The following events were successful under the 2017 Flagship Event Fund.
Roaring 20’s Festival
4- 26 February 2017, Katoomba, Leura & Medlow Bath
The Roaring 20s Festival and All That Jazz will be a four week program of events celebrating the Art Deco history of the Blue Mountains and the decadence, architecture and jazz music of the 1920s at venues throughout the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region. It begins with the Great Art Deco Ball at the Carrington Hotel and culminates with the Charleston Challenge and Long Lunch in the final week. In between are a dizzying round of costumed balls, high teas, historical walks, fashion parades, outrageous dancing and jazz events, not to mention film nights, garden tours, murder mysteries and more.
Huskisson Long Course Triathlon Festival
17 - 19 February 2017, Jervis Bay
The Huskisson Long Course Triathlon Festival is three day event that is a signature Australian sporting festival. Held annually in the town of Huskisson on Jervis Bay, the festival attracts international and interstate athletes and their families, friends and supporters. The festival engages local residents and provides thousands of dollars in donations to the many sporting, charity and community groups that provide over 1,000 volunteers to conduct the festival.
The Riverboats Music Festival
17 - 19 February 2017, Echuca - Moama
The Riverboats Music Festival is the Murray River’s leading contemporary music event. Staged at the Aquatic Reserve in Echuca-Moama on the third weekend of February, the Riverboats Music Festival attracts over 11,000 people to the central Murray region for three days of world-class entertainment across a range of musical genres.
Cobargo Folk Festival
24 - 26 February 2017, Cobargo
The Cobargo Folk Festival is a three day acoustic music festival held on the last weekend of February in the rolling green hills of the beautiful Bega Valley. The Festival’s program of music, dance and performance arts celebrates its unique location in the historic 19th century heritage-listed village of Cobargo, between the Gulaga and Mumbulla Mountains, sites of great cultural significance to the indigenous Yuin people of the region. In 2017, the festival will mark its 22nd anniversary with some 70 folk, country blues, bluegrass and roots acts from Australia and overseas, across seven stages.
Wollongong Triathlon Festival
4 - 5 March 2017, Wollongong
The Wollongong Triathlon offers racing for all ages and abilities in the stunning blue mile of Wollongong City. Elite men’s and women’s races will be conducted on Saturday afternoon and more than 1,500 age group athletes are expected to compete in the Age Group Standard Distance National Championship on Sunday morning. Set on the shores of the stunning Belmore Basin, the Wollongong Triathlon is an incredible spectacle for both the residents and community of the city and the thousands of visiting athletes and spectators.
Coffs Tri
4 -5 March 2017, Coffs Harbour
The Coffs Tri is a weekend of Triathlon events for ages six and over in the beautiful coastal city of Coffs Harbour. Events include the Coffs Kids Tri - Aquathons and Triathlons for children aged 6 - 14; an Enticer Triathlon (375m swim/10km cycle/2.5km run) and the Standard Distance Triathlon (1.5km swim/40km cycle/10km run) open to Individuals and Teams. Triathlon Australia has named the 2017 Coffs Tri Standard Distance Race as a National Qualifying Race and an Age Group ITU World Championship Qualifying Race.
Australian Long Board Surfing Festival
15 – 19 March 2017, Kingscliff
The Australian Longboard Surfing Festival is the premier longboard surfing event in Australia. The five day, family-friendly festival encompasses world qualifying professional men’s and women’s events, professional stand-up paddle events, amateur all-ages events and a festival that promotes healthy, active living and includes music, art, vintage cars, film, market stalls and indigenous workshops.
www.australianlongboardopen.com
Byron Spirit Festival
31 March – 2 April 2017, Mullumbimby
The Byron Spirit Festival brings together leading teachers and practitioners of yoga, dance, nutrition, health, indigenous culture and conscious music from around Australia and abroad. The festival format encompasses workshops for both children and adults and evening concerts featuring cutting edge artists in world and sacred music. There is a free community area open to the public with a kids’ space, stalls and food as well as a stage featuring concerts, talks and panels.
Tenterfield Oracles of the Bush
30 March - 2 April 2017, Tenterfield
Oracles of the Bush is a four-day event celebrating Australian Bush Poetry through poetry writing workshops, performance and competitions across 14 different venues. Celebrating 21 years in 2017, the event has grown to become the premier bush poetry festival attracting 1,600 visitors, including professional and amateur poets and performers from around Australia. Competitions are open to all age groups in original and traditional verse, with cash prizes and trophies. There is also a bush dance, art exhibition, performances by professional poets and entertainers and a large market held as part of the festival.
