Autumn in Australia is shaping up to be a magical cocktail of upbeat festivals, gastronomic extravaganza, quiet time in bespoke estates and sensory explosion of experiences.
Take in the Aussie autumn and its offerings that strikes a fine balance between the hot fiery spirit of summer and the enchanting spark of winter.
Upcoming Festivals & Events
Get ready for a month of exciting festivals imbued with life, light, history and the essence of the land Down Under. With a variety of unique experiences available in April, experience Australia like never before.
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light (Alice Springs, Northern Territory): Set your eyes upon ten nights of incredible light installations from a number of Aboriginal artists, all set against the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.
Parrtjima is an annual festival showcasing the oldest continuous culture on earth, take in the spectacular views while enjoying a programme packed with artworks, lightshows, and music by local and national musicians. Come for the festival fun, but stay for the rich history, incredible sightseeing and an authentic, memorable experience. From 7 – 16 April.
National Folk Festival (Canberra, Australian Capital Territory): Serving an evolving community that values participation, learning, listening and creating, the National Folk Festival is a hub that provides a meeting place to perform, share and develop folk traditions.
The festival is shaped by a community of participants who engage on multiple levels, featuring epic performances by an eclectic mix of over 140 artists over five whole days of folk appreciation. From 6 – 10 April.
Tasting Australia (Adelaide/Tarntanya, South Australia): Prepare your tastebuds for Australia’ longest running eating and drinking festival. A celebration of people, produce and places, Tasting Australia is a ten-day celebration of exceptional eating and drinking experiences.
This year’s edition features a tantalising programme of Masterclasses, intimate tastings with Tasting Tables and Chef’s Table where you can witness world-famous chefs at work while hearing the stories behind their craft. From 28 April – 7 May.
Gold Coast Film Festival (Brisbane/Meeanjin, Queensland): Experience film in a distinctly Gold Coast way at the Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) – a celebration of film and filmmaking – hosted in Queensland’s premiere filmmaking location, the Gold Coast. In 2023 the GCFF explores diverse stories and unique styles with an entertaining program of more than 100 films, panels, parties, pop-up cinemas and special events that showcase Australia’s extraordinary talent. From 19 – 30 April.
Vivid Sydney (Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales): Invigorating the city of Sydney this May is the city’s award-winning annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology – Vivid Sydney. The awe-inspiring festival is back with a renewed focus on nature beauty, natural brilliance and natural wonder.
Embodying 2023’s theme of Vivid Sydney, Naturally, the event will feature boundary-pushing artists, thinkers, musicians and culinary experts of our time who celebrate nature and authenticity. From 26 May – 17 June.
Explore New Experiences
Take on a multi-faceted journey filled with memorable insights, immense wonder, rich history, and unforgettable beauty. From an immersive prison experience to serenity beneath the stars, see Australia from new perspectives.
Pentridge Tours (Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria): Melbourne/Narrm’s infamous Pentridge Prison is set to open its gates to the public with the new Pentridge Prison Tours. Designed in collaboration with experimental design company, Art Processors, who worked on installations for the Museum of New and Old Art in Tasmania, this new and improved tour delivers a fully immersive experience inside a heritage-listed prison that dates back to 1851.
As visitors explore the rich history of the prison and the brutal day-to-day life of an inmate in Pentridge Prison, they will also be guided through the cells with a recorded voiceover from former inmate, Uncle Jack Charles and Indigenous Australia actor, Rachael Maza.
Cultural Cruise (Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales): Tribal Warrior has added a new experience to their catalogue with the addition of Cultural Cruise. Jump aboard the Mari Nawi (Big Canoe) and learn about the traditional culture, history, and stories of one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. Hear stories of the Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people of Sydney Harbour and learn the Indigenous names and meanings of significant Sydney/Warrane landmarks, before stepping ashore on Be-lang-le-wool (Clark Island).
Apart from that, you’ll also get to learn about life pre-colonisation, from coastal lifestyles, traditional Indigenous fishing methods to food gathering techniques, and witness a traditional Indigenous cultural performance.
Mountain Bike Under The Stars (Alice Springs, Northern Territory): The Red Centre of Australia is truly a sight to behold, especially as the sun starts to set. With hundreds of kilometres of bike tracks built by hand by mountain bikers for mountain bikers, join Red Centre Adventures on the Mountain Bike Under the Stars tour and get up close to the stunning natural scenery. Experience the serenity of Simpson’s Gap at night, then treat yourself to some local native cuisine, all while being immersed in the stories of the local Arrernte culture told by an experienced Indigenous Australian guide.
Australian Geographic: Our Country 360 Cinematic Experience (Brisbane/Meeanjin, Queensland): Visitors to Brisbane/Meeanjin will soon be able to surround themselves with Australia’s unique landscape, wildlife, and natural beauty. Launching at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australian Geographic: Our Country 360° Cinematic Experience is a 40-screen multi-sensory experience that provides a never-before-seen perspective on Australia’s breath-taking wilderness, celebrating the grandeur and diversity of Australia’s wild places, backed by the sounds of nature.
Bruce Munro’s Light Towers (King’s Cannon, Northern Territory): Newly opened on 1 April, bask in world- renowned British light artist Bruno Munro’s latest illuminating experience, ‘Light Towers’. The experience is a magnificent display of 69 towers, each made up of approximately 220 bottles filled with fibre optic cables.
