7 Mar 2018
It's that time of year - we're heading into footy season! We love the leaves' colours warming, the temperature climbing down when we want to climb up mountains, and the events that ignite a range of big cities and regional towns.
Love a laugh, watching sports, or trying new food? Then escape the routine and discover the many events and festivals across Australia this autumn 2018.
1. Melbourne International Comedy Festival
WHEN: 28 March - 22 April 2018
WHERE: venues all over Melbourne, VIC
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Melbourne
comedyfestival.com.au/2018
Say yes to non-stop laughs at the world's third largest (and absolutely ripper) comedy festival. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival draws in acts from all around, from satirist Andy Zaltzman to Aussie comic favourite Dave Hughes. This year, there are 600 shows to choose from - so rest assured there'll be something that suits your taste. For humour that both kids and adults will enjoy, Federation Square will have a number of stages with FREE entertainment for the family.
Image: Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Credit: Visit Victoria
2. Ord Valley Muster
WHEN: 11-20 May 2018
WHERE: Kununurra, WA
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Lake Kununurra
ordvalleymuster.com.au/
Music, rodeo, food, and cultural tours all wrapped into one. What do you get? The multi-award winning Ord Valley Muster in Western Australia's Top End. You can't really pigeon-hole this event. From bull-riding to muster markets, there are activities for anyone and everyone. The massive Gibb Challenge, a 660km cycling relay, has raised in excess of $1.3 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The Ord Valley Feastival showcases the finest produce and cooking of the East Kimberley, a dining experience like none other. These are just two of the 30 events happening across 10 days in this stunning Kimberley backdrop.
WATCH: Ord Valley Muster Sneak Peak
3. Commowealth Games
WHEN: 4-15 April 2018
WHERE: Gold Coast
NEAREST PARKS: Discovery Holiday Parks - Byron Bay
gc2018.com/
Dozens of sports and 70 nations and territories, the 21st Commonwealth Games are about more than the competition. It's an opportunity to bring together people from every corner of the world to play in the spirit of friendship, known as "the friendly games." This year the games are being held in the sunny Gold Coast, Queensland, less than an hour outside of Byron Bay. From badminton to weighlifting, there's a sport that everyone can get around. Come along and support!
Image: Say g'day to Borobi, Commonwealth Games Mascot on Magnetic Island; Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
4. Targa Tasmania
WHEN: 16-21 April 2018
WHERE: across Tasmania
NEAREST PARKS: Discovery Holiday Parks - Hobart, Discovery Holiday Parks - Hadspen, and Discovery Holiday Parks - Cradle Mountain
targa.com.au/tc/
Drawing inspiration from some of the most famous tarmac rallies in the world, the Targa Tasmania is one of Australia's favourite motorsport events. Targa Tasmania covers 2000kms across the state with nearly 40 competitive stages. See the cars and meet the competitors that have travelled from far and wide to be here for the rally. If you've got a soft spot for the retro, then get ready for the Vintage, Classic, Early Modern & GT Competition with cars from the early 1900s up through to the 2000s.
WATCH: Targa Tasmania Highlights
5. Beef Australia
WHEN: 6-12 May 2018
WHERE: Rockhampton, QLD
NEAREST PARKS: Discovery Holiday Parks - Coolwaters, Yeppoon and Discovery Holiday Parks - Rockhampton
beefaustralia.com.au/
This rare event is not to be missed. Australia's national beef expo, Beef Australia, is one of the best beef cattle events around and is only on once every three years. Take part in the fun! The expo will feature more than 4500 cattle from over 30 breeds, stalls for hundreds of business, seminars, and even cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs on how best to serve up your steak. We'll guarante that you'll be in the mooooooood for beef.
Image: The Beef City Statue; Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
6. Tasting Australia
WHEN: 13-22 April 2018
WHERE: Adelaide, SA
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Adelaide Beachfront
tastingaustralia.com.au/
Foodies, chefs, winemakers, or simply just eaters - these momentous days are the ultimate celebration of food & drink in Australia. From chefs of Michelin star restaurants around the globe to Australian culinary icons, the festival stars will knock your mits off. Enjoy luxury and take Tasting Australia Airlines to Kangaroo Island for a day of oysters fresh from the ocean, buttery Wagyu beef, and more. Tasting Australia hosts all the good stuff: masterclasses for keen adults and kids, tastings of the best morsels of food you've ever popped into your mouth, and live entertainment. Come to Adelaide where it's all happening.
Image: Tasting Australia; Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
7. Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend
WHEN: 18-21 May 2018
WHERE: Clare Valley, SA
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Clare
facebook.com/ClareValleyGourmet/
Pack your bags and head to the rolling hills of the Clare Valley for a weekend escape. This wine country is golden, dotted with old vines climbing up rows of vineyards. Venture up to the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend for your chance to sample the best Riesling in Australia, indulge in degustation experiences, and nibble local cheeses. Producers from around the region gather together in Clare to let you into their world, where the produce is fresh and the wine is flowing like water.
Click here for the program: Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend Program
Image: Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend; Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
8. Bluesfest
WHEN: 29 March - 2 April 2018
WHERE: Byron Bay, NSW
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Byron Bay
bluesfest.com.au/
Listen to the tunes of international blues & roots artists on the lush Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm near Byron Bay, NSW. Spread over Easter weekend, Bluesfest showcases music from big names like John Butler Trio, Lionel Richie, Sheryl Crowe and Jackson Browne. This is a festival for all: from ankle biters through to the baby boomers. Considered a safe and family-friendly event, the atmosphere is one unlike most contemporary music festivals you'll find around the country.
Check out the line-up here: Byron Bay Bluesfest Artists
WATCH: BLUEFEST
9. The Bunbury Show
WHEN: 14 & 15 April 2018
WHERE: Bunbury, WA
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Bunbury Village and Discovery Holiday Parks - Bunbury Foreshore
bunburyshow.com.au/
Are you a local of Western Australia's South West? Park your caboose on a show ride and get your face painted at the Bunbury Show. All for the happiness of your kids, of course. The show will have free entertainment under the Big Top, trade stalls, fireworks, and the crowd favourite: showbags. Bring cash for tasty eats from food vans and the market crafts. Otherwise, this is one of the best free events to enter and enjoy in the area.
10. Fremantle International Street Arts Festival
WHEN: 30 March - 2 April 2018
WHERE: Fremantle, WA
NEAREST PARK: Discovery Holiday Parks - Coogee Beach and Discovery Holiday Parks - Woodman Point
streetartsfestival.com.au/
West Coasters, there's something to keep you busy this Easter weekend while Bluefest boogies out east. File out onto the historic streets of Fremantle for the weird and wonderful International Street Arts Festival. See prehistoric, glowing creatures called Birdmen tower over you, watch the holder of five Guinness World Records and world-famous yo-yo expert, the Yo-Yo Guy, and the funky stylings of the Junkadelic Brass Band. Let it be known: the world's best street theatre is on full display in Freo.
WATCH: Fremantle Street Arts Festival