Winter is one of the best times to hit the road. The crowds thin out, campfires feel even better, and across the country, towns and cities come alive with festivals, feasts, performances and major events worth planning a trip around.
Whether you’re travelling with kids, looking to delight your taste buds or searching for a cultural experience that goes beyond the everyday, there’s no shortage of reasons to pack up the van this season. From light shows and live music to regional food festivals and community celebrations, these are some of the winter events bringing extra energy to each state and territory — with a mix of free and ticketed experiences to suit every kind of getaway.
Saturday 27 June 2026
If your ideal road trip revolves around good food, this is your stop. The Scenic Rim rolls out the best of the region for one big, flavour-filled day with 60+ stalls, live music and a packed program of winter events.
For families:
There’s plenty happening to keep kids entertained — from hands-on activities like the junior tractor pull and animal encounters to wide open spaces to run around. It’s the kind of event where you can settle in for the day without needing to rush.
For foodies:
You can genuinely eat your way through the region — meet local producers, watch top chefs in action with live demos, and discover fresh produce you won’t find in supermarkets.
For culture lovers:
This is real farm-to-table — you’ll meet the people behind the produce and get a genuine feel for the region. There’s also a strong focus on traditional skills and heritage, with experiences like the “Celebration of Lost Culinary Arts.”
Cost: Free entry (food, tastings and experiences paid as you go)
Thursday 14 May to Sunday 17 May 2026
Four days of live music, ocean air and a seriously good atmosphere — all set across multiple stages in the heart of the Gold Coast. With parks, streets and venues all part of the lineup, it feels more like a music trail than a single event.
For families:
A very easy festival to do with kids, with many free, outdoor performances across parks and streets. You’re close to the beach and spots like Cascade Gardens, so it’s easy to mix music with breaks when needed.
For foodies:
You’re right in Broadbeach’s dining precinct, with standout spots like Gemelli Italian, Mamasan Kitchen + Bar and Social Eating House + Bar all within walking distance, plus pop-up food stalls and special events like Late Night Supper, where live blues is paired with curated food and drinks in more intimate venues.
For culture lovers:
Stages are spread across Broadbeach, including Kurrawa Park, Victoria Park and Surf Parade, with a lineup featuring international acts like Charlie Musselwhite, Ruthie Foster and Robert Finley, alongside Australian favourites including The Teskey Brothers.
Cost: Many free events, alongside ticketed Sunday shows
Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May 2026
Set right on the Discovery Coast, this coastal festival blends history, culture and community across a full weekend in Australia’s only numbered town.
For families:
There’s plenty to fill a full day (or two), with fun runs, market stalls, live music and a fireworks display bringing everything together. It’s an easy one to turn into a relaxed weekend away.
For foodies:
Expect laid-back, market