Lisamore Italian Festival returns for 2026
The much-loved LisAmore Italian Festival is set to return in 2026, bringing a vibrant celebration of Italian culture, food and music to the Northern Rivers. This year's event will be held on Sunday, 5 July 2026, with an exciting new home at the Lismore Showgrounds, reflecting the festival's continued growth and popularity.
Thousands embrace Clarence Harvest Celebration
Thousands of people from around the region descended on Maclean for three-day Clarence Harvest Celebration embracing the beef, sugar cane, and seafood industries of the valley. The premier weekend of the 2026 celebration followed the Clarence Kids Colour Run and Crowning Carnival and the Cane Harvest Ball, held in the preceding weeks.
Teamster prepares horse team for Barellan Good Old Days Festival
Teamster Aleks Berzins has scored a back-to-back win in The Golden Plough and can next be seen with his horse team at the Barellan Good Old Days Festival on 2-4 October. Aleks will be not only ploughing but showing off his other talents as a horse master and why he is rated among the top horse teamsters in the world.
Barellan Good Old Days history revived
Len Davies, of West Wyalong, is the grandson of the original owner of the Bennett waggon used in the Australian record 62 horse team at the Barellan Good Old Days Festival in 2025. His grandfather, JT "Tommy" Davies selected the farm "Lantarnam" at Calleen in 1901 at the age of 19.
Massive Yamba Festival of Bowls
Bowlers from around Australia descended on the Lower Clarence last week for one of the biggest events in Yamba Bowling Club history, the 2026 Yamba Festival of Bowls. The 2026 Yamba Festival of Bowls ran for six days, from Tuesday, May 26, to Sunday, May 31.
From vine to table: Cowra’s Winter Wanderlust Festival, 10-18 July 2026
The rich terroir of Cowra, its produce, wine, culture and peacetime history, will be celebrated in a hugely expanded Winter Wanderlust festival running 10-18 July 2026. With over 20 events across nine days, the program is the most diverse and tasty the festival has seen, drawing together chefs, winemakers, farmers, artists and hoteliers for a heartwarming winter celebration.
Festival of Rugby showcases community sport
Round 7 of the Central Coast Rugby Union season delivered one of the most memorable weekends in recent memory, with the inaugural Festival of Rugby taking centre stage at Tuggerah Sports Complex on May 30. Despite wet weather causing widespread sporting disruptions across the region, CCRU stood alone as the only major sporting competition on the Central Coast to complete its full schedule.
Enjoy cosy, bookish vibes this June as Words Out West returns
The local festival, which has gained immense popularity over recent years, continues to celebrate creativity, community, and connection through the love of words. Shifting the event to June invites bibliophiles to indulge in the cosy winter pastime: stay indoors, keep warm with a cuppa, and be inspired by some of their favourite authors.
Dark skies shine through the clouds at the 2026 Dark Sky Festival
Danielle Nicolson, Amy Reed and Tim Burke. Despite some 'less than ideal' weather conditions, the 2026 Lord Howe Island Dark Sky Festival proved once again that a little cloud cover is no match for great company, fun events and a shared passion for the wonders of the night.
Riverfront celebration marks PS Canally’s return to service
Christine Webster. The recommissioning of the PS Canally will be celebrated with the return of the Morgan Living River Festival, on Saturday and Sunday, at the town's riverfront reserve. A team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers spent 16 years restoring the 119-year-old paddle steamer.
Boy and Bear to headline The Reef Trail across two epic concerts: QMF
Turquoise waters, wide open skies and live music in unexpected locations define one of Queensland’s most striking regional music experiences as Qld Music Trails arrives in the Whitsundays with The Reef Trail.
Good vibes at Mardigrass26
Michael Balderstone. There was a good vibe at MardiGrass everyone agreed, but what does that mean? People were smiling, there were no altercations, or very few, people were happy, and even the police agreed it was a "good vibe". The vibe of thousands of people getting high together, that's what it was.
Festival sparks up Copper Coast
The Copper Coast was alight with art and creativity over the weekend, as locals and visitors flocked to FLAME Festival events at Wallaroo, Kadina and Moonta. A celebration of Food, Light, Art, Music and Entertainment, FLAME sparked into life on Friday, May 8...
Gun makes it ten titles
The undoubted highlight of the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival was the performance of Emma Webb in the Ladies Challenge whose victory gave her a 10th title ... Despite the current fuel crisis, crowds were comparable to previous years and once again, camping on the Corryong golf course and nearby properties was booked out.
Origami Festival a resounding success
This year marked a turning point for the Origami Folding Art and Sound Festival, held at the Japanese Gardens at Gosford Regional Gallery ... Playful, surreal and grounded all at once, the event fostered a shared sense of wonder created in real time.
Stansbury and Port Vincent turn it on for Saltwater Classic
Ned Thomas. The biennial Yorke Peninsula Saltwater Classic returned to Stansbury and Port Vincent across the weekend, April 17 to 19, delivering a high-energy celebration of boating in all its forms — sail, steam, electric and human-powered. Classic cars and coastal culture also helped lure the crowds who rolled in from across South Australia and interstate.
Record crowds kick off Parrtjima 2026
Parrtjima 2026 has celebrated its biggest opening weekend yet, recording the largest opening weekend attendance in the festival’s history, including the second-largest opening night, as visitors flocked to the Red Centre. Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the festival attracted nearly 8,300 attendances, with a program that’s still got plenty for all to enjoy until 19 April.
New trail tracks our heritage through verse
An entirely different High Country experience will soon be available for locals and visitors alike to learn more about our region through the writings of one Australia's most famous poets. The Banjo Paterson High Country Trail will connect the landscapes that inspired the poet's iconic verse in the Victorian High Country such as The Man from Snowy River.
Hunter Valley Steamfest returns this April
Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest 2026 is fast approaching, with a packed program set to bring Maitland to life on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April. Alongside the headline ARTC Rail Program, there’s plenty happening across the city for all-ages.
Harmony in action at Castlemaine State Festival
Resonant Heart, a performance at Castlemaine Town Hall ... Featuring two artists from Iran as well as Indian, Balkan, Sudanese and Sephardic Jewish influences, the all-female Resonant Heart ... provided an antidote in music, poetry, dance and puppetry ... Later ... a rousing and enjoyable set to a receptive crowd at Maldon’s Holy Trinity Church...
Allora welcomes the Gentle Giants
The Darling Downs Heavy Horse Festival was a real treat for locals and visitors to Allora last weekend. The annual Festival of these magnificent Gentle Giants proved very popular again this year with an added inclusion being Equestrian with Disabilities events.
A story of courage and determination
At this year's Heavy Horse Festival, an equestrian division for those with disabilities was held for the first time. Katy Driver was the driving force behind the inclusion of the event which was well received by the competitors and the crowd. Here is Katy's story.
