March 15, 2023
20 mins Read
With the arrival of spring, there are countless unique experiences to be had throughout Australia this month.
Whether you’re up for an adventure, want to delve into culture and history with a First Nations experience, or prefer to eat and drink your way through the cities, there really is something for everyone.
To help you out, we have gathered a guide of the best goings-on for the month of October, helping you plan your calendar accordingly. Here’s what’s on around Australia in October.
Ask any Sydneysider and they’ll tell you, location matters. And that’s the premise behind the rugged restaurant that will be positioned atop the rugged cliffs of Sydney’s North Head for the Taste of Talisker experience on October 21 and 22. Diners who go out of their way to dine in unexpected places will love hearing the soundtrack of the ocean crashing against the cliffs as Josh Niland talks diners through his carefully curated sustainably sourced seafood menu, which will be paired with whisky that will transport diners to the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
The wild pop-up dining experience is perfectly on-brand for Talisker and the collab will be like a siren song to the sea for the duration of the three-course paired menu. Expect dishes such as salt and vinegar garfish paired with kamut sourdough and yoghurt cultured butter and King George whiting to be enjoyed alongside top drops such as the Talisker Storm and Talisker Skye. The three-course paired menu, both prepared and hosted by chef Josh Niland, is available to book exclusively for a one-night-only session from 5.30 pm on October 21.
This pop-up dining experience is perfectly on-brand for Talisker.
The Sydney Night Noodle Markets are back! Coming to a brand-new location at Prince Alfred Park, mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss this.
Cult favourites like Gelato Messina, Hoy Pinoy and DONUT PAPI will be back, but we’ll also see some new faces like Donburi Station, Flying Noodle, Raijin, Calabang and so many more.
Sydney’s Night Noodle Markets are back.
For purveyors of fine wine-ups, sip on our musical selection of homegrown and international artists, handcrafted for your ultimate listening pleasure, Grapevine Gathering is back in NSW bigger than ever this year and is the perfect pairing for a day out with your Pinot Pals and Grigio Gals.
Hosted by all-round legends ‘The Inspired Unemployed’, Australia’s favourite wine and music pairing festival brings to you the best of both worlds: good wine and good music. Headliners include none other than Peking Duk, The Veronicas, Ball Park Music, The Kooks, Confidence Man, Jack River, and so many more. Be prepared to have some fun! Get your tickets to make sure you don’t miss out.
Grapevine will be hosted by the Inspired Unemployed. (Image: Ash Caygill)
L’Hôtel, the immersive theatrical experience featuring the crème de la crème of performers from cabaret, burlesque, aerial and circus, is having its Sydney premiere season in the Opera House’s Studio this month.
Making its world premiere with a sold-out season at Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2021, L’Hôtel reinvents the classic dinner theatre experience from 12 October, fully immersing its audience in a world of French intrigue as they dine amongst the action.
L’Hotel is coming to Sydney in October 2022. (Image: Daniel Boud)
Audiences will be spoilt for choice with two outstanding sopranos cast to perform the lead role of Violetta Valéry in Elijah Moshinsky’s much-loved production of La Traviata that opens at the Sydney Opera House this October.
A tragic love story that inspired pop culture classics Moulin Rouge and Pretty Woman, Verdi’s famous score includes the show-stopping aria ‘Sempre libera’ and the instantly recognisable drinking song, ‘Brindisi’. Combined with lavish sets and costumes, this production is ideal for audiences to experience opera for the first time, or for fans to revisit a favourite with a superb cast.
La Traviata arrives at the Opera House. (Image: Keith Saunders)
After two years of postponements, not-for-profit organisation Sculpture by the Sea will return to transform the spectacular two-kilometre Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk in Sydney.
With over 100 artworks by Australian and international sculptors, the world’s largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition will surprise and delight for its 24th year, with approximately 450,000 visitors expected to attend over the three-week exhibition.
Don’t miss the return of Sculpture by the Sea. (Image: Clyde Yee)
Night at the Barracks is a brand-new concept, crafted to re-imagine the live event experience at a stunning venue which is a true hidden gem of Sydney.
The event has been crafted to ensure the perfect balance between iconic live outdoor performances with the historical, ecologically diverse and natural beauty of the Barracks Precinct and wider North Head Sanctuary.
Night at The Barracks will allow fans to confidently return to a diverse program of arts concerts, providing a much-needed kick start to the entertainment economy and support for local tourism businesses. The lineup is insane, so don’t miss out.
Come along for one of the nights over the month. (Image: Night at the Barracks)
Update: This event has been cancelled due to the ongoing rain impacting New South Wales.
Make a date with local, sustainable, and tasty this spring at this year’s Highlands Food & Wine Festival, which showcases the best food and drinks from the region.
