Baby baboons at the Darling Downs Zoo!
The Darling Downs Zoo has welcomed four new baby baboons into its family in what is the country's first successful breeding program for the primate. The babies, ranging between 11 and 3 weeks old are still clinging tightly to mums.
No plans to privatise national parks
Minister for the Central Coast, Member for Wyong David Harris has hit back at suggestions made by the State Liberal Party's Shadow Minister Jacqui Munro that there is something sinister about plans to allow some campgrounds in national parks to be set aside for private operators to manage.
NLC supports cave research
Naracoorte Lucindale Council will contribute $60,000 towards a $900,000 Naracoorte Caves research project over three years. But reflecting on councillor training, some elected members are also concerned the state government is “cost-shifting”, forcing ratepayers already paying taxes to fund more and more state responsibilities ... “We are the council with the state's only world heritage site, which is incredible, and we get 100,000 people visiting our district because of the caves,” CEO Kelly Westell said.
Let’s celebrate heavy horses
This weekend Allora hosts the Darling Downs Heavy Horse festival at the Showgrounds. This annual event is well known throughout Queensland and brings many visitors to town.
Lightning Ridge Easter Festival
One of outback NSW's most beloved events is just around the corner, and this year's Lightning Ridge Easter Festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. The program is now available online, so you can start planning your long weekend before you even pack the car.
Ripple Fest and Rochester Mural Festival bring creativity to Rochester
Rochester will come alive with colour, creativity and community spirit this March as Campaspe Shire Council presents a week of artistic activity as part of Ripple Fest in partnership with Rochester Mural Festival. From 25-28 March, locals and visitors are invited to take part...
More than art on walls: Tweed Regional Gallery delivers almost $20 million to local economy
A new independent study has confirmed what the Tweed community already knows – the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is one of regional Australia’s most remarkable cultural assets, contributing almost $20 million each year to the local economy.
Town thriving after rodeo event
This year's Narrandera Rodeo, one of the biggest events in town, if not the whole shire, has been hailed as a huge success, as a massive crowd enjoyed all the thrills and spills. Narrandera Rodeo Committee President Alarna Vrieling estimated the crowd was double the size of the previous rodeo in 2024.
Art and culture shine at Mali Heart Festival
Birchip came alive with creativity, colour and music as the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival on Saturday, setting the scene for Birchip’s Big Weekend of family friendly activities. Established in 2022, the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival was created to showcase art and music in the community, and it continues to grow each year.
Corryong lives up to reputation
A round of the Australian Sports Class Paragliding Championships followed the Corryong Cup the previous week, ensuring that Mt Elliot maintains its status as a premier flying site. More than 60 pilots assembled for take-off from the Mt Elliot launch site for the new event.
Big crowds for Port Victoria 150
Austinn Lane. A large crowd gathered in Port Victoria and Wauraltee over the weekend to celebrate the community's 150th anniversary, marking a major milestone in the district's history ... locals, former residents and visitors from across the region, came together to recognise the town's heritage and close-knit community.
Local artist brings colour and storytelling to Augusta Library
With the Margaret River Library temporarily closed for building works, many locals have found themselves missing their regular library fix ... Augusta Library has plenty to offer, including a stunning art exhibition now on display.
Barossa turns up the volume with Barossa Food & Wine Village
When the final siren sounds at Barossa Park on Saturday, 11 April, the party is just getting started as Tanunda’s main street transforms into the ultimate post-match destination with food, wine and entertainment. A hallmark event on the Festival of Footy calendar, the Barossa Food & Wine Village, returns for Gather Round 2026, reimagined on a bigger scale.
Fastest Wiener in the West to win $200 at Day of the Dackel 2026
Henley Park, Edenhope, VIC Dachshund fever is set to return when the much-loved Day of the Dackel trots back into Edenhope on Sunday, 29 March 2026 - and the fastest wiener in the west will take home a $200 cash prize in the Dackel Dash final. Hosted by the Edenhope Dachshund Museum, the popular celebration will once again transform Henley Park into a dachshund paradise...
Under the Hood: Scott Abdy is defying limits, one burnout at a time
Bundaberg burnout driver Scott Abdy was just three years old when doctors told his parents he would never ride a bike, and yet, here he is decades later, gearing up to return to the Rare Spares and Repco Rockynats 06 burnout pad with precision, power, and an unmistakable passion for skids.
Community celebrates Angourie National Surfing Reserve
Angourie National Surfing Reserve, the world's first gazetted National Surfing Reserve, was dedicated on January 12, 2007, following several years of work by a steering committee of locals. Steering committee foundation member Helen Tyas-Tunggal said 21 years ago there were some serious conversations going on in the community regarding whether or not to nominate Angourie to become the first gazetted surfing reserve in the world.
Join the Southbrook endurance ride
The Toowoomba Endurance Horse Riders Association (TEHRA) is encouraging local horse riders to try the sport of endurance riding for the first time. TEHRA is an affiliated club of the Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA), and the Southbrook ride is one of the earliest events on the endurance calendar each season.
A budding friendship: Harvey Norman becomes major sponsor of rose fest
Madison Eastmond. A Renmark business has become a major sponsor of the reinstated 2026 Riverland Rose and Garden Festival after pledging of upwards of $5000 in support for the event. Locally owned business, Harvey Norman Renmark, has become one of the first major sponsors of the upcoming Riverland Rose and Garden Festival.
New leadership ensuring a rose festival revival
Madison Eastmond. A Renmark local has stepped up to lead the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Committee, with her decision and recent community volunteer efforts saving the regional event for 2026 ... “It’s such an important event to the community and local businesses, and I am just delighted to be working with the fantastic Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Committee to once again bring the festival to the Riverland”: Vicki Dunhill.
Nhill’s forgotten hotel
John Williams. Nhill’s Royal Hotel once claimed to have lost a talking black cockatoo a bird that supposedly said far more than “pretty cocky.” According to the tale, it could recite: “Jack Kierse’s drinks are the coolest and best at the Hotel Royal Nhill” ... What can be explained is why the Hotel Royal was also known as the Royal Hotel.
Heritage hijacked – Moonta National Trust volunteers “locked out”
Michelle Daw. Moonta's beloved heritage attractions have been shut down for five weeks and its many local volunteers say they are banned from entering the premises. This follows a shock decision by the head office of the National Trust of South Australia to disband its Moonta branch and assume full management responsibility for the Moonta Mines State Heritage Precinct...
International judges assess heavy horse breeds at annual festival
The National Clydesdale and Heavy Horse Festival has once again shaken the earth at Werribee as the world’s much-loved working breeds were shown off in hand, under saddle and in harness. Organisers this year welcomed Canadian judges Ray and Amber McLaughlin to officiate, with Amber judging the led Clydesdales/Shires and Ray the harness with Peter Strafford.
