14 May 2024
19 mins Read
From food festivals, art exhibitions and festivals of light to autumnal celebrations, Easter events and comedy shows, here is the ultimate guide to what’s on in your state this April.
NSW | VIC | QLD | TAS | WA | SA | NT | ACT
As the days become shorter, Scenic World is extending its hours for Nocturnal, which sees the renowned attraction’s rides stay open after dark. Watch dusk settle across the mountains from the Scenic Railway, Cableway and Skyway. The immersive and interactive experience also invites you to explore the LUNA Light Journey, a Scenic World first.
Scenic World is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Make the trip even more memorable by checking out some of the best things to do in Katoomba. Tickets are available to book now, starting at $55 for adults and $40.60 for children.
Ride the Scenic Railway as the sun sets across the mountains. (Image: Scenic World)
Across seven fantastic nights, the Maybe Cocktail Festival is bringing some of the finest bars from around the globe to Aussie shores. Hosted by Public Hospitality, guests will have the chance to try a tipple at more than 30 international bars this year, 12 of which have appeared on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
The festival will include 21 epic cocktail events, 19 of which are free, held across nine venues in Sydney – including popular spots Maybe Sammy, El Primo Sanchez and Oxford House. Keep your eye out for industry masterclasses and panel discussions as well.
Oxford House will take part in the Maybe Cocktail Festival this year. (Image: Nikki To)
Back for its fourth rendition, Newcastle Food Month is set to blow your tastebuds out of the water this April. Highlighting the culinary and creative talent of Newcastle’s burgeoning food scene, the event is poised to boast a plentiful program inclusive of all foodie types.
Other than the food of course, attendees can expect wine, beer, gin, music and lots of cheese. Join local winemakers at their favourite hangouts, dine at hatted restaurants or experience an expert-guided masterclass. There are over 75 events to choose from this month, so clear your calendar!
Savour the flavour at Newcastle Food Month this April.
Held annually at Sydney Olympic Park, the Royal Easter Show is a favourite on many Sydney-sider calendars. The Show began in 1823 and is now commonly known as Australia’s largest annual ticketed event. It is a celebration of Australian culture, from rural traditions to modern-day lifestyles, with a specific focus on agricultural programs, competitions, education and youth.
The Royal Easter Show is the perfect family event, with something for everyone to enjoy. Step right up for hands-on animal experiences, amazing displays, world-class entertainment and exhilarating thrills. Tickets are on sale now.
The Royal Easter Show is the perfect family day out. (Image: Destination NSW)
Enjoy a fab line-up of live music and raise funds for a local charity at the all-ages Ride The Soundwave Festival in Port Macquarie. By attending this awesome event, guests will be supporting local charity Make A Difference.
In a bid to raise both funds and awareness, 100 per cent of the entry fees to Ride The Soundwave will go to the charity, which feeds and supports those in need across the Port Macquarie and Hastings regions. This year’s line-up features Xavier Rudd, The Dreggs and Emily Wurramara, among other amazing locals talents.
Boogie to local acts for a good cause.
One of Sydney’s most popular cultural events, Ramadan Nights in the suburb of Lakemba is back. The month-long global food bazaar kicks off a dusk every night to celebrate the breaking of the fast each day, known as Iftar.
Whether you’re heading down to break your fast or try new foods, this is one of the best ways to experience the rich culture and traditions of Ramadan. Discover over 50 street food vendors throughout the month, all offering a delicious range of food amongst an atmosphere like no other.
Discover over 50 street food vendors offering up delicious treats.
Yachties unite – Sail Port Stephens is back for another year of fun on the gorgeous waters off the north coast of NSW. This annual sailing event attracts all kinds of boaties, from the experienced sailor to those at the beginning of their boating journey.
From The Commodores Cup to the Port Stephens Trophy and TP52 Gold Cup, there are a variety of races to choose from. For those who aren’t yacht-savvy, there’s still plenty to see and do – think live music, hot food, a community day and the Sail Port Stephens Ball.
Sailors of all abilities are encouraged to participate. (Image: Sail Port Stephens)
Art and nature oft intersect, and this is captured beautifully by Alison Percy in her latest body of works, which will be displayed at Hyphen in Albury-Wodonga. The exhibition, aptly titled A Study in Nature, reflects the artist’s continued exploration into her surrounding landscape.
There are a number of other events going on at Hyphen throughout the month of April, from art exhibitions to author talks, workshops and book sales.
