Events for August 2016

QLD

Aug 6: Rocky Swap, Rockhampton. This popular swap event is a joint venture between Rockhampton Rotary North and the All Classic Motor Club CQ Incorporated, bringing together swappers from far and wide with a diverse range of items to sell. Details: (07) 4936 3915, graham@arbtown.com.au

Aug 25-28: Cairns Ukulele Festival, Cairns. Ukulele lovers will gather from across the globe to soak up the tropical vibes and enjoy a series of concerts, workshops and tours – all featuring the ukulele and its associated tropical lifestyle. Details: cairnsukulelefestival@live.com, www.cairnsukulelefestival.net

Aug 25-28: Gympie Music Muster, Gympie. Run by the community, for the community, this is a charity event celebrating mates, country music and making a difference. Featuring over 120 artists, including Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, Beccy Cole, Troy Cassar-Daley, John Stone, Tim Wheatley and The McClymonts, the Muster is sure to get your feet tapping! Details: www.muster.com.au

Aug 26-28: Drovers Camp Festival, Camooweal. Meet the men and women who play an integral part in Australia’s cattle droving industry and be entertained by a street parade, mail race, auction, old-time dance, bronco branding competition, live country music, poetry competition and plenty more! Details: www.droverscamp.com.au

NSW/ACT

Aug 6-7: Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup, Nimbin. Performers travel from all over to take part in this gruelling poetry marathon. Poets will perform original poems in the heats, culminating in the Grand Final held on Sunday evening. Details: poetryworldcup@gmail.com, www.nimbinpoetry.com

Aug 6-7: The Sydney Knife Show, Rosehill. If knives are your thing, this is your one-stop shop. The show will feature a diverse array of knives, tools and supplies from manufacturers, knifemakers, collectors, dealers and associated industries, as well as knifemaking, bladesmithing and other knife-related demonstrations. Details: www.sydneyknifeshow.com.au

Aug 7: Dungog Dash and Dawdle, Dungog. If you can’t run or dash, you’re more than welcome to dawdle! There will be a half marathon, the 12km dash, the 6km dawdle, and the Pups and Prams event, all to raise money for the local community centre. Details: (02) 4992 1133, www.dscc.net.au

Aug 12-14: Mid North Coast Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish and Boat Show, Wauchope. Featuring over 165 exhibitors, loads of family entertainment, 4WD displays, camp oven cooking, a reptile show, bike show and plenty more to give you your outdoor enthusiast fix. Details: (02) 6769 4132, www.ruralscene.com.au

VIC

Aug 6-8: Falls Creek Sled Dog Classic, Falls Creek. The annual event sees teams of Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Alaskan huskies, and various hounds racing through the village under lights. Together with their mushers, teams compete against each other and the elements. Details: (03) 5758 1200, www.fallscreek.com.au

Aug 1-28: Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest, Walhalla. The historic township is transformed each August through lights, sound and images, in the Swedish tradition of celebrating the winter. Daily light shows operate each evening. Details: (03) 5165 6262, info@visitwalhalla.com

Aug 12-14: Border RV and Camping Expo, Wodonga. Showcasing the latest release caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, 4WDs, offroad vehicles, campervans, tent trailers, fifth wheelers and other recreational and touring vehicles, plus plenty of accessories and camping gear galore! Details: info@ciavic.com.au, www.borderexpo.com.au

Aug 19-21: National 4x4 Outdoors Show, Fishing and Boating Expo, Melbourne. The perfect place for fishermen, boaties and outback tourers to check out the latest and greatest, pick up some tips and maybe some new gear from the more than 200 exhibitors and retailers. Details: www.4x4show.com.au

TAS

Aug 7, 14, 21, 28: Farm Gate Market, Hobart. Every Sunday, a busy city street is transformed into a bustling farmers’ market, with Tasmania’s distinct growing seasons providing an ever-changing array of fresh produce and artisan foods. Details: www.farmgatemarket.com.au

Aug 7 and 21: Bloomin’ Tulips Wynyard Foreshore Markets, Wynyard. The market showcases local food and crafts, with jams, cakes, locally grown produce, second-hand goods, plants, bric-a-brac, and more. Details: (03) 6443 8320, www.facebook.com/BloominTulips

