Australia - Activities / Events

With over 7.5 million sq km of sparsely populated territory, it's not surprising that Australia is an adventure playground. You can chew up the km with a 4WD, or explore smaller regions by foot, horseback or even on the back of a camel. You can also find some fine touring country for cycling, though only the very experienced should tackle the dry centre, and there are some fabulous trails for hiking. Surprisingly Australia also offers some excellent skiing and snow-boarding.
There are countless surfing beaches along the Australian coast, and diving spots are also many, especially on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. White-water rafting and/or canoeing are possible on the country's mighty rivers.
Whalewatching is possible at many places; the most popular are Eden in New South Wales, Warrnambool in Victoria, Albany in Western Australia and Fraser Island in Queensland. The range of activity, adventure and special interest holidays is almost limitless. Below is a brief outline with practical information on some of the most popular sports and activities available in Australia. Further trade information can also be obtained via Tourism Australia.

Surfing
You'll find surf beaches in the cities (Sydney and Perth), in beach towns (Lorne in Victoria, Byron Bay in New South Wales and the Gold Coast in Queensland) and in remote areas (the southwest of South Australia and the northwest of Western Australia). There are surfing schools all over the country, offering instruction for beginners or advanced surfers. For details, contact Surfing Australia, PO Box 1613, Kingscliff, NSW 2487 (tel: (2) 6674 9888; e-mail: crystalj@surfingaustralia.com; website: www.surfingaustralia.com).

Diving
With 36,735km (22,826 miles) of coastline, Australia provides outstanding opportunities for watersports, particularly diving and snorkeling. The tropical waters along the 2500km (1500 miles) of the Great Barrier Reef and its multitude of tiny islands form one of the world’s best-known diving locations. Requirements for dive courses (which are widely available) vary from state to state, but generally, beginners must be at least 12 years of age and have a medical certificate of fitness in accordance with Australian standards. To obtain the basic scuba diving qualification, visitors can participate in either a one-week full-time course or a two-week part-time course; tailor-made courses are also available. Certified divers must be able to produce their international certification card and log book for solo dives, unless they participate in fully supervised dives with a professional. For further information, contact Dive Directory, PO Box 5264, Cairns, Queensland 4870 (tel: (7) 4046 7304; fax: (7) 4031 1210; e-mail: info@dive-australia.com).

Bushwalking
This is an Australian term coined in the 1920s to distinguish serious walkers from casual hikers. Australia’s wilderness areas, national parks and vast tracts of sparsely populated countryside make bushwalking one of the country’s most popular pastimes. Maps are widely available, either from the many guide books on offer or from State government offices. Fires are a threat during summer, and walkers must respect fire ban warnings. Outdoor clothing and equipment tends to be expensive. Each State and Territory has its own independent parks authority.The best places for hiking can be found in the Northern Territory's MacDonnell Ranges, South Australia's Flinders Ranges, New South Wales' Blue Mountains and Snowy Mountains (straddling the border with Victoria) and Tasmania's vast wilderness.

Skiing
Possible from May to mid-October in the mountainous areas of the southeast. The best skiing slopes are located on the eastern mountain ranges on the state borders of New South Wales and Victoria. For further information, contact Ski & Snowboard Australia, Level 1, 1 Cobden Street, South Melbourne 3205 (tel: (3) 9696 2344; fax: (3) 9696 2399; e-mail: info@skiandsnowboardaustralia.org.au; website: www.skiingaustralia.org.au).

Self-drive tours
Three-quarters of Australia’s land mass lies in the outback. 4-wheel-drive vehicles are a favorite means of transport and there are a number of scenic highways and roads leading to the often remote outback destinations. On such journeys, it is not unusual to drive for hours without seeing another person. It is advisable to take extra water and petrol in case of emergencies.

Horse riding
In the warmer months you can clip-clop along the excellent horse-riding trails in the Snowy Mountains.

