There are plenty of celebrations across the regions this long weekend. Photo: Thredbo.
The Australia Day long weekend is here and there is plenty to see and do across the break, whether you’re in the mood for food and wine festivals, town celebrations, agricultural shows, live music, racing, or anything in between.
Eurobodalla’s Agricultural Show brings classic ag show events such as the cattle show, cookery judging, vegetable judging, cake competitions and a rodeo, as well as rides, food and coffee vans, dog high jump, vintage cars, sideshows and more.
The Snowies Beer, Wine and Food Festival is the best way to beat the heat this Australia Day long weekend. Enjoy the mountain air with a beer in your hand and a plate of barbecue.
Goulburn celebrates Australia Day with a festival in Victoria Park. Come enjoy performances, games, sports, market stalls and more.
Multiple Days
Pick up your next read at the Braidwood Book Fair. Photo: Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council.
Braidwood Book Fair
When: 23 to 27 January, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: National Theatre, Wallace Street, Braidwood
Cost: Free.
If you’ve been hankering for a new read this Australia Day long weekend but you don’t want to break the bank, head to the Braidwood Book Fair at the National Theatre.
There will be thousands of books on offer for readers of all ages, all categorised for your perusal. There will be an extensive kids’ book section too, as well as a range of DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records and other treasures.
If you’d like to donate some books, contact the fair to arrange delivery beforehand, as donations are not accepted during the fair.
Discover what local brewers and producers have on offer. Photo: Thredbo.
Snowies Beer, Food & Wine Festival
When: 23 January, 6 pm; 24 January, noon to 8 pm; 25 January, 2 to 8 pm
Where: Various locations at Thredbo; see website for more detail
Cost: Free entry; see website for more detail.
The Snowies Beet, Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of great food and drink, with a whole lot to get keen for across three days.
Festivities start with the Welcome Dinner, offering fine food, beer, wine and cocktails in a five-course meal crafted by Thredbo’s head chef.
Then on Saturday, the village square turns into a wonderland for local restaurateurs, winemakers, distillers and brewers. Enjoy it all while listening to great live music.
Sunday is all about brewing and barbecue, with a range of craft beers on offer from local and regional brewers, best eaten with some of the delicious barbecue cooked fresh.
Eurobodalla Agricultural Show is a staple in the local event calendar. Photo: ESC.
Eurobodalla Agricultural Show
When: 23, 24 and 25 January, see schedule for more information
Where: Moruya Showground, Moruya
Cost: Adult tickets $12 | Child tickets $6 | Family tickets $35 | Buy tickets at gate.
Eurobodalla’s Agricultural Show is back, with all the great excitement you’ve come to expect and more.
There will be plenty of agricultural staples to enjoy, such as the cattle show, cookery judging, vegetable judging, cake competitions, as well as horse events on Friday and a rodeo on Saturday night.
In addition, there is plenty of extra entertainment in between, with face painting, a kids area, rides, food and coffee vans, dog high jump, vintage cars to check out, sideshows, stage performances, pavilion booths, show bags and more.
Friday
Blues prodigy Gwyn Ashton comes to Tumut. Photo: Tumut River Brewing Company.
Gwyn Ashton Live at Tumut River Brewing Company
When: 23 January, 7 to 11 pm
Where: Tumut River Brewing Company, 1/5 Capper St, Tumut
Cost: Free entry | RSVP here.
Over a quarter century of performing, Ashton has played in hundreds of clubs and festivals across the world, with a versatile musical style that works for intimate rooms or crowds of thousands.
His musical talent has been honed through the release of 10 albums, which have made waves in the blues scene, garnering him the respect and accolades of many in the genre.
Don’t miss out on this chance to see a world-touring musician performing in your backyard.
Saturday
Delve into the life of a tennis great. Image: Trybooking.
