25 March 2025
17 mins Read
April is always a welcome time of the year for me – the last of summer’s heat has been sucked up by autumn’s arrival and I can finally retrieve the knitted cardigans and fluffy slippers from the back of my wardrobe. I truly love when the days start getting a little shorter, the air a little crisper, the coffee a little warmer. But the ability to get out of bed in the morning? That starts getting A LOT harder.
If you can relate, don’t stress. After consultating Australia’s annual events calendar, I’ve collated an incredible line-up of events across the country that will have you jumping out of bed like Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Shall we?
NSW | Vic | Qld | Tas | WA | SA | NT | ACT
Delight in the seasonal flavours of regional Orange.
Orange Food Week is packed with as much flavour as the regional NSW town can manage in 10 days, with nearly 50 events showcasing the region’s best seasonal produce and cool-climate wines. The theme for 2025 is Elevate Your Plate, brought to life with languid long lunches, hands-on masterclasses, guided tours and exclusive wine tastings. The program’s purpose is to highlight the importance of sustainable farming, all while spotlighting locally sourced produce, too.
Ride the Scenic Railway as the sun sets across the mountains. (Image: Scenic World)
As daylight fades quicker and temperatures begin to drop, Scenic World extends its hours for Nocturnal. On select days across two months, the Scenic Railway, Cableway and Skyway stay open after dark, allowing guests to experience the Blue Mountains like never before. Down on the forest floor, the Scenic Walkway also comes alive with holograms, light installations and ambient soundscapes that will enchant the whole family. Tickets are available to book now, starting at $54.90 for adults and $40.90 for children.
Sip your way around the world at Sydney’s Maybe Cocktail Festival.
For one week this month, the Maybe Cocktail Festival is bringing some of the world’s finest mixologists to Australian shores. With 20 international bars – seven of which appeared on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list – taking up residency across the city, Sydney’s bar scene is set to explode. London’s Connaught Bar will call Dean & Nancy’s on 22 home, while Seoul’s Zest will be at Prefecture 48 and Cochinchina out of Beunos Aires at Maybe Sammy, plus so much more. We’ll cheers to that!
Savour the flavour of Newcastle through 70 feature events.
Back for its fifth rendition, Newcastle Food Month will blow your tastebuds out of the water by bringing forth the creative talent of Newcastle’s burgeoning culinary scene.The month-long event boasts a plentiful program inclusive of all foodies, from tastings with local winemakers and dinners at hatted restaurants to expert-guided masterclasses and high teas with all the trimmings. With 70 feature events and 80 participating venues, hungry bellies are sure to be satiated.
The Royal Easter Show is the perfect family day out. (Image: Destination NSW)
Held annually at Sydney Olympic Park, the Royal Easter Show is a highlight on the calendars of Sydneysiders. Beginning in 1823, its a true celebration of Australian culture, from rural traditions to modern-day fun. With a specific focus on agricultural programs, competitions, education and youth, The Easter Show is the perfect family day out. Step right up for hands-on animal experiences, entertainment, food stalls, rides, showbags and more.
The inaugural Handa Opera at Millthorpe is bringing the titular world-class music genre to the Central West this Easter long weekend. The three-day festival will feature a mix of open rehearsals, concerts and recitals, as well as in-conversations with some of opera’s finest singers and musicians. Fill in the gaps with a visit to nearby Orange – with plenty of fun things to see and do, it’s the perfect place to pass time between events.
Cheers to the long weekend at the Griffith Easter Party.
Another regional community celebrating Easter this month is Griffith, which paints the streets pastel for its annual Easter Party. Across four days, locals and visitors alike are invited to enjoy everything from local markets and live music to family-friendly picnics and Easter egg hunts. It also align with the end of the region’s grape vintage, so be sure to pop by the surrounding cellar doors to get a taste.
Join the laughs at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
The lights of the Victorian capital shine a little bit brighter when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival takes over the city each year. Regarded as one of Melbourne’s most-loved events, everyone gets a good dose of laughter as comedians hit 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 the satirical, including Joel Creasey, Elaine Crombie, Tommy Little, Luke McGregor, Urzila Carlson and more.
Watch the trees change colour in Macedon.
There’s more to autumn in Macedon than its famous oak-lined Honour Ave and heritage gardens of Mt Macedon, and it can be found at the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. Explore the cosy program as changing colours wash the landscape marmalade, from farmers’ markets that celebrate the season’s bounty to guided walking tours through the town’s historic streets. With so much to see and do, it’s got to be up there with some of the best autumn festivals around Australia.
Run through the historic CBD of Ballarat.
Break your PB at the Ballarat Marathon this April as it returns to the historic town for a second year running. This two-day event is designed to celebrate Ballarat’s rich sporting and cultural history, as well as encourage the community to come together and #RunTheRat. There are plenty of races to choose from, ranging in length and difficulty. From five kilometres through the CBD to a full marathon that soaks up the sights of the region, there’s something for all abilities!