Canoeing/kayaking
White-water rafting and/or canoeing are possible at Coffs Harbour on New South Wales' Nymboida River, on the upper Murray near Khancoban also in New South Wales; along Queensland's Tully and North Johnstone Rivers between Townsville and Cairns; and in Tasmania.

Australian Rules
Aussie Rules - a unique Australian sport, similar to Gaelic football - is a national passion. At fever pitch in Melbourne, Aussie Rules is the winter sport - and religion - of choice in Australia's southern and western states.

Rugby
Rugby league and rugby union are both popular, especially in New South Wales.

Football
Much hope is pinned on the new A-League (www.a-league.com.au). For years local football (formerly known as soccer) has suffered as young players choose the better competition, contracts and mineral water on offer in Europe. The A-League, however, may have the dollars and profile to reverse the trend.

If the Socceroos' 2006 World Cup performance is anything to go by, it's going to take off!

Fishing
The seas off the east coast are reputed to be one of the world’s best game-fishing areas, and the waters off north Western Australia are also particularly abundant. The area north of Queensland is well-known for marlin fishing while the streams in the high country in New South Wales and Victoria are very good for trout. Newspapers and radio have comprehensive tide and fishing reports. Fishing license requirements vary from state to state. For further information, contact the Australian Recreational and Sport Fishing Industry Confederation, PO Box 854, Dickson ACT 2602 (tel: (2) 6257 1997; fax: (2) 6247 9314; e-mail: recfish@sportnet.com.au; website: www.recfishoz.com).

Golf
Facilities are excellent and the settings often spectacular. For further details and a copy of the Australian Golfers Handbook, contact the Australian Golf Union, 153-155 Cecil Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 (tel: (3) 9699 7944; fax: (3) 9690 8510; website: www.agu.org.au).

Special interest holidays
A huge range of these are available – farming, flying and gliding, ballooning, cycling, rafting, pony trekking, gemstone fossicking, bungee jumping, camel treks, whale watching, etc. For further details, see the individual State and Territory sections.


Events
Christmas is part of the long summer school vacation and during December and January you can be forgiven for thinking that half of Australia is on holiday. This is when accommodation is almost always booked out.
Australia's arts festivals attract culture vultures from all over Australia to see mainstream and fringe drama, dance, music and visual arts. The huge Festival of Sydney, which takes up most of January, is the umbrella for a number of events from open air concerts, to street theatre and fireworks. The Adelaide Arts Festival takes place at the beginning of March in even-numbered years. Each year, Womadelaide, Adelaide's outdoor festival of world music and dance, takes place in the second week of March. Melbourne has a Comedy Festival in April, the world's biggest Writers' Festival in September and the fabulous Melbourne International Festival in October. A couple of festivals to celebrate Aboriginal arts and culture include the Stompen Ground Festival, which is held in Broome in October and the Barunga Wugularr Sports & Cultural Festival, held near Katherine in June.
Sporty fun includes Darwin's Beer Can Regatta in August, when a series of boat races are held for craft constructed entirely of beer cans; Alice Spings holds the Henley-on-Todd, a boat race 'run' on a dry river bed. More mainstream events include the Sydney to Hobart yacht race (from Boxing Day); the Australian Open tennis championship (Melbourne in January); the Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne in March); Australian Rules Football (around the country from March to September); and the country-stopping Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
Gay festivals include Sydney's massive, outlandish Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, in February/March, and Melbourne's January/February Midsumma Festival.

Feng Shui Tours
Tue 01 Jan 2008 - Wed 31 Dec 2008
Melbourne
Visitors can enjoy a two-hour walking tour of Melbourne that takes in the city’s many feng shui examples.

Tai Chi Every Tuesday
Tue 01 Jan 2008 - Wed 31 Dec 2008
Melbourne
Held early each Tuesday morning in the city’s Federation Square, visitors and locals alike can partake in a free Tai Chi class led by experienced teachers.

