What's on across Australia
Major Australian events, and how to get there by bus.
One hundred of the country's biggest events, organised by month: festivals, royal shows, races and food weekends. Pick an event and we'll help you plan the coach trip there. Dates follow each event's typical pattern, so confirm exact dates on the official site before you book travel.
100 events
September
NowFreeQLDCairns, QLDCairns FestivalLate August to early September (approx. 10 days)Community EventHow to get there →
WABroome, WAShinju Matsuri (Festival of the Pearl)Nine days in late August to early SeptemberCultural FestivalHow to get there →
NSWSydney, NSWSydney MarathonOne Sunday in late August to mid-SeptemberSportHow to get there →
QLDBrisbane, QLDBrisbane FestivalFirst three weeks of September, closing with RiverfireArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
FreeWAPerth, WAKings Park FestivalThroughout September (month-long)Family FestivalHow to get there →
QLDBirdsville, QLDBirdsville RacesFirst weekend of September (Friday and Saturday)SportHow to get there →
SAAdelaide, SARoyal Adelaide ShowNine days in early SeptemberAgricultural ShowHow to get there →
FreeACTCanberra, ACTFloriadeMid-September to mid-October (approx. 30 days)Major EventHow to get there →
NSWBowral, NSWTulip Time BowralMid-September to early October (approx. 2 weeks)Regional TourismHow to get there →
WAPerth, WAPerth Royal ShowApprox. 8 days in late September (WA school holidays)Agricultural ShowHow to get there →
QLDWinton, QLDWinton's Outback FestivalLate September in odd-numbered years (5 days)Regional TourismHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICRoyal Melbourne ShowLast week of September into early October (11 days)Agricultural ShowHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICAFL Grand FinalLast Saturday of September (typically)SportHow to get there →
October
NSWSydney, NSWNRL Grand FinalFirst Sunday of October (typically)SportHow to get there →
NSWDeniliquin, NSWDeni Ute MusterNSW October long weekend (Friday and Saturday, early October)Regional TourismHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICMelbourne FringeEarly-to-mid October (approx. 18 days)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
NSWBathurst, NSWRepco Bathurst 1000Second weekend of October (4 days, race on Sunday)SportHow to get there →
QLDNoosa Heads, QLDNoosa Triathlon Multi Sport FestivalLate October to early November (5 days, race on Sunday)SportHow to get there →
SAAdelaide, SAOzAsia FestivalLate October to early November (approx. 2.5 weeks)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
TASHobart, TASRoyal Hobart ShowThree to four days in late October, including Hobart Show Day (Thursday)Agricultural ShowHow to get there →
FreeNSWSydney, NSWSculpture by the Sea, BondiLate October to early November (approx. 3 weeks)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
QLDGold Coast, QLDGold Coast 500Last weekend of October (3 days)SportHow to get there →
November
December
VICMeredith, VICMeredith Music FestivalSecond weekend of December (3 days)MusicHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICBoxing Day Test26-30 DecemberSportHow to get there →
FreeNSWSydney, NSWRolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (start)26 December (Boxing Day) annuallySportHow to get there →
TASHobart, TASTaste of Summer27/28 December to 3 January (7-8 days)Food & WineHow to get there →
QLDWoodford, QLDWoodford Folk Festival27 December to 1 January (6 days)MusicHow to get there →
NSWSydney, NSWSydney New Year's Eve31 December annually (9pm and midnight fireworks)Major EventHow to get there →
January
NSWSydney, NSWSydney FestivalFirst three weeks of JanuaryArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
ACTCanberra, ACTSummernatsFirst weekend of January (4 days)Major EventHow to get there →