Newcastle Writers Festival
7 – 9 April 2017, Newcastle
Book lovers hungry to tap into the hearts and minds of their favourite Australian writers will be inspired by the diverse mix of writers who participate in the Newcastle Writers Festival, which is celebrating its 5th anniversary in April 2017. From the best contemporary crime writing and high voltage Aussie rock’n’roll history to award-winning poetry, ethical dilemmas, and politics, the Newcastle Writers Festival celebrates Australia’s most respected writers and shines a spotlight on local literary talent. As well as sessions for adults, there is an inspiring children’s program that attracts up to 1,700 primary school students from throughout the Hunter Region.
www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au
Sculpture at Scenic World
7 April – 7 May 2017, Katoomba
Sculpture at Scenic World is the premier regional arts event in the Blue Mountains region and the richest regional prize for sculpture in Australia. Held at the one of the region’s leading tourist attractions, Sculptures at Scenic World now extends from the rainforest floor to exhibits at partner venues in Katoomba. The event offers nature of unsurpassed beauty, heritage, culture and arts in a perfect blend.
www.sculptureatscenicworld.com.au
Bathurst Motor Festival
14 – 16 April 2017, Bathurst
The inaugural Bathurst Motor Festival was held in 2011 and was conceived to provide drivers in race categories across the nation with the opportunity to compete at Australia’s traditional home of motorsport. In 2016, the inaugural Bathurst 6 Hour Race for production cars debuted at the Event, drawing competitors from all states of Australia and New Zealand.
Canowindra Balloon Challenge
18 – 25 April 2017, Canowindra
Held annually in April, the Canowindra Balloon Challenge is an international competition in the rural setting of Canowindra offering competitors the chance to win significant prizes and trophies. All competitors and crews have the opportunity to work under and with world recognised ballooning directors and officials to gain invaluable skills in readiness for other international competitions. In addition to the balloon racing, Canowindra celebrates with trivia nights, barefoot bowls, entertainment and the public highlight, the Balloon Glow and Night Market.
www.canowindrachallenge.org.au
Boggabri Drovers Campfire Weekend
26 – 30 April 2017, Boggabri
The Boggabri Drovers Campfire Weekend is held in the town also known as the “little town with a big heart”. Established in 2006 the event has grown from attracting 27 vehicles, 12 tents and 57 people at the first event, to more than 500 vehicles in 2016. Featuring traditional country events and activities such as Billy Boiling, Damper Making and craft workshops, the Boggabri Drovers Campfire Weekend creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that has contributed to its growing reputation.
Trundle Abba Festival
5 - 7 May 2017, Trundle
The Trundle ABBA Festival is Australia’s only dedicated ABBA Festival. This family-friendly event features the internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again, a dancing workshop and disco dancing competition, a talent quest at the local hotel, the popular “I do, I do, I do” Vow Renewal Ceremony and the renowned Fashions of the Festival competition, open to all willing to show off their ABBA outfits on the catwalk. Famous for one of the widest main streets in Australia, Trundle hosts vintage clothing stalls, craft and food stalls and an attempt to break the world record for the most people dancing to ‘Dancing Queen’.
Narooma Oyster Festival
5 - 7 May 2017, Narooma
The Narooma Oyster Festival celebrates south coast oysters and their growers, the region’s natural produce, its chefs, and its rich artistic and cultural talents. The event has a reputation as Australia’s premier oyster/seafood festival. The program includes a family fireworks display across the waters of Wagonga Inlet and the Naturally Gourmet Fair where people can feast on delicious oysters from the eight south coast estuaries of NSW’s Oyster Coast and examples of the region’s exceptional seafood, wine, dairy and organic produce. The Fair also features cooking demonstrations, live music, the hotly contested oyster opening competition, oyster opening classes and much more.
Ultra-Trail Australia (formerly the North Face 100)
18 – 21 May 2017, Katoomba
A spectacularly iconic and much-loved running festival, featuring simultaneous 50km and 100km ultramarathons run through the Blue Mountains National Park, Ultra Trail Australia has been the most anticipated trail run in Australia each year with its 2,000 entries selling out in just a matter of days. Now staged out of Katoomba’s famed Scenic World, in 2016 the event became part of the Ultra Trail World Tour bringing even broader global profile.
www.ultratrailaustralia.com.au
River of Art
19 - 28 May 2017, Various towns from South Durras to Wallaga Lake
River of Art is a vibrant ten day festival presented in the towns of the Eurobadalla between South Durras and Wallaga Lake. The festival champions regional talents and innovative works by curating exhibitions, open studios, live performances, community gatherings and an annual art prize. Both local and visiting art enthusiasts travel the shire to explore new skills and workshop experiences, and engage in an inspiring program of creative opportunities.
