Australia’s Strangest Day Tours

If a bog-standard bus trip around the well-trodden highlights doesn’t quite cut the mustard for you any more, it’s time to ramp up the quirky quotient. David Whitley ticks off the top five seriously odd day tours being offered around the country.

1. Boar Busters

Pest control is really not a sexy business, so kudos has to go to Boar Busters at Mission Beach in Qld, who’ve managed to turn their contract to get rid of feral pigs into a tourism opportunity. The Big Pig Shindig allows guests to get as involved as the Occupational Health and Safety chaps will allow. And, yes, that means getting dirty. The Boar Busters try to stagger things so that their guests can set a trap, check devices that have already been set and see pigs that have been caught in the previous day’s traps.

Details // Boar Busters (www.boarbusters.com.au 0427 406 887) operates the Big Pig Shindig for $90 per person. The day out also includes a visit to a croc farm.

2. Quoll Patrol

Of all the cutesy Australian animals most people would be gagging to see in the wild, the quoll would be quite far down the list, probably below the pademelon and above the irukandji jellyfish. But this won’t deter the chaps at Pepper Bush Adventures in Launceston, who spend the best part of their eight to ten hour “Quoll Patrol" following the little critters around in dark. As part of the trip, there’s a bush tucker and Tasmanian game-heavy dinner, but once that’s out the way, it’s all about scrabbling through the Tasmanian bush, chasing spotty marsupials with torches.

Details // Quoll Patrol with Pepper Bush Adventures (03 6352 2263, (www.pepperbush.com.au ), cost dependent on individual preferences and

3. Go industrial – Rio Tinto Alumina Refinery Gladstone tour

Who needs beautiful beaches when you’ve got the world’s largest alumina refinery and the fifth-largest coal export plant on Earth? Yep, Gladstone is that sexy. Every day a different bus tour goes from the coastal Qld town to one of its industrial delights for behind-the-scenes access to heavy machinery. On Wednesday, it’s the port; on Thursday, the power station. But the real highlight is on the Friday, when the three-hour tour goes to both the Rio Tinto Alumina Refinery and Australia’s largest smelter.

Details // Tours are free, but bookings are essential via the Gladstone Visitor Info Centre (07 4972 9000).

4. Canberra Host and History Tour

Ghost tours aren’t particularly unusual any more – you can find one in pretty much every Australian town. But Destiny Tours’ Weird Canberra Ghost and History Tour is a little bit different. For a start, it’s led by Tim The Yowie Man – the shorts-clad shameless self-publicist with an almost unhealthy obsession with mysterious creatures. He’s the Australian National Museum’s resident cryptonaturalist, and he promises that the tour will take in tales of secret tunnels, buried art treasures and coffins in Lake Burley Griffin. There’s also a hidden cave, a haunted embassy and an old homestead that makes people’s noses bleed. But the weirdest things are arguably the fellow passengers – the people who book to go on this tour have a tendency to dress in Halloween-esque garb.

Details // $64 with Destiny Tours (02 9943 0167).

From cycling and comedy to boating and begonia appreciation, there’s an event in regional Victoria that’s sure to have you circling dates on your calendar.

1. Festival of Sails

the Melbourne to Geelong passage race, Festival of Sails 2025 — The Melbourne to Geelong passage race will be held for its 183rd year. (Image: Salty Dingo)

When: 24–26 January
Where: Melbourne and Geelong

This five-day regatta of sailing and onshore entertainment at Geelong’s waterfront includes Australia’s oldest sporting event, the Melbourne to Geelong passage race which, in 2026, will be held for its 183rd year. But you don’t have to be a yachtie, sailor or boat-enthusiast to enjoy the nautical excitement; there’s also a three-day line-up of entertainment, food and live music, including the anchoring of tall ships – ever a firm family favourite.

2. Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

cyclists during the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race — Catch the best cyclists as they wind through Victoria’s coastal towns. (Image: Visit Victoria)

When: 31 January – 1 February
Where: The Bellarine Peninsula

Meandering (at pace) along the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast is this annual cycling event that welcomes everyone from families to serious athletes. Since its beginnings in 2015, the race has become a huge hit with spectators flocking along to cheer on Lycra-clad competitors. Starting and finishing in Geelong’s Velo Village, this is the hub of the non-race activity with food and drink, roaming performers, lawn games and face painting.

3. Riverboats Music Festival

the performers at Riverboats Music Festival, Murray River — The annual music festival is staged under majestic red gums by the Murray River.

