A Month in the Country
From Australia’s richest footrace, the Stawell Gift, to the famous Wooden Boat Festival on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, there’s something for everyone in the country this month.
NSW
Orange FOOD Week, April 5th–14th In its 27th year, Australia’s longestrunning regional food festival celebrates Central West producers. Events include the night market in Robertson Park, farm gate and winery tours, a Heritage Apple Walk and Talk at Borrodell Vineyard, and Country Style’s Meet the Producers’ Lunch (see page 103 for details). 0447 900 089; orangefoodweek.com.au
Autumn Festival, April 13th–29th Mayfield’s 65-hectare privately owned garden is open in its entirety for this annual festival. Highlights include the 1.4-kilometre-long box hedge maze, colourful deciduous trees — including oak, maple and beech, a walled kitchen garden, and rowboats on Mayfield Lake. Adults $35, children $15. 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon. (02) 6336 3131; mayfieldgarden.com.au
NT
Arafura Games, April 26th–may 4th Darwin is set to host this biennial, international multi-sport event that fosters goodwill, friendship and understanding between the Northern Territory and competing nations. Sixteen sports are included and an integrated para program with athletics, tennis, netball, swimming and table tennis. (08) 8999 5373; arafuragames.nt.gov.au
Parrtjima: A Festival in Light, April 5th–14th Now in its fourth year, this Indigenous lights festival held in Alice Springs has large-scale light installations over ten nights against the backdrop of the Macdonnell Ranges. The event also showcases a range of artworks from the Arrernte people and artists from the Central Desert region, as well as providing interaction with artists, music, public discussions and films. (08) 8999 5256; parrtjimaaustralia.com.au
Tjungu Festival, April 26th–29th Tjungu, (pronounced tjoo-ngoo), in local Anangu language means “meeting together” and this event held at Yulara celebrates Indigenous culture. This year’s line-up includes many emerging Indigenous performers, as well as musician Troy Cassar-daley, model Samantha Harris, celebrity chef Mark
Olive and AFL player Nicky Winmar, plus a desert dining experience Tastes of Tjungu. ayersrockresort.com.au
QUEENSLAND
Adina Polocrosse World Cup, April 22nd–28th Warwick hosts this international event with eight countries competing for the world championship. The first game of polocrosse was held in Sydney in 1939, so this World Cup celebrates its 80th anniversary. A day pass starts at $15. Morgan Park, Old Stanthorpe Road, Warwick. polocrosseworldcup.com.au
Roma’s Easter in the Country, April 18th–22nd Now in its 42nd year, this is a great reason to visit Roma and experience the best of country living. The five-day event includes celebrity chef Matt Golinski, country gardens, art shows, a parade and entertainment. easterinthecountryroma.com.au
SA
Tasting Australia, April 5th–14th Discover South Australia’s array of amazing produce on a food journey with world-class chefs, local legends,
beer tastings, long lunches, farm tours and masterclasses. As part of your culinary adventure, you can even book a chartered flight to one of the several regional locations famed for their produce. tastingaustralia.com.au
Barossa Vintage Festival, April 24th–28th Join in this celebration of the Barossa region’s food, wine, culture and heritage with a choice of more than 90 events, including barrel tastings, long lunches, winery picnics and the Vintage Festival Ball. (08) 8563 0662; barossavintagefestival.com.au
South Australian Wooden Boat Festival, April 27th–28th Held at the historic river port of Goolwa, this festival showcases the state’s finest wooden boats — including the boat Hideaway, which starred in the 1976 Storm Boy film and Hideaway 11 from the latest remake. It’s well worth a trip to the Fleurieu Peninsula to enjoy the vintage vessels, live music, art exhibitions and fun activities for children. Goolwa Wharf, Goolwa. 1300 466 592; sawoodenboatfestival.com.au
TASMANIA
Flinders Island Food and Crayfish Festival, April 11th–14th Now in its second year, the festival showcases the local produce and natural beauty of this island that is off Tasmania’s north-east tip. It starts with a sausage sizzle cooked by some of Australia’s top chefs — including David Moyle, Matt Stone, Jo Barrett, James Viles, Analiese Gregory and Mark Labrooy — and concludes with the much-anticipated Festival Long Lunch, catered by the chefs and held at a spectacular location that’s kept secret until 24 hours beforehand. There’s also a lunch hosted by the local Country Women’s Association. Bookings are essential. foodandcrayfishfestival.com
Marjorie Bligh: Domestic Goddess,
April 13th–march 29th, 2020 This exhibition at Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery explores the life and work of the late Tasmanian author Marjorie Bligh, who was renowned for her books on craft, housekeeping, cooking, etiquette and relationships, and is thought to have
been Barry Humphries’s inspiration for Dame Edna Everage. 2 Invermay Road, Invermay. (03) 6323 3777; qvmag.tas.gov.au
VICTORIA
Mica Grange Autumn Open Garden and Sculpture Exhibition, April 6th–may 5th Enjoy the wonders of sculptural art in the foothills of Mount Alexander near Castlemaine at this stunning open garden featuring local and international artists. Entry is $5. 373 Faraday/sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange. (03) 5474 8262; micagrange.com
Stawell Gift, April 20th–22nd Australia’s oldest-running footrace dates back to the late 19th century and attracts local and international athletes. The open and women’s finals, held on Easter Monday, is run on an uphill grass track over 120 metres. Many other attractions are on offer, including the opportunity to visit the Indigenous rock art at Bunjil’s Shelter in the Grampians. Tickets available online. Central Park, Napier Street, Stawell. stawellgift.com
Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, April 4th–7th The small north-east Victorian town of Corryong comes alive for this festival showcasing the traditional way of life in the bush. Enjoy bush poetry, photography and art displays plus the popular Man from Snowy River Challenge — a search for the best stockman or stockwoman. Visit the website to purchase tickets. (02) 8381 0928; bushfestival.com.au
WA
Margaret River Region Open Studios, April 27th–may 12th Visit the studios of more than 100 creatives — including painters, sculptors, ceramicists, textile artists and furniture makers — during the 16-day event, which showcases the diversity of talent in the region. Artists such as Rachel Coad (above), Fi Wilkie and John Miller have opened up their
studios for the art trail this year. Some work will also be available to purchase. Free entry. mrropenstudios.com.au
Taste Great Southern, April 4th–14th This 11-day food and wine festival celebrates the bountiful produce of WA’S Great Southern region with more than 30 events and an impressive line-up of chefs and winemakers, long lunches and community markets in Albany, Denmark and Kendenup. (08) 9201 9888; tastegreatsouthern.com.au
The Karijini Experience, April 16th–21st Set within Karijini National Park, this celebration encompasses Indigenous culture, community and reconciliation. Workshops, Opera in the Gorge, films and culinary events are just some of what’s on offer. Banjima Drive, Karinjini. (08) 9188 0500; karijiniexperience.com