Meet over 175 independent makers and shakers leading market stalls.
The biggest Makers & Shakers Market to date arrives in Melbourne this month, with a record-breaking 175 independent crafters and designers setting up shop in Carlton’s Royal Exhibition Building. Browse stalls touting 100-per-cent Australian made products, including everything from fashion and food to homewares and artwork. There will also be creative workshops to participate in, vinyl DJ-sets to listen to and a live mural painting to watch.
Sample a variety of wines from across the Pyrenees.
Discover one of Victoria’s hidden wine regions at the Pyrenees Unearthed Festival, where talent winemakers come together to showcase their award-winning tipples along the scenic Avoca River Flat. Guests can also indulge in top-notch regional produce across more than 35 market stalls, as well as live music and even a wine auction. Whether you’re a fan of rich sparkling, bold reds or crisp whites – all oenophiles are catered for.
Sample beers from over 100 local and international breweries.
The Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) is a hop head’s dream – a two-day festival showcasing the best beers from across the country. Over 100 breweries and distilleries are bringing 120 exclusive brews to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, from peanut butter stouts to sour gummy bear IPAs. There will also be live music, circus acts, gourmet food trucks, competitions, masterclasses and more to keep you entertained between sips.
Catch one of Wes Anderson’s classic films this month.
Welcome the cooler weather the right way at one of Australia’s best natural spa baths. Peninsula Hot Springs is hosting its Bathe In Cinema, where guests can relax in its geothermal waters while catching a feature flick. This year’s program centres around eccentric American filmmaker Wes Anderson, with movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of the Dogs and Moonrise Kingdom all screening over the month of April.
See Wedgwood at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. (Image: Townsville City Council)
In an Australian first, a carefully curated collection of Wedgwood ceramics will feature at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in Townsville, North Queensland’s capital of culture. On loan from London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry is an exclusive exhibition featuring over 100 objects. It details more than 200 years of history and creativity behind the fine china, porcelain and luxury accessories manufacturer from the UK.
See the best of Brissy by bike. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
To close out the Brisbane Cycling Festival, the Tour de Brisbane is your last opportunity to grab a helmet and hit the pedals. For one day only, over 110 kilometres of roadways are closed across the city, with all levels of ability welcome to join. There are a variety of different courses to participate in, from competitive courses for keen cyclists to relaxed Sunday rides for teams. With so many K’s to cover, this epic ride is one of the coolest ways to experience Brisbane.
Don’t miss the amazing annual lantern parade.
Yes – you can even welcome autumn’s arrival in Outback Queensland – the Outback River Lights Festival just puts its own spin on it. This annual three-day event in Cunnamulla celebrates the spirit of community and local outback life with everything from workshops and competitions to live performances and cultural experiences. Whether you dine under the stars at a long-table dinner, join a bush tucker cooking class, take a fire-twirling workshop or simply admire fireworks over the Warrego River – you’re in for an autumnal treat.
The aptly named Rockynats car festival is returning to Rockhampton this year, and its shaping up to be the best yet. Known as Queensland’s largest car and bike festival, its the perfect place for rev heads to get together and burn some rubber. This year’s red-hot program offers plenty of high-octance thrills, from burnout comps and street drags to big truck displays and live music shows.
Dive into the Cooly Classic on the Gold Coast.
Dive into the Cooly Classic this April, where aquanauts from across Australia take to the waves at some of the Gold Coast’s best beaches to compete. Everyone is welcome to choose from four different distances that cater to all abilities – one, two, three and five kilometres. It’s a great opportunity for one last swim before autumn well and truly arrives, with plenty of prizes to be won.
Taste the best of Tassie with TrailGraze. (Image: Jasper Da Seymour)
Many food festivals pale in comparison to TrailGraze. Following along Tassie’s iconic Tasting Trail in its stunning north-west region, the three-day feast is a celebration of the state’s unique food bowl. It offers locals and tourists alike the opportunity to truly taste Tasmania, from wine and cheese to seafood and confectionery. The program also includes behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive events, family-friendly activities and a one-night-only dinner with some very special guests.
Known as Tasmania’s biggest festival of sustainability, Ecofest is returning to Camp Clayton in Ulverstone this year to celebrate all things green. Established by the North West Environment Centre, the festival is now in its ninth year. And in 2025, it will run across two days for the first time ever, with market stalls, food trucks, workshops and more. This year’s theme is Random Acts of gREen, which encourages attendees to REthink REsources and inspire REmarkable changes.
The harvest festival is held on a stunning organic hazelnut farm.
