Things to Do in Papua New Guinea in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Papua New Guinea
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season conditions make June one of the best months for trekking the Kokoda Track - trails are more manageable with less mud, river crossings are safer at around 1 m (3.3 ft) depth rather than 2 m (6.6 ft), and visibility in the highlands averages 15-20 km (9-12 miles) compared to 5 km (3 miles) in wet season
- Traditional sing-sing festivals happen throughout the highlands in June as communities celebrate the end of harvest season - you'll see genuine cultural events rather than tourist-focused performances, particularly in villages around Mount Hagen and Goroka where clans gather before the bigger July festivals
- Whale shark season peaks around Kimbe Bay and Milne Bay from May through July - water visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) in June, and surface temperatures of 27-28°C (81-82°F) make for comfortable diving without needing thick wetsuits
- Accommodation prices stay reasonable in June since it falls between Australian school holidays - you'll typically pay 20-30% less than August rates, and booking 3-4 weeks ahead is usually sufficient rather than the 2-3 months needed for peak season
Considerations
- Southeast trade winds pick up significantly in June, making some coastal boat transfers genuinely uncomfortable - trips from Alotau to the Trobriand Islands can take 4-5 hours instead of the usual 3 hours, with swells reaching 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft), and flights get cancelled about 15% more often than calmer months
- June sits right at the transition between seasons, which means weather can be genuinely unpredictable - you might get three perfect sunny days followed by two days of steady rain, making it harder to plan multi-day treks or diving trips with confidence
- Many villages in the Sepik region still have high water levels from the wet season that technically ends in May - some traditional longhouses might be partially flooded, and mosquito populations remain elevated with malaria risk still significant until water levels properly recede in July
Best Activities in June
Kokoda Track Trekking
June offers some of the best conditions for the 96 km (60 mile) Kokoda Track before the July-August rush. The trail is drier but not yet dusty, river crossings are manageable, and daytime temperatures in the Owen Stanley Range sit around 22-25°C (72-77°F) at altitude. You'll still get afternoon cloud cover that rolls in around 2-3pm, but mornings are typically clear with that stunning mountain visibility. The humidity at 70% is actually lower than the 85-90% you'd face in wet season, which makes the steep climbs more bearable.
Whale Shark Diving and Snorkeling
Kimbe Bay and Milne Bay see peak whale shark activity in June as these gentle giants follow plankton blooms. Water visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft), and you're looking at 27-28°C (81-82°F) water temperature - warm enough for a 3mm wetsuit or even just a rashguard for snorkeling. The whale sharks tend to cruise at 5-10 m (16-33 ft) depth, making them accessible to snorkelers, not just divers. June also brings manta rays to the same areas, so you might encounter both on the same dive.
Highland Village Cultural Experiences
June brings authentic sing-sing preparations in villages around Mount Hagen, Goroka, and the Wahgi Valley. You're catching communities during a culturally significant time - post-harvest, pre-festival - when there's actually time for visitors and a genuine reason for celebration rather than performances staged for tourists. Temperatures in the highlands stay comfortable at 18-24°C (64-75°F) during the day, dropping to 12-15°C (54-59°F) at night. The bilum bag weaving, traditional cooking demonstrations, and clan storytelling sessions happen naturally as part of daily life.
Sepik River Canoe Expeditions
The Sepik is still running high in June with water levels around 8-10 m (26-33 ft) above dry season baseline, which actually makes canoe travel easier as you can access more tributaries and reach villages that become isolated later in the year. Temperatures hover around 29-31°C (84-88°F) with that thick jungle humidity, but river breezes provide relief. You'll see traditional spirit houses, carving demonstrations, and crocodile scarification ceremonies. The trade-off is higher mosquito populations and some villages still dealing with minor flooding.
Bird Watching in Lowland Rainforests
June brings peak activity for birds of paradise in areas like Varirata National Park near Port Moresby and the Arfak Mountains in West Papua. Males are displaying for mates, which means you'll actually see and hear them rather than just glimpsing shadows in the canopy. Early morning walks starting at 5:30-6:00am offer the best viewing when birds are most active and temperatures are still cool at 20-22°C (68-72°F). By 9am it climbs to 28-30°C (82-86°F) and bird activity drops significantly.
WWII Historical Site Tours
June's drier conditions make visiting jungle battle sites around Kokoda, Buna, and Rabaul more accessible. Trails to sites like Brigade Hill or Isurava are less muddy, and the 70% humidity is more manageable than the 90% you'd face in wet season when exploring overgrown battlefield remnants. Temperatures stay around 26-29°C (79-84°F) in lowland areas. You'll find rusted tanks, crashed aircraft, and tunnel systems that are easier to photograph in the clearer light conditions June typically offers.
June Events & Festivals
Provincial Sing-Sing Preparations
Throughout June, highland villages hold smaller sing-sings as preparation and practice for the major Goroka and Mount Hagen shows in July and September. These are genuine community events rather than tourist spectacles - clans gathering to perfect their bilas (traditional dress), practice dances, and settle on group compositions. You might see 50-200 people from several villages rather than the thousands at main festivals, which actually makes it easier to interact and understand what's happening. Villages around Kundiawa, Minj, and Banz are particularly active in June.
Queen's Birthday Holiday
The second Monday in June remains a public holiday in PNG despite independence - government offices and many businesses close, but it's actually a good time for visitors as locals head to coastal areas and parks for family gatherings and sports competitions. You'll see traditional string band music performances and rugby league matches in most towns. Port Moresby's Ela Beach and Kokoda Beach Park get crowded with families, offering a chance to see contemporary PNG life rather than just tourist-focused activities.