Yellow Kunzea Under Snow Gums, A Study in Nature, Allison Percy, 2024. (Image: Wodonga Council)
Witness a colourful kaleidoscope of cultures in this two-day festival set against a lakeside backdrop. Converge on the Goulburn is a family-friendly and free event focusing on bringing the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley communities together.
Celebrate the diverse First Nations and multicultural identities that make up this vibrant pocket of Victoria through an epic and jam-packed program. Think music, live entertainment, market stalls and a huge variety of cuisines to sample and enjoy.
Converge on the Goulburn sits lakeside. (Image: Greater Shepparton City Council)
The lights of Melbourne shine a little bit brighter when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over the capital each year. Regarded as one of Melbourne’s most-loved events, the city will load up on laughs, with comedians hitting stages across the CBD and further afield.
Celebrate the joyful, the inspiring and the silly with a line-up of acts that veer from the visceral to biting satire and acute observations. This year’s program features big names including Aaron Chen, Adrian Bliss, Celia Pacquola, Joel Creasey and Lizzy Hoo.
Join the laughs at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
There’s more to autumn in this charming region than Macedon’s famous oak-lined Honour Ave and the heritage gardens of Mt Macedon. The very best of the changing seasons can be found on show at the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival.
Autumn colours wash the landscape marmalade around Macedon. Expect everything from farmers’ markets showcasing autumn flavours that celebrate the season’s bounty to audio-guided walking tours through some of Macedon’s most stunning bushland.
Watch the trees change colour in Macedon.
A new world-class running event is coming to Victoria this month – introducing the inaugural Ballarat Marathon. This two-day running festival is designed to celebrate the city’s rich sporting and cultural history as well as encourage the community to come together and run.
There are plenty of races to choose from, ranging in length and difficulty. From the five-kilometre race through the historic CBD of Ballarat to the half- and full marathons that soak up the sights of the region, there’s something for all abilities. Registration is open now.
Run through the historic CBD of Ballarat.
The NGV Triennial is wrapping up this month after a successful four-month showcase in Melbourne. View 100 extraordinary projects for free inside the National Gallery of Victoria, one of the city’s most treasured art spaces.
Across all four levels of the NGV, the public is invited to delve into the depths of work by 120 incredible artists, designers and collectives from around the world. From live performance art shows and panel talks to guided tours and interactive installations, it’s time to set your creativity free with NGV.
Wander through some 100 incredible works of art at the NGV Triennial.
To close out the Brisbane Cycling Festival, the Tour de Brisbane is your last opportunity to grab your helmet and hit the pedals. Over 110 kilometres of fully closed roads are up for the taking across the city, with all levels of ability welcome.
There are a variety of different courses to hit up, from more competitive races for keen cyclists to leisurely ones for those who enjoy a classic bike ride. With so much road to cover, this epic Sunday ride is one of the coolest ways to see Brisbane.
See the best of Brissy by bike. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
This one is for all you keen hikers out there – the Sunshine Coast Kokoda Challenge is your chance to put your skills and determination to the ultimate test. After choosing from an 18-, 30- or 40-kilometre hike through the stunning Sunshine Coast hinterland and registering your team, you’re ready to take on the challenge.
It’s all for a good cause too. Taking place over the ANZAC Day weekend, the challenge is all about paying respects to fallen soldiers and raising money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation‘s life-changing programs. So not only will you be making a difference for yourself, but for others in need too.
The annual Gold Coast Film Festival is one of the coolest things to do in this beachy region of Queensland. More than 100 films, panels, awards and parties are set to take place across the 12-day event, with special industry guests and world premieres promised.
Expect intimate panel discussions from leading producers, writers and directors, acclaimed cinema from local and international talent and exciting educational events. This year’s festival will be held at the Home of the Arts in Surfers Paradise, arguably the Gold Coast’s most renowned arts centre.
Guests can attend over 100 films, panels, awards and parties.
It’s all colour and creativity in Cunnamulla for the Outback River Lights Festival. The annual three-day event celebrates the spirit of community and local outback life with everything from workshops to live entertainment, face painting, food stalls and a lantern parade.
While in town, be sure to appreciate the rugged beauty of the outback at the brand-new Cunnamulla Hot Springs. Meditate on your surroundings while soaking in the mineral-rich pools and relaxing in the sauna and steam room on the banks of the Warrego River.
The festival is a highlight on the Outback Queensland calendar.
