Rachel Fieldhouse
Domestic Travel

Here’s what’s happening across Australia in June

Winter is almost here, bringing shorter days and chillier nights - but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do except sit inside.

In fact, winter celebrations are happening across the country, with art installations taking over cities and performances of all sorts planned.

From immersive art festivals and cabaret shows to desert racing and food festivals, here’s what’s happening across the country this month that you won't want to miss.

23rd Sydney Biennale

Though the Biennale began in March, there’s plenty of events left to check out in June. 

This year’s edition of the international art festival is titled rīvus, meaning ‘stream’ in Latin, and features over 330 artworks responding to the theme of water ecology and relationships with the natural world.

The Australian premiere of ‘The Great Animal Orchestra’ is open daily and one of the must-see installations at Sydney Biennale. Image: @biennalesydney (Instagram)

Highlights of the 2022 program include:

To see the full list of events at Barangaroo, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pier 2/3, and the National Art School, head here

Adelaide Cabaret Festival

Curated by Aussie icon Tina Arena, AM, this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival will feature 377 artists and musicians performing in 97 performances between June 10-25.

The lineup will include variety shows, comedy, intimate performances, life drawing classes, and nostalgic concerts - including Songs My Mother Told Me, headlined by Tina Arena herself.

Take a trip back in time or simply enjoy a few laughs at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Image: @adelaidecabaret (Instagram)

Though most events are just for one night (or two), some will run for the duration of the festival, including: 

For a full schedule of events during this year’s festival, head here.

Dark Mofo

Dark Mofo, Tasmania’s annual winter festival, returns for another season from June 8-22 with a program jam-packed with art, installations and performances.

During Week One, the festival’s full art program will be launched, Tasmania’s Mona gallery will be open late for three new exhibitions, and The Blue Rose Ball, Dark Mofo’s costume event, will be returning.

Art and music will be at the forefront of the winter festivities at Dark Mofo. Image: Jarred Seng (Tourism Tasmania)

Week Two will focus on music, with the world premiere of several shows from German musician Nils Frahm, titled Music For Hobart, being one of the major highlights.

The festival is also welcoming the return of the City of Hobart Winter Fest, Night Mass: Transcendence, and the Nude Solstice Swim.

For a full rundown of events happening at Dark Mofo, head here.

RISING:

A festival three years in the making, RISING: will take over Melbourne with 225 events for 12 nights, with public art installations, intimate theatre performances, dance, and music all on the cards.

Jason Tamiru’s experience as a repatriation worker will be one of three stories weaved together in ‘The Return’. Image: Shortcut Creative

Top picks from the festival lineup include:

First Nations artists and performers will also play a vital part in the festival, with Yorta Yorta producer Jason Tamiru’s experiences as a repatriation worker among the three narratives presented in The Return, and trams featuring First Nations artists’ designs among the highlights.

To find out more about RISING:, which kicks off on June 1, head here.

Tatts Finke Festival

Fans of off-roading will be sure to enjoy the iconic Finke Desert Race, a two-day off-road, multi–terrain race across desert country held every year on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

The Tatts Finke Festival will see racers of various stripes descend on Alice Springs this June. Image: Tourism Australia

The race from Alice Springs to the community of Aputula (Finke) attracts top Australian and international racers, and is said to be one of the most difficult off-road races in the world.

Kicking off from June 10-13, the race is open to bikes, cars, buggies and quads, with spectator tickets costing between $10 to $20 and available to book here

Image: Nick Buckley

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Domestic Travel, Australia, Events, Round-Up