All the best things happening in your state this March

There’s no shortage of things to do in Australia. If anyone knows that, it’s us…

However, with such a breadth of things going on around the country, it can sometimes get a little overwhelming to separate the champs from the chumps. You’re busy people, we get it.

To help you out, we have collated a guide of the best-goings-on for the month of March, helping you plan your calendar accordingly. Thank us later.

NSW

Mardi Gras
Sydney
March 4-6

Darrrrling, it’s time to frock up – the weekend we’ve all been waiting for is here. Mardi Gras is synonymously associated with Oxford Street in the heart of Sydney, but now you’ll find the endless party at Sydney Cricket Ground; with the glitter-strewn floats and the message of L-O-V-E love – it’s the place to celebrate the LGBTQI community with gusto.

Find the full program here. 

EAT MERIMBULA
MERIMBULA
MARCH 13

Winding down the picturesque NSW Sapphire Coast to Merimbula, halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, you’re surrounded on all sides by ocean, bush, rainforests and lakes.

It’s known for fresh oysters, local wines, diverse wildlife, restaurants and cafes that serve up arguably the best seafood available on the South Coast. Sample it all at Eat Merimbula, celebrating the local chefs, cooks and produce of the region.

In 2022, there is a focus on smaller individual events and supporting local restaurants. Fans will get the chance to travel between towns and villages for bespoke EAT themed foodie experiences and standalone events. What more could you want?

RUNAWAY Gardens
First Fleet Park, The Rocks, Sydney
Feb 15-Mar 13

Spoil yourself with artisan liquor and food, and a gazillionaires’ Sydney Harbour view at RUNAWAY Gardens, Sydney’s ultimate garden party.

The outdoor bar provides plenty of top-notch drink and food options to choose from. Take your pick of drinks from locally-distilled Hickson Rd. Gin, Atomic brews from Redfern and premium wines from The Hidden Sea Wines.

Foodies are going to love the curated artisan gourmet hampers by Aplenty, tagged as a feast for two and nibbles for four.  Inspired by Continental Deli these premium offerings are packed with premium grazing such as pyengana clothbound cheddar, imported Spanish sardines, LP’s delicious locally sourced smoked mortadella, salami cotto and handmade quince paste, this hamper is really top-end. And Tokyo-style neon food truck, Food Trap is creating exquisite Asian-fusion dishes such as fived spiced tofu Sesamiso bowls and crispy chicken tenders sprinkled with nori umami salt, as well as some really cool vibes to nourish the belly, brain, and heart.

Open from 4-10pm Tuesday to Thursday, and 12 noon to 11pm (Friday and Saturday) and 10pm (Sunday) on weekends respectively.

Sparkling Sydney
Postponed until 30th April
Pyrmont

Sparkling Sydney is a major food and wine event celebrating all there is to love about Australian gastronomy, paired with the best of Australia’s and just a hint of International sparkling wines and much much more.

The event celebrates all things effervescent with more than 60 sparkling wines to enjoy, from 20 local regional wineries to enjoy an array of varietals, as well as plenty of local gourmet food.

Located on the water’s edge of Pirrama Park guests can, enjoy a sparkling wine matched with wild and fresh Signature Oysters, take part in wine and artisan sparkling wine bath soak or sugar scrub masterclasses, or just relax in the sun and enjoy live bands and DJ line up while sipping on a selection of the best bubbles Australia has to offer.

VIC

Red Bull Melbourne Unlocked
Melbourne
March 25-27

Red Bull today announces Red Bull Melbourne Unlocked, a free, weekend-long mega-event to re-discover the city’s famed nightlife scene all under the one roof of Kensington’s Hoi Polloi.

As Melbourne/Naarm emerges from one of the world’s longest lockdowns, Red Bull enlists the essential ingredients for championing its citywide party reputation with a carefully curated celebration of its most renowned bars, clubs and party-starters. From Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27, witness the likes of Tornado Wallace, Nina Las Vegas, Cassettes For Kids, RVG, Elsy Wameyo, Akosia, Floodlights and more programmed by some of the nation’s best minds in curation, while local nightspots like Laundry Bar, Yah Yah’s, Electric Bar, Pawn & Co and Glamorama are reimagined across a labyrinth of immersive events and experiences; all in one place, for one weekend only.

BEERFEST AUSTRALIA
ST KILDA
MARCH 2

More than just a craft beer expo, BeerFest Australia celebrates all the good things in life that are better with beer: music, comedy, food and family.

Over 300 unique, exotic and small-batch craft beers, ciders, cocktails and wines will be on offer at St Kilda’s Catani Gardens; matched perfectly with some of the foodie capital’s most decadent street food traders, including: Burn City Smokers, Flamin Skewers, Melbourne Paella Company, Bavarian Bangers and G-Free Donuts.

DAYLESFORD CHILLOUT FESTIVAL
DAYLESFORD
MARCH 10-14

Starting from humble beginnings, ChillOut Festival has grown to become the biggest and longest-running Country Queer Pride event in regional Australia, and the largest festival in Hepburn Shire.

By participating in the festivities, you will be actively helping to promote and encourage tolerance, understanding and inclusion of the LGBTI community through arts, cultural activities and events; promoting and supporting LBGTI expression in Regional Victoria.

A TASTE OF RUTHERGLEN
RUTHERGLEN
MARCH 12-13

North-East Victoria’s most anticipated festival, Tastes of Rutherglen, will return on 9 and 10 March, keen to showcase the best of North-East Victoria’s celebrated wine and produce.

The 2022 programme is set to be the biggest and best on record with a stellar line-up of activities and menus for the whole family to enjoy.