Batlow Ciderfest
19 – 20 May 2017, Batlow
Batlow is well known for its apples, supplying both the Australian and export markets. The Batlow Ciderfest celebrates the town’s primary product and its uses, as well as the other local products of the region. It allows visitors to enjoy mountain fresh air, spectacular scenery and a friendly village atmosphere. The festival features street stalls, cider tasting, live entertainment and local gourmet food, plus many other activities and includes a Cider Industry Conference that attracts leading members of the Australian cider industry.
Peak Festival
9 - 12 June 2017, Perisher
The Peak Festival coincides with the opening of the winter ski season. With more than 40 blues and roots bands and 150 acts from early in the afternoon to late at night, the Festival is an opportunity for visitors to enjoy quality music from different genres over three to four days in the unique atmosphere of Australia’s most beautiful snow country. The Festival is family friendly with children’s workshops and performances.
Snow Time in the Garden
24 June – 16 July 2017, Pokolbin
Snow Time in the Gardens offers a taste of winter magic in the Hunter Valley. With themed activities such as ice skating, tobogganing, snowball throwing, mechanical snowboarding, virtual skiing, husky racing and ice sculpting there is something for the entire family to enjoy in the delightful setting of the Hunter Valley Gardens.
www.huntervalleygardens.com.au
Bathurst Winter Festival
1 – 16 July 2017, Bathurst
The Bathurst Winter Festival is a two week event embracing the distinct seasonality of the region and celebrating the cultural heritage of Australia’s oldest European inland settlement. Held in Bathurst CBD, the festival includes illuminated heritage buildings, an outdoor ice rink, a giant Ferris wheel, food and wine experiences and twilight markets that allow visitors to embrace winter and have outdoor fun in the architecturally beautiful Town Square.
www.bathurstwinterfestival.com.au
Sample Food Festival
30 August – 3 September 2017, Bangalow
Sample Food Festival is a 4 day event that celebrates the creativity and wellbeing of Northern NSW. It taps into the market’s desire for connection to farmers and foods inspired by the natural sub-tropical bounty of the rainforest, farms, rivers and sea. The event has extended from a one day fair to four days which will include winemakers dinners, farm gate tours, gourmet farmers markets, festival days and food and beverage matching dinners. The food and the food-related lifestyle are the touchstone of the quintessential northern NSW experience.
Broken Heel Festival
8 – 11 September 2017, Broken Hill
Hosted at the colourful Palace Hotel, Silverton & the Silver City of Broken Hill the Broken Heel Festival features the authentic locations from the iconic film ‘The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert’. Over three days visitors can expect stunning drag preformances from around the nation and a crafted list of entertainers bringing cabaret, comedy, opera & live music. The bus from the million dollar stage show ‘Priscilla’ will be displayed and there might even be a chance to meet some of the cast from the movie.
Write Around the Murray
13 - 17 September 2017, Albury
Write Around the Murray is an annual celebration of reading, writing, illustration and storytelling. Activities include a festival dinner, literary lunch, workshops, author talks, panel sessions, short story competitions, children’s activities and a wood-fired oven event by the Murray River. Write Around the Murray is the only exclusively literary based festival in the region, with events taking place in and around the architecturally stunning and award-winning Albury Library Museum and nearby venues.
www.writearoundthemurray.org.au
Woolgoolga Curryfest
23 - 24 September, Woolgoolga
Curryfest is a celebration of Woolgoolga’s unique Punjabi heritage. The event features a week of community events culminating in the Curryfest Market Day which takes over the main street of town and features more than 100 food and market stalls offering curries from all over the world as well as other multicultural food. The entertainment program includes Punjabi dancers and Indian music as well as other modern entertainment.
The Murrumbateman Moving Feast
30 September - 1 October 2017, Murrumbateman
The Murrumbateman Moving Feast (MMF) is a festival of food and wine that aims to showcase the region’s wineries, cafes and B&B’s. The event encourages visitors to take their time and rove between participating venues to sample ‘signature dishes’ and a range of savoury and sweet tasting plates. Murrumbateman is a sub-district of the Canberra Wine District, and the Moving Feast has, since 2006, promoted Murrumbateman and the surrounding District as a notable tourist destination.
www.makersofmurrumbateman.org.au
Yours & Owls
30 September – 1 October 2017, Wollongong
Yours and Owls is a two-day, contemporary music and arts festival that attracts Australia’s biggest bands and touring musicians. Data from ticket sales from previous events indicate strong growth. With an expanding customer base and strengthened partnerships with large media outlets such as Triple J, Yours and Owls Festival is on track to become a familiar name on the contemporary Australian festival circuit alongside events such as Splendour in The Grass, Laneway Festival and Groovin’ the Moo.
