X Events You Can’t Miss During Your Big Lap of Australia

Queensland

Woodford Folk Festival

Dates: 27th December – 1st January

The Woodford Folk Festival is an absolute Mecca for families. Over 438 acts with more than 2,000 local, national and international, artists, musicians and presenters entertain over 132,000 people each year. The iconic Opening Ceremony starts the show off with a bang and the New Year’s Day fireworks marks the end of the event in spectacular fashion.

At this event you can expect concerts, dances, street theatre, writers’ panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, folk medicine, an entire children’s festival, an environmental programme featuring talks, debates and films, art and craft workshops, circus performances and workshops, late night cabarets, parades and special events including the spectacular fire event.

The festival village is choc-full with restaurants, cafes, stalls, bars, street theatre and parades. The campground and festival itself are magical and picturesque.

See more about The Woodford Folk Festival here.

The Ekka

Mid-August

The Ekka, aka The Royal Brisbane Show, is Brisbane’s annual show and is definitely worth visiting during your trip around Australia. With all the regular garb of the traditional country show, The Ekka is perhaps the best of its kind.

With hours for free family-entertainment, nightly fireworks and an abundance of food, the Ekka is great for the entire family. You’ll find everything you’ve probably come to expect from a country show, and more! Sideshow alley, fairground rides, hundreds of local businesses, animal displays etc.

See more about The Ekka here.

Mount Isa Rodeo

Mid-August

The Mount Isa Rodeo is one of Australia’s biggest rodeo events, attracting thousands of visitors. If you’ve not been to a rodeo before, The Mount Isa Rodeo is an great way to start. The atmosphere at this outback event is electrifying!

You’ll find the events that you probably expect from a rodeo, including bull riding, and bucking horse events (saddled and unsaddled), but there’s much more to see too. There are a number of events in which horsemen and women can show off their skills. Even the little ones can get involved: children between 8 and 13 can take part in the ‘poddy’ event.

But the rodeo doesn’t just include ring-side entertainment. There is an extensive entertainment program and over the years the likes of Lee Kernaghan and John Farnham have performed.

See more about Mount Isa Rodeo here.

Julia Creek Dirt n Dust

Mid-April

Another outback event worth looking at if you’re in North West Queensland in April is the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival. Known as ‘Australia’s Toughest Tri’, the Dirt n Dust Festival started out as a physical event but over the past quarter-century has evolved into much much more.

Live music and entertainment, horse racing, bull rides, and tantilising food have all become staples of the festival now.

Be warned though, Julia Creek is a tiny Queensland town and it gets extremely busy during the event: make sure you make arrangements for your accommodation in advance, you’re unlikely to be able to pull up and grab a site in a caravan park like you’re probably used to on your Big Lap!

See more about The Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival here.

Noosa Eat & Drink Festival

May

If you’re a foodie, you can’t go past Noosa Eat and Drink Festival. During this annual event, Australia’s top chefs and winemakers descend on the beachside town of Noosa offering some of the best food and drink you can sample in Australia today.

Over 5 days, visitors can enjoy craft beers, wine tastings, live music, cooking demonstrations and more. Masterclasses and chef’s skills table classes will bring out your inner chef too!

See more about The Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival here.

Surfers Paradise Kids Week

September School Holidays

Taking place during the September school holidays, Surfers Paradise Kids Week is an annual family-friendly event celebrating all things kids. This event is 100% free which may be a welcome change from the expense of the family events and attractions you may have visited on your trip around Australia.

Each day of the festival is packed full of kids entertainment including two daily shows, character meet and greets and games, activities and sports.

See more about Surfers Paradise Kids Week here.

Winton Outback Festival

September School Holidays

Another September school holiday event, but this time, in the Outback, The Winton Outback Festival is an incredible event for families travelling in this area to stop in for a day or two.

The signature Quilton Australian Dunny Derby, tops off five days of quirky events, warm Outback hospitality and nightly live entertainment attracting visitors from all over. The hugely popular Sunset Dinner Extravaganza is another gem of the festival and is held in an exclusive location under the Outback stars.

