Gear Up For Fun: Australia's Top Events For Your Bucket List

: Australia is a diverse country that caters to the varying interests of its visitors. There's something for everyone, from the rugged outback to the pristine beaches and bustling cities to the remote wilderness. The thrill of travel is doubled when you tune into an event, opt for a programmed tourism experience and know all the top places to lodge and dine at. Towards that end, we have curated a list of upcoming events in Australia for May, June and July, along with the top tourism experiences, food and drink options, as well as accommodations.

May

Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro is a surf competition that is part of the World Surf League's (WSL) Challenger Series. The 2024 event will take place from April 27 to May 4 at Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, Queensland. The competition will feature VIP access to world-class surfing and the Out 2 Lunch Festival.

Taste Great Southern: Great Southern Region, Western Australia

Taste Great Southern is a food and wine festival in Western Australia. With over 40 events, it showcases markets, lunches, dinners, tastings, and seminars. Visitors can try local craft beer, fresh produce, and wine varieties such as Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. This year, the event is scheduled to take place from May 2 to May 12.

Tasting Australia: Adelaide/Tarntanya, South Australia

Tasting Australia is an annual 10-day eating and drinking festival in Australia. It is usually held over two weekends in May each year and aims to celebrate Australia's people, produce, and places. The festival offers various events, including meeting with chefs, experiencing regional cuisines, and collaborating with others. This year, the festival will run from May 3 to May 12, featuring events across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Australian Fashion Week: Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales

Australian Fashion Week, previously known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, is an annual fashion industry event showcasing Australian designers' latest seasonal collections. The glamorous event is scheduled to take place from May 13 to May 17 this year.

June

Rising: Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria

Rising is an annual arts and culture festival in Melbourne, Australia that features new art, music, performance, food, and culture. The festival takes place under the moonlight in the heart of Naarm (Melbourne) and has been held annually since June 2022. This year, the festival will take place from June 1 to June 16.

Dark Mofo: Hobart/Nipaluna, Tasmania

Dark Mofo is a yearly festival of arts and culture held in Hobart, Tasmania, during the night-time and celebrates the darkness of the southern winter solstice. The festival showcases a variety of performing and visual arts, as well as unique, subversive, and thought-provoking programming. It also delves into the connections between ancient and contemporary mythology, humans and nature, religious and secular traditions, darkness and light, birth, death, and renewal. This year, the event is scheduled to take place from June 13 to June 23.

Lightscape at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria

"Lightscape" is an immersive event that takes place at the Royal Botanic Gardens located in Melbourne. The event features a reimagined trail, new installations, and interactive displays that are bound to leave you awestruck. It is a family-friendly event that incorporates light, nature, wonder, and various fun activities. The event is scheduled to take place from June 14 to August 4 this year.

Truffle Kerfuffle: Manjimup, Western Australia

Truffle Kerfuffle is a food and wine festival that takes place over a weekend in Manjimup, Western Australia. The festival celebrates the truffle harvest and is owned and operated by a non-profit community association. It is held in the heart of Australian truffle country, where almost 90 percent of the country's black truffles are found. This year, the festival will take place from June 28 to 30.

July

Illuminate Adelaide: Adelaide/Tarntanya, South Australia

Illuminate Adelaide is an annual winter event that takes place in July in Adelaide, South Australia. It is a combination of both free and ticketed events which are presented by local, national, and international artists and companies, and encompasses "art, light, music, and technology". This year, the event will take place from July 4 to July 21.

Sydney Gin Festival: Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales

The Sydney Gin Festival is an event that showcases different types of gin, featuring masterclasses from industry experts, and opportunities to meet the makers of gin brands. This year, this event will take place on July 20 and 21.

Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series: Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria

The Super Netball League, primarily known by its sponsored name Suncorp Super Netball (SSN), is a professional netball league that comprises teams from all over Australia. In 2017, it replaced the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship as the highest-level netball league in Australia, which also featured teams from New Zealand. This year the event is scheduled to happen from July 20 to July 29.

Hamilton the Musical: Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales

"Hamilton" is a musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who played a key role in the American Revolutionary War as George Washington's right-hand man. The musical takes place in the late 1700s and covers Hamilton's life in two acts. It includes his marriage to Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, his work as a lawyer and secretary of the treasury, and his interactions with Aaron Burr. This year, the event will take place from July 30 to October 31.

Tourism Experiences

Point Nepean Ebike Tour

Discover history, nature, and adventure on Emocean's new e-bike tour from Point Nepean, Mornington Peninsula. Explore 19 km of coastline, from Quarantine Station to Cheviot Hill, and uncover Australia's military past.