The G’Day Group acquired the Undara Experience in Tropical North Queensland in 2021 and spent $3.2 million on its refurbishment to get it up to the standard of the other historical homesteads in its portfolio (El Questro in WA, Kings Canyon in the NT and the Discovery on Rottnest Island). This means the experience of attending Undara Outback Rock & Blues Festival is even better equipped to cater to an increasing flow of visitors.
Three separate shows are scheduled over the three-day event, which gives visitors time to explore the ancient landscape around Undara Volcanic National Park. The Undara Outback Rock & Blues Festival attracts a great mix of performers and visitors to one of Australia’s most celebrated natural locations.
Many food festivals pale in comparison to TrailGraze in the north west region of Tasmania. It’s a celebration of the island state’s specific flavours, offering the opportunity to taste your way around the region’s best produce, including wine, cheese, seafood and confectionery.
TrailGraze’s delicious program also offers behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive events, family-friendly events and a one-night-only dinner with some special guests. To top it all off, this amazing event is free (with tickets required for some events).
Experience truffle hunting with some adorable guides. (Image: Ness Vanderburgh)
Known as Tasmania’s biggest festival of sustainability, the North West Ecofest is returning to Camp Clayton in Ulverstone this year to celebrate all things green and sustainable. Established by the North West Environment Centre, the festival is now in its eighth year of running.
North West Ecofest invites you to browse through market and information stalls, feast on delicious food and participate in workshops, all in the name of sustainability. There are also plenty of activities to not only entertain but enrich and educate kids.
Named after John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s imaginary country from the ’70s, Nutopia is a local harvest festival situated on an organic hazelnut farm in Tassie. The dreamy landscape is straight out of a Pinterest mood board, with a boutique farm stay backdropped by fog-laden mountains.
This cultural celebration invites you to savour the past and taste the future across the weekend. Harvest hazelnuts, go foraging, dress up, play games, do yoga, eat good food and enjoy live performances. You can even make a night of it and camp out!
The harvest festival is held on a stunning organic hazelnut farm.
The Moonbird Festival invites you back for a second year to experience music, art, food and wine at one of the most spectacular locations in Australia, King Island.
Founded and presented by the Bowerbird Collective, the event brings together some of Australia’s finest musicians for a series of spellbinding concerts. With a focus on art and conservation, there will also be guided nature walks and local culinary delights. The festival has been named after the Moonbird or Short-tailed Shearwater, a bird species of great cultural and ecological significance to the islands of the Bass Strait.
Moonbird brings together some of Australia’s finest musicians for a series of concerts. (Image: Anthony Albrecht)
All roads lead to Geraldton for the Shore Leave Festival, known across Western Australia as the ultimate celebration of seafood. The location of the festival in the state’s Midwest region is just as important as the produce. Everything from the seafood itself to the history and culture is produced in the Midwest.
This year’s program is jam-packed with events. Think farm tours, cook-offs and seafood markets. Guests can also join the Abrolhos Long Table Lunch, a rare dining experience on East Wallabi Island with acclaimed chef Scott Bridger. Tickets are on sale now.
Join the Long Table Lunch on the Abrolhos Islands. (Image: ShotByThom)
To pay respect to Boorloo’s (Perth) past, the Boorloo Heritage Festival is back for another year of history-fuelled events. Throughout the month, a variety of events will celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage of the Western Australian capital.
This year’s program is full of exciting events – exhibitions, performances, open houses, talks, workshops, walks and tours – that unfold across Perth. From Mount Eliza and Kings Park to the CBD and Victoria Gardens, experience the best of Perth through its own historic lens.
Discover Perth through a historic lens this month. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
The Margaret River Pro, hosted by the World Surf League, is coming to the stunning WA region of the same name this April. Catch some of the best surfers from around the world take to the waves, including Kai Lenny, Jack Robinson, Molly Picklum and Luana Silva.
Locals and visitors alike are invited to head down to watch participants tear up more than 75 big breakers. The festival’s hub is at Surfers Point is the place to be, where you may even brush shoulders with your surfing idol.
Witness surfers brave big waves at the Margaret River Pro. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Starting this month, Adelaide restaurant arkhé’s executive chef Jake Kellie is set to collaborate with fellow hospitality heavyweights from Australia and around the world. The series, titled arkhé & friends, will feature 12 chef collaborations across 12 months, the first being on 11 April with Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz.