Hidden Secrets Tours
Tue 01 Jan 2008 - Wed 31 Dec 2008
Melbourne
Visitors to Melbourne can get beyond the uniform experiences of chain stores and chain restaurants and get off the beaten track to discover the many unusual and quirky shops, bars, cafes and restaurants on a “Hidden Secrets Tour”.

Old Melbourne Gaol
Tue 01 Jan 2008 - Wed 31 Dec 2008
Melbourne
Visitors to the Old Melbourne Gaol can learn more about the institution and some of its inmates through a series of exhibitions and guided tours.

City Museum at Old Treasury
Tue 01 Jan 2008 - Wed 31 Dec 2008
Melbourne
Visitors to Melbourne’s City Museum at the Old Treasury can learn more about the history and development of this great city through a series of informative displays and interactive exhibits.

Lunar Tours - Royal Botanic Gardens
Thu 14 Feb 2008 - Wed 14 May 2008
Melbourne
Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens invites visitors to the Old Melbourne Observatory for an informative evening to learn more about the moon.

Sydney Writers' Festival
Mon 19 May 2008 - Sun 25 May 2008
Sydney
Held at Sydney’s Wharf 4/5, the annual Sydney Writers' Festival is the biggest literary event of its kind in Australia and one of the biggest book fairs in the world.

Sydney Film Festival
Wed 04 Jun 2008 - Sun 22 Jun 2008
Sydney
First held back in 1954, the annual Sydney Film Festival is one of the longest running and most prestigious events of its kind in the country.

Darwin Fringe Festival
Fri 27 Jun 2008 - Tue 15 Jul 2008
Darwin
Running alongside the city’s Darwin Festival, the Darwin Fringe Festival is an open access event at which anyone can stage a performance or creative project.

Camel Cup
Tue 01 Jul 2008 - Thu 31 Jul 2008 Date to be confirmed
Alice Springs
Each year spectators flock to the Blatherskite Park for the annual Camel Cup.

Brisbane International Film Festival
Tue 01 Jul 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
The annual Brisbane International Film Festival screens approximately 300 features, shorts, documentaries, animations and experimental works during its two-week run.

Melbourne International Film Festival
Tue 01 Jul 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
Held over three weeks, this is one of the largest and longest running film festivals in the Asia Pacific region and is arguably Australia’s most significant film festival.

Cairns Show
Tue 01 Jul 2008 - Thu 31 Jul 2008 Date to be confirmed
Cairns
The Cairns Show is three days of fun-packed entertainment as well as a showcase for local businesses.

Darwin Cup Carnival (horse racing)
Tue 01 Jul 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Darwin
Often referred to as the “mini Melbourne Cup”, this is the top horse racing event in the Northern Territory with over 18,000 race enthusiasts attending the Fannie Bay Racecourse each year.

V8 Supercars
Fri 04 Jul 2008 - Sun 06 Jul 2008
Darwin
Held every year since 1998, a selection of race fans, car lovers and petrolheads flock to Darwin for the annual V8 Supercars races.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon
Sun 06 Jul 2008
Gold Coast
Thousands of eager participants from all over the world take part in this premier Australian marathon and its associated events.

Ambiwerra Festival
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
Each year thousands of visitors flock to the Ambiwerra sports ground at Corinda to enjoy the many delights of the Ambiwerra Festival.

Darwin Festival
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Darwin
Held over 18 days in the last two and half weeks of August, the Darwin Festival is a vibrant arts and cultural event with most acts held outdoors in the Botanical Gardens.

City to Surf
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
Sydney’s City to Surf run is one of the most famous and best-attended fun runs in the world that always attracts good support from locals and tourists.

Mount Isa Rodeo
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Mount Isa
Despite being located approximately 1,000km (621 miles) from the nearest metropolitan area – Mount Isa has gained notoriety for its enormous mining operation and for holding the biggest event on the Australian rodeo calendar.

