A Month in the Country
Celebrate everything from gourmet King Island produce to The King of rock’n’roll at festivals and events around the country this month.
NSW
Parkes Elvis Festival, January 8th–12th Slick back that quiff and make your way to Parkes to celebrate The King’s birthday. This year’s theme is Elvis’s 1966 musical Frankie and Johnny and there are more than 200 events in the jam-packed program to enjoy. From barefoot bowls and bingo to hound dog competitions, a mass marriage-vow renewal ceremony and boogie woogie lessons, there will be no time to take off those blue suede shoes. Various locations and events. (02) 6862 6000, parkeselvisfestival.com.au
The Great Eastern Fly-in, January 11th–12th The skies will be filled with aircraft of all shapes and sizes as aviation enthusiasts from around the nation converge on the Northern Rivers town of Evans Head for this annual event. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy re-enactments, joy flights and aircraft displays. It also celebrates the 80th anniversary of the largest Empire Air Training Scheme Station established in Australia during WWII to boost the supply of trained aircrew. Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, Memorial Airport Drive, Evans Head, (02) 6621 5592, greateasternflyin.com
Tamworth Country Music Festival, January 17th–26th The program for this iconic music festival is now so big you can download an app to access the 2800 free and ticketed gigs! If you’ve never been, Cold Chisel’s Blood Moon Tour may be just the incentive you need. You can also catch Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-daley and more. (02) 6767 5300, tcmf.com.au
Carcoar Village Fair, January 26th Thousands visit this tiny Central West village for its colonial-themed Australia Day celebrations. Highlights include a re-enactment of the first ever armed bank robbery in Australia, bushranger talks, market stalls, Cobb & Co rides and bush tucker demonstrations. Adults $5, children under 12 free. 8.30am–4.30pm. carcoarvillage.com
QUEENSLAND
Bush Mechanics: The Exhibition, until February 2nd An intriguing and, at times, hilarious tribute to the ingenuity of outback mechanics. Based on the ABC TV series, the exhibition shows how resourcefulness and sheer determination can get cars back on the road with nothing more than a length of spinifex. Adults $14.50. 9.30am–4pm. The Workshops Rail Museum, North Street, North Ipswich, (07) 3432 5100, theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au
Ginger Flower and Food Festival, January 17th–19th Now in its 24th year, this festival celebrates every aspect of this pretty plant — from the top of its exotic flower down to its spicy roots. There will be talks by gardening experts, such as Cath Manuel and Paul Plant, and cooking demonstrations by the likes of Matt Golinski. Free entry. The Ginger Factory, 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina, 1800 067 686, gingerfactory. com.au/ginger-flower-food-festival
VICTORIA
A Dog’s Life, January 2nd–20th Celebrating the connection between humans and dogs, this exhibition includes canine-focused illustrations by Michael Leunig, photographs by Jacqueline Mitelman, and stories from author and broadcaster Phillip Adams and actor John Wood. Free entry. Monday to Friday 10am–5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm. Hamilton Gallery, 107 Brown Street, Hamilton, (03) 5573 0460, hamiltongallery.org
Alpine Valleys Fringe Festival, January 9th–12th A weekend of laughs, great music and cabaret with the best up-and-coming talent in the region. Held at Feathertop Winery, the festival kicks off with local musicians, the Alpine Bangers, plus canapés, bubbles
and craft beer on arrival. Weekend pass $80. Various times. 6619 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah, (03) 5756 2356, feathertopwinery.com.au
Lavender Harvest, January 12th Join the celebration of all things lavender at an 1860s historic property and farm. Watch lavender being harvested with sickles, distilling demonstrations, a working blacksmith, and enjoy music, dance and food. Adults $6, children $2. 10am–5pm. 350 Hepburn-newstead Road, Shepherds Flat, (03) 5476 4393, lavandula.com.au
