Australian Surf Festival
July 31-August 17; Coffs Harbour, NSW
Australia’s longest-running competition — it’s been happening since the mid-1960s — sees more than 500 contestants compete across multiple surfing disciplines, including longboard, kneeboard, surfmaster, single fin and alaia. There will also be live music, films, and artwork and surfing displays.
Melbourne Cup Carnival
October 29-November 5; Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
This event — which combines the finest thoroughbred racing, culture, entertainment, fashion and food — creates a party atmosphere unmatched by any other sporting event in Australia. The key race-days are the Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, AAMMI Victoria Derby Day, Crown Oaks Day and Emirates Stakes Day.
Flemington.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival
Rainbow Serpent Festival
January 22-25; Lexton, Victoria
A much-acclaimed annual electronic music, art and lifestyle festival that began in 1998, this camping event features genres such as psychedelic trance, chill-out, tech house and other variants across five stages. Though not an Aboriginal affair, it shares several religious aspects of the Dreamtime traditions through a blend of music, art, performance, spiritual education, relaxation and healing.
20th Biennale of Sydney
March 18-June 5; Sydney
Taking place across multiple venues conceived as embassies of thought, the biennale — launched in 1973 as part of the Sydney Opera House opening celebrations — is among the top international contemporary art festivals. It is also Australia’s largest art fair, with each edition drawing crowds from all over.
Lasseters Camel Cup
July 9; Blatherskite Park, Alice Springs
Thousands of visitors and contestants assemble for this annual competition, which is one of the country’s more informal race meetings. It was first run in 1970 on the bed of Todd River as a bet between two friends. Events include a series of camel races, fashion competitions, rickshaw and children’s races, and the ever-popular Honeymoon Handicap.
Splendour in the Grass
July 24-26; North Byron Parklands, NSW
With music by artists across all genres, DJs, in addition to crafts, food, yoga, workshops and circus performers, this con-temporary celebration offers loads of entertainment to visitors.
Chocolate Winterfest
August 14; Latrobe, Tasmania
A celebration of all things chocolate, the festival has been indulging chocoholics since 2004. Savour the experience by participating in any of the many activities and competitions such as the My Chocolate Love Affair dessert competition, decorated chocolate cake competition, and chocolate wonders of wearable art.
Or just go for a taste of the goodies.
