Summer Events Guide

 

Family fun at Taste of Tasmania on the Hobart Foreshore. Photo credit: City of Hobart and Alastair Bett

Summer in Australia means fun, adventure and play, preferably in the great outdoors. As the days get longer and the mercury rises, so too, it seems, do our spirits. Here’s our state-by-state guide to the best summer events across Australia.

New South Wales

Toe-tapping fun at Tamworth Country Music Festival. Photo credit: Tao Jones

Parkes Elvis Festival, January 6-13 Celebrate the King at this quirky outback event in Central NSW.

Sydney Festival, January 9-18 An explosion of music and culture across multiple venues in Harbour City.

Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth, January 18-27 Kick up your heels at the largest music festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Highlands Beer and Cider Festival, Bowral, January 26-27 Celebrate the Australia Day weekend sampling over 50 Australian and New Zealand beers and ciders.

Tumbafest, Tumbarumba, February 23-24 A colourful celebration of music, local food and wine in the Snowy Mountains.

Victoria

In a state known for sporting events, the Australian Open is Victoria’s most high-profile.

Australian Open, Melbourne, January 14-27 The world’s best tennis players take centre court at this Grand Slam.

Festival of Sails, Geelong, January 26-28 World-class sailing meets waterfront family-friendly entertainment in Geelong.

Southern 80, Euchuca, February 8-10 The Murray River roars to life for this iconic high-speed ski race.

NRL Harvey Normal All Stars, Melbourne, February 15 A showcase of First Nations players, the Australian Indigenous All-Stars take on the New Zealand Maori Kiwis for the first time at AAMI Park.

South Australia

A cycling race that includes the whole family at the Santos Down Under Festival.

Santos Down Under Festival, Adelaide, January 10-20 The biggest cycling race in the Southern Hemisphere with plenty of family-friendly entertainment, too.

Tunarama Festival, Port Lincoln, January 24-27 Celebrating the incredible seafood of the Eyre Peninsula with loads of family-friendly fun on the foreshore.

Crush Festival, Adelaide Hills, January 25-27 A weekend of fun and frivolity celebrating South Australia’s world-class wine.

SeaLink Kangaroo Island Racing Carnival, February 14-16 Horse racing, fashion, fun and food celebrating the produce of Kangaroo Island.

Adelaide Fringe Festival, February 15-March 17 The largest arts event in Australia injects music and culture into Adelaide for a full month.

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Adelaide, February 18 Rock out at one of the most progressive music festivals in the country that always attracts a killer line-up.

Western Australia

Fun and frivolity at Perth’s Fringe World festival.

Perth Festival, February 8 – March 3 The world-class arts and culture festival that ‘disrupts and celebrates’ Perth.

South West Craft Beer Festival, Busselton, February 16 Enjoy over 125 brews from over 25 craft breweries and cideries at the picturesque surfing town of Busselton.

Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, February 15-17 Boot-scootin’’’ family fun at Western Australia’s premier country music festival.

Fringe World, Perth, January 18-February 17 Perth comes alive with a month-long program of circus, cabaret, music and arts events.

Queensland

Use ya Melon – or not – at the Chinchilla Melon Festival.

Hell of the West Triathlon, Goondawindi, February 9-10 The ‘toughest triathlon in Queensland’ puts athletes through their paces in the searing summer heat.

Chinchilla Melon Festival, February 14-17 The humble watermelon takes centre stage at this quirky and fun family event.

Agnes Blues, Roots and Rock Festival, Gladstone Region, February 15-17 A toe-tapping good time on the doorstep of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, November 24 – April 28 Soak in some culture at this contemporary art exhibition with a unique mix of creativity and cross-cultural insight from the Asia Pacific Region.

Tasmania

Punters enjoying sumptuous Tasmanian produce at Taste of Tasmania. Photo credit: City of Hobart and Alastair Bett

Cygnet Folk Festival, January 12-14 A celebration of folk and world music, dance, poetry, performance art, food and culture.

Mona Foma, Launceston, January 13-20 The Museum of Old and New Art takes its summer festival to Launceston to celebrate the edgier side of music and art.

Targa North West, Launceston, February 16-17 Offering a taste of Targa Tasmania, this car race covers 170 kilometres over 11 stages.

Darwin

Cool off in the desert heat at Alice Springs’ Australia Day Pool Party

Australia Day Pool Party, Alice Springs, January 26 Make a splash and stay cool at the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

Rudimental Live at Mindil Beach, Darwin, February 15 East London rockers Rudimental play a beach set in Darwin as part of their world tour.

Imparja Cup, Alice Springs, February 4-11 National Indigenous Cricket Championships in the Red Centre.

Remember before hitting the road to make sure your tyres are up to scratch by choosing something suitable from our range of quality Car & SUV tyres.