Things to do on the coast and in the country in October

Tulip Top Gardens

When: Daily, until 16 October, 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Tulip Top Gardens
Cost: Tickets from $18, find out more here

After a three-year pause the Tulip Top Gardens are now back at full capacity for in-person visits.

One of the best springtime attractions for locals and interstate visitors in the region, the Tulip Top Gardens is still open and will remain open until mid October to wow the crowds with beautiful displays of tulips and other flowers.

Following a three-year pause and a transition to digital passes to explore the gardens virtually, you can now stroll through the gardens, take some pics and then sit down and have a nice lunch together with all your family and friends.

Harden Kite Festival

When: Saturday 8 October, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: Harden Picnic Racecourse, Burley Griffin Way, Harden
Cost: Gold coin donation, register here

The Harden Kite Festival is an affordable family-friendly annual event held in the beautiful Hilltops region of NSW.

This community event has free activities and entertainment for all ages, such as exciting cultural performances, kite decorating workshops, a kids activity alley and a petting zoo.

Browse the great range of interesting market stalls, enjoy the all-day ride pass for unlimited rides or simply sit in the shade and enjoy the fun. Bring your own kite or buy one on the day. There will be a variety of tasty food and good coffee available, or feel free to bring your own picnic.

Entry is by gold coin donation and it is an alcohol-free event!

Spirit of the Land Festival

When: Saturday 8 October
Where: Green Street, Lockhart, NSW
Cost: Free entry

Taking place in Lockhart this October is the The Spirit of the Land Festival – a colourful and vibrant celebration of the land.

It features plenty of Indigenous art, photo exhibitions, extensive high-quality markets, fabulous foods, open gardens, live music, farm tours, vintage vehicles and Leeton Lions train rides.

Bring your family and friends and come and check out all the amazing things it has to offer.

Eden Whale Festival

When: Friday 7 October, from 2 pm, Saturday 8 October, from 8 am and Sunday 9 October, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Where: Various locations
Cost: Limited ticketed events, check out the program here

The Eden Whale Festival is an annual event, highlighting the southern migration of the humpback and other whales.

If you want to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals, there is no better place to be in Australia than Eden on the NSW south coast.

The whales can be seen in large numbers in the town’s stunning Twofold Bay, whether you are in a boat or, indeed, on the shore. For one weekend each year, the rich maritime and whaling history of this port on Australia’s coastal wilderness becomes the centrepiece for a weekend that somehow seamlessly links all things whale.

There’s food events, art exhibitions, vibrant markets showcasing and selling the work of local artisans, great local food and wine, educational marine displays and presentations, quality children’s entertainment, live music, and – of course – the best whale watching experience in Australia.

Flow Festival

When: Saturday 8 October, 12 pm – 10 pm
Where: The Wagga Wagga Boat Club Plumpton Road, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $20, purchase your tickets here

Wagga Wagga’s Flow Festival is back with a brand new line up from all over the Riverina and surrounds.

For 10 hours non-stop, live music will be showcased from artists and bands such as Thunderstruck-The Australian AC/DC Show, 1987, The Madcoats, Mobes, Northbourne, Shotput Kitty, Reckless and RumbleTown.

There will also be plenty of local talent featured, including Bj Vernal, Shaun Webb, Garry Salvestro, Kelvin Bailey, Gianni Cocilova, Robert Fattore, Daryl Day, Sean Daniell, Aaron Oldaker, Adam Urquhart, Kathy Wall and Riley Burgess.

This family-friendly event is one you won’t want to miss, with plenty of food vendors on site and plenty of chances to have a boogie and enjoy all the live music.

Kate Ceberano live at Tallagandra Hill

When: Saturday 8 October, 7 – 10 pm
Where: Tallagandra Hill Winery, 1692 Murrumbateman Road, Gundaroo
Cost: Tickets are $101, and can be purchased here

An Australian icon and all-time favourite, Kate Ceberano is coming to Tallagandra Hill Winery with her band this October.

Kate has racked up 28 albums over 35 years, and continues to experiment with different genres.

She has also achieved platinum status 13 times, gold status eight times, received three ARIA awards, seven nominations for Best Female Artist, and dozens of other major awards.