NSWParkes, NSWParkes Elvis FestivalSecond week of January (5 days, around Elvis's 8 January birthday)MusicHow to get there →
TASCygnet, TASCygnet Folk FestivalSecond weekend of January (3 days)MusicHow to get there →
QLDGold Coast, QLDMagic Millions CarnivalEarly-to-mid January (sales week plus race day on the second Saturday)SportHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICAustralian Open (tennis)Two weeks in mid-to-late January (finals on final Sunday)SportHow to get there →
WAPerth, WAFringe World PerthMid-January to mid-February (approx. 4 weeks)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICMidsumma FestivalMid-January to early February (3 weeks); Carnival on a mid-January SundayCultural FestivalHow to get there →
FreeSAAdelaide + regional SA, SASantos Tour Down UnderApprox. 8 days in mid-to-late JanuarySportHow to get there →
NSWTamworth, NSWTamworth Country Music FestivalTen days in mid-to-late JanuaryMusicHow to get there →
FreeWAPerth, WACity of Perth Australia Day Skyworks26 January annuallyMajor EventHow to get there →
FreeNSWSydney, NSWYabun Festival26 January annuallyIndigenous CultureHow to get there →
February
NSWSydney, NSWSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi GrasMid-February to early March; parade on first Saturday of MarchMajor EventHow to get there →
TASLaunceston, TASFestivaleSecond weekend of February (3 days)Food & WineHow to get there →
SAAdelaide, SAAdelaide FringeMid-February to mid-March (31 days)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
WAPerth, WAPerth FestivalMid-February to early March (approx. 3 weeks)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
FreeACTCanberra, ACTNational Multicultural FestivalThird weekend of February (3 days)Cultural FestivalHow to get there →
FreeACTCanberra, ACTEnlighten FestivalLate February to mid-March (approx. 2.5 weeks, including the Balloon Spectacular)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
ACTCanberra, ACTRoyal Canberra ShowLast weekend of February (3 days)Agricultural ShowHow to get there →
March
SAAdelaide, SAAdelaide FestivalApprox. 17 days across the first half of MarchArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
FreeWAPerth, WASculpture by the Sea, CottesloeFirst three weeks of MarchArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
FreeVICMelbourne, VICMoomba FestivalLabour Day long weekend, early-to-mid March (4 days)Family FestivalHow to get there →
SAAdelaide, SAWOMADelaideFour days over the Adelaide Cup long weekend (second Monday of March)MusicHow to get there →
FreeVICBallarat, VICBallarat Begonia FestivalLabour Day long weekend, March (3 days)Family FestivalHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICFormula 1 Australian Grand PrixFour days in mid-MarchSportHow to get there →
VICPort Fairy, VICPort Fairy Folk FestivalLabour Day long weekend, March (4 days)MusicHow to get there →
TASStatewide Tasmania, TASTen Days on the IslandTen days in March, odd-numbered yearsArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
FreeWAMandurah, WAMandurah Crab FestThird weekend of March (2 days)Food & WineHow to get there →
VICMelbourne + regional VIC, VICMelbourne Food & Wine FestivalTen days in late MarchFood & WineHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICMelbourne International Comedy FestivalLate March to mid-April (approx. 3.5 weeks)Arts & LiteratureHow to get there →
NSWSydney, NSWSydney Royal Easter ShowApprox. 12 days spanning Easter (late March to mid-April)Agricultural ShowHow to get there →
FreeVICBendigo, VICBendigo Easter FestivalEaster weekend (4 days)Cultural FestivalHow to get there →
NSWByron Bay, NSWByron Bay BluesfestEaster long weekend (5 days, Thursday to Monday)MusicHow to get there →
ACTCanberra, ACTNational Folk FestivalEaster long weekend (5 days)MusicHow to get there →
