The winter season in Sydney begins in June and the winter months start to see a dip in the city’s tourists. However, this is the best time to book your flights to the harbour city. Everything from airfare to hotels will be at excellent prices. During the winter, there is plenty to see and learn about the city. Explore a climb of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, and have dinner at some of the world's best outlets.
What makes Sydney in June Special?
June ushers in one of the most important months on Sydney's annual tourism calendar. The start of the annual whale-watching season begins, with the queen’s birthday making it more special, with fireworks and lights all around the city.
The whale-watching season is a huge attraction for many visitors to Sydney in the month of June. The overall experience of watching whales in Sydney is enhanced by the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour and its nearby landmarks.
Because there are no school holidays in June, attractions and tourist hotspots are less likely to be crowded, making it an ideal month to visit Sydney for those who prefer cooler temperatures. Accommodation costs are generally lower in June as compared to other months.
Sydney does not receive snow, but people who are interested in winter sports such as skiing, and other activities can travel for about half a day to some of the nearby snowfields, which offer some of the best ski facilities of the beautiful country.
Sydney in June: Weather
June is the second coldest month of the year, with temperatures averaging a chilly 8 degrees at night. The days remain pleasant, resulting in bright and clear sunny days. The month of June heralds the start of Sydney's winter season. It is also the wettest month of the city with an average rainfall of 132 mm. Sydney's winters are actually quite mild. In addition, because June is the city's low season, hotels offer their lowest rates. This is a good time to explore Sydney.
Sydney in June: Top Experiences
1
The National Maritime Museum
Featuring maritime collections and exhibits, the National Maritime Museum explores the relationship between Australia and the sea. You'll also get the opportunity to learn more about the aboriginal people of Australia, and the country's ties to surfing and immigration. Historical vessels are on display as well, and on some days, you might be able to tour them as well!
June Timings
Daily 10am to 4pm
2 Murray St, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
2
Sydney Harbour Cruises
Enjoy various Sydney harbour cruises with a variety of options. Like the Sydney Habour High Tea Sightseeing Cruise, which brings you the luxury of having tea with the beautiful waves off the harbour and exciting views. There are other great cruises too, which you can enjoy with your family and friends. Bear in mind that the chilly winds of June might make for a cold cruise, so make sure to check the weather beforehand and dress accordingly so you can make the most of the cruise!
June Timings
Depends on the chosen cruise.
Circular Quay Wharf No.6, Sydney Harbour, Sydney
Getting There ›
3
Sydney Opera House Tour and Dining
Explore Sydney Opera House through the Sydney Opera House Architecture Tour, which will give you an insight into the history and architecture of what has become a trademark symbol of Sydney. This tour will have you look through the lens visionaries, architects, engineers, and artists created this iconic landmark.
June Timings
Daily: 8:45am to 5pm
Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
4
Sydney Opera House Show
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-arts performance centre, but as the name suggest, is famous for all the opera shows that are performed here. These 90 minutes concerts will make for a great evening, and are a great way to wrap up your evening.
June Timings
Depends on chosen show
Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
5
Skydive Sydney
Sydney offers you some of the best skydiving tours. As you start your free-fall, you can experience the thrill of speed and pure adventure! Go for a Tandem Skydive At Hunter Valley, which takes you to a heigh of around 15,000 ft. For 60 seconds, you'll be freefalling at speeds of over 220 km/h. Take in all incredible views of Australia has to offer!
Sydney NSW,
Australia
Getting There ›
6
The Blue Mountains
Visit the Blue Mountains region, where you can spend an exciting day in nature! You are bound to enjoy the many thrilling rides and attractions that dot the valley in the UNESCO World Heritage site, no matter yourage! Make sure to take a moment to explore the Jenolan Caves, a natural landscape carved out of the rock by an underground river, and see the other stunning rock formations in the area too.
June Timings
Depends on chosen tour.
New South Wales 2787,
Australia
Getting There ›
7
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
Explore the SEA Life Sydney Aquarium, which houses some of Australia's most lively and extremely interesting marine animals. You can see various animals including sharks, dugongs, penguins, platypuses, and more. It has around 13,000 animals of around 650 species. Take the opportunity to witness underwater life here, from closer than ever before.
June Timings
Daily 10am to 4pm
1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
8
A Day Trip From Sydney
Plan a day trip from Sydney with your family and friends. There are various cruises to choose from, like The Brilliant Dinner Cruise which includes sightseeing of some of Sydney's most iconic landmarks, fine dining, live entertainment, and an extensive wine list. If this is not your forté, you can also explore other day drips from Sydney.
June Timings
Depends on chosen tour.
Sydney NSW,
Australia
Getting There ›
9
Sydney Tower Eye
The Sydney Eye Tower stands at a height of 820 feet. You can appreciate and watch the city from above with a 360-degree view of the city, the beaches and neighborhoods. If you plan it just right, you can catch the sky and its magnificent shades of orange and pink as the sun sets, as the city vibrant city gradually see fades into glimmering lights.
June Timings
Daily, 9am to 8pm (Last entry at 8pm)
100 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Getting There ›
10
Taronga Zoo
Visit the Taronga Zoo in Sydney and go on a guided tour of the zoo. For an in-depth look at the zoo's inner workings, take a walk through their various habitats and learn about their lives from your expert zookeeper guide. This zoo has over 4000 animals with around 350 species.
June Timings
Daily from 9:30am to 5pm
Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088,
Australia
Getting There ›
Sydney in June: Events to Look Out For
Vivid Sydney
24 May - 15 June 2024
This event takes place every year in June. You can witness creativity and technology come together in this festival. The entire city of Sydney comes to life at this time. Art and 3D projections are displayed on walls and huge screens, and aside from this, music concerts and motivational talks also take place during this festival. So, in 2022 surely attend this event to explore the enthralling city life of Sydney!
