Australians love to celebrate and we have our own unique way of doing it. Some events showcase our scenery, others revolve around our sporting passions and quite a few demonstrate our self-mocking sense of humour. We also have many Aboriginal festivals, celebrating both timeless traditions and contemporary practices. Join a 4WD adventure bash, dig for diamonds or swim across Lake Argyle at the Ord Valley Muster in East Kimberley. Connect with the Aboriginal culture of Arnhem Land at the Garma Festival or head to the global gathering of Queensland’s Dreaming Festival. Experience the wacky side of the Australian outback at the Darwin Beer Can Regatta, the Camel Cup and the Henley-on-Todd – a sailing regatta on a dry river bed.
Celebrations are a part of the Australian culture, which might explain why we have so many rich and rare events. Some showcase our gorgeous scenery, others celebrate our sporting passions. Some commemorate our cultural roots, and more than a few demonstrate our self-mocking sense of humour. Dress up for the nation-stopping Melbourne Cup or get your spot on Sydney Harbour for the Australia Day celebrations. Learn More
On the last Sunday in August, Alice Springs holds a sailing and rowing regatta on a dry river bed.
The outback makes you bonkers. How else can you explain the Henley-on-Todd – an annual sailing and rowing regatta held on a dry river bed in Alice Springs? Learn More
Discover it the same way Aboriginal Australians have passed it down for at least 50,000 years - through art, dance, myths, music and the land itself. See Aboriginal art and contemporary dance in the cities. Learn More
Enjoy crazy festival antics on Adelaide’s clean streets.
There’s a reason Adelaide is called Australia’s festival city. These spacious boulevards and lush gardens play host to a non-stop calendar of fun. Learn More
Australia may be secular nation, but religious fervour is the only way to describe the mood at a game of Australian rules football – or AFL – in Melbourne. Here in the sport’s birthplace, players are local heroes and teams command a tribal following. But Melbournians aren’t the only ones who are nuts about this athletic and balletic game with the oval ball. Learn More
Sydney always loves a party, and few are as big and exuberant as Australia Day on January 26. Flag-waving crowds spill across the city, converging around iconic Sydney Harbour for an action-packed program of events. Honour Sydney’s traditional owners at an Aboriginal ceremony in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Cheer as tall ships, small ferries, yachts and even surfboards race across the harbour. Learn More
From ancient traditions to more contemporary practices, Australia’s Aboriginal people celebrate and share their culture at many colourful festivals. Learn about the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land at the vibrant Garma Festival or head to Cape York Peninsula for the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival. Learn More
