Toe tapping fun
Get your legs stomping and your voice ya-hooing at the Gympie Music Muster. This unique festival of country music is held in the Amamoor Creek State Forest Park where you can camp with thousands of others in the tent village that sprouts up each year. There are over 13 stages and around featuring the best of local, national and international talent.
It’s not only about country music either; you can sing and dance to rock’n’roll, gospel, blues, folk, bluegrass and more. There are bars and restaurants where you can be fed and watered plus numerous fringe activities. If you are not a fan of camping you can book accommodation nearby and enter the festival on a day pass.
The muster has been running for over 30 years and involves over 50 community groups including the local Apex club. A huge team of volunteers keep the whole event running like clockwork. The muster is now a not-for-profit organisation and has raised many thousands of dollars for different charities each year.
Come along and join the fun on 27 – 31 August 2015.
For more information visit the event website www.muster.com.au
Gold fever
The Gympie Gold Rush Festival began over 50 years ago after the centennial celebration of the town’s founding by James Nash. It has continued to be a fun event for locals and tourists alike.
Running for a week each October, it begins with the Gold Rush Art Show, includes concerts, art and literature awards and culminates on the Saturday with a big day packed full of events. You can admire the vintage car displays, take the kids on rides or watch the popular street parade in the afternoon.
The festival starts on 11 October and concludes with a bang on 17 October 2015.
For more information visit the event website www.goldrush.org.au
It’s all hot air
Gympie’s Ultimate Steam Festival is a vital part of the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum’s calendar. Dedicated enthusiasts have re-commissioned some of the powerful steam engines used in the gold rush era and will hook them up to drive other working machinery. You can camp at the site and enjoy fabulous food throughout the day.
The event is held on the Labour Day weekend 3 -5 October 2015
For more information visit the event website www.gympiegoldmuseum.com.au/gusf
The silver screen
Running the week prior to the Gold Rush Festival, the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival is a must see for all ages. Sessions run throughout the week and feature some of the best selections from the major international filmmakers and festivals alongside new contributions from up and coming local talent.
Sit back and enjoy comedies, documentaries, dramas, foreign films and animated shorts. The sessions usually feature a mixed selection of genres so you can be laughing hard one minute and lost in deep thought the next. What is certain is that you will never be bored.
Festival dates this year are 8-11 October 2015
For more information visit the event website www.heartofgold.com.au
Delicious dairy
Enjoy a fun day out over Easter at the Kenilworth Cheese, Wine and Food Fest. From morning to night you can sample a wide variety of cheese and wine from the local region. Test your skills in the Cheese Rolling Contest and let the little ones loose on the Cheester Egg Hunt. Browse the stalls of the local providers to find avocado oil, bush foods, macadamia nuts and more. There will be live cooking demonstrations and a raffle with terrific prizes.
The Fest is on Saturday 4 April 2015
For more information visit the event website www.kenilworthfoodfest.org.au
Wining and dining
The Noosa International Food and Wine Festival has been growing in popularity over the last few decades and now boasts over 100 chefs and 40 winemakers. They come from local towns, across the country and around the world to showcase their culinary talents in a variety of demonstrations and events around the town.
You can book tickets for the festival village marquee, dine in one of the many local restaurants or join one of the many winery and foodie tours including one that will take you through the Mary River Valley food bowl. Start your day with a champagne breakfast on the beach and finish it with a sunset concert and 4 course dining experience at the lookout in Noosa National Park.
From fresh seafood tours, food critic competitions and family events on the beach, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Book your accommodation early or stay a little further afield in towns such as Gympie and give your tastebuds a fabulous holiday.
Festival dates are 15 – 17 May 2015
For more information visit the event website http://www.noosafoodandwine.com.au