Especially during the spring and summer, Australia is rife with events and festivals. With everything from music to art to sports, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Mona Foma (Museum of Old and New Art: Festival Of Music and Art)
The week-long festival at Mona Foma in Launceston, Tasmania showcases all the work artists have to offer. There is a broad range of art forms from music, theatre, dance and visual art to new media. The event is curated by Brian Richie from the band Violent Femmes and is known as the biggest contemporary music festival in Tasmania.
Sydney Festival
Since its inauguration in 1977, the Sydney Festival has been a major cultural event for Australia, attracting many different local and international artists and performers. The festival celebrates the city’s diversity and vigour with a wide variety of performances from different genres from all over the world.
AFL Grand Final
The pinnacle of the Australian Rules Football calendar occurs every September at the MCG in Melbourne. No matter who is playing, the city’s excitement and vibrance is felt everywhere. The two best teams of the year go head-to-head to vie for the Premiership Flag and makes for an electrifying atmosphere.
Melbourne Cup Carnival
Melbourne is host to a lot of horse racing events throughout the year but the Melbourne Cup Carnival is by far the biggest one. This week-long event is held at Flemington Racecourse and begins with the Victoria Derby. The Melbourne Cup is held at 3pm on the first Tuesday of November and it is ‘the race that stops the nation’. Knowing who to bet on in the Melbourne Cup is important knowledge if you’re heading to the races. The next main event is Oaks Day which is on the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup. This is also known as Ladies Day and is considered the most fashion-focused event. The last event is the Mackinnon Stakes, also known as Family Day, which features a more family-focused atmosphere.
Noosa Summer Swim
Noosa’s Main Beach is one of the most iconic holiday destinations in Queensland. The Noosa Summer Swim holds numerous different events from the Junior Giants 300m swim to the big one – Noosa 5.0 which is contested by seasoned and professional swimmers each year. So whether you are an amateur looking to improve your abilities or an experienced competitive athlete, there is a race for everyone.
Fine Vines Festival
Australians are known to drink beer but they also love their wine and Australia produces some of the best wines in the world. Fine Vines takes place in the Margaret River wine region in Western Australia. The event takes place over 10 days in October and in this time you can explore the region and partake in museum wine tastings, take tours and go to some wonderful garden parties.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA)
This event is Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious indigenous art award. It showcases all kinds of different art and media from indigenous artists from all over Australia. This celebration of the art of the nation is showcased through the amazing range of styles and stories by Australia’s top and emerging indigenous artists.
These are some of Australia’s most diverse and popular events that take place throughout the year. If you are planning a visit, it is worth considering attending to enhance your Australian experience.