To see her live in concert, get your tickets now as you won’t want to miss this show!

South Coast Food and Wine Festival

When: Friday 14 October, 5 – 9 pm, Saturday 15 October, 11 am – late
Where: White Sands Park, Huskisson, Jervis Bay
Cost: Tickets from $5, book here

Best known for its white sand beaches, Huskisson in Jervis Bay is hosting the October 2022 South Coast Food and Wine Festival.

With beachfront locations, music, Nowra Farmers Market Masterclasses and 50 of the best exhibitors showcased across the two days, this year’s event promises to be the biggest and best festival yet.

Included in your festival ticket you’ll also get a souvenir South Coast Food and Wine Festival cup, a complimentary drink from selected exhibitors of beer, wine or cider, tasting notes for all exhibitors’ beers, wines, ciders and spirits, roving entertainment, bands and DJs and access to about 100 drinks all made in NSW.

Murrumbateman Field Days

When: Saturday 15 October, 8 am – 5 pm, Sunday 16 October, 8 am – 4 pm
Where: 19 East Street, Murrumbateman, NSW
Cost: Tickets from $12, book here

The Yass Valley’s premiere agricultural event – The Murrumbateman Field Days is back this spring!

Located only 30 minutes from Canberra, you can bring your friends and your family for a fun day out, that’s full of live entertainment, lifestyle, home improvement exhibits, local produce and wine tastings.

There will also be great shopping, featuring local and regional products and a children’s farmyard, pony rides, face painting and amusement rides such as the cha cha, dodgem cars and a giant slide.

Headland Writers Festival

When: Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October
Where: Several locations in Tathra, more info on venues here
Cost: Tickets from $15, book here

Taking place this month is the Headland Writers Festival in Tathra. It is a celebration of reading, writing, sharing stories and indulging the mind and will run cross three days in October. Attendees will get the opportunity to participate in author in-conversations, panels, workshops, poetry breakfasts, theatre and music performances.

In the Tathra Hall, there will be in-depth conversations with Wendy Whiteley, Michelle de Kretser, Jock Serong and Hayley Scrivenor and a special performance by author and activist Clementine Ford.

Down the hill to the festival hub at Tathra Hotel, will be the music of the Gypsy Jazz Project and author Deirdre O’Connell’s Harlem Nights: The Secret History of Australia’s Jazz Age.

This year, Headland will also feature a strong local connection with authors who live in, grew up or have strong connections to the area such as Quentin Sprague, Anna Clark, Kate Herd, Philip Cox, Janet Hawley, Gabbie Stroud, Kate Liston-Mills, Emily Sheehan, Ella Caldwell and Christine Howe.

Locals Philip Cox and Kate Herd will head a panel discussing the intersection of gardens, art and design. Quentin Sprague will discuss his award-winning social history of the East Kimberley art movement The Stranger Artist and historian Anna Clark’s Making Australian History looks at the divisive history wars and who gets to tell the story of Australia.

First Nations author Veronica Gorrie in conversation with Linda Mottram will talk about her memoir Black & Blue: A Memoir of Racism and Resilience, an account of her career as a police officer.

Australian Children’s Laureate Gabrielle Wang will spark the imaginations of readers young and old and introduce us to a world of diverse stories and diverse authors.

BJORN AGAIN – Mamma Mia! We Are Back Again Tour

When: Thursday 29 October, 2 pm and 8 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
Cost: Tickets from $65, and can be purchased here

Bjorn Again are said to be the world’s number one Abba show, and they’re coming to the Civic Theatre at the end of the month with their Mamma Mia! We are Back again! tour.

Get ready to witness flared pants, platform shoes, sequins and satin as the band perform all of your favourite ABBA hits.

Bjorn Again have performed in more than 120 countries worldwide, are endorsed by the members of ABBA and are regarded as the most successful tribute show of all time.

Their shows have even been attended by other big names such as JK Rowling, Tom Jones, Dave Grohl, Paul Kelly, Metallica, Robert Plant, Bill Gates and Nirvana.

Book in quick cause you won’t want to miss this.

Original Article published by Evelyn Karatzas on Riotact.