SAOakbank, Adelaide Hills, SAOakbank Easter Racing CarnivalEaster Saturday and Easter MondaySportHow to get there →
April
NSWOrange, NSWOrange F.O.O.D WeekTen days in early-to-mid AprilFood & WineHow to get there →
FreeNTAlice Springs (Mparntwe), NTParrtjima - A Festival in LightTen nights in AprilIndigenous CultureHow to get there →
FreeVICTorquay, VICRip Curl Pro Bells BeachCompetition window spanning Easter, typically mid-to-late AprilSportHow to get there →
FreeTASStatewide Tasmania, TASTarga TasmaniaSix days in AprilSportHow to get there →
FreeWAMargaret River, WAWestern Australia Margaret River ProCompetition window of approx. 10 days in mid-to-late AprilSportHow to get there →
SABarossa Valley (Tanunda), SABarossa Vintage FestivalApprox. 5 days in late April, odd-numbered yearsFood & WineHow to get there →
VICBright, VICBright Autumn FestivalLate April to early May (10 days)Regional TourismHow to get there →
SAAdelaide + SA regions, SATasting AustraliaTen days from late April to early MayFood & WineHow to get there →
May
NSWPokolbin, Hunter Valley, NSWHunter Valley Wine and Food FestivalThroughout May and JuneFood & WineHow to get there →
TASCarrick, TASAgfestFirst week of May (Thursday to Saturday)Agricultural ShowHow to get there →
VICHalls Gap, VICGrampians Grape EscapeFirst weekend of May (2 days)Food & WineHow to get there →
WAKununurra, WAOrd Valley MusterTen days in mid-to-late MayRegional TourismHow to get there →
QLDBrisbane, QLDPaniyiri Greek FestivalThird weekend of May (2 days)Cultural FestivalHow to get there →
NSWSydney, NSWSydney Writers' FestivalOne week in late MayArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
NSWSydney, NSWVivid SydneyLate May to mid-June (23 nights)Major EventHow to get there →
June
FreeQLDCoolangatta, QLDCooly Rocks OnFive days in early-to-mid JuneMusicHow to get there →
VICMelbourne, VICRISINGApprox. 12 days in early-to-mid JuneArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
SAAdelaide, SAAdelaide Cabaret FestivalApprox. 2 weeks in JuneArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
NTBarunga, NTBarunga FestivalKing's Birthday long weekend, June (3 days)Indigenous CultureHow to get there →
TASHobart, TASDark MofoApprox. 2 weeks in mid-June, around the winter solsticeArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
NTAlice Springs, NTFinke Desert RaceKing's Birthday long weekend, June (4 days)SportHow to get there →
WAManjimup, WATruffle KerfuffleLast weekend of June (3 days)Food & WineHow to get there →
July
QLDGold Coast, QLDGold Coast MarathonFirst weekend of July (2 days)SportHow to get there →
NTDarwin, NTDarwin Cup CarnivalJuly racing carnival culminating in Darwin Cup Day, first Monday of AugustSportHow to get there →
QLDCairns, QLDCairns Indigenous Art FairFour to five days in mid-JulyIndigenous CultureHow to get there →
FreeNTDarwin, NTDarwin Beer Can RegattaOne Sunday in mid-JulyCommunity EventHow to get there →
August
VICMelbourne, VICMelbourne International Film FestivalFirst three weeks of AugustArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
FreeWANortham to Perth, WAAvon DescentFirst weekend of August (2 days)SportHow to get there →
NTDarwin, NTDarwin Festival18 days in early-to-mid AugustArts & LiteratureHow to get there →
NTGulkula, northeast Arnhem Land, NTGarma FestivalFour days in early AugustIndigenous CultureHow to get there →
NSWSydney, NSWCity2SurfSecond Sunday of AugustSportHow to get there →
QLDBrisbane, QLDRoyal Queensland Show (Ekka)Nine to ten days in early-to-mid August; People's Day on the second WednesdayAgricultural ShowHow to get there →
QLDAirlie Beach, QLDAirlie Beach Race WeekOne week in mid-AugustSportHow to get there →
NTAlice Springs, NTHenley-on-Todd RegattaThird Saturday of AugustCommunity EventHow to get there →
QLDAmamoor, near Gympie, QLDGympie Music MusterLast weekend of August (4 days)MusicHow to get there →