21 Awesome Things To Do In Melbourne This June
Embrace the winter chill and discover what Melbourne has to offer this June.
Melbourne got off to a rocky start with June, but restrictions are lifting, the 25km radius is no more and we’re free to roam wherever we like. If you’re itching to get out of your house, but you’re stuck on ideas on what to do, don’t worry. Here are 21 awesome experiences for you to try in Melbourne this June.
1. Ice skate at the Winter Village
Frolic in a winter wonderland at Fed Square this June. Feel the magic of winter and snuggle in a cosy, private igloo with your friends. Fulfill your Ice Princess childhood dreams, put on some skating shoes and go ice skating on the rink. Warm up with a hot chocolate and try some food at the pop-up kitchen.
For more information, visit their website.
2. Watch a show at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival
Head to Chapel Off Chapel to catch a cabaret show. With all the disruptions from lockdown, the Festival organisers have completely revitalised the program and moved shows to later dates to allow for proper rehearsal time. From award-winning performers like Tash York and the Red Red Wines to new performers like Thomas Currie, you’ll be sure to laugh out loud and have a good time at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Shows are running from June 16-27.
For more information, click here.
3. Eat Italian Yum Cha at The Grand
As part of Good Food Month, every weekend in June, the Grand Richmond is serving their famous Italian food, yum cha style. Try steamed baskets of tortellini, nibble on gnocchi, lick little pieces of lasagne and more! Simply book a table on their website and try it any Saturday or Sunday this June.
See their selection on their website.
4. Play in the foodie’s playground at Grazeland
This is a food paradise with 50 different vendors, selling everything you could possibly dream of, from African barbecue to soufflé pancakes. This permanent food hub opened its doors in Spotswood a few months ago, and they’re open for restricted trade and take away this June. Choose something savoury, like Nashville fried chicken from Charchella or a tasty bao from Bao Down & Katsu King. Or if you’re after something sweet, why not try fresh cannoli from Cannoleria or a doughnut from Doughville?
See what’s available at Grazeland.
5. Enjoy a Pride Burger at Huxtaburger
Celebrate Pride Month in style! Huxtaburger has released a gorgeous, insta-friendly rainbow burger for you to sink your teeth into. Inside the handcrafted rainbow bun, you’ll find a crispy Chinese fried chicken, Kung Pao sauce and Asian slaw with fresh herbs. This beautiful burger was created by former Masterchef contestant, Brendan Pang, so you know it’ll taste good.
This burger is available in store, through online ordering, or through Deliveroo from Thursdays to Sundays.
6. Be amazed by the Taste of Portugal Festival at Vic Market
On Sunday June 27, Queen Vic Market is celebrating all the Portuguese-speaking communities, including Brazil and East Timor. There will be music, dancing, chorizo-making workshops, street foods and more! Learn how to bake the famously delicious Portuguese custard tarts or try samba dancing for the first time.
To see what’s on, visit Queen Vic Market’s website.
7. Treat yourself at the Brownie Festival
Chocolatiers from the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Great Ocean Road have blessed us with a Brownie Festival. Running from June 12-27, you’ll be able to try 18 different brownie flavours! Take home a box of two, four or 16 flavours or visit the chocolateries for a brownie-making workshop. In addition, there will also be a range of brownie-inspired desserts, ice creams and beverages that you can try at the café.
8. Get treats from Melbourne’s legendary Night Noodle Markets sent to your door
The Night Noodle Markets are working a little differently this year. Instead of heading to Birrarung Marr to get a feed, DoorDash is delivering these delicious treats straight to your door! Feeling like some Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts? Or how about some Flying Noodles?
Check out the website to see where they deliver and what food is available.
9. Explore Melbourne’s laneways, transformed by the Flash Forward Project
Head to the CBD and see new artwork hidden amongst the laneways of Melbourne. In this creative project, 40 of the city’s laneways will be transformed into something new. Some of the laneways, like Hughs Alley in Chinatown, have already been completed.
For more information, stay tuned to their social media.
10. Go axe-throwing at Lumber Punks
Release your inner lumberjack and visit this axe-throwing venue in South Melbourne. Over a 90-minute session, you’ll learn the ins and outs of axe throwing, starting with smaller ones before building up to the larger size. You get heaps of practice and game time in the session, and one private axe-throwing lane per group.