Royal Queensland Show (Ekka)
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
The Royal Queensland Show (or “Ekka”) is the largest annual event in Queensland, and attracts over than 600,000 visitors each year.

Festival Cairns
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Tue 30 Sep 2008 Date to be confirmed
Cairns
Held over a three-week period, Festival Cairns features a packed programme of creative, cultural and sporting events.

Sydney Design
Fri 01 Aug 2008 - Sun 31 Aug 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
One of Australia’s premier design festivals, the annual Sydney Design exhibition showcases the very latest in cutting-edge design from all over the world.

Kings Park Wildflower Festival
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Wed 01 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Perth
Held each year in Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Perth Wildflower Festival is one of the city’s best-loved events.

Festival of the Winds
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Tue 30 Sep 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
This popular annual event at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach attracts kite enthusiasts from all over the world.

Shinju Matsuri – Broome Festival of the Pearl
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Tue 30 Sep 2008 Date to be confirmed
Broome
The Japanese, Chinese, Malay, European, local Aborigines and others who came to Broome to work in the pearling industry have given the town a rich diversity.

Pride Festival
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Perth
The Perth Pride Festival celebrates its gay and lesbian communities to a month-long party to which everyone is welcome.

Riverfestival
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Tue 30 Sep 2008 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
Running through the heart of the city, the Brisbane River is an integral part of Brisbane’s identity.

Melbourne Fringe Festival
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
The Melbourne Fringe Festival is the largest annual celebration of independent arts in Australia and covers a range of forms including performance, comedy, music, cabaret, visual arts, movement, dance, spoken word, circus as well as a series of special events.

Manly International Jazz Festival
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
Thousands of music fans each year enjoy the varied programme of the Manly International Jazz Festival.

Royal Adelaide Show
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Tue 30 Sep 2008
Adelaide
First held in 1840, the Royal Adelaide Show is staged by the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia.

Royal Melbourne Show
Mon 01 Sep 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
One of the city’s best-loved events, the annual Royal Melbourne Show is a traditional agricultural fair which attracts thousands of visitors.

Birdsville Races
Fri 05 Sep 2008 - Sat 06 Sep 2008
Birdsville
This tiny outback town of Birdsville has its busiest two days in September when people from all parts of Australia as well as from around the world gather for the Birdsville Cup Racing Carnival.

Carnival on Collins
Sun 07 Sep 2008
Cairns
Held on Father’s Day, Carnival on Collins is a fun family day out that includes live entertainment, music, street theatre, children’s games, food stalls, plant sales and much more.

Perth Royal Show
Sat 27 Sep 2008 - Sat 04 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Perth
Taking place over eight days each spring at the Claremont Showground, the Perth Royal Show is one of the region’s most popular agricultural events and exhibitions.

Sleaze Ball
Sat 27 Sep 2008 - Sat 04 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
Whilst Sydney’s popular Mardi Gras Party is all sweetness and light, the city’s annual Sleaze Ball caters to the edgier, darker side of gay and lesbian celebrations.

Good Food Month
Wed 01 Oct 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
Celebrating all that’s great about food and drink, each October the city of Sydney hosts Good Food Month during which visitors can experience a whole programme of food- and drink-related events and entertainment.

Bathurst 1000
Wed 01 Oct 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Bathurst
A real must for petrol heads everywhere, visitors to the annual Bathurst 1000 can expect to experience the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber as drivers battle it out on the Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst, west of Sydney.

Melbourne International Arts Festival
Wed 01 Oct 2008 - Fri 31 Oct 2008 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
The Melbourne Festival – one of the country's most important – includes dance, theatre, music, opera, visual arts and film performances.

Spring Racing Carnival
Wed 01 Oct 2008 - Sun 30 Nov 2008 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
Victoria’s annual Spring Racing Carnival is a 50-day horse racing programme that creates a real party atmosphere that sets this event in a class all of its own.