Named after John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s imaginary country from the ’70s, Nutopia is a local harvest festival at an organic hazelnut orchard and dreamy farmstay. The 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 under the stars.
Bookworms will love Hobart’s Litfest.
To celebrate Hobart‘s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature, Litfest is spotlighting Tasmania’s finest writers this month at the Salamanca Arts Centre. Bookworms will be dog-earing the program left, right and centre, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops and intimate readings all promised. Don’t miss local authors and publishers at the Independent Book Fair, where you may just find your next favourite read.
Don’t miss the iconic Abrolhos Long Table Lunch. (Image: West Beach Studio)
All roads lead to Geraldton this April 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 is just as important as the produce, with everything from the crayfish to the cocktails produced in the region. This year’s program is jam-packed with events. Think farm tours, cook-offs, seafood markets and the iconic Abrolhos Long Table Lunch, a rare dining experience on East Wallabi Island.
Gain insight into WA’s rich history at Boola Bardip. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@aeroture_au)
To pay respect to its past, the Boorloo Heritage Festival is back for another year of history-fuelled fun across the city. Throughout the month, a variety of events will celebrate the built, natural and cultural heritage of the WA capital, from exhibitions, talks and performances to workshops, walks and tours. Each event will unfold at one of Perth’s iconic landmarks, including Kings Park, the State Library of WA and WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Experience the magic of Ningaloo at Jamba Nyinayi Festival.
In the Baiyungu language of Nyinggulu Country, jamba nyinayi means ‘sit for a while’, and that’s exactly what you’re invited to do at the eponymous festival on WA’s colourful coast. Connect with others at fire-side sessions by the sea. Camp out under the stars. Participate in myriad meaningful cultural experiences. All at the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation’s Cardabia Station, where the magic of Ningaloo is never far from sight.
Experience intimate shows from local artists. (Image: Mikaela Frick Photography)
On South Australia’s stunning Eyre Peninsula, ideas, innovation and art are all celebrated annually at SALT Festival. Since its inauguration in 2017, it has become a platform for artists and creators to come together, share opinions and make connections. The 2025 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 everyone at SALT.
Experience an AFL game at Adelaide Oval. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Footy fans love Gather Round, one of the biggest events on Adelaide‘s annual sporting calendar. Held across the Easter long weekend, nine games of AFL between 18 teams unfold across the capital, including at the iconic Adelaide Oval. Guests can also check out the Maccas Footy Festival – a hub of food, entertainment and free activities. Whether you’re a St Kilda supporter or Essendon enthusiast, you’re in for a crackin’ good time.
Attendees can look forward to seeing Aussie favourite Costa Georgiadis.
One of the best things about autumn is watching our natural landscape transform – which is why the SA Autumn Garden Festival is such a hit every year. Known as South Australia’s first-ever gardening festival, it welcomes green thumbs of all abilities to learn about garden care in the cooler months. This year, master the art of growing irises, join a backyard bee-keeping demo, take part in a fermentation workshop, and even hear from Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis!
Parrtjima is the only festival of its kind in Australia. (Image: Parrtjima)
The only Aboriginal festival of its kind, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Arrente Country this year. A must on Alice Springs/Mparntwe‘s autumnal calendar, the free 10-night festival is set to blow its guests out of the water with nightly projections against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. A few 2025 program highlights include the Buy Blak Market, a meandering six-metre-high puppet and the first open-air performance by Darwin Symphony Orchestra.
Experience authentic Thai culture in the heart of the NT this April at the Thailand Grand Festival. This free festival is all about sharing traditional Thai 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, street parade and Som Tam show.
It will be the first time the exhibition visits the NT. (Image: AGNSW/Penny Clay)
Art enthusiasts should beeline for The Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs to catch the touring exhibition for 2024’s Archibald Prize. It’s a history-making moment for the Northern Territory, marking the first time the collection of acclaimed artworks has visited the state. Territorians will have the opportunity to see all of the finalist pieces from 2024, including the winner, a portrait of author and conservationist Tim Winton by Laura Jones.
Ethel Carrick, installation view, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, 2024
As part of a global movement aimed at increasing women’s representation in art, the National Gallery of Australia’s Know My Name project spotlights Australian female artists and their contributions to the country’s cultural fabric. Under the initiative, Ethel Carrick | Anne Dangar presents 140 individually distinct yet simultaneously remarkable works of art by both women, casting new light over their lives and legacies. See the remarkable exhibition before it ends this month.
Music, culture and good times all combine across five days. (Image: VisitCanberra)
Music, culture and good times all combine at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. The five-day concert brings together members of the 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.
Honour ANZACs at the Australian War Memorial. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Gather at the Australian War Memorial this 25 April to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings and honour those who served. 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. Tickets are not required, however, they are needed to enter the galleries and attend the Last Post Ceremony.
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