Guests can expect a four-course, flame-cooked menu crafted by Kellie, Milgate and Abrahanowicz, complimented by a specially designed Laphroaig cocktail and Laphroaig tasting flight. Tickets are priced at $300 per person.
Jake Kellie will team up with Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz. (Image: Will Salkeld)
Held on the stunning Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, celebrate ideas, innovation and art with SALT Festival. Held annually, the festival is all about providing a platform for artists and creators to come together and share ideas and make connections.
This year’s program is as exciting as ever, with so much to get your creativity and imagination fired up. From art exhibitions and workshops to live music and light installations, there’s something for all kinds of artists at SALT.
Experience intimate shows from local artists. (Image: Mikaela Frick Photography)
Footy enthusiasts are going to love this one! After a sell-out year in 2023, Gather Round is back for another big celebration of all things AFL. Across four days, nine games of football between 18 teams will unfold across the South Australian capital, including at the iconic Adelaide Oval.
Guests can also check out the Pepsi Collective – a hub of food, drinks and exclusive entertainment. Gather Live will round out the festivities with live music from Aussie legends Jet and special guest Baker Boy. Come for the football, stay for everything else that South Australia has to offer.
Experience an AFL game at Adelaide Oval. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
For the first time in over 10 years, the Norwood Food & Wine Festival is returning to The Parade in the Adelaide suburb of Norwood. The free foodie event is running in conjunction with a football-focused festival, Gather Round. So expect live broadcasts of matches along The Parade, plus inside participating venues.
As well as footy screenings, guests can look forward to sampling food from some of Adelaide’s best restaurants, paired with some of SA’s best wine, beer and spirits. To top it all off, enjoy a live show from award-winning Aussie band, The Temper Trap.
Sample food from restaurants along The Parade. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Australian singer and sweetheart Jessica Mauboy will be in Darwin this April on her Yours Forever tour. Her latest album of the same name has proved a hit both in Australia and overseas, and this is your chance to see it live.
Discovered for her incredible talent on Australian Idol, Mauboy is a powerhouse of vocal range and storytelling. This show sees Mauboy return to her roots on Larrakia Country in Darwin, so it’s sure to be something special.
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is the only First Nations festival of its kind in the world. The event showcases the oldest continuous cultures on Earth through the latest technology in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Parrtjima translates to ‘lighting up’ and conveys two meanings: physically illuminating an object with light and shedding light or understanding on a subject.
Taking place on a 300-million-year-old natural canvas in the Red Centre, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is a free event, held over 10 nights of light shows, installations, workshops, films, talks and music. This year’s theme is Interconnectedness, delving into how everything in Indigenous culture is connected.
Witness incredible art and light installations. (Image: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light)
Experience authentic Thai culture in the heart of the NT this April at the Thailand Grand Festival. This free festival is all about sharing Thai traditional knowledge through crafting, weaving and traditional dress.
Attendees can look forward to a variety of family-friendly activities, including games, food, boxing tournaments, a chilli-eating challenge and Som Tam show. A festival highlight is the parade, one of the largest in town, featuring live Thai performances.
Music, culture and good times all combine at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. The five-day concert brings together members of the Canberra community and beyond to celebrate folk culture while supporting local musicians and businesses.
This year’s lineup spans music, spoken word, dance and circus, as well as workshops, talks and family-friendly activities. Guests who don’t want to miss anything on this year’s epic program can opt to camp out at the festival, meaning access to all the fun with no commute!
Music, culture and good times all combine across five days. (Image: VisitCanberra)
‘Connections’ is the theme for this year’s Canberra and Region Heritage Festival, and is all about providing opportunities for the community to access events and exhibitions, tell stories, celebrate through ceremonies and performances, share knowledge and have fun bringing heritage to life.
Not only does the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival celebrate community, but it also raises awareness for the ongoing need to conserve our natural, historic and Indigenous heritage. It is a great way to engage with locals and help elevate the rich and enduring heritage of the region.
Gather at the Australian War Memorial this April to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings and honour those who served in military operations there. A well-organised program invites you to participate in a number of ANZAC Day services.
From a Dawn Service at 5.30am to the Veterans’ March at 9.30am and the Last Post Ceremony in the evening, there are more ways than one to remember ANZACs this year. Tickets are not required for most attendance. However, they are needed to enter the galleries and attend the Last Post Ceremony.
Honour ANZACs at the Australian War Memorial. (Image: Tourism Australia)
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