Aug 12-14: TastroFest, Ulverstone. This astronomy festival is designed for all ages and levels, and will feature a variety of lectures, workshops on using different telescopes, classes in taking aurora photos, astrophotography and aurora galleries, Hubble images, and night sky viewing. Details: www.tastrofest.wix.com/tastrofest

Aug 14: Chocolate Winterfest, Latrobe. A celebration of all things chocolate, indulge and immerse yourself in the ‘food of the gods’ – taste, mould, decorate and drink to your heart’s content. Details: www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au

SA

Aug 9-11: A Taste of Eyre Peninsula, Cleve. Soak up the smells and tastes of the Eyre Peninsula, with a focus on fresh local produce. Chefs and producers will prepare light meals, and a variety of gourmet treats, wines and sweets will be on offer to suit all tastebuds. Details: epfarmersmarket@bigpond.com, www.epfarmersmarket.com

Aug 11-14: Adelaide Guitar Festival, Adelaide. Experience performances, free and low-cost workshops, masterclasses, artists’ talks, panel discussions and programs for emerging musicians, all in celebration of the ever-popular guitar! Details: (08) 82 168 600, www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/guitar-festival/

Aug 15-19: Queen of the Desert Festival, Marree. This celebration of the Australian film industry and the many movies which feature the far north of SA provides the perfect opportunity to dress up your 4WD and join the massive street parade, which kicks off at the Marree Hotel and continues all the way to Coober Pedy. Details: (08) 8675 8344, www.queenofthedesertfestival.com.au

Aug 20-21: Strathalbyn Antique Fair, Strathalbyn. Sales, displays and collections will be held across a variety of venues, with live entertainment throughout the fair and a Sunday treasure market. Details: www.slta.asn.au/antique-fair

WA

Aug 21: Ballajura Community Fair, Ballajura. Held by the local Rotary and Lions clubs, the annual fair will feature multicultural displays, a talent show, local school bands, choirs, dance troupes, gymnasts, martial art displays, fairground activities, craft, food and novelty stalls. Details: 0417 988 125, fair@ballajurarotary.info

Aug 24-28: CinefestOZ, Busselton. A massive program of film-related events will take place in WA’s south-west. Visitors can attend red carpet film premieres, cosy sidebar short film selections, film related lunches, free community screenings and industry soirees. Details: info@cinefestoz.com, www.cinefestoz.com

Aug 27: Mullewa Agricultural Show, Mullewa. An array of family-friendly attractions and activities will keep you entertained, including performances by the Monster Truck. Get along to check out the Quick Shear, LiveLighter Mullewa Gift, free sideshow alley rides, baby animals, market stalls and fireworks. Details: (08) 9961 9050, www.mullewashow.com.au

Aug 28: Taste of Chittering, Lower Chittering. Celebrate all things Chittering with an array of wine tasting, market stalls, live entertainment, kids’ activities, food and drinks, plus links to walk trails, drive trails and picnic spots around the shire. Details: (08) 9576 4600, www.chittering.wa.gov.au/discover/taste-of-chittering.aspx

NT

Jul 29-Aug 1: Garma Festival, Gulkula. This vibrant annual celebration of Yolngu culture calls people together for the sharing of knowledge and culture. The event incorporates visual art, ancient storytelling, dance, governance and education. Details: admin@garmafestival.com.au, www.garma.com.au

Jul 29-Aug 1: Desert Harmony Festival - Anyinginyi Manu, Tennant Creek. The Festival offers a diverse program of performances celebrating the Barkly’s Indigenous and multicultural community, covering all genres from music, art, media, film, theatre, dance, spoken word, workshops and bush dinners. Details: festivalmanager@barklyarts.com.au, www.desertharmonyfestival.com

Aug 17-21: Red Centre Bird Festival, Alice Springs. Get to know the NT’s plumed inhabitants through a host of activities at Alice Springs Desert Park. Filled with diverse habitats, the Red Centre is a haven for birds and the event will play host to the Big Bird race, bird walkabouts and some great family-friendly activities. Details: (08) 8951 8788, www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/plan/events.shtml

Aug 25-28: Nixon’s X-ing Campdraft, Katherine. Enjoy a full program of campdrafting and challenge events for riders and horses of all capabilities, held in a well shaded, grassed area that offers great views of the action. Details: 0427 180 027, nixonsdraft@bigpond.com