Expect a number of events, including twilight dinners, special cocktails, pop-up bars and live music at several of the region’s wineries. And with breathtaking surroundings and carefully curated menus on offer, these authentic experiences are not to be missed.

TAS

National Photographic Portrait Prize
BURNIE
March 4-27

This nationally significant exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery exclusively in the North West of lutruwita/Tasmania will be the first exhibition held at Intersection, pataway/Burnie’s dynamic new art-space.

The Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects. This edition of the prize incorporates a year like no other: 2020. Accordingly, the title - Living Memory - acknowledges the period’s seismic events.

ACT

CANBERRA GOOD FOOD MONTH
CANBERRA
MARCH 1-31

If there’s one Canberra event that gets all Australian foodies excited, it’s Canberra Good Food Month.

Presented by Citi, the talent filled program will showcase both international and home-grown chefs, creating unforgettable experiences that leave lasting memories on the nation’s capital, delighting, inspiring and transporting Canberrans out of their everyday.

CANBERRA CRAFT BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL
BRADDON
MARCH 19

Canberra Craft Beer and Cider Festival showcases (you guessed it!) the best craft beers and ciders from around Australia.

The Festival will be staged on the Batman Street and in the car park of Mercure Canberra and will feature breweries from across Australia along with live bands, food, entertainment and a wide range of kids’ activities.

From beginners to budding craft brewers, all enthusiasts are welcome!

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! AT ENLIGHTEN FESTIVAL
SENATE GARDENS
MARCH 11

Here’s the low-down: filmmakers are given a list of ten items to include in their movie, and only ten days to shoot, edit and produce a seven-minute film exploring the theme of ‘one small step’.

The results are Lights! Camera! Action!, a screening of the top twelve finalists in the Senate Rose Gardens at the Museum of Australian Democracy, with the award winners announced immediately after the screening.

Bring your chair or picnic rug, blanket and movie snacks, and settle in for a great night of film viewing (and judging!).

SA

GRAPES OF MIRTH – COMEDY AND WINE IN MCLAREN VALE
FLEURIEU PENINSULA
MARCH 12

Grapes of Mirth has returned to its spiritual home in McLaren Vale – combining three of everyone’s favourite things: comedy, wine and good people.

Punters can expect 7 hours of laughs, music, wine, gourmet grub and plenty of fun times – with line-up highlights consisting of Merrick Watts, Kitty Flanagan, Peter Helliar and more!

WOMADELAIDE
ADELAIDE BOTANIC PARK
MARCH 11-14

The iconic WOMADelaide is returning to Adelaide’s Botanic Park this March.

The open-air festival is one of the most celebrated cultural festivals in Australia. Spanning across four days, the festival program will offer performances from over 500 artists from around the world, including street theatre, display stalls and installations.

To complete the experience, Taste The World with over 50 international cuisines and culinary delights sold in stalls throughout the four days.

And with a WOMADelaide KidZone also on offer, it’s also the perfect outing for small humans.

QLD

world science festival
Brisbane
March 9-13

Delve deep into the big questions in science at the World Science Festival in Brisbane this March. From March 25-29 Brisbane will be home to some of the greatest minds in science who will be answering your most important science and life questions, including: ‘Why can’t I keep my new year’s resolutions?’

It’s part of the annual Curiocity Brisbane, which hosts a series of events in various locations from March to April. Other Curiocity events include WOW (Women of the World) and QUOD Technology and Innovation Festival.

NIGHTQUARTER NIGHT MARKETS
GOLD COAST
every Friday

Unlock flavours of the world at the Gold Coast’s most iconic food destination.

Since 2015, the NightQuarter night markets have become the destination to experience the best street food, authentic eats, market stalls and live entertainment. This year, hungry attendees can discover a kaleidoscope of global flavours, street art, music and over 100 regional vendors. It’s a festival every weekend!

WA

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA
COTTESLOE
MARCH 4-21

One of Perth’s largest free public events, Sculpture by the Sea, is set to transform the city’s iconic waterscape into a 70+ sculpture park, showcasing artists from across Australia and the world.

The exhibition is featured from the sea wall all the way along the sand towards North Cottesloe and on the surrounding grassed areas creating a beautiful sculpture park.

Locals and visitors alike can take a stroll and marvel at some of these spectacular creations, while watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

NANNUP MUSIC FESTIVAL
NANNUP
MARCH 4-7

In the centre of Western Australia’s stunning Southwest, on the banks of the Blackwood River, lives Nannup: a small, historic timber town famous for its annual music festival.

Held annually over the Labour Day long weekend, the streets come alive with stalls, performances and activities, spearheaded by a community-minded spirit and a passionate and dedicated team of staff and committee.

Patrons can expect an eclectic mix of incredible acts over free and ticketed venues, plus camping, street performances, markets, workshops and panels, poetry, an Art Walk and a space full of activities and workshops for our little festivalgoers.

Other highlights include the Emerging Artist Award, indigenous artists programming and small-town atmosphere.

NT

Tiwi Islands Football Final and Art Sale
Tiwi Islands
March 20

See silky-smooth skills and fast-flowing action in the final game of the Tiwi Islands Football League’s season.

There’s more to Tiwi people than their sensational football. Tiwi art is recognised and celebrated all around the world and on the grand final day, all four art centres come to Wurrumiyanga to sell their artwork.

The Art Sale begins in the morning at the primary school, the art gallery Tiwi Design and the art gallery Ngaruwanajirri. Galleries from Pirlangimpi and Milikapiti bring art over from the Munupi Gallery and Jilamara Gallery.

Purchase some unique art, explore the remote community of Wurrumiyanga and enjoy the passion, colour and excitement of the Tiwi Islands Grand Final.