There will be even more ways to discover the region’s best with an avenue of eateries, a brewer’s garden, a wine walk, a farmer’s marketplace, and picnic grounds. This celebration of the Southern Highland’s finest produce and the people behind it is the only place where you’ll get to know the growers, winemakers, distillers, and chefs – all the while enjoying the fruits of their labour.
The Orange Wine Festival is the region’s opportunity to celebrate its thriving wine and food culture and quality cool-climate wines, unique to the region and offers an array of events, experiences, and markets.
The Orange wine region boasts some of the country’s highest-elevation vineyard sites, producing a diverse range of vibrant, cool-climate styles. The wineries in the altitudinous area surrounding Orange are undoubtedly a drawcard, but they’re far from the only attraction in this thriving regional city. Signature events include the Orange Wine Festival Night Market, Vintners Table, Orange Wine Show Tasting and Masterclasses, Vino Express and Altitude.
Orange Wine Festival begins is the ideal way to experience this regional town.
Catch the world’s best cricketers from 16 international teams across seven host cities in Australia for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. The Sydney Cricket Ground at Moore Park will host six Super 12 matches, including Australia’s opening match against New Zealand, plus a semi-final.
The ICC T20 World Cup is the pinnacle global event for T20 cricket, the game’s fastest-growing format. It’s the first time Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Meg Mac debuted the guest music curator program at REKŌDO, a new Japanese restaurant & vinyl bar in Barangaroo with weekly resident DJ sets throughout the month of October.
Sake, cocktails, wine, and dishes that ignite the senses are set to a killer soundtrack curated by a collective of artists and vinyl DJs. Artists include Harvey Sutherland, AYEBATONYE, Ayebatonye, Andy Webb, Paul Jextra, Mike Who, Adi Toohey, Simon Caldwell, and so many more!
Meg Mac debuted the guest music curator program at REKŌDO.
Enjoy family time at Novotel Sydney Central and indulge in sweet moments with fully equipped cake decorating classes during the school holidays conducted by the hotel’s Executive Chef.
In the classes, kids can let their imagination run wild or explore their passion for cake decorating in this hands-on school holiday activity. Parents are welcome to join the class or enjoy some me-time at Thomas St. Kitchen Bar.
Following an incredible debut announcement, Caper Byron Bay Food and Culture Festival will launch its first program inclusive of over 30 diverse events and experiences. Across a four-day celebration in November, the dynamic series will showcase the best of Northern River’s food, beverage, music, and art.
Formally known as REVEL, the festival has been renamed Caper Byron Bay, inspired by its namesake Caper- verb; to frolic about in a happy manner. While the name may have changed, the festival’s commitment to celebrating the melting pots of individuals who have helped to shape Byron Shire’s past, present and future, has only grown stronger. Tickets are on sale now, so make sure to get them before they sell out!
Formally known as REVEL, the festival has been renamed Caper Byron Bay (Image: Jess Kearney)
Barangaroo’s spectacular harbourside location is one of Sydney’s largest vantage points to welcome New Year’s Eve, with superb panoramic views of the western face of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The sloping lawns of the Reserve provide a safe place with ample room to spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy the spectacle that only Sydney can deliver! NYE2022 at Barangaroo is a must-attend event for families, friends and couples wanting to experience a safe and memorable night enjoying a great view. Grab your tickets today.
Have the ultimate NYE. (Image: Destination NSW)
It’s time to cheers to the grape times! Grapevine Gathering is returning to Victoria this October, ready to overwhelm your senses with the ripest of musical adventures.
Hosted by all-round legends ‘The Inspired Unemployed’, Australia’s favourite wine and music pairing festival brings to you the best of both worlds, good wine, and good music. You’re in for a treat! Headliners include none other than Peking Duk, The Veronicas, Ball Park Music, The Kooks, Confidence Man, Jack River, and so many more. Make sure you don’t miss out on this year’s Grapevine Gathering and be prepared to have some fun. Tickets are on sale here.
Australia’s favourite wine and music pairing festival is back.
The globally recognised late-night spectacle of culture, art, and music, White Night, is coming back to the glowing gardens of Geelong and will bring every corner of each city’s past, present, and future to life.
This much-loved event returns to beguile local and visiting audiences to Geelong for the first time since 2018. The event is set to take over the streets with immersive projections, interactive installations, live music, and street food. This year, the respective programs set to take place in Geelong on Saturday 8 October are bigger, bolder, and bursting with creativity and colour in what will be a transformative celebration.
White Night will be in Geelong this month. (Image: Carla O’Brien)
Melbourne’s much loved Queen Victoria Market will be transformed into a bustling European-style bazaar this spring as Europa Night Market returns every Wednesday evening from 21 September to 26 October.
