bird lovers
NT
Kakadu Bird Week, Sept 25-Oct 2 Kakadu is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park, home to more than a third of Australia’s bird species. So where better to explore and learn about these beautiful creatures? Kakadu Bird Week includes birdwatching expeditions, wetland cruises and cultural experiences. parksaustralia. gov.au/kakadu/do/events/birdweek
NSW
Tulip Top Gardens, Sept 11-Oct 10 Spring means tulips, and Tulip Top Gardens, as you might guess, is brimming with them. Owners Pat and Bill Rhodin have spent the past 27 years lovingly nurturing their four-hectare garden just outside Canberra, which features not only tulips but plenty of other spring flowers, as well as 1000 blossom trees. There’s even a waterfall and a lookout point. It’s one of the Yass Valley’s finest gardens – and it’s all looked after by the family themselves. tuliptopgardens.com.au
QLD
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Sept 1-30 The city’s parks are ablaze with blooms; the Grand Central Floral Parade stops traffic on September 18; native plants, orchids, bromeliads and succulents have their specialist celebrations; and there are plenty of foodie experiences (including a Festival of Food and Wine on September 10-12) allowing you to enjoy the food of the region. It’s a whole month of floral frivolity. tcof.com.au
Back to the Bush Festival, Sept 9-12 Could this be the perfect country festival? Located in the quaint little town of Miles, in the Western Downs, the Back to the Bush Festival offers steam train rides, an antiques and collectables fair, a spit-roast dinner with bush dancing, a parade, a dog high-jump competition, whipcracking demonstrations and even a vintage aircraft display. backtothebushfestival.com.au
NT
Nitmiluk Festival, Sept 6-15
Set in the Katherine Gorge, the Nitmiluk Festival incorporates several events all celebrating this extraordinary region of Australia. The Katherine Bird Festival includes birdwatching cruises, tours led by experts and plenty of family activities, while the Journey of the Palate celebrates gourmet food and wine. nitmilukfestival.com.au
Desert Song Festival, Sept 10-19 Alice Springs has a rich and diverse musical scene, and the Desert Song Festival brings together performers, choirs and collaborations to celebrate that. This year will focus on the first performance of the Olive Pink Opera, and a collaboration called From the Desert to the Arafura Sea, which involves Indigenous musicians the Djari Project and the award-winning Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir. desertsong.com.au