Read more: Vivid Sydney
Dobell Festival
31 May - 2 June 2024
Dobell Festival is one of the art festivals that is celebrated every year in the month of June in Sydney. It is celebrated in the loving memory of one of the greatest artists Sir William Dobell, an Australian portrait and landscape artist from the 20th century and winner of the Archibald Prize. The event has studio tours, exhibitions, drawing classes, live shows and many more.
Sydney Film Festival
5 June - 16 June 2024
The Sydney Film Festival is a highly-anticipated event that draws in local and international crowds, showcasing over 200 films. Over the course of 12 days and nights, attendees can choose from screenings of new films, retrospectives, documentaries, short films, family-friendly movies, and animations, all while enjoying various parties and talks.
Sydney in June: Essentials
Weather in Sydney in June
The month of June heralds the start of Sydney's winter season. It is also the wettest month in Sydney, with an average rainfall of 132 mm. With average temperatures ranging from 9.3°C to 10.3°C, June, the first month of winter in Sydney, is a comfortable month. In June, the average water temperature in Sydney is 19.3 degrees Celsius (66.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
Where to stay in Sydney in June
Sydney offers a lot of choices for tourists on the accommodation front. Leisure holidayers can opt for luxury accommodation at the premier hotels around the city, and budget travelers can choose from a wide range of hotels and hostels across Sydney. Here are a few of our suggested picks:
- Luxury – Little Albion, The Langham Sydney, Four Seasons.
- Moderate – Glasgow Arms Hotel, Rydges Sydney Central , The Merchant Hotel .
- Budget – Ingenia Holidays , Sydney Collaroy Beachouse YHA, Ibis Budget Sydney Airport.
What to pack for Sydney in June
Try to keep your clothing layered and loose. Since it's expected to be quite chilly, pack warm clothing like a beanie, a scarf, thermals and warm jackets. Also maybe pack cardigans, turtlenecks, and long-sleeved T-shirts, to keep you as comfortable as you can as you explore this city. Since it'll be a bit wet, you'll do well if you pack some rain boots, as well as a pair of sneakers so you can go on all the adventures Sydney has to offer!
Getting around in Sydney in June
Sydney's public transportation system includes trains, light rail, buses, and ferries. Privately operated light rail lines, airport connections, sightseeing buses, and taxis supplement the public network. Within the city, buses run frequently, stopping every 5 to 15 minutes at every stop. Sydney also has a tram system that runs all over town. Because Sydney Airport is only a 13-minute train ride from the city, getting to and from the airport is a piece of cake!
Sydney in June: Seasonal Delicacies
This is a culinary gem off the coast of Australia. It has a deep, rich, and long-lasting sweetness that distinguishes it from other oyster varieties, though its flavor varies depending on habitat. It can be eaten raw, roasted, or shallow-fried in a light batter to bring out seasonal flavours. You can have these at Searock Grill.
Tiger prawns are a lovely, medium-flavored variety that are frequently used in soups or paired with mayonnaise or aioli. Most prawns are deliciously battered, crumbed, or fried in tempura, or in casseroles, paellas, and laksas with other regional ingredients. You can try these at the Blue Fish Sydney Seafood Restaurant!
In Sydney, the bacon and egg roll is served on an artisan bread roll stuffed with grains or seeds, with caramelized onions and fresh tomato relish. They can also be stuffed with smoked bacon and a fried egg on freshly baked bread. Enjoy the delicious breakfast in The Treetop Cafe in the harbor city.
Yellowfin tuna is a popular sashimi and sushi fish, but because of its abundance in Australian waters, it is also one of Sydney's most popular fish and one of the country's best foods. Delicious Yellowfin Tuna is served at Sydney's Flying Fish restaurant.
Tips for Visiting Sydney in June
- Sydney is not so crowded in June, so you can easily visit various places.
- Whale watching can be tricky, because it relies on the migration pattern of the magnificent creatures. Don't get your hopes up too high, but June is one of the best time to spot whales, so keep your eyes peeled for the whales as you are on your cruise.
- There are whale-watching agencies in Sydney that will take you on tours guided by experts if you want to increase your chances
- Pack enough warm clothes as it is winter in June in Sydney.
- June is a great time to go on a cross-country road trip because the absence of Australia's extreme weather make the conditions ideal!
FAQs
June is the start of winter in Sydney. But the cold is not as extreme as the heat in the city. The average daytime temperature can be about 14°C. Temperatures reach only about 18°C on the warmest days.
It is the first month of winter ( not too cold, however! ). Heavy rain is quite likely, as are hailstorms. While Sydney itself doesn't receive any snowfall, be mindful of the fact that nearby areas like Blue Mountains see a drop in temperature.
Yes! It is not off-season per se, but it's definitely the start of the time when tourists don't visit as much. So if you're looking for a quiet trip where attractions are still open, but not too crowded, June is the perfect time!
Winter Solstice is a solar phenomenon when either of Earth's poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It is considered the start of winter, and sees the longest night of the year. In 2021, Sydney decided to celebrate this day with a new festival with food, music, arts and culture. It ran for 12 days, but it is unclear whether this is supposed to be an annual event. If so, dates for 2022 are yet to be announced.
June is one of the best months to spot whales in Sydney, especially late June. About 16,000 whales usually traverse the coastline. Some of the best spots to see these whales is Bondi Beach, Cape Solander, Barrenjoey Headland, Fairfax Lookout, Gap Bluff and near Bundeena's Royal National Park.
Month-By-Month Guide To Visiting Sydney