Showcasing and celebrating the very best of Melbourne’s diverse and thriving European culture, visitors will be transported to a different part of the continent every week; with rotating themes bringing the food, flavours and flair of Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to the Market’s open-air sheds.
Across the spectacular six-week season, visitors can indulge in delicious street food and drinks from more than 25 traders, shop from a variety of local stalls, and enjoy a weekly line-up of live music at the Amphitheatre Stage, plus roving entertainment… with a dash of Euro glitz, glam and dazzling disco balls!
Indulge at Europa Night Market. (Image: Kyrah Howell)
Gandel Centre of Judaica, in partnership with the Helmut Newton Foundation, is excited to be presenting HELMUT NEWTON: In Focus – exploring the extraordinary life of one of the most influential and provocative fashion photographers of all time.
This exhibition at the Jewish Museum of Australia in Victoria showcases an expansive collection of the trailblazing image-makers most recognisable and quintessential works, including 78 original Newton photographs – the same daring and often controversial images that revolutionised the fashion world and established Newton as one of the most sought-after photographers of the 20th century.
This exhibition is a must-see.
The Good Food and Wine Show is celebrating its 21st birthday by giving guests the treat of sampling over 500 wines, 50+ types of cheese, and other specialty foods from over 250 exhibitors, plus experience a range of masterclasses, from gin tasting to cheese and wine pairing, and so much more.
Guests can also sit back and be entertained by some of Australia’s favourite chefs including Miguel Maestre, Justine Schofield, Silvia Colloca, Analiese Gregory, Brendan Pang, and Sammy Jakubiak, as they demonstrate their delicious recipes on the brand-new cooking stage; The Kitchen by Harris Scarfe.
Watch how the professionals do it.
Famous in NSW, WA, and VIC, Grapevine Gathering has just announced it will be coming to Queensland. Sirromet Wines, located in the picturesque Mount Cotton, the Queensland edition is only a short drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Ready to tickle your tastebuds, Grapevine Gathering will be overflowing with the finest wine from the vine – sample Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cab, Merlot, Red & White. Lovers of beers and cider, don’t worry, be hoppy, a selection of local craft brews will be waiting for you. Headliners include none other than Peking Duk, The Veronicas, Ball Park Music, The Kooks, Confidence Man, Jack River, and so many more. To get tickets now, click here.
Grapevine is coming to Queensland for the first time.
The Sunshine Coast’s Caloundra Music Festival is back bigger than ever this year to celebrate the community’s local culture, food, and arts scenes with an amazing lineup!
To make things even better, some stages are so close to the beach that you can stay in the water all day enjoying the festival’s local and international entertainment.
Caloundra Music Festival is bigger and better than ever this year.
Having completely sold out two years in the running, the highly anticipated return of the Good Love Festival will once again welcome more than 14,000 hungry music fans to the pristine shores of the Gold Coast for a full day of good music, good food and incredible Good Love vibes.
Joining New Zealand’s Six60 will be the son of legendary reggae icon Bob Marley, Julian Marley and the Uprising, Coterie, DMP, and Bradamon. Tickets are on sale now.
Six60 and Julian Marley and the Uprising are playing.
Producing wines that reflect their vineyard and celebrating their unique place in the world whilst minimising their impact on the planet, Small Wonder Wines will be hosting a series of Summer of Music events at their cellar door in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley.
Live local musicians will play at the cellar door each weekend throughout the month.
Small Wonder Wines will be hosting a series of Summer of Music events at their cellar door (Image: Small Wonder Wines)
The Royal Hobart Show, which is hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, is an event that celebrates all things Australian. From our country heritage and agriculture to the charms of our bustling city and from top-level competition to the latest in entertainment, the show offers something for everyone.
For many years both city and country folk have been visiting the Show to soak up the sights, sounds and smells of rural Australia. The show offers a unique hands-on learning experience for people of all age groups and free entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Celebrate the Royal Hobart Show.
Tulip Festival Wynyard in Tasmania is a one-day feast for all the senses smell, sight, hearing, and taste. Set on the banks of the Inglis River, Gutteridge Gardens comes to life with live music all day, the best local produce, and talented makers from around Tasmania throw in children’s entertainment and displays from community groups ending the fabulous day with fireworks at 9pm that makes Waratah-Wynyard idyllic and unique.
This major Tasmanian event is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is the key attraction in a month-long calendar of events coordinated by the Waratah-Wynyard Council called Spring Loaded.
Let us introduce to you, Grapevine Gathering’s new partners in wine. situated in the heart of McLaren Vale and only a 45-minute drive from Adelaide CBD, Serafino Wines will welcome Grapevine Gathering to its charming vineyards for the inaugural South Australian gathering. Plus, what’s better than to party on a public holiday eve?
