Records tumble as teamsters pull out all stops at the Good Old Days Festival at Barellan
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.
What a show!
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.
Smiles for the Loxton show
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.
Changing attitudes and keeping culture alive
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.
Billion-dollar loss from Victoria’s business events: McArthur
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.
Getting tourism back on the rails
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.
Roseneath, Allora’s first self-contained B&B
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.
Shine on Gimuy 2024 kicks off
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.
Donkey, mule and camel teams compete for coveted trophy in authentic pioneering spectacle
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...
A fiery fiesta
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 gardens impress
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.
Copper Coast Cup comes to a windy end
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.
This Show ’n’ Shine lived up to its name
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.
Carnival of Flowers reaches Singapore
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.
Mt. Wycheproof “gears up” for King of Mountain
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 ...
Polish off your chrome for the 2024 Ivanhoe Dry Times Truck, Tractor, Car and Bike Show
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!
60 Day Cap kicks in today for Byron Shire: Smith
From 23 September the community in Byron Shire is the first in NSW to have a legally enforceable means to regulate holiday letting beyond the State caps. After a decade of campaigning Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) in Byron Shire is capped at 60 days for un-hosted holiday lets in most of the Shire.
Byron Bay Film Festival celebrates Aussie surfing history
Surfing became the obsession of a legion of bored and restless teenagers in 1960s Australia, kids looking for adventure and freedom from the stultifying norms and expectations of their straight 1950s upbringing ... The arrival of the exciting new phenomenon and its far-reaching impact are recorded in a thrilling documentary film showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival in October.
AirBNB tax risks Maldon tourism eco-system
The proposed Short Stay Levy Bill 2024 will contribute to unsustainable financial burdens on accommodation providers in our region while not easing the rental housing crisis, local businesses claim. The so-called ‘AirBnB Tax’ was introduced by Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson to the Victorian Parliament on Tuesday 27 August and passed the Lower House last week, paving the way for a 7.5 per cent levy to be imposed on short stay accommodation bookings from 1 January 2025.
Be involved in the bid
Maldon Museum and Historic Archives is hosting a Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid (VGWHB) information display as part of the World Heritage Bid Roadshow ... You may be aware of the bid for the Victorian Goldfields to become World Heritage listed.
Biggest RFL final crowd in years at premier Narrandera Sportsground
AFL officials were pleased to see a large increase in the crowd for this year’s Riverina League grand final at the Narrandera Sportsground on Sunday. What was described as the biggest Riverina League grand final crowd post COVID turned out to watch Collingullie-Wagga upset the previously undefeated Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
Early market hits the target
The earlier than usual start to the series of Upper Murray Farmers Markets was well received with many locals and visitors getting out and about on Saturday morning. There was plenty of variety on offer with 17 stalls operating and the live entertainment provided by talented musician Riff added to the carnival atmosphere.
