favourite places to stop along the way.
Looking for something else?
Check out our Best Day Trips From Sydney guide to help you plan a day trip like no other this June long weekend in Sydney. Or, if you’re looking for a quick getaway, check out our list for the Best Weekend Getaways From Sydney!
This article is written by Londoner In Sydney team member, Amii Freeman.
Hi I’m Amii! I’m from Darlington in the North East of England. I moved from London to Sydney in 2019 for a slower pace and to be by the coast, without having to give up my love of cities. My passion is in film and TV, I screen-write and act as much as I can. In my spare time I love trying new food, exploring new places, kayaking, hiking and cycling. Follow me on Instagram @amiifreeman!