When: 13–15 February
Where: Echuca–Moama

Get along to bop and sway under the canopy of red gums at this annual music festival . Hosted by the twin towns of Echuca–Moama, the stage is set for Murray River-adjacent revelling as historic paddlesteamers peacefully chug alongside the event. As well as music, there’s dancing, food trucks and plenty of atmosphere to absorb.

4. Neerim ArtsFest

the Neerim ArtsFest south sculptures — Admire stunning works at Neerim ArtsFest. (Image: Nicky Cawood)

When: 28 February – 15 March
Where: Gippsland

This biennial Gippsland festival celebrates sculptural artists with an esteemed award in two categories, large outdoor and small indoor. The public is invited to enjoy the works over the exhibition period as they’re placed throughout Neerim South and surrounding venues. For 2026, the theme ‘The Spirit Soars’ leads artists to create stunning pieces that explore the expression of freedom in a thrilling visual capacity.

5. ChillOut Festival

a street parade during the LGBTQIA+ ChillOut Festival — Think colourful street parades and burlesque performances.

When: 5–9 March
Where: Daylesford

Pride in the country has been cheered on every March in Daylesford since 1997 with the riotous annual LGBTQIA+ ChillOut Festival . This colourful regional spectacle is an inclusive celebration of diversity that plays out across a vibrant parade, burlesque performances, a bush dance and a carnival. Get bedazzled, find a wig and stick on the false eyelashes for this fun party.

6. Port Fairy Folk Festival

Missy Higgins at the Port Fairy Folk Festival — Celebrate folk music at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. (Image: Lucinda Goodwin)

When: 6–9 March
Where: Port Fairy

In 2026, this beloved festival will be one year shy of its 50th anniversary. From folk fans to festival-lovers, this long-running event brings plenty of good vibes to guarantee an incredible experience. While music is at the heart of the festival, there’s also a range of workshops, exhibitions and family entertainment across dance, film and folk art. For its 49th year, the line-up so far includes Blair Dunlop, Elephant Sessions, and the musical duo Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham.

7. The Ballarat Begonia Festival

a woman admiring flowers at The Ballarat Begonia Festival — Gasp at delicate blooms at The Ballarat Begonia Festival.

When: 7–9 March
Where: Ballarat

In bloom since 1953, this horticultural event places a collection of rare begonias at the centre of festivities, honouring the flower’s presence in Ballarat since the 1800s. During its history, the event has been visited by Queen Elizabeth II and, in 2015, it featured the launch of the largest outdoor Lego flower. Apart from a display of around 500 species of the flower of the moment, there’s also a begonia parade, entertainment, live music, food and presentations.

8. The Bendigo Easter Festival

Chinese dragon Dai Gum Loong dance at The Bendigo Easter Festival — The majestic Chinese dragon Dai Gum Loong dance is an annual tradition at The Bendigo Easter Festival.

When: 3–6 April
Where: Bendigo

Held in the city’s Rosalind Park, the annual Easter Festival has been a highlight of Bendigo’s calendar of events since 1871. A carnival of colourful activity, the festival welcomes everyone and rolls out the good times with everything from a Good Friday Easter egg hunt to live music and performances, a Rotary market and Gala Parade. Don’t miss the world’s longest imperial dragon rhythmically roaming the historic streets as part of the Easter Sunday festivities.

9. Grape Escape

a glass of wine at the Grampians Grape Escape — Enjoy a wine tasting experience. (Image: Anthony Evans Photography)

When: 1–3 May
Where: The Grampians

Backdropped by gorgeous Grampians/Gariwerd National Park, this much-loved bacchanalian-inspired festival of food, wine and music is a high-priority for gourmands. Held at Halls Gap Reserve, a Tasting Ticket includes a tumbler that unlocks free wine, beer and cider tastings and, if you are partaking, there’s a shuttle bus to get you back to your digs afterwards. Be sure to book your accommodation early for this one – its popularity is undisputed.

10. Comedy in the Vines

Comedy in the Vines at Cherryhill Orchards — Get the good times rolling at Cherryhill Orchards. (Image: Saige Prime)

When: 24–26 October
Where: Yarra Valley

The premise of Yarra Valley’s Comedy in the Vines , held at Cherryhill Orchards, is that wine and laughs pair well. Few arguments can be made, so get along this month (or next year), to have a giggle and a gamay. This year, taking the stage is the likes of Merrick Watts, Tommy Little, Ray O’Leary and Takashi Wakasugi. There are also masterclasses, a riesling and oyster shot bar, and plenty of food and music between gigs.