Tourism

The Mallee Root Round Up has once again proven that country people know how to celebrate, with 750 guests exuding enthusiasm and a strong sense of fun and excitement all weekend. Marking 20 years since its re-birth, the Ball, which ceased in 1997 and was revived in 2005, drew people from all across Victoria and as far away as the middle of New South Wales.

it's almost a picnic atmosphere," according to motor enthusiast Bob, who loved the camaraderie of the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hillclimb on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October in Maldon. "It's not terribly commercial," Bob told the TT [Tarrangower Times], while peering into the engine of Doug's 1949 MG. "And everybody knows everybody."

South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback has been named one of the world’s top travel destinations for the year ahead; the only Australian place to make the list. Global travel authority, Lonely Planet, unveiled its top destinations with the release of its Best in Travel list for 2026 today with the Flinders Ranges & Outback listed among globally renowned tourist destinations...

Gulf and North West deserve service, not continued failures, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said. Mr Katter reiterated his call for genuine reform to air transport services in the region, noting that the fleet that the new American owners have acquired is not fit for purpose in the Gulf.

On 21 October 2025, a Sale and Implementation Deed to purchase Regional Express Holdings Limited (Rex) was entered into by US corporation Air T, Inc. (Air T) and the Rex Voluntary Administrators. The Australian Government welcomes these announcements, which mark a positive step towards bringing Rex out of voluntary administration.  

Riverside Park Barham was bustling as the Veteran Car Club of Australia took over the park ... with the stunning Barham Bridge built in 1904 making an appropriate backdrop ... The day was a feast for the eyes!

A record 2,600-plus entries made last Thursday’s Nhill Show a standout, with strong fields across art, craft, photography, cooking, LEGO, metalwork, wool, grains, shearing and horses. (Last year drew about 2,200.)

As community excitement begins to grow as fast as the purple petals on the famous jacaranda trees which line the streets of Grafton start to blossom, thousands of visitors from across the country and overseas will journey to the Clarence Valley over the next two weeks to share in the history of the annual festivity while immersing themselves amongst local attractions and jollities throughout an exuberant 10 day program.

His first attempt at the Mount Tarrengower Historic Hillclimb was too long ago to remember (“I think about 20 years ago”) but Hein Otten is still excited to race in the 2025 competition, which takes place over this weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October. In fact, it was this unique event that brought Hein to the area.

On their recent visit to Allora, Queensland State Politicians - Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Member for Southern Downs James Lister MP were impressed with Allora’s Sports Museum. As a treat they were allowed to take a seat in Doug Partington’s Wikner Ford Special.

Guulabaa – Place of Koala, the world’s first purpose-built wild koala breeding and visitor centre, has been recognised with the Australian Good Design Award Winner accolade in the Built Environment category at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards.

Setting off at dawn October 3, the Paddle Steamer Melbourne chuffed away from Mildura's wharf; her wooden hull slicing through the Murray River's sluggish flow. It had been over a century since her birth in Koondrook, and now, under the stewardship of owner Adam Auditori, she is steaming for Echuca.

Recently, my wife and I visited the Clare Valley as part of our wedding anniversary and a short five day holiday to catch up with family and friends ... Part of the time was spent visiting the wineries in the Clare Valley Wine Region. It is one of the oldest wine regions in Australia. There are five districts or sub-regions in the valley: Auburn, Clare, Polish Hill River, Sevenhill and Watervale.

The 2025 Kaniva Show was heralded as a success by young and old on Saturday. Kim Dodson and her dog Banjo opened the show. Kim and Banjo also entertained the crowd with a working dog demonstration, and Kim's puppies were on show for families to meet.

Madison Eastmond. The region was in full bloom last weekend as the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival celebrations began for 2025. The 2025 program kicked off the weekend with a number of popular returning components, including the Renmark Institute floral display, Gala Dinner, and the Festival Fair.

The Polocrosse Association of South Australia wrapped up a successful week-long coaching clinic and carnival at the Yorke Peninsula Polocrosse Club grounds in Minlaton, culminating in a two-day event over the weekend, October 11-12 ... Fourteen riders took part, travelling from as far as Darwin, Naracoorte and Moorooduc on the other side of Melbourne.

The 2025 Donald Show opened in fine style on Friday night, drawing an eager crowd for music, food, and the official start to one of Victoria’s favourite country gatherings. Outside, the showgrounds buzzed early as families wandered between food stalls and rides ... Among the many features proving popular on the lawns at Donald’s two-day show, particularly with children, were Professor Wallace’s Puppets (in the background of this photograph), and “Fair Dinkum Fauna Wildlife and Education Displays”.

Sharp's country baking excellence and their recent win in Australia's Best Vanilla Slice competition is proving a winning recipe for Birchip's tourism economy, with recent visitors arriving by rail, road and even by air to sample the town's famous treat.

With recent placings in metropolitan feature races under his belt, the stage is set for Belvedere Boys to claim the major prize in the $200,000 Carlton Dry 3.5 per cent Port Macquarie Cup on an outstanding day of racing action at Port on Friday.

A team of 62 heavy horses was harnessed to pull an antique wagon in a record-breaking event at the Barellan Good Old Days Festival at the weekend. It outnumbered the previous Australian record of 50, set in Queensland in the 1980s and a 50-horse hitch in Canada in 1995.

The 116th Corryong Show proved once again to be a highlight on the Upper Murray calendar, drawing a strong crowd on Saturday and showcasing the best of local agriculture, entertainment, and community spirit. The event also included the Upper Murray Machinery Club rally which has only added to the spectacle.

Biosecurity measures have been bolstered to protect Kangaroo Island’s world-famous Ligurian bee population from the parasitic pest varroa mite. Every ferry bound for Kangaroo Island is now subject to biosecurity checks and a sentinel hive program has started to roll out across the island following the first detection of varroa mite in South Australia last month.