If you like physical challenges, the Outback Century Cycle Challenge – the toughest, flattest cycling event in the Outback -, and Outback Iron Man, Woman and Junior events may be for you. But perhaps the best part of this festival is the offering for the kids. Free workshops and events will keep them busy and entertained for hours.

See more about Winton Outback Festival here.

Birdsville Big Red Bash

Early July

Ticketed as ‘the world’s most remote music festival’, this event attracted thousands of visitors and a bevy of well-known Australian music acts. Over the years, ARIA winning artists like Kate Ceberano and Paul Kelly.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance for this one. This hugely popular event has limited space and with it being located in a small outback town, if you don’t have a ticket, you won’t be able to get a camping spot!

See more about The Big Red Bash here.

Birdsville Races

Early September

Perhaps one of the oldest events on this list, the first unofficial Birdsville Races took place in 1882. During two days in early September, the small Outback Queensland town comes alive as thousands of people descend for the outback races.

Of course, horse racing is at the heart of Birdsville Races but there is a daily program that will keep the whole family entertained. From an fun run to nightly entertainment, the Birdsville Race event is one you won’t forget in a hurry!

See more about Birdsville Races here.

New South Wales

Byron Bay Bluesfest

Easter Long Weekend

Byron Bay Bluesfest proclaims to be Australia’s premier contemporary Blues & Roots music festival. Since 1990, they have showcased music from around the world, just north of Byron Bay in New South Wales. Located on the spectacular 300 acre Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, the festival attracts over 100,000 people annually.

Over five, 12 hour days, Bluesfest features 200 performances across multiple stages. There is camping for 6,000 guests so you can imagine, if you’re looking to camp, you need to book early! 100+ food and market stalls, 5 licensed bard, undercover food courts, beer gardens, quality family entertainment and more!

See more about Byron Bay Bluesfest here.

Burning Seed

End of September

Burning Seed is Australia’s answer to America’s Burning Man. Burning Seed is guided by the Ten Principles of Burning Man: immediacy, participation, leave no trace, civic responsibility, communal effort, radical self-expression, gifting, radical inclusion, commodification, radical self-reliance.

Each year, Burning Seed has a unique theme which helps guide the artwork, inspiration, theme camps, events and costumes.

While Burning Seed is family-friendly, it is not technically a family event. So, there are many children who attend the festival and there are a number of activities that they can get involved in.

See more about Burning Seed here.

Lost Paradise

Over New Years

Lost Paradise is a festival that is focussed on feeding the mind, body and soul. Lost Paradise offers much more beyond a music line-up with a broad range of activities morning through the night to play, learn, connect and be inspired!

With an eclectic range of yoga, talks, workshops, healing arts and indigenous experiences, you’ll discover a world beyond the music line-up at this festival.

See more about Lost Paradise here.

Winter Magic Festival

Around The Winter Solstice

The Winter Magic Festival sees local artists, musicians, dancers, drummers, choirs, stalls and community take over the picturesque Blue Mountains town of Katoomba.

During the event, the main street of Katoomba is closed to motor traffic and open to pedestrian traffic and the whole town becomes a performance space. The shopfronts gleam and sparkle with treasures, the streets are lined with market stalls, the air is filled with music, and everybody who attends is encouraged to dress in costume.

See more about Winter Magic Festival here.

Bondi Winter Magic

July

Bondi Festival is a cutting-edge arts festival and an all-ages adventure zone that explodes into life every winter at the world’s most famous beach.

Every July Bondi is transformed into your winter playground by the sea, bringing families and culture vultures to experience local delights and international sensations.

See more about Bondi Winter Magic here.

Fairgrounds

Early December

The Fairgrounds event in Berry, NSW is a music festival for the whole family. Boasting a great line-up of well-known music artists from around the world, food and drink, market stalls and even a pool help make the festival incredible.

Fairgrounds welcomes kids too. Little Fairgrounds is a festival within a festival and is designed for kids to enjoy music, dancing and creative, musical play.

See more about Fairgrounds here.

Sydney Royal Easter Show

Easter

Perhaps one of Australia’s biggest agricultural shows: nearly 1 million people attend the show each year! You can expect everything that you’d normally see at a ‘country show’ but just on a much, much bigger scale!

