A Month in the Country
This month, finish off your Christmas shopping at an outdoor market, pick up a box of in-season cherries, visit beautiful open gardens and bring in the new year at a music festival.
VICTORIA
ASSEMBLED: The Art of Robert Klippel, until February 16th More than 100 works by Robert Klippel, one of Australia’s most significant 20th-century sculptors. The exhibition highlights the sculptures and drawings of his early era, the ‘assemblage’ works and his later timber works. Tuesday to Sunday 11am–5pm. Entry $12, seniors $10, concession $8, members and children under 12 free. Tarrawarra Museum of Art, 313 Healesville-yarra Glen Road, Healesville, (03) 5957 3100, twma.com.au
Dark Horse: Wild Beasts and Curious Creatures, until February 23rd Real and imagined animals are the theme of this exhibition, from mythological creatures to prey, symbols of danger and emblems of love. There are prints, drawings, paintings and sculpture by artists such as Norman Lindsay, Ginger Riley Mundulwalawala and Rick Amor. 10am–5pm. Free entry. Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, (03) 5320 5858, artgalleryofballarat.com.au
Melrose Open Garden, November 30th–december 1st This garden, created by landscape designer Deborah Hambleton, surrounds an 1860s bluestone cottage in central Victoria and combines formality with elements of wildness. Entry $8, under 18 free. 10am–4.30pm. 33 Clowes Street, Malmsbury, opengardensvictoria.org.au
TASMANIA
39th Fips-mouche 2019 World Fly Fishing Championship, November 30th–december 8th Watch all the rod-flicking action as teams from around the world test their skills in the waterways in central Tasmania. Free. Various times and locations. 0429 870 550, wffc2019.com /sectors/
North-west Nichemas, December 7th Choosing gifts from this Christmas market will not only delight the recipients, it will help raise money for Burnie’s Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. This popular handmade and design fair features more than 60 stallholders and Burnie’s biggest Christmas tree. Free entry. 10am–3pm. Burnie Arts and Function Centre, 77–79 Wilmot Street, Burnie, (03) 6345 7333, stgiles.org.au/niche-market
ACT
Handmade Christmas Market, December 6th–8th Find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local artists and craftspeople at this award-winning market showcasing more than 270 Australian designers and producers. Free entry. Friday 5–9pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am–4pm. Exhibition Park, Mitchell, 0402 247 532, handmadecanberra.com.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Wine Machine, December 7th
An outdoor winery event with a line-up of Aussie musical talent, Serafino’s internationally acclaimed wines and South Australian food in the beautiful surrounds of Serafino Winery. Tickets from $89. 1–10pm. 39 Kangarilla Road, Mclaren Vale, 0438 699 795, wine-machine.com
Etre Open Garden, December 8th A meticulously planned garden by former landscape designer Evette Sunset with found objects, natural and repurposed materials amid
a garden planted out in a bold palette of reds, blues, purple and white. Fruit and nut trees create summer shade for banks of ornamental grasses and salvias. Entry $8, under 18 free (supervise children). 10am–4.30pm. Evette will conduct a walk and talk at 11am and 2pm. 10 Delaney Avenue, Willunga, opengardensa.org.au
Gathered Christmas Design Market, December 13th–15th Celebrate the spirit of Christmas in the Adelaide Hills village of Hahndorf. More than 70 stalls are offering a variety of art, homewares, jewellery, clothing, along with garden and skincare products. Enjoy wines from local wineries, great food, coffee and sweet treats, too. Free entry. 4–10pm. Thiele House, 102 Main Street, Hahndorf, 0402 214 595, gatheredsa.com
NSW
High Country Writers Festival, November 30th–december 1st Head to the Glen Innes region to see bestselling Australian author Mary Moody launch her latest book, The Accidental Tour Guide, on Sunday 12.30–1.30pm at this inaugural gathering of writers and readers. There will also be author talks, memoir and song-writing workshops,
an artisan market and the festival bookshop at The Makers Shed will be open all weekend. Many events are free. Various venues. themakersshed. org/high-country-writers-festival
National Cherry Festival, December 6th–8th Hightail it to the Hilltops region for this annual three-day celebration of everything cherry. From pie-eating and pip-spitting contests to live music events and markets, this family-orientated festival is a chance to explore the town of Young and its surrounds. As you head home, be sure to stop at one of the local packing sheds to grab a box of juicy just-picked fruit. Various locations. 1800 628 233, nationalcherryfestival.com.au
Millfest, December 14th Spend a leisurely afternoon wandering down Millthorpe’s picturesque Pym Street, browsing through local stores and sampling from street stalls selling local wines, craft beer and cider, and delicious food. Finish your Christmas shopping with handmade gifts from local artisans and craftspeople. Entry $5, children free. 2–7.30pm. Pym Street, Millthorpe, 0400 522 199, millthorpevillage.com.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Alice Springs Town Council’s Christmas Carnival, December 6th Celebrate the festive season in the Red Centre with an array of market stalls, performers, buskers and food throughout Todd Mall. Free entry. 5–9pm. Todd Mall, Todd Street, (08) 8950 0505, alicesprings.nt. gov.au/events/christmas-carnival
QUEENSLAND
Bush Christmas Exhibition, November 27th–december 6th
Save your Christmas shopping for this annual exhibition in Toowoomba that showcases the talent of rural and regional artisans, cooks and makers with handmade items such as jewellery, homewares, puddings, preserves and other Christmas fare. Bush Christmas gourmet hampers are also available to order. Free entry. Masonic Centre, 58 Neil Street, Toowoomba, 0418 709 821, bushchristmas.com
Woodford Folk Festival, December 27th–january 1st Continue the spirit of goodwill at this iconic six-day event, now in its 34th year, which embraces the theme of ‘Imagining a Beautiful Future’. The annual event attracts some 125,000 people and this year there will be more than 1000 shows on 27 stages with a music and song program, forums and talks, circus, ceremonies, cabaret, comedy, more than 100 workshops and children’s activities. Day tickets start at $130 for adults; $15 for children 6–12; under 6 free. 87 Woodrow Road, Woodford, (07) 5496 1066, woodfordfolkfestival.com
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Vasse Felix Sound & Sense Festival, December 6th–8th Be immersed in this three-day Margaret River festival of music, wine and culinary art as winery Vasse Felix hosts the beautiful sounds of ACO Collective, the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s critically acclaimed regional touring and education ensemble. Directed by Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto, ACO Collective, brings together some of Australia’s most talented emerging string players with the professional musicians of the ACO to create a high-energy 17-piece string orchestra. Tickets start at $65 for a Sunday morning performance followed by light refreshments. Caves Road, corner of Tom Cullity Drive, Cowaramup, (08) 9756 5000, vassefelix.com.au/visit/events
Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival, December 14th The cherry season is synonymous with the start of summer and this event celebrates not only the fruit but also the pride within this dynamic Southern Forests community. The festival promotes acceptance and celebrates the diverse cultures of the district and there is something for everyone, whether it’s street theatre, music performances, a fashion parade, woodchopping or sampling the tastes of the Southern Forests food avenue. The festival is followed by Sunday’s Long Table Lunch, held among the trees of a local cherry orchard. Guests are treated to a multi-course menu with matching wines, all sourced from the amazing produce of the Southern Forests. Lunch tickets are $233 each. Admission is free on Saturday. cherryfestival.com.au