Newk: The John Newcombe Story – At The Twyford
When: Performance on 24 January, 5 to 6:20 pm, dinner and livestream from 6:30 to 10:30 pm
Where: The Twyford, 16 Market Street, Merimbula
Cost: Performance $30 to $50 | Buffet and livestream $35 | Book online.
NEWK follows the life of one of Australia’s greatest tennis players of the 60s and 70s, John Newcombe. Written by Aussie playwright Kieran Carroll, NEWK has been a hit all over NSW and Victoria since debuting in 2019. It’s perfect for tennis fans, following Newcombe’s journey from naive schoolboy to number one player in the world.
With shades of drama and comedy, NEWK portrays the fascinating life of a man trying to reach the top in a changing world, while off-court politics complicates an already difficult profession.
After the play, there will be a buffet dinner and then a live screening of the Australian Open on the theatre’s big screen.
Sunday
Get out and about in the gardens this long weekend. Photo: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens.
Discovery Walk at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens
When: 25 January, 10 am
Where: Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens, Deep Creek Dam Rd, Batemans Bay
Cost: Free.
The Botanic Gardens is opening up its grounds for guided discovery walks on Sunday, inviting curious members of the public to get out and about in the summer sun.
Discoverers for the day will keep their eye out for hopping frogs, colourful birds and assorted wildlife, all while learning about what lives under, in and on the local flora.
Monday
Celebrate Australia Day in Victoria Park. Image: Goulburn Australia, Facebook.
Australia Day Celebrations in Victoria Park, Goulburn
When: 26 January, 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Victoria Park, 124 Faithfull Street, Goulburn
Cost: Free.
Celebrate Australia Day with the whole community at Victoria Park with a whole lot of excitement and things to do across the whole day.
Kick off early with a free barbecue breakfast from 7:30 am and a junior cricket match at Seiffert Oval from 8:30 am. Then market stalls, food trucks and locally made goods stalls will open from 9 am.
It’s a great day for kids, with roller skating from 9 am, as well as basketball games, lawn games, a jumping castle and free face painting.
Then, from 10 am, the official ceremony starts, with local choirs, First Nations performers and awards to recognise exceptional locals from the region.
There’s almost too much on, with entertainment all day, local musicians putting on special performances and car club displays.
A full afternoon of live tunes and good vibes awaits at the Steampacket. Image: Steampacket Hotel, Facebook.
Australia Day at the Steampacket Hotel
When: 26 January, from 1 pm
Where: Steampacket Hotel, 963 Kings Highway, Nelligen
Cost: Free.
The Steampacket Hotel in Nelligen is solidifying its position as the best spot to celebrate Australia Day on the coast with a full evening of live music.
The line-up includes 71 Model Band, a five-piece group from Canberra bringing powerful vocals, classic rock anthems and crowd favourites. While the JJ Spence Trio combines blues, covers and original songs, as well as fingerstyle guitar for a cruisy afternoon.
And don’t miss out on performances later in the day from The Spindrift Saga and Ramstone.
Tuesday
Don’t miss out on world-class racing this week. Photo: Visit NSW.
Goulburn Thoroughbred Racing
When: 27 January, noon to 5 pm
Where: Goulburn Race Club, Racecourse Drive, Goulburn
Cost: Free.
Head to the Goulburn Race Club for a full day of racing excitement, with seven to eight races across the day, full TAB, a bar and canteen and plenty of spiffy outfits in between.
Whether you live for the thrill of the track or you just want an excuse to put on your best frock and have a day out, don’t miss out on thoroughbred racing this Tuesday.
Get the kids out and about this week to play some cricket. Photo: Cricket New South Wales.
Cricket NSW Sydney Thunder Bermagui Holiday Bash
When: 29 January, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Dickinson Oval, Lamont Street, Bermagui
Cost: $49 per participants | Book online.
Cricket NSW hosts Sydney Thunder Holiday Bash for kids from five to 10 years old. This is a great introduction to cricket for new and inexperienced kids who want to try their hand at Australia’s game in a no stress environment. No equipment or prior knowledge is required.