Headliners include none other than Peking Duk, The Veronicas, Ball Park Music, The Kooks, Confidence Man, Jack River, and so many more. So, round up your partners in wine & tell them it’s time to rosé all day. Sip, sip, hooray! To get tickets now, click here.
Grapevine in SA is too good to miss. (Image: Ben Jones)
Gather and graze at Australia’s largest cheese festival, which draws a mix of cheesemakers, fermenters, food producers, winemakers, brewers, and restaurateurs from all around the country. Say cheese!
There’s nothing better than cheese, well maybe a festival of cheese!
Presented as part of Tarnanthi, the Art Gallery of South Australia’s acclaimed celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Embassy by Richard Bell is inspired by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the protest camp set up 50 years ago on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra.
This installation, exhibited on the AGSA forecourt, will feature film screenings and talks programmed in collaboration between Bell and Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna artist Dominic Guerrera. The installation will provide a platform to challenge preconceived ideas and stereotypes about Aboriginal people, art and culture.
Nature Festival, a festival dedicated to showcasing the wonderful and diverse nature of South Australia, will return for its third year in October with an estimated 300+ events happening around South Australia. From our own back gardens to the majesty of the Flinders, nature is central to who we are as South Australians.
More than 90 per cent of us get out into our parks and beaches each year, and the challenges of COVID have only further highlighted how critical nature is for our health and wellbeing. I thought this might be of interest for an event listing in the October magazine as it is a unique festival that celebrates something that is so crucial to us as human beings.
Grapevine Gathering is returning to the picturesque Sandalford Estate once again! Guests will be treated to the rolling lawns, renowned wine, and scenic surroundings of the beautiful Swan Valley region. With the finest local produce on offer, from wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers and slow-cooked, smoked treats, our food selection will leave a decadent aftertaste you’ll never forget.
On the menu? An explosive line-up with none other than Peking Duk, The Veronicas, Ball Park Music, The Kooks, Confidence Man, Jack River, and so many more. Make sure you don’t miss out on this year’s Grapevine Gathering and be prepared to have some fun. Grab your tickets on sale now.
Head to the Swan Valley for WA’s Grapevine.
The Bull and Barrel is a free festival created by the Dardanup Community to celebrate the diverse offerings of the Dardanup region in Western Australia. It is a great low-cost day out for families with over 150 market and food stalls, live music and demonstrations, a monster kids craft marquee and plenty of animals.
Other attractions include the Tastes of the Ferguson Valley tent, trash and treasure stalls, Die-cast toys, mini trains and of course the Wespine Fire Sculpture.
Kakadu National Park is a bird lover’s paradise – home to more than a third of Australia’s bird species. Kakadu is the perfect place to discover and learn all about the unique species of birds living in this magical part of the world, which is dual World Heritage-listed for both its natural and cultural values.
At Kakadu Bird Week, enjoy a host of exciting activities, including birdwatching, wetlands cruises, Aboriginal cultural experiences and much more.
Kakadu is a bird lover’s paradise.
Now in its 31st year, Desert Mob is a celebration of the bold and exhilarating expression that is desert Aboriginal art and culture at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs.
Desert Mob showcases one of the most significant art movements, one of the vast distances of country and kinship, forming a vibrant statement of what’s happening in the Desart membership right now. The celebration also becomes an important gathering for artists, families and visitors each year, and one of cultural exchange and sharing.
Puna Yanima from Mimili Maku Arts at the Artist Preview of the Desert Mob 2019 Exhibition. Photo by Oliver Eclipse.
The newly announced Midnight Oil RESIST show will mark the end of its journey in Canberra with special guests King Stringray, Emily Wurramara (solo) and Moaning Lisa.
Under 18’s may attend if accompanied by a legal guardian. Make sure to grab your tickets now before they sell out.
Midnight Oil will end their tour in Canberra.
Indulge in a bit of existential angst at the National Portrait Gallery exhibition in Canberra, billed as one of the most comprehensive explorations of portraiture ever mounted in Australia.
The show, which brings together 200 works by Australian artists, explores the intimate connection between the artist, sitter and the land. It also includes portraits of high-profile Australians such as actors Cate Blanchett and David Gulpilil, and the late artist Albert Namatjira.
Explore the intimate connection between the artist, sitter and the land.
Follow the buzz to this year’s Floriade in Canberra, where you will find more than a million blooms tinted as loud as 1970s wallpaper. This year’s floral display has been designed like an immersive, living artwork and even includes a Sounds of Spring soundtrack.
See Floriade like never before.
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