The best Aussie winter family festivals

As winter officially sets in, Australian Traveller searches for family friendly festivals that will entertain and astound.

With the cold air finally arriving, skies turning grey and gas bills increasing exponentially, now is the perfect time to explore Australia’s family festivals. There will be freshly fallen snow, luminous installations, evocative activities, quirky events and the opportunity to observe our country’s artistic talent. All you need is a sense of adventure and a few festive plans.

To help fill the calendar, AT has been on the lookout for exciting events unfolding across the country, winter warmers the family will not want to miss.

1. The Antarctic Midwinter Festival, Hobart

Rug up this winter and see a breath of ice and Deep Ocean hit Australia’s Antarctic Port. From June 18-21 the innovative Antarctic Midwinter Festival celebrates Tasmania and Antarctica’s historic and living connections by uniting exceptional exhibitions, performances, tours and social events. It’s an opportunity for adventurers and amateur scientist to enjoy the planet’s last pristine wilderness.

If the world of Antarctic science and exploration captures your family’s imagination, check out A Midwinter’s Night at the Museum at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. The combination of strange creatures, deep space and weird science is guaranteed to entertain.

Photography buffs can also enter The Extreme Environment Photographic Competition by submitting images from remote parts of the globe. For more events visit www.antarctic-tasmania.info

2. The Light in Winter, Melbourne

Federation Square gives us a bright reason to apply the layers and head for the city. Directed by Robyn Archer, The Light in Winter is a light-based festival uniting artists, designers and communities in exploring concepts of light, enlightenment and hope.

13 installations created by part of Melbourne’s multicultural community make up the spectacular display, “The Light in Winter". The works explore the cultural significance of light, warming the city’s seasonally chilled heart as just one of the exhibitions on show.

Families can also celebrate the Winter Solstice by packing a picnic and enjoying live music and performance to herald the arrival of longer and brighter days. For information see www.fedsquare.com or call 03 9655 1900.

3. Winter Magic Festival, Blue Mountains

Watch the Winter Magic Festival transform one of Australia’s most spectacular regions as local musicians, mask makers, dancers, poets, clowns and choirs sprinkle winter magic and wonder around Katoomba.

There’s the inevitable embarrassment or chance to demonstrate unexpected skating prowess at this year’s outdoor ice rink, inside the picturesque Carrington Place town square. Alternatively, you can show your “universal" appreciation when The Winter Magic Grand Parade celebrates the International Year of Astronomy.

Festival favourites, including ArtStreet and the Short Film Festival, will again turn Katoomba’s main streets into a visually exciting artistic space. To discover more visit www.wintermagic.com.au

4. Mary Poppins Festival in the Park, Maryborough

For a storybook escape to the Queensland coast in the winter school holidays, Hervey Bay is “practically perfect", with the Mary Poppins Festival in the Park landing gracefully on their shores on July 5.

The world famous nanny works her magic to transform Richmond and Wharf Street into the fantasy Cherry Tree Lane, with young and old invited to meet Mr Banks, the Bird Lady, The Chimney Sweep and Mary Poppins herself. Countless activities, rides, steam trains, brass bands and fine arts and crafts markets to amuse all and cap off a weeklong event to honour the Mary Poppins author PL Travers, who was born in Maryborough in 1899.

Hervey Bay celebrates the Mary Poppins Festival by offering accommodation packages to suit all price ranges.

5. Alice Springs Beanie Festival, Alice Springs

Once a humble “beanie party", the distinctive Alice Springs Beanie festival is ideal for fans of all things warm and woolly.

From June 26-28, be enthralled by beanie central, otherwise known as the Araluen Cultural Precinct, the centrepiece for the festive long weekend. Here the mayhem and thrill of the beanie chase takes place as you search for the perfect beanie from more than 4000 on display and up for sale.

Music, workshops, kids craft, Beanie Olympics and a signature teashop make this the perfect winter remedy. The Opening Night party is also not to be missed – enjoy the entertainment and see the prize-winning beanies paraded under the stars.

Visit www.beaniefest.org to learn about the festival and year-round Beanies, Baskets and Bush tucker tours.

6. City of Perth Winter Arts Season

A rich tapestry of arts events will keep sandgropers warm throughout the cooler months. From June 1 to August 30, the Perth Winter Arts Season embraces the State’s growing creative scene through diverse stage performances, arts organisations and exhibitions.

To mark the largest festival to date, watch parents behaving badly and uncensored playgroup politics in the delightful stage production God of Carnage. The Museum of Performing Arts will also present the moving ANZAC Coves, named in honour of the troupe of soldier entertainers who dodged bullets and bombs to perform on the battlefronts of Europe.

The presence of Australian superstar Ben Lee proves that the unorthodox and embracing season has something for everyone. For a complete program visit www.perthwinterarts.com.au

7. 2009 Whaletime Playtime Festival, Victor Harbour SA

Two days of fun and excitement will capture the imagination children as the 2009 Whaletime Playtime Festival splashes around from July 4-5.

Exceptional SA performers including the innovative Ticklish Allsorts and the Amazing Drumming Monkey’s will help bring the aquatic world to life. Don’t miss Victor Harbor’s much-loved Professor Blubber and keep an eye out for Henrietta the Humpback.

This year’s festival coincides with the opening of SA’s Whale Watching Season, making it a rare family experience. Exposure to these magnificent mammals and original event is an apt reminder of the need to conserve and protect our natural surroundings. Find a full program at www.whaletimeplaytimefestival.com.au

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.