Book your tickets now.11. Try a new cocktail at El Camino Cantina
For all of June and July, this restaurant on Brunswick Street is giving an edge to your favourite soft drink flavours. In the Not So Soft Drink Series, they’re taking soft drink flavours and putting them into delicious margaritas. Try Frozen Colarita, Creaming Soda Rita, Pasito Rita or Margarita Mountain in either 15oz or 24oz sizes and celebrate in style!
For more information, see their website.
12. Have fun at Adventure Park’s Winter Glow
Adventure Park in Geelong is making a glowing winter wonderland for the school holidays. Running from June 25 to July 10, this theme park will be transformed into a land of snow, fire and ice. There will be live ice-sculpting and fire-twirling displays each day, as well as a play zone for kids to frolic in the snow. Kids can glow with UV face painting, parents can drink mulled wine and spiced cider, and families can enjoy an immersive light installation.
For more information, visit the Adventure Park website.
13. Enjoy High Cheese at the Westin
In a delightful twist on high tea, the Westin is presenting three tiers of cheesy goodness, with a mix of sweet and savoury treats. To elevate your experience, they have a selection of perfectly matched wines for you to taste. High Cheese will be served every day from 11am-8pm in the Westin’s Lobby Lounge. Alternatively, you can also get this delivered so you can stay warm at home.
Bookings are essential. To learn more, visit their website.
14. Let loose at Piano Bar’s Melbourne Pop Up
Iconic Geelong favourite, Piano Bar, has been shipped off to Flemington Racecourse for a Melbourne pop-up space. Join their fabulous Pitch Please party on Saturday, June 19 to watch the latest screening of RuPaul’s Drag Race, listen to some music and watch drag queens do what they do best. Joining the lineup in Melbourne is Jojo Zaho from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
Click here for more information.
15. Join the “Great Bucket Hunt” on the KFC app
KFC has started its own augmented reality game. From June 15 to July 12, find virtual buckets hidden around Australia to win some prizes. To play, download the KFC app and open the Great Bucket Hunt. Prizes include free food, KFC offers, hoodies and cash.
Visit the Great Bucket Hunt website to learn more.
16. Feel the magic of Disney animation at ACMI
This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition at ACMI is reopening its doors on June 25. See over 500 artworks including original paintings, sketches and concept art from Walt Disney and learn about how your favourite childhood stories were brought to life.
Learn more about the exhibition and book your tickets here.
17. Join the Ultimate Truffle Tour at Queen Vic Market
It’s truffle season in Melbourne right now, and what better way to get in the spirit than to join a truffle tour? Over a two-hour guided tour, learn from a truffle expert as they take you through Queen Vic Market and let you try some truffle treats! Sample truffle cheeses, truffle honey, truffle salami and so much more. This tour is running Saturday, June 19 at 10am.
Click here to book tickets.
18. See graceful ballet dancers perform Anna Karenina
The Australian Ballet is bringing Tolstoy’s famous work to life in their rendition of Anna Karenina. Watch it stream live from your own home at 7:15pm Thursday, June 24 or at whatever time is more convenient for you until 5:30pm Saturday, June 26.
Learn more about the performance and book your tickets here.
19. Chill out at the Ice Bar
Want to get even colder? Head to the Atrium at Fed Square and enter Australia’s only Ice Bar. Put on a cape and some gloves and enter a frozen room where you can play ice air hockey and warm up with some delicious cocktails.
Bookings are essential. Head to Ice Bar’s website for more info.
20. Enjoy an immersive pirate dinner experience at Queens of the Damned
Arrghhh you ready to set sail? Queens of the Damned have created a dinner and show experience at Docklands. This pirate-themed night takes place in four different rooms at Mission to Seafarers. Enjoy a two-course meal and watch a hilarious cabaret show with circus, dance and comedy. Round up your crew and enjoy the show!
Visit the Queens of the Damned website for more info.
21. Escape to the alpine regions this winter
And if you really have to get out of Melbourne this June, escape to the alpine region to enjoy the snow season. You’ll need to take a COVID test within 72 hours of your departure, and after that, you’re set to hit the slopes and have some fun!