Experience spring events in Australia this autumn

With the outlook looking cloudy for the UK, there has never been a better time to visit Australia than this autumn. When it’s springtime in Oz there are a number of fun, unusual, quirky, cultural and interesting events happening. From Lizard Races to Scarecrow Competitions; and from CheeseFests to Flora Festivals, there is a lot going on from September – November . . .

Western Australia

The Australian Safari: 24 Aug - 1 September 2007
The Australian Safari is one of the world’s most challenging cross-country rallies and 2007 will mark the 20th anniversary of the event. Often referred to as the ‘Dakar’ of the southern hemisphere the event invites participants in cars, motor bikes and quads to traverse over 500km of outback terrain.

Australiansafari.com.au

Red Bull Air Race: 4 November 2007
The Red Bull Air Race takes flying to the next level. Watch the world’s most talented pilots compete in a race based on speed, precision and skill as they fly a daring compact course in Perth’s sky. A major festival inspired by the race features the history of aircraft and much more.

Redbullairrace.com

Victoria

Queenscliff Music Festival: 23 – 25 November 2007
Now in its 11th year, Queenscliff Music Festival is a great festival experience for music lovers. A family-friendly festival, Queenscliff is much loved for its depth and diversity of musical talent as well as its picturesque seaside setting. Located just over an hour's drive from Melbourne, Queenscliff offers original contemporary music in Australia as well as a few select invited international guests.

Gmf.net.au

Warratina Lavender Harvest Festival, Wandin North: 25 November 2007
The Lavender Harvest Fest is a day filled with music, highland pipes, dancing, old-time crafts and demonstrations of spinning, lace making, wood turning, and blacksmithing, Irish dancing, regional food, beer and wine. Watch the lavender being harvested while you enjoy lavender scones and lavender honey ice-cream.

Warratinalavender.com.au

Tasmania

Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge: 17 – 23 November 2007
Formula 1 star, Mark Webber has created a gruelling six day physical and mental adventure challenge to raise money for charity. The race is held amongst Tasmania’s beautiful natural landscapes and is a test of fitness and endurance. Competitors range from elite athletes to corporate teams which choose to compete in one of two categories; Van Diemen Cup - a four person corporate team entry, and the 2theXtreme Cup - a two person elite team entry.

Markwebberchallenge.com

South Australia

Tasting Australia: 13 - 20 October 2007
Take your taste buds on tour as South Australia hosts some of the world's top chefs in stunning locations. Immerse yourself in eight days of culinary splendour as things heat up in commercial kitchens, restaurants, wineries and a few not-so-familiar venues across South Australia. This is Australia’s leading food and wine event experience and the ultimate way to taste some of Australia’s many culinary delights.

Tasting-australia.com.au

CheeseFest: 21 October 2007
Held at McLaren Vale, CheeseFest celebrates the Australian cheese industry. The event attracts over 200 cheeses entries for the 30 prestigious medals up for grabs. The festival highlight is the Cheese Lovers' Alfresco Gourmet Day where visitors meet and mingle with the cheese makers and sample and learn about the art of specialty cheese making. Other attractions include cheese making demonstrations and cheese and wine matching.

Cheesefest.com.au

Queensland

The Birdsville Races: 31 Aug -1 September 2007
The annual Birdsville Cup Racing Carnival was first held in1882 as an event for hack and stock horses with a few local spectators. The world famous outback carnival now includes a 12-race program and prize money in excess of $110 000. Situated three kilometres to the South East of the town the track itself is on a clay pan alongside the sand dunes. Other entertainment includes the AKUBRA Fashions of the Field, Fred Brophy's Boxing Troupe, whip cracking, sideshow and auction.

Birdsvilleraces.com

World Championship Lizard Races: 8- 10 September 2007
The Eulo World Lizard Races in Cunnamulla is an event not to miss. Frilled neck, shingleback and blue tongue lizards all race for honour and glory on the red dusty Paroo Race Track. Other races include the Miss Maid and Junior Ambassador Awards, a baby show along with woodchop, sand-hill digging and loom sprints.

Queenslandholidays.com.au/events/sports/world-championship-lizard-races/index.cfm

Northern Territory

Back to Birdum: 8 - 9 September 2007
Train enthusiasts will celebrate the anniversary of the first steam train to the end of the Never Never Line on 4 September 1929. This historic pilgrimage starts at the Larrimah Wayside Inn and travels to the Daly Waters Railway Terrace, where the line was originally supposed to end.

Travelnt.com/en/search/product-detail.aspx?product_id=9001521

Barkly Campdraft and Rodeo: 5 - 7 October 2007
This event offers the chance for the whole family to see real cowboys in action doing what they do best. Highlights of the event include bull riding, bronco riding and barrel racing all which promise to be a visual spectacular and lots of fun for spectators of all ages.

Barklytourism.com.au

New South Wales

Australian Springtime Flora Festival, Gosford: 6 – 9 September 2007
This award-winning event is one of the largest and most popular flora events in Australia. Interspersed among the flora displays and landscaped garden settings, will be displays by associated commercial suppliers who help to provide the visitor with a total picture of outdoor, garden and home living. There will be over 300 displays to view.

Florafestival.com.au

Feast of the Olive, Pokolbin: 29 – 30 September 2007
The Feast of the Olive in the Hunter Valley celebrates all things olive including oil appreciation classes, cooking demonstrations, market stalls where you can try and buy local olive produce as well as a wide range of other gourmet delights.

Hunterolives.asn.au

Carnival of the Scarecrows: October 2007
The usually sleepy village of Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales comes alive with over 100 scarecrows for two weeks. Discover colourful and creative scarecrows sitting on a doorstep, leaning on a fence, teaching class in the garden or climbing a pole to rescue a cat at the Carnival of the Scarecrows.

Highlandsnsw.com.au/tourinfo

Australian Capital Territory

Floriade: 15 Sept - 14 October 2007
The national capital bursts into colour with Floriade, the largest spring festival in the southern hemisphere. Floriade 2007 will present a uniquely Australian theme, focusing on great Australian icons. Aussie inventions, celebrities, landscapes, sporting culture and history represented in an incredible display of floral beauty and creativity. Over one million blooms flower at Floriade.

Floriadeaustralia.com

For more information, visit Australia.com.