Mark your calendar! These are summer's hottest city events

From Tassie festivals to a floating sauna in Sydney Harbour, here’s what’s making waves this summer across our capital cities.

Perth, WA

Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises.

Shark Bay prawns, Abrolhos Island scallops, Cone Bay barramundi and WA crayfish are all showcased during a five-course seafood feast onboard Mandurah Cruises’ new Sunset & Seafood Cruise, which launched in October.

squeezing lemon into a seafood dish at Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises — Feast on seafood on a luxury cruise.

The cruise departs from Stingray Point in Mandurah, which is just one hour’s drive from Perth, and the dolphin capital of the state. You can also watch the sun dip below the horizon over the Indian Ocean onboard the new-look Luxe Island Seafood Cruise with Rottnest Cruises. Head back to QT Perth for golden hour at the Sunset Caña Club.

Sydney, NSW

the Aqua Sculpt Floating Pilates and Sound Baths, Sydney — Find your zen this summer with Aqua Sculpt Floating Pilates and Sound Baths.

Wellness on the water is Sydney summer flex, with two new operators transforming the harbour into a mind and body haven. Perform the plank while waves of sonic calm wash over you with Aqua Sculpt Floating Pilates and Sound Baths. Pootle towards Berrys Bay with Wellness Afloat for a floating sauna and cold plunge experience. And balance health with hedonism in Woolloomooloo with OTTO’s Boozy Dolci, a cocktail-inspired cannoli served tableside.

Hobart, Tas

food stalls at the Hobart/Nipaluna’s Taste of Summer — The Hobart/Nipaluna’s Taste of Summer is one of the capital’s lesser-known festivals. (Image: Alastair Bett)

There is a lot of hype about Hobart Taste of Summer, which has been held over the city’s festive period for the past 40 years. But what about some of the capital’s lesser-known festivals, such as the city’s Gin-uary Hobart Gin Festival on 17–18 January.

seafood at the Hobart/Nipaluna’s Taste of Summer — Seafood at Taste of Summer. (Image: Dearna Bond)

It’s also worth the 90-minute drive to the Tasmanian Chilli and Cheese festival held in Ross on 14 December. Ditto for the quirky Koonya Garlic Festival held just outside of Hobart every February. Keep nurturing your bulbs for the annual Garlic Grower’s Competition.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Melbourne, Vic

a cup of gelato at Mondo Del Gelateria, Melbourne — Get your gelato fix at Mondo Del Gelateria.

Melbourne might soon be the best place in the world to get your gelato fix. Founder of Mondo Del Gelateria, Rio Olivetti learned the art of making gelato from the head of Bologna’s Carpigiani Gelato University before bringing his flagship gelateria to the city centre. In addition to this go-to destination for gelato, the city’s vibrant food scene features in Lonely Planet’s 2026 Top Experiences Hotlist. Understand why over a burger at Easey’s, atop a rooftop train in Collingwood, and meze at Tzaki, which has just 16 seats. Stay plugged into the zeitgeist slurping cocktails at the new rooftop pool at Vibe Hotel Docklands.

Canberra, ACT

pairing at Pankhurst Wines, Canberra — Pairing at Pankhurst Wines. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Pankhurst Wines is just one of the estates in the Canberra Wine Region producing top drops for summer, such as chardonnay and pinot noir. With more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes of the city, it’s possible to loop in some of the region’s best vineyards over the course of a lazy afternoon.

people riding bicycles while exploring Canberra's best vineyards — Cycle around Canberra’s best vineyards. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Hire a pedal-assist pushie, which requires little effort. And ask the Lycra-clad legends from Canberra Wine Region E-Bike Tours to map out an off-road route around the Murrumbateman Winery Trail. Be sure to include wineries such as the Four Winds Vineyard.

the Four Winds Vineyard, Canberra — Imbibe elevated tipples overlooking the sprawling Four Winds Vineyard. (Image: Supplied)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Darwin, NT

a thunderstorm in Darwin — Summer lights up the sky in Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT/Paul Thomsen/Wild Foto.

Nature conducts its own light and sound shows in Darwin over summer. Visit between November and April, when cotton-candy clouds stretch tight across the sky in bands of rose and gold. High temperatures and moisture in the air also lead to dramatic electrical storms that crack open the sky. Beat the stultifying heat with a dip in the Wave Lagoon on Darwin Waterfront. Stay in a new luxe villa at Darwin Airport Resorts, the first of its kind in Australia.

Adelaide, SA

Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Verdi‘s Aida at Arena di Verona. (Image: Heads Production)

A balmy summer night spent beneath a ceiling of sky at Adelaide Oval is one well spent. Franco Zeffirelli’s Arena di Verona production of AIDA is the largest opera production ever presented in Australia. Enhance your appreciation of the show with a private pre-performance talk presented by music specialist Phillip Sametz as part of the AIDA in Adelaide itinerary curated by Renaissance Tours from 4–6 February. Prefer sport to soprano? The Ashes returns to Adelaide over Christmas.

Brisbane, Qld

a street art painting on a building wall in Brisbane — Admire street art in Brisbane.

See the Queensland capital in a new light over summer with Brisbane Unexpected’s International Street Art Walking Tour. The immersive tour explores Brisbane’s backstreets, which are brimming with works from artists such as Drapl, Claire Foxton and Fintan Magee. The guided tour was curated by Lincoln Savage, director of Brisbane Street Art Festival. It starts in the South Bank precinct before crossing the river to Gardens Point and Howard Smith Wharves. Brisbane Unexpected has also launched an all-new guided walking tour: Brisbane the River City.

an artist artwork featured at Brisbane Unexpected’s International Street Art Walking Tour — The street art walking tour features works from artists.

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

Mark your calendar! These are summer’s hottest events in every capital city

From Tassie festivals to a floating sauna in Sydney Harbour, here’s what’s making waves this summer across our capital cities.

Perth, WA

Sydney, NSW

Hobart, Tas

Melbourne, Vic

Canberra, ACT

Darwin, NT

Adelaide, SA

Brisbane, Qld

30 stunning spring festivals around Australia

These two secluded cabins have been designed to put your dog first

What’s on around Australia in September 2026

11 stunning spring towns you need to visit

This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

Where the vines tell a story

At the table

From the source

Mark your calendar

From Tassie festivals to a floating sauna in Sydney Harbour, here’s what’s making waves this summer across our capital cities.

Perth, WA

Sydney, NSW

Hobart, Tas

AI Prompt

Melbourne, Vic

Canberra, ACT

Darwin, NT

Adelaide, SA

Brisbane, Qld

30 stunning spring festivals around Australia

These two secluded cabins have been designed to put your dog first

What’s on around Australia in September 2026

11 stunning spring towns you need to visit

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

Where the vines tell a story

At the table

From the source

Mark your calendar