See more about Sydney Royal Easter Show here.

Northern Territory

Henley On Todd

August

Henley on Todd is the Northern Territory’s answer to the UK’s Henley Regatta. The only major difference? It’s a boat race with no water! Yes, the Henley On Todd Regatta is a fun-filled family event that takes place in the dry bed of the Todd River which ‘runs’ through Alice Springs.

Throughout the day, you can participate in a number of boat-race style events or simply take a back seat and watch the action.

See more about Henley On Todd here.

Camel Cup

May

There are actually 2 Camel Cups in the Red Centre. One in Alice Springs and one at Uluru. Aside from the obvious camel racing that you’d probably expect from the event, there are a number of other events that you can enjoy throughout the day.

See more about the Uluru Camel Cup here.

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

April – October

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are less of a one-off event than the other events on this list but still absolutely worth mentioning. Usually running April – October to avoid the heat and rain of wet season, the markets see the congregation of over 200 unique stalls, ranging from food stalls offering incredible local and international cuisine to an array of arts, crafts and services stalls.

Get there early, grab some food and take a seat on the beach to watch the Sun setting into the ocean.

See more about the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets here.

Darwin Festival

August

Darwin Festival is held over 2 weeks in mid-August and celebrates the multicultural aspects that make the Northern Territory so special. A melting pot of free and paid events showcasing outdoor concerts, theatre, workshops, dance, music, comedy, film, visual arts and more.

The event has a number of events both for the kids and adults so there really is something for everyone.

See more about the Darwin Festival here.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

September

Parrtjima is one of Alice Springs’ newest events but it utilizes on of its most ancient landmarks. The event sees the work of Aboriginal artists lighting up the night for 10 consecutive nights, set against the ancient, sacred MacDonnell Ranges. Alongside the artworks, you can enjoy a program packed full of live talks, events and music by local and national musicians.

This event is free and great for the whole family.

Find out more about Parrtjima here.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival

June

Yep, Alice Springs has a festival celebrating all things beanie, and it’s well worth a look-in if you find yourself in the Red Centre in June while travelling Australia.

Originally organised to sell beanies crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities, the event has expanded to one that lets Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists share their culture and exhibit together.

Find out more about Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Western Australia

Margaret River Gourmet Escape

November

If you love food and drink, you can’t go past the Margaret River Gourmet Escape when you’re travelling Australia on your Big Lap. In fact, you might even what to plan to be in Margaret River in November just so you can attend!

Over 7 days, Margaret River comes alive with events that showcase all Western Australia has to offer in terms of fine food, wine and more. This celebration of all things food and drink, The Margaret River Gourmet Escape has seen the likes of Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White and Curtis Stone all showcasing the region’s culinary wares.

See more about the Margaret River Gourmet Escape here.

Moonlight Cinema

Summer Months

The Moonlight Cinema runs throughout the Summer months (it also runs in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne too). It’s a great way to spend a chilled evening, enjoying the outdoors.

Both new and cult movies are screened on the big screen and picnic-style seating and food is offered to patrons.

See more about the Moonlight Cinema here.

Mandurah Crab Fest

March

This uniquely WA event welcomes over 140,000 locals and visitors. With seafood as a central theme, the Mandurah Crab Fest is perfect for anyone who loves a good crustaceous feast, either gourmet or from the multitude of food vans on offer. But it’s not just about eating! With cooking demonstrations, family entertainment and art installations, this event is not too crabby! Sorry, not sorry!

See more about Mandurah Crab Fest here.

Shinju Matsuri – Festival of The Pearl

September

One of Broome’s best events, showcasing the region’s culture, history and beauty over 9 days in September. From the traditional walking of the spectacular “Sammy the Dragon” during the festival’s Opening Ceremony, to the plethora of art installations, food options and displays of Broome’s rich and diverse community and culture, this festival is certainly a feast for the senses.

See more about Shinju Matsuri here.

Tasmania

Taste of Tasmania

The Taste of Tasmania is Australia’s longest running and biggest food and wine festival. With