Sunnymeade Open Garden, January 18th–19th This garden was created by plantsman Peter Shaw and features dry-stone walls, a sunken garden, a fire pit and sculptures, plus amazing sculptured grass mounds and shrub plantings with a canopy of stringybark gums. Adults $8, students $5, under 18 free. 10am–4.30pm. 48 Harvey Street, Anglesea, opengardensvictoria.org.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Discovering the Portrait: Legacy, Memory & Power, until February 9th Portraiture, traditionally the domain of the rich and powerful, is explored in its broadest possible application. Works range from painting to print, people to landscape, and aim to show how one of the oldest forms of art-making remains a powerful way to capture a likeness of the world. Monday to Friday 9am–5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm. Walkway Gallery, 43 Woolshed Street, Bordertown, (08) 8752 1044, walkwaygallery.com
2020 Santos Tour Down Under, January 16th–26th Whether you’re keen to strap on your cleats or simply spectate, this is one of Australia’s greatest cycling events. As each stage winds its way through South Australia, fans have the opportunity to eat, drink and enjoy the best of the Barossa Valley, Mclaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills. (08) 8463 4701, tourdownunder.com.au
Crush Festival, January 24th–26th The Adelaide Hills comes alive with the sound of popping corks when its best wineries show off their wares at lavish degustation dinners, long lunches, tasting sessions, croquet days and fiestas. Various prices and locations. 1300 305 577, crushfestival.com.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Greenbush Art Group: Shake, Rattle and Roll, until March 1st Discover how transport transformed Central Australia in works created by the Greenbush Art Group at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre. In the tradition of bush toy making, the artists have used salvaged materials to depict how the progression from horse and camel to steam and engines led to cultural change in the interior. Adults $8, children $6. Tuesday to Saturday 10am–4pm; Sunday 10am–2pm. Araluen Arts Centre, 61 Larapinta Drive, Araluen, (08) 8951 1122, araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au >
ACT
Promiscuous Provenance, January 17th–march 1st Catch this travelling exhibition from Shoalhaven Regional Gallery at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Award-winning contemporary artist Anna Glynn reinterprets the images of Australia’s early colonial painters, reimagining them in a fantasy world that reflects the fascination many early settlers had for the environment and unusual creatures they encountered in their strange new home. 9.30am–4.30pm. Visitor Centre Gallery, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, (02) 6250 9588, parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens
TASMANIA
Cygnet Folk Festival, January 10th–12th This pretty Huon Valley town is the site for one of Tassie’s most popular music events. Now in its 38th year, the festival attracts an eclectic array of musical talent from all over Australia and overseas; from ukulele orchestras to Argentinian tango music. There will also be dance, poetry, films, children’s entertainment, food, wine, art and handicrafts. You can camp or glamp and weekend adult tickets start at $200. cygnetfolkfestival.org
Festival of King Island, January 31st–february 1st Head to King Island for two days of music, seafood, wine and dairy products. Picturesque Currie Harbour is the place to enjoy folk, blues, country and rock music artists. Plus, check out the pie-eating and tug-of-war competitions. Two-day adult day tickets $60; students and children free. foki.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Shaun Tan: Tales from the Inner City, until January 27th An ethereal exhibition of images from Tan’s recent book, Tales from the Inner City, which explores the relationships between humans and animals and the merging of natural and urban environments. View the large-scale paintings created by this artist and author who has won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for his contribution to international children’s literature. Free entry. 10am–5pm. Fremantle Arts Centre, Kathleen O’connor Gallery, 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle, (08) 9432 9555, fac.org.au
Mount Barker Grapes and Gallops, January 19th Wine meets equine at this popular annual race meeting at the town known as the gateway to the state’s stunning South Coast. Try your luck picking winners on the eight-event race card while sipping samples from some of the region’s award-winning wineries. There will also be gourmet food and children’s entertainment. Adult gate tickets $20. Frost Park Racecourse, Mcdonald Avenue, Mount Barker, 0447 512 873, mtbarkerturfclub.com.au