Awesome Festival
Sat 01 Nov 2008 - Sun 30 Nov 2008 Date to be confirmed
Perth
The annual Awesome Festival, or “Awesome International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things” by its longer title, is a popular arts event that particularly welcomes the participation and interaction of younger visitors.

Sculpture by the Sea
Sat 01 Nov 2008 - Sun 30 Nov 2008 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
Reputed to be the largest annual outdoor exhibition of contemporary sculpture in the country, Sculpture by the Sea attracts approximately 400,000 visitors each year.

Red Bull Air Race
Sat 01 Nov 2008 - Sun 30 Nov 2008 Date to be confirmed
Perth
The Red Bull Air Race is an incredible spectacle that sees the world’s greatest pilots flying between a series of inflatable gates, aiming to complete the circuit in the fastest possible time.

Melbourne Cup
Tue 04 Nov 2008
Melbourne
One of the biggest events in Australia’s horseracing calendar, the Melbourne Cup is the country’s richest and most famous horse race.

Night the River Sings
Mon 01 Dec 2008 - Wed 31 Dec 2008 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
A great spectacle that’s sure to get everybody into the Christmas spirit, the annual “Night the River Sings” takes place along the Brisbane River that runs through the heart of this fabulous city.

Hopman Cup
Mon 01 Dec 2008 - Sat 31 Jan 2009 Date to be confirmed
Perth
Named after Harry Hopman, one of Australia’s greatest tennis players and coaches, the Hopman Cup is a mixed tennis tournament that attracts top players from all over the world.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Fri 26 Dec 2008 - Thu 01 Jan 2009 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
The annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is one of the most prestigious races in the world yachting calendar and attracts boats and crews from all over the world.

New Year’s Eve Party
Wed 31 Dec 2008 - Thu 01 Jan 2009
Sydney
Each year Sydney welcomes in the New Year with a spectacular party at the famous Sydney Harbour.

Big Day Out
Thu 01 Jan 2009 - Sat 28 Feb 2009 Date to be confirmed
Australia
Big Day Out is Australia’s biggest touring music festival, with day-long events running in Auckland, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adeleide and Perth.

Sydney Festival
Thu 01 Jan 2009 - Sat 31 Jan 2009 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
One of Australia’s most important cultural events, the Sydney Festival attracts over 1.5 million people each year to the three-week programme of indoor and outdoor presentations bringing together the very best international and national performing and visual arts.

Perth Cup (horse racing)
Thu 01 Jan 2009
Perth
Always held on New Year’s Day, the annual Perth Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the region and has become something of a New Year’s tradition in Perth.

Australian Open (tennis)
Mon 12 Jan 2009 - Sun 25 Jan 2009 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
The Australian Open is Australia's main tennis tournament and forms part of the Grand Slam competition which also includes the Wimbledon Championships, the United States Open and the French Open.

Cockroach Racing World Championships
Mon 26 Jan 2009
Brisbane
First held in 1982, each year Brisbane’s Story Bridge Hotel celebrates Australia Day with the Cockroach Racing World Championships.

Australia Day
Mon 26 Jan 2009
Sydney
Australia was formally colonised when the British First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788.

Chinese New Year
Mon 26 Jan 2009 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
The biggest celebration of the year in the Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year is a huge party and a great time to visit Brisbane’s Chinatown.

Tropfest
Sun 01 Feb 2009 - Sat 28 Feb 2009 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
Usually held on the last Sunday in February, the annual Sony Tropfest is an outdoor short film festival that’s completely free.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Sun 01 Feb 2009 - Tue 31 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
During the 10-day festival, visitors to the city can enjoy a great programme of food- and drink-related events as part of the annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

Perth International Arts Festival
Sun 01 Feb 2009 - Tue 31 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
Perth
Founded in 1953 by The University of Western Australia, this is the oldest international arts festival in Australia.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sun 01 Feb 2009 - Sun 01 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras began in 1978 as a parade down the city's Oxford Street to mark International Gay Solidarity Day (in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots in New York's Greenwich Village).

