Events for February 2017

QUEENSLAND

AUSTRALIAN SAND SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Feb 5-28

Watch artisans carve a sand trail of large DreamWorks characters across the Gold Coast amid related events and exhibitions.

Sand Safari, Surfers Paradise, (07) 5584 3700, www.surfersparadise.com

MORETON BAY CARAVAN, CAMPING, BOATING AND 4X4 EXPO

Feb 17-19

Check out some of Australia’s best camper trailers, caravans and boats with plenty of travel, camping and 4WDing accessories and advice on show!

Redcliffe Showgrounds, www.bayexpo.com.au

CHINCHILLA MELON FESTIVAL

Feb 16-19

Join in or cheer on competitors partaking in the finale of the Gatorade Queensland Triathlon Series at Raby Bay, Cleveland, where all levels of experience are welcome!

Raby Bay, www.qldtriseries.com.au

NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT

NEWCASTLE CARAVAN, CAMPING AND HOLIDAY EXPO

Feb 9-12

Browse more than 180 caravan, 4WD and camper trailer-related exhibits with RVs, camping equipment, tents and top destinations on display.

Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Showgrounds, www.caravan-camping.com.au

AUSTRALIAN BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL

Feb 11-14

Catch the Foreday Riders, Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones and more at one of 10 venues, ahead of the Australian Blues Music Awards, plus markets, an open mike and a buskers’ competition.

Goulburn, NSW, www.australianbluesmusicfestival.com.au

KING OF THE RANGES STOCKMAN’S CHALLENGE AND BUSH FESTIVAL

Feb 23-26

Watch Australian stockpeople showcase traditional skills still employed today and enjoy a camp over dinner, family bush dance and other bush festival events.

Murrurundi, www.kingoftheranges.com.au

LANDMARK CLASSIC CAMPDRAFT AND SALE

Feb 4-12

Brush shoulders with some of Australia’s farming and racing elite as thoroughbreds and prime cattle exchange hands ahead of camp-drafting action at Landmark’s celebratory 10 year event.

Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC), Tamworth, www.landmarkequine.com.au

VICTORIA

PORT FAIRY JAZZ FESTIVAL

Feb 10-12

The beautiful, Georgian-period town of Port Fairy will be a jam of jazz genres this February for this inaugural event that’s already clocked up a line-up of more than 100 individual artists and bands.

Port Fairy, www.portfairyjazz.com.au

TYRENDARRA AGRICULTURAL SHOW

Feb 11

Celebrate 100 years of show tradition with livestock, a Car Show and Shine, vintage tractor and motor display, craft, cooking and vegetable growing competitions plus more for the whole family.

Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve, Tyrendarra, www.tyrendarraagriculturalshow.com.au

2017 VICTORIAN CARAVAN, CAMPING AND TOURING SUPER SHOW

Feb 22-27

Nab a bargain as local RV manufacturers and retailers inundate the Melbourne Showgrounds for a touring bonanza; with family action, destinations, travel seminars and cooking demonstrations.

Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale, www.caravanshow.com.au

HEYWOOD WOOD, WINE AND ROSES FESTIVAL

Feb 25

Watch the ever-popular mower racing, wood chop Australian Championships, Highland Dancing State Championships with art and craft, dirt bikes, wine and cheese tasting, and rides and a parade.

Heywood, wwr@woodwineroses.com www.woodwineroses.com

TASMANIA

TARGA NORTH WEST

Feb 18

Rookies developing a taste for Targa will reach greater heights as the sport’s legendary stage expands to encompass spectacular north-west roads as part of the former Targa Hellyer Gorge.

Burnie, www.targa.com.au

THE ROYAL HOBART REGATTA

Feb 11-13

Watch clubs and schools compete, browse food and wine stalls and enjoy music, sideshow rides, wood chopping competitions, aircraft and water displays with jet skis, power boats and yachts.

Hobart, www.royalhobartregatta.com

PARTY IN THE PADDOCK

Feb 10-12

Pull up a hay bale and party under the open summer sky to a line-up of top emerging independent Aussie musicians over one day and two nights, with camping included onsite at this BYO event.

Burns Creek, www.partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au

KOONYA GARLIC FESTIVAL

Feb 27

Sample fine Tasmanian garlic at various gourmet food and beverage stalls, enter garlic bulb competitions, with garlic talks, and classes for making delicious garlic-infused dishes.

Koonya, cbadcoe@gmail.com, www.koonyagarlicfestival.com

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2017 AUSTRALIAN OPEN WATER SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Feb 10-12

Enjoy high seas hijinks as swimmers compete in the open ocean at this annual Swimming Australia event, where spectators can witness the action on Adelaide’s beautiful suburban beaches.

Adelaide, www.swimming.org.au

LET’S GO CARAVAN & CAMPING LIFESTYLE SHOW

Feb 15-19

Browse hundreds of stalls for the latest in caravanning and camping gear, touring destinations, and 4WD accessories at this entertaining family-friendly event.

Wayville Showgrounds, www.caravanandcampingsa.com.au

ANGASTON SHOW

Feb 25

Saddle up as the rural SA community of Angaston celebrates 120 years of country fair traditions, plus a three-day program of equine action with harness, show hack and show-jumping events.

Angaston, www.angastonshow.org.au

SEALINK KANGAROO ISLAND CUP CARNIVAL

Feb 16-17

Expect Coopers beer, Kangaroo Island wine, fine fashion, top quality racing and a great country atmosphere during this cup day event set on a spectacular Island setting.

Kangaroo Island, (08) 8537 0605, www.kiracingclub.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

FRINGE WORLD FESTIVAL

Jan 20-Feb 19

Fringe World Festival is a summer celebration in Perth, Western Australia held annually over 31 days in January and February.

Perth, www.fringeworld.com.au

PERTH INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

Feb 10-Mar 5

Experience excellent international and contemporary theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts and literature at a veritable feast of cutting-edge performances and activities.

Perth, boxoffice@perthfestival.com.au www.perthfestival.com.au

SOUTH WEST CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

Feb 13

South-west breweries host celebrations with local produce, music and, of course, beer. Sample the region’s finest brews from the traditional to the creative while listening to local live music.

Busselton, www.swbeerfest.com.au

BOYUP BROOK COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Feb 16-19

Scoot your boots as Lee Kernaghan heads the three-day event when country music royalty descend upon the West Australian Country Music Awards, with a carnival, ute and truck muster.

Boyup Brook, (08) 9765 1657, www.countrymusicwa.com.au

NORTHERN TERRITORY

IMPARJA CUP, ALICE SPRINGS

Feb 6-13

Incorporating the National Indigenous Championships, the Imparja Cup is Australia’s annual National Indigenous Cricket Carnival, celebrating cricket and Indigenous culture.

Alice Springs, www.ntcricket.com.au/events/imparja-cup

75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF DARWIN

Feb 19

Mark this important anniversary and honour those who lost their lives and who fought to defend the border, with USS Peary Gun Site Memorial Service at 8.15 and a commemorative service and 9.30.

Darwin, The Esplanade Park, www.frontlineaustralia.com.au

CHUNG WAH SOCIETY CHINESE NEW YEAR

Jan 28-Feb 10

The Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe takes to the streets as Chung Wah Society kicks off the Year of the Rooster with a parade plus more New Year celebrations to follow.

Darwin, www.chungwahnt.asn.au