Down Under, you have some unique and scenic sights, amazing culture and people and incredible food options. The country also promises a thrilling time because there’s always something going on any time of the year.
WHEN you travel somewhere you want to experience something eventful. Take it from us, if you want eventful, you want Australia!
It’s literally filled with events year round to cater for all tastes and interests – food and wine, sports, music, art, movies, culture, fashion or beach festivals: from highbrow and engaging to fun and spectacular, a basket of unique Australian experiences that are available for everyone to enjoy during their visit.
MARCH
Adelaide Festival (South Australia), Feb 27 – March 15
During one of the world’s great arts festivals, Adelaide becomes the arts and entertainment hub for artists and audiences, with a feast of theatre, film, dance and opera. Adelaide Festival is also host to Writers Week, Feb 28 - March 5 and the open-access arts festival, Adelaide Fringe, is on Feb 13 – March 15.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (Victoria) Feb 27 – March 15
The festival unveils a world-class program of more than 300 events that fill Melbourne’s labyrinthine network of restaurants, laneways, lights-turned-down basements and dizzying rooftops as well as spilling into spectacular regional Victoria.
Canberra Balloon Spectacular (Canberra), March 7–15
See a stunning array of hot air balloons inflate at dawn and slowly drift over Canberra’s iconic national attractions, best viewed from the lawns of Old Parliament House.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Victoria), March 25 – April 19
It is Australia’s largest cultural comedy event and plays host to hundreds of local and international artists. The program includes stand-up and cabaret acts, with popular events including The Great Debate, a televised comedy debate, the Opening Night Super Show, and Upfront, a night of performances exclusively featuring female comedians.
Sydney Royal Easter Show (New South Wales), March 26 – April 8
It is Australia’s largest annual event, attracting close to 900,000 people each year – a celebration of Australian culture, from its rural traditions to modern day lifestyles. Each year the country and city join together to enjoy agricultural competitions, animal experiences, entertainment, carnival fun, shopping and much more.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Aida (New South Wales), March 27 – April 26
This has become a huge part of the cultural landscape, combining all of world-class opera, champagne and fine dining, sunsets and spectacle on the harbour’s edge. The 2015 opera will be Aida, a tragic love story about an Egyptian commander, a Pharaoh and an enslaved Ethiopian princess, starring sopranos Latonia Moore and Daria Masiero alternating in the title role.
APRIL
Bluesfest Byron Bay (New South Wales), April 2–6
See some of the biggest names in blues and roots at the 26th Bluesfest in this beachside town. It features seven stages and more than 200 performances of the best blues, roots, folk, soul and world artists, along with licensed bars and undercover food halls. Already artists including Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals, Paolo Nutini, David Gray, Ben Howard and the Counting Crows have been announced to perform this year.
Fremantle Street Arts Festival (Western Australia), April TBC
The streets of Fremantle turn into a stage as some of the world’s best performers entertain crowds at Australia’s largest street festival. Performances include busking, street theatres, comedy, circus and cabaret. There is a range of free events and family friendly shows.
MAY
Aussie Wine Month (National), May 1–31
It is a medley of around 100 events, tastings, promotions and celebrations across the country showcasing Australia’s reputation for producing some of the world’s best wines. Aussie Wine Month presents a great opportunity to sample Australia’s best, from more than 60 designated wine regions across the country.
Kangaroo Island FEASTival (South Australia), May 1–8
It is a five day gastronomic celebration that features a degustation of over 15 extraordinary dining events that have been created to capture the true spirit and character of the island. The wilderness locations, history, local produce, beverages and island character are featured in every event ensuring visitors and guests take home a unique dining experience.
Noosa International Food and Wine Festival (Queensland), May 14–17
Foodies should head north to this resort town on the Sunshine Coast – for four days over 200 leading international and national chefs, winemakers, media and restaurateurs take part in cooking demonstrations, lifestyle lunches, wine tasting, culinary exhibitions and more.
Vivid Sydney (New South Wales), May 22 – June 8
The annual winter festival features hugely popular immersive light installations and projections; performances from local and international musicians at Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House; and Vivid Ideas Exchange featuring public talks and debates from leading global creative thinkers.
JUNE
Sydney Film Festival (New South Wales), June 3–14
It brings the best new films from around the world. A packed program of more than 250 screenings includes brand new features from over 40 countries, short films, Australian films, documentaries and hosts a number of awards to recognise excellence in filmmaking.
Dark Mofo (Tasmania), June 12–22
Celebrate the dark through large-scale public art, food, music, light and noise at the Museum of Old and New Art’s winter festival, Dark Mofo, set on Hobart’s magnificent waterfront. The annual masquerade Red Death Ball is a decadent event with ticket prices including “a beguiling array of cocktails, wines, aperitifs and sacrificial offerings.”
JULY
Brisbane Times Good Food Month (Queensland), July 1–31
Now in its second year, it provides the opportunity for food lovers to explore some of the best Brisbane and regional restaurants, cafes and bars as well as get up close with some of the most highly esteemed chefs in the world. With everything from Hats Off Dinners, Pop-ups and Parties and the much anticipated Night Noodle Markets.
Festival of Voices (Tasmania), July 3–12
Celebrates the voice in its many forms, it spans from choral music to gospel, classical, a capella and sacred song, held in some of Hobart’s historic locations. Last year the festival brought back its Bonfire and Big Sing, where renowned artists and hundreds of choristers led the crowd to create a choir of thousands for a magical evening of singing around a bonfire.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon (Queensland), July 4–5
It is an event that motivates and challenges tens of thousands of people of all ages and abilities, featuring a marathon, half marathon, 10km run, community walk and junior dash.
Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta (Northern Territory), July 12
The Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach brings together amateur boat builders who show off their beer can vessels. The aim is to stay afloat long enough to cross the finish line. It’s a spectacular event for visitors to Darwin who cheer the homemade boats as they wallow, flounder and sink.
Canberra and Capital Region Truffle Festival (Canberra), July – mid August TBC
Celebrate truffle season with truffle inspired menus and tasting sessions. With over 45 participating venues across the region, the eight week celebration of the local Black Perigord Truffle gives visitors the opportunity to taste, experience and learn more about the prized truffle.
AUGUST
Netball World Cup (New South Wales), Aug 7–16
Sports fans will have an amazing opportunity to see the world’s best netball teams compete for the ultimate prize in Sydney - the Netball World Cup. Held every four years and contested by the top 16 nations, watch defending champions Australia, battle with top-ranked teams such as New Zealand, England and Jamaica.
Sun-Herald City2Surf (New South Wales), Aug 9
It is the world’s largest run of its kind, with more than 85,000 registered participants competing annually. Elite athletes rub shoulders with locals to run, walk or watch the 14km race from Hyde Park in Sydney’s central business district to the finish at spectacular Bondi Beach.
* Based on the best available information at time of publishing highlighting only the main events. This article is brought to you by Tourism Australia
For more information go to www.australia.com.
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