Hunter Valley Harvest Festival
Sun 01 Mar 2009 - Mon 30 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
New South Wales
Celebrating the end of the wine season, wineries in the spectacular Hunter Valley region invite visitors and locals to share a glass of the produce during this month-long event.

Clipsal 500 Adelaide
Sun 01 Mar 2009 - Tue 31 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
Adelaide
One of the rounds of the AVESCO V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Clipsal 500 Adelaide is a hugely popular event in Australia that attracts crowds in excess in 250,000.

WOMADelaide
Sun 01 Mar 2009 - Tue 31 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
Adelaide
The three-day WOMADelaide music festival brings together artists from all over the world.

Australian Grand Prix (Formula 1)
Sun 01 Mar 2009 - Tue 31 Mar 2009 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
Although the Australian leg of the Grand Prix was traditionally held in Adelaide, Melbourne won the battle in 1996 to play host to the prestigious event.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Sun 01 Mar 2009 - Thu 30 Apr 2009 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
One of the biggest and best comedy festivals anywhere in the world, this annual event is something of a rites of passage for many comedians.

Royal Easter Show
Sun 01 Mar 2009 - Fri 01 May 2009 Date to be confirmed
Sydney
One of the biggest annual events in the country, Sydney’s Royal Easter Show is a two-week extravaganza that celebrates Australia’s rich and diverse cultural identity.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Wed 01 Apr 2009 - Sun 31 May 2009 Date to be confirmed
Melbourne
Each year this cosmopolitan city hosts the fantastic Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Barossa Vintage Festival
Sat 11 Apr 2009 - Sun 19 Apr 2009 Date to be confirmed
Adelaide
The Vintage Festival is a biennial event that runs for a full week and encompasses all aspects of the Barossa community - and particularly its fine wines.

ANZAC Day
Sat 25 Apr 2009
Australia
ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during World War I (1914–1918).

Australian Fashion Week
Thu 09 Oct 2008 - Sat 11 Oct 2008
Sydney
The leading event of its kind in the country, designers from all over the world and particularly from Australia and Asia Pacific show their latest creations and collections.

Tasting Australia
Thu 01 Oct 2009 - Sat 31 Oct 2009 Date to be confirmed
Adelaide
Held every two years in Adelaide, this popular event provides a showcase for the world’s top culinary talents.

Australasian Masters Games
Thu 01 Oct 2009 - Sat 31 Oct 2009 Date to be confirmed
Adelaide
Organised under the Confederation of Australian Sport’s (CAS) charter of “Sport for All“, the biennial Australasian Masters Games provides sporting opportunities exclusively for people over the age of 30.

Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts
Mon 01 Mar 2010 - Wed 31 Mar 2010 Date to be confirmed
Adelaide
Held over a two-week period in March, the biennial Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts offers visitors a great programme of events that takes over every available space in the city.

Arafura Games
Sat 09 May 2009 - Sun 17 May 2009
Darwin
The Arafura Games is the leading international sporting competition for emerging athletes from the Asia Pacific region.

Biennale of Sydney
Wed 18 Jun 2008 - Sun 07 Sep 2008
Sydney
Sydney’s international festival of contemporary art aims to invigorate and enrich Australian visual culture through a programme involving international and Australian artists, writers, curators, scholars and students.

Brisbane Festival
Tue 01 Jul 2008 - Thu 31 Jul 2008 Date to be confirmed
Brisbane
Brisbane’s biennial international multi-arts festival offers visitors the chance to enjoy a range of music, dance, theatre, opera, multimedia, visual arts and free community events during the 17-day run of the Brisbane Festival.

Pan Pacific Masters Games
Sat 01 Nov 2008 - Sun 09 Nov 2008
Southport
The Pan Pacific Masters Games (previously known as the Asia Pacific Masters Games) have been held on the Gold Coast every two years since 1998.

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