Tasmania’s winter of content
Plenty of music, art and fun to be had in our southernmost state. A midwinter escape to Australia’s deep south has never looked more enticing, with a host of Tasmanian festivals this month and next to justify the journey. The headline act is Dark Mofo, MONA’s radical roster of solstice entertainment from 8-21 June. Highlights this year include a one-off performance by Norwegian black metal band Ulver, an evening laser display “organised by the rules of sacred geometry” and a performance piece by artist Mike Parr featuring volunteers aged 55 and over.
The north-east coast comes over all cultural during the Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival. The three-day event from 10-12 June combines the $20,000 Bay of Fires
Art Prize, open studios, blues music and the Australian Barbecue Alliance cook-off. At the Steampunk Festival on 24 June, brace for a Mad Hatters Tea Party, steam engine rides and a gala ball at George Town, north-west of Launceston.
The Festival of Voices bursts into song across the state from 30 June. Drawcards include Toni Childs, Sarah Blasko and the fabulously named All Our Exes Live in Texas performing at venues from Hobart to Wineglass Bay until 15 July. On Friday 7 July, the annual Big Sing Bonfire takes over Salamanca Place to create a crowd-sourced choir (from 6pm). Also in Hobart, new hotel Macq 01 opened this month at Sullivans Cove. Even if you’re not checking in, drop by for a local seafood feast at the Old Wharf Restaurant. darkmofo.net.au; bayoffireswinterartsfestival.com.au; steampunktasmania.com.au; festivalofvoices.com; macq01.com.au KENDALL HILL