Set inside Discovery Resorts – guests are invited to wander in this maze of Light Towers during one of the three available viewing sessions: Sunrise, Sunset, and By Night. Immerse in this unique light experience with colours changing to the celestial soundscape by Orlando Gough.
Hip New Places to Eat and Drink
For a culinary adventure that awakens your taste buds, look no further than Australia’s very own establishments. From an educational coffee experience to a seafood extravaganza, discover the different local flavours at these hip new dining spots and fill your April with all the best ingredients the Land Down Under has to offer.
Beau (Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales): Nestled in the laneways of Surry Hills, Beau is an intimate restaurant featuring a bar and kitchen dining. This hidden gem sells tantalising manoush and Middle Eastern street food in the day, and transforms into a relaxing bar with an emphasis on fresh seafood at night. Perch yourself here for brunch at Beau & Dough in the day or set yourself up for the night with a glass of wine and a chilled seafood platter at the Beau Bar.
Tatler Lane by Sweet Brew (Launceston, Tasmania): A new cafe, bar, and restaurant from the Sweet Brew team has opened in Launceston – in the form of Tatler Lane – the latest venue to open in Launceston’s new dining precinct Tatler Arcade. Featuring its roastery on site, Tatler Lane has a focus on educating the community about coffee, from how the bean is cultivated to how it ends up in your cup. Open seven days a week as a cafe and five nights a week as a bar, Tatler Lane also has future plans to introduce an evening dining experience.
Patch Kitchen & Garden (Adelaide Hills, South Australia): An 1880s post office and general store has been transformed into Adelaide Hills’ newest restaurant. Patch Kitchen & Garden celebrates local food and wine producers with their extensive menus serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The space blends the cosiness of a country home with trendy European design and serves as a hub for patrons to eat, explore, or share a bottle of wine. With local wineries, breweries, distilleries, markets, farms and even strawberry fields in this beautiful regional haven, Patch Kitchen & Garden has a plethora of produce to work with when creating their delicious food.
Petermen (Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales): Prepare to taste acclaimed Sydney/Warrane chef Josh Niland’s latest take on the best Australian seafood at his new venture, Petermen, located in St Leonards. The stellar menu is made for the table, with raw fish dishes including South West Rocks line caught bonito, and Corner Inlet Snapper and Stag Seaweed. The preserved section of the menu will feature fresh Australian seafood cured and cooked in oil with dishes including Port Lincoln Berrima Octopus, Espelette Pepper, or Flinders Island Scallops and Tasmanian Horseradish. The 60-seat restaurant and bar joins Josh’s growing seafood empire, which includes the hatted Saint Peter restaurant, Charcoal Fish in Paddington, and Fish Butchery in Waterloo. Petermen’s mission is to champion the growers and producers that seek to elevate the standard and change the culture of how we consume food.
Poh X QT Melbourne (Melborune/Narrm, Victoria): A new gastronomic adventure has hit Melbourne/Narrm, with Malaysian-born Australian chef and beloved Masterchef alumni, Poh Ling Yeow, teaming up with The Singleton malt scotch whisky. From 2 February to 1 May, diners can treat their taste buds at the quirky QT Melbourne with a sensational dining journey of taste with The Singleton’s Delicious Discoveries experience. Indulge in a spread of eight delectable sweet and savoury dishes, whilst sipping on two signature cocktails. Be wowed as the courses make their way to you on a sushi train conveyor belt and take the flavours to the next level with the perfect whisky pairing. Available till 1 May 2023.
Exciting New Stays
No matter what your plans are, look no further for your home away from home. Be it hosting guests at your own private estate complete with gardens and a summer house, or having your own quiet time with a mesmerising countryside view, these new accommodations have definitely got you covered.
The Lodge at Seppeltsfield (Barossa Valley, South Australia): Immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most historic wine regions, the Barossa Valley at The Lodge at Seppeltsfield. Home to an award-winning mix of wine, food, art, craft, and unforgettable experiences, enjoy your own private estate that sits a five-minute walk away from the iconic Seppeltsfield Estate.
With an accommodation space of up to 10 guests across 5 king-size bedrooms with en-suites and air conditioning, the Lodge also boasts a pool, extensive gardens, summer house, and barbeque area that will be perfect for entertaining all your guests.
Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne (Melbourne/Narrm, Victoria): History meets modern luxury behind the serene bluestone walls of Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne. Deliberately designed to contrast and complement the 170-year-old heritage site, the new 106-room apartment-style hotel is now a one-billion-dollar dining and entertainment precinct, offering generous living spaces and kitchen amenities, with individual balconies. The precinct also features lovingly-designed wine bars and bistros, a cinema, and nine bespoke conference and event spaces.
Basalt (Orange, New South Wales): Perched 1,100 metres above sea level, Basalt offers a luxury stay in one of western New South Wales’ most breath-taking country wine regions. Looking out over the city of Orange, Basalt will drop you right into that country feel as you look out across the Rollin cherry orchard. Take in the fresh country air and the mesmerising views from the comfort of your own private self-contained studio. The Orange region is home to award-winning wineries, hatted restaurants, scenic villages, and a genuine country welcome.
Capella Sydney (Sydney, New South Wales): The Department of Education building in Sydney’s Sandstone Precinct reawakens as Capella Sydney with eight levels and 192 guestrooms and suites. The heritage icon is a unique way to experience the culture of the city through iconic spaces in the original building. From the reimagined Farrer Place foyer to the McRae Bar, guests can experience the magic of Capella Sydney’s heritage, architecture, and extraordinary guest experiences.