Elevated Escape: Noosa To K’gari

Explore K'gari, the world's largest sand island, with K'gari Explorer Tours' Elevated Escape: Noosa to K'gari. Fly from Noosa to the island, enjoy private 4WD tours, and indulge in luxury amenities. Includes transfers, park fees, and language translation.

New Aboriginal Art Walk

Experience Gabrugal Yana's transformative 11km bushwalk loop, connecting walkers with Dharug Country and culture. Enjoy art by First Nations artists depicting the story of six Dharug seasons. QR codes provide insights in Dharug and English. Accessible from Sydney with 90 minutes of public transport and a 30-minute walk. Consider hiring a car for more time to explore.

Heli-Foraging Experience

Join Darwin Distilling Co.'s Heli-Foraging Experience for a unique adventure merging exploration and distilling. Depart from Darwin to explore remote landscapes by helicopter, foraging for botanicals to create your own gin. Enjoy gourmet dining before taking home your custom-made gin.

Romeo & Juliet Suite

Don't miss Benjamin Millepied’s Romeo & Juliet Suite at the Sydney Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre, June 5 to 9. Experience dance and live cinema, with three couples presenting pas-de-deux pairings accompanied by cinematic projections.

Food and Drink

Home Of Plenty

Home of Plenty's new cellar door offers an eccentric and relaxed atmosphere, evoking the vibes of Palm Springs or Santorini, just an hour from Adelaide. Enjoy local wines and Mediterranean snacks. The funky ambience features vibrant artwork and custom concrete furnishings amidst original sandstone and red brick. Home of Plenty promises a must-visit winery experience.

Icebar Australia

Visit IceBar in Surfers Paradise, Queensland for a unique experience. Made entirely of ice with over 40 tonnes used, this winter wonderland offers fresh cocktails in ice glasses at a chilling -10 degrees all year round. Explore the frozen oasis with don snow capes, gloves, and UGG boots provided by the friendly team. Admire intricate ice sculptures and enjoy air hockey on an ice table during your 45-minute session. It’s suitable for all ages.

Castlerose

Castlerose is an upscale, underground restaurant and bar located beneath Clementine in South Melbourne. Head Chef David Yuan offers a menu of classical European dishes featuring locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy the vintage charcuterie trolley. The 40-seat space is elegantly decorated with leather banquettes and bar stools.

Good Luck Restaurant Lounge

Discover the hidden Good Luck Restaurant Lounge, opening on April 24, 2024. This culinary gem, located underground on Bridge Street in Sydney, is the result of a collaboration between Merivale's CEO Justin Hemmes and Executive Chef Mike Eggert. Indulge in a fusion of Italian and Asian flavours with innovative dishes like fish and prawn sausage, smoked soy-poached chicken, and house-made egg noodles. Complementing these dishes are genre-defying cocktails crafted by Merivale's James Irvine, promising a symphony of flavours with creations like the Good Luck Colada and Laat Jam.

Accommodation

Scribbly Farm 

Escape to Scribbly Farm's dome stays in the Southern Highlands. These space-age geodesic domes are located on a 100-acre property and offer stunning views, wood-burning fireplaces, private outdoor decks, and full concierge service from Ally and Steve. Explore the 30-acre private sanctuary with flourishing fauna and flora, including Scribbly Gum trees. Limited phone reception and no Wi-Fi ensure a complete escape into nature's beauty, just a 90-minute drive from Sydney/Warrane airport.

The Linnaeus Collection

The Linnaeus Collection is a series of boutique properties in Berry, NSW. Comprising four individual homes, each combines the charm of a boutique motel with exceptional quality and service. Accommodation options include Linnaeus Farm, Far Meadow Cottage, Maple Cottages, and Rubus (opening June 2024).

Cheshire Cat Boutique Motel

Experience luxurious nostalgia at Cheshire Cat Boutique Motel, steps away from Palm Beach. 7 furnished queen rooms, a 2-bedroom bungalow, and a pool deck provide a perfect spot for guests to enjoy warm summer days. The motel is 30 minutes from Gold Coast City and offers a ground-level studio space for various activities.

Chimes Spa Retreat

Enjoy a luxurious adults-only retreat at Chimes Spa Retreat in Denmark, Western Australia. The retreat has ten guest rooms with freestanding circular baths and locally designed interiors. Relax at the Day Spa, with a Finnish sauna, steam deck, Vichy shower, and plunge pool. Chimes Spa Retreat is on Mount Shadforth, just a 4.5-hour drive from Perth. Indulge in high tea and platter options while enjoying the delights of the Denmark wine region.