Wingham Akoostik Festival
13 - 15 October 2017, Wingham
The Wingham Akoostik Festival is now recognised as one of the Mid-North Coast’s most vibrant community-based events. The annual celebration of music, culture and community is held over three days every October, and brings together musical performers, creative artists, local businesses and producers, volunteers, school students, regional media, tourists and locals alongside some of Australia’s biggest musical icons for a family-friendly weekend of entertainment and cultural experiences in the historic and picturesque regional village of Wingham in the Manning Valley.
Taste Riverina Festival
1 – 31 October 2017, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Leeton, Junee and other towns in the region
Taste Riverina offers a menu of fabulous food events throughout October each year. Visitors to the Festival will sample, celebrate, learn about and become advocates for food produced across the Riverina. Numerous events are held at various locations in the region, from large city centres such as Wagga Wagga and Griffith, regional towns such as Leeton, Junee and Deniliquin, and through to small villages such as Ariah Park and Barellan. The Festival encourages the participation of all Council areas and benefits the visitor economy across the region.
Orange Wine Festival
13 - 22 October 2017, Orange
The Orange Wine Festival is an annual festival celebrating the high altitude, cool climate wines of the Orange Region. The festival acts as an umbrella for over 100 individual activities made up of several key signature events and a host of smaller experiences staged over the 19 days. From wine and food tasting for 12, through to the Wine Festival Night Markets, which sees anything upwards of 5,000 in attendance, the Orange Wine Festival has grown in both size and stature each year.
Dream Festival
13 – 26 October 2017, Dubbo
The Dubbo Regional Entertainment Arts and Music (DREAM) Festival is a community festival that presents a series of entertainment, theatre, dance, visual arts, music and outdoor events from local and professional groups and artists. Comprising a series of small events that lead in to a full major weekend featuring a twilight markets with lantern parade and laser show, the festival enhances the cultural profile of the region and maximises the economic, social and cultural benefits to the city.
Tastings on Hastings
27 - 29 October 2017, Port Macquarie
Tastings on Hastings is a huge outdoor festival held throughout Port Macquarie town centre and along the riverfront foreshore over a weekend in late October. The event celebrates the passion, creativity, bounty and variety of the farmers, vignerons, brewers, restaurants, entertainers and artists of the Hastings River region. Products are featured through Farmers and Makers Markets, cooking demonstrations, licensed areas and at restaurants where visitors can graze to their heart’s content.
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
28 October – 5 November 2017, Grafton
The Grafton Jacaranda Festival has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Clarence Valley since 1934. Each year in late October, the festival celebrates the annual blossoming of the magnificent Jacaranda trees, embraces community engagement and promotes an idyllic lifestyle in regional New South Wales through a nine-day program of events that include colourful street parades, markets, cultural events and handicraft displays.
Sculptures in the Vineyards – Hunter
28 October - 3 December, Wollombi
Sculptures in the Vineyards is a month long festival where sculptures are displayed in the vineyards of the Wollombi Valley and the township of historic Wollombi Village. In addition to the sculptures, the festival also includes a number of events to attract visitors to the region including workshops, tours and a food and wine fair.
www.sculptureinthevineyards.com.au
Carcoar Cup Running Festival
4 - 5 November 2017, Carcoar
The Carcoar Cup Running Festival was developed to bring runners and visitors from all over Australia and overseas to the Carcoar region and showcase its beauty. The run course has been described as one of the toughest and most beautiful in Australia. In 2016 the event staged an Ultra Marathon over 60kms, a Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Teams event, the 6km Carcoar to Creek Dash, a Carcoar Cup for Kids in the Under 12, Under 10, Under 8 and Under 6 age groups, and the Mile Long Club charity run. In 2017, the Half Marathon will form the last leg of the inaugural NSW Regional Championships.
Ballina Prawn Festival
10 – 11 November 2017, Ballina
The Ballina Prawn Festival is a day and night of fun, laughter and community. From tasting delicious sizzling prawns, mingling amongst the buzzing crowds, or taking an exhilarating spin on the Ferris wheel, the Ballina Prawn Festival delights young and old. Festival program highlights include DIY Raft Building Competitions and River Races, a Prawn Shelling & Eating Contest, a Signature Prawn Dish Competition and the spectacular Boat Muster.
www.ballinaprawnfestival.com.au
