Tourism

Ima Volunteer. Donald’s biggest two-day event is here, and these members of the Donald Show committee are at the showgrounds to administer the action-packed program throughout today and tomorrow. At their office close to the junction of Borung Highway and Mill Street, the ladies are happy to deal with all enquiries, and to reward those whose entries in the Show Schedule’s multiple sections have won recognition from the judges.

The RM Equestrian Centre at Hodgson Vale conducted its first 2 Star One Day Event during the long weekend, attracting riders from a wide area ... Previously the venue has hosted only 1 Star Eventing. Organiser Jo Williams said the event drew 140 riders to Hodgson Vale.

Sean Cunningham. A crowd of about 1000 helped make the annual Lockhart Picnic Race Club meeting a day to remember ... The Fashions on the Field once again proved popular and added a splash of colour … Tumbarumba trainer Mont Waters combined with his daughter Emily to win this year’s running of the Lockhart Verandah Town Cup.

The Snowy Valleys region is set to become an even better destination for electric vehicle (EV) owners with the installation of ten public EV charging stations. Snowy Hydro is supporting Snowy Valleys Council (SVC) to install and maintain the new charging stations which will be strategically located in Khancoban, Adelong, Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tumut.

Honor Auchinleck. "Why wasn’t this done years ago? We need to get the Light Horse Trail into our schools," someone said as we delivered Chauvel Border Light Horse Trail brochures to the Visitor Information Centre in Gundagai ... The Trail runs from the Light Horse Memorial in the New South Wales regional capital of Wagga Wagga to the statue of Brigadier Murray Bourchier CMG DSO in Victoria’s regional capital of Shepparton.

In an effort to raise much needed funds, the Guy Fawkes Heritage Association is opening its doors at the Ebor Sports and Recreation Grounds for their 20th anniversary on Saturday 12 October ... The Open Day will commence at 10am and see activities such as camp oven cooking by Ranger Nick, who will also facilitate a hands-on damper making workshop for the kids. There will be market stalls, whip cracking, Guy Fawkes Heritage Horse Challenge and conclude with a concert, featuring country music singer James Blundell.

Records tumbled at the 2024 Good Old Days Festival as teamsters from around the nation brought out the biggest horse, camel and bullock teams ever seen in modern Australia. The teamsters also excelled themselves with creating a world first – four bullocks, two camels and two horses harnessed together and pulling a wagon.

The 115th Corryong Show went off with a bang on Saturday with spectators coming from near and far to experience the Upper Murray on display. There were pony rides, inflatable fun, sideshows, reptile demonstrations, motorbike demonstrations, face painting … The fireworks are always a crowd favourite with this year being one of the most colourful displays yet.

Sebastian Calderon. Increases in attendance and number of exhibitors were among the highlights from a successful 104th edition of the Loxton Show. More than 8000 people walked through the gates to experience the two-day event held over the long weekend, food and market stalls and a range of competition entries on display.

Rachel Hagan. Another year and another huge success for the annual Minlagawi Nature Festival with about 200 attendees engaging with culture and their community, while taking in a deep breath of fresh air ... The event was all about connecting with nature while learning about Nharangga culture.

Victoria's once-thriving business events sector is in crisis, with recent data from Tourism Research Australia showing a dramatic drop in market share from 36 per cent in 2014 to just 21 per cent in 2024. Victoria was once the leader in business events, far ahead of New South Wales (27 per cent) and Queensland (15 per cent) in 2014.

For most people travelling is a means to an end – getting somewhere. For us in the vastness of outback Australia it’s an end in itself, an adventure, a buzz, something you brag about to your mates ... the five star hotel on rails, The Ghan, named after the Afghans who were doing it on camels ... may well have the formula for rescuing our ailing tourism industry.

Looking back on how Roseneath started 25 years ago with Lynn Close. "Our journey to Roseneath really started back in 1985 when we moved with our 3 children to acreage at Mt Marshall 6kms out of Allora. For 18 years afterwards we built a house and gardens, had thoroughbred horses, a Southdown sheep stud and numerous bird life.

The light installations are installed, and following last night’s rehearsal for Calling Country ceremony - Shine on Gimuy kicked off on 3 October 2024 - with a Friday to Sunday program of music, poetry, comedy and conversations and more at the Salt House HQ. The stunning light installations that comprise the Artstory Light Walk will be in place until 13 October.

Camels, donkeys and mules in harness pulling an array of wagons and a Cobb & Co coach will compete for the prestigious teamster’s trophies in a spectacle rarely seen in modern Australia at The Good Old Days Festival at Barellan ... Organised by the Barellan Working Clydesdales committee, the festival will comprise a full program of authentic heritage events...

The second Cohuna Chilli Festival was held on Friday night and organisers say it was a huge success. Held on the public holiday of the AFL grand final weekend, it drew visitors from across the state. With weather to wow, food to feast on, and an atmosphere to applaud, the chilli festival had something for everyone and kept patrons entertained into the night.

Westbrook and Wyreema are not typically known as tourist hotspots, however five strong entries in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers have attracted thousands of visitors to the two towns over the past few weeks.

Joanna Tucker. The Copper Coast Cup, part of the 2024 Cervelo Super Series cycling event, was held on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 28-29 ... However, the first day’s road races at the Copper Coast Airport were cancelled after the first three categories due to the strong wind.

Buloke Collectable Vehicle Club annual Show 'n' Shine event brought together car enthusiasts from all over the region this past weekend, transforming the George Cartwright oval in Birchip into a dazzling display of automotive craftsmanship. With almost 150 vehicles on display, the event celebrated everything from classic cars to modern muscle, trucks and motorbikes, and it drew a diverse crowd of spectators and participants alike.

Singapore horticultural show garden, Gardens by the Bay’s first Australian-themed floral display Carnival of Flowers, inspired by Toowoomba’s ongoing event, opened this week with a mini “floral float” parade. The iconic Singapore attraction, which was recently named Number 8 in the world by Tripadvisor, showcases plants from all over the world in thematic floral displays.

As the North Central Football League (NCFL) season has now officially drawn to a close, the energy and excitement across Mt. Wycheproof and Nullawil communities is shifting towards putting Buloke on show, one wonderful event at a time ... First-up, the highly anticipated Riordan King of the Mountain races and food and wine picnic ...

Mark your calendars ... there is a must-see event happening again in Balranald. Ivanhoe Dry Times Truck, Tractor, Car and Bike Show is on again! It only happens once every two years so polish up your chrome and hit the road!