Nine things to do in the regions this week (11 – 17 October)

Spring has well and truly sprung with communities across the regions looking to have some fun out of the house. Our top picks feature events that will inspire your creativity, bring people together for the 200th anniversary of a long journey and give you a chance to snap up something for the special ones in your life. Let’s get into them!

Multiple days

Tulip Top Gardens

When: 13 September to 13 October 9 am to 5 pm (last entry is at 4:15 pm)
Where: 20 Old Federal Highway, Sutton
Cost: Tickets cost $20 (for concession holders) and $22 (for adults), while children 16 and under have free entry (only purchased at the gate).

After a month of seeing the flowers grow, it is almost time for the garden gates to be closed for another year. There is just a few days left where the public can see the blooming flowers. Well-behaved dogs are allowed, as long as your furry friends are kept on a lead.

Nyinggulu: Where the Desert Meets the Sea exhibition

When: 11 October to 31 October, 10 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Frame and Brush, 4/28 Lamont Street, Bermagui
Cost: Free entry.

Australian artist Nicole Grimm-Hewitt’s latest collection was inspired by the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia – but South Coast audiences won’t need to travel to see her work. This exhibition, held in Bermagui, looks at the land and sea of the reef. It will open on Friday evening (from 5 pm to 7 pm), with drinks and light refreshments on offer.

Escape ARTfest

When: 11 October to 13 October, at various times
Where: Events at various locations; see program of events and list of workshops
Cost: Depends on event; see program of events and list of workshops.

Escape ARTfest, also known as ARTfest, is an annual celebration of the creativity of the southern Shoalhaven region. Artists of all kinds have come together for the three-day schedule which spans visual arts, music, theatre, dance, film and literature. Festivalgoers can get creative in a range of exhibitions, workshops, live performances and public art installations across Milton, Ulladulla and surrounding villages.

Saturday

Mikelangelo performance

When: 12 October, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Tyger Gallery, 84 Comur Street, Yass
Cost: Tickets cost $35 (plus fee), available via Humanitix.

Tyger Gallery will host a solo performance by Australian musician Mikelangelo on Saturday. He will perform his Lost Recordings album in full. The show will also feature older favourites, new songs and reimagined covers.

Signor Baffo

When: 12 October, 11 am to 12 pm
Where: Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, 163 Auburn Street, Goulburn
Cost: Tickets cost $28 (plus booking fee), available via the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre’s website.

Get the kids out from under your feet and pop them in the kitchen – Signor Baffo’s kitchen. In this interactive show, Signor Baffo is left in charge – but service is not running smoothly. For instance, he needs to know should he mix meatballs with spaghetti? And how exactly does a sausage roll? The show is aimed at children three-years-old and their families.

Harden Kite Festival

When: 12 October, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Harden Picnic Racecourse, 4559 Burley Griffin Way, Cunningar
Cost: Entry is $2 per person, with an all-day rides pass for $20 (three passes for $50).

This festival might be focussed on kites, but there’s also plenty happening on the ground to keep everyone entertained! Roaming performers, competitions, kite displays and a range of free activities will keep visitors of all ages entertained. Festivalgoers can buy tasty treats from the food stalls or bring their own picnic.

Hume and Hovell 200th Anniversary Celebration

When: 12 October, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Cooma Cottage, 756 Yass Valley Way, Marchmont
Cost: Entry to Cooma Cottage and guided tours of the site are each $5.

It was October 1824 when Hamilton Hume and Captain William Hovell had just set out on their pioneer expedition across south-eastern Australia. Two hundred years later, contemporary communities are invited to celebrate the anniversary of their more than 1900-kilometre journey.

Cooma Cottage (where Hume settled after his journey and lived until his death) will host a day of family-friendly fun. Attendees will enjoy live music, face painting, food and market stalls, guided tours of the cottage and rare access to the original stables. Visitors can also take in heritage woodworking, beekeeping and blacksmithing demonstrations. Descendants of Hume and the convict explorers who accompanied him will be special guests.

Sunday

Brass on the Grass

When: 13 October, from 12 pm to 4:30 pm
Where: Hall Heritage Centre, Victoria Street, Hall
Cost: Free entry.

Brass on the Grass is back for a special anniversary concert – to celebrate the 40th year since Canberra Brass, Victoria Street Brass and Newbery Brass came together. Everyone is invited to their birthday party, which doubles as a fundraiser for the Hall Heritage Centre. The celebrations will start with the band marching up Victoria Street from 1 pm (starting at the post office) before they play music throughout the afternoon.

CMR Artisan Market

When: 13 October, 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Cooma Monaro Railway Station, Bradley Street, Cooma
Cost: Free entry.

Looking for a chance to support farmers, producers and makers from Cooma and the surrounding Monaro area? This monthly market will feature stallholders from across the region with a range of goods and tasty treats. With just a few months until Christmas, this is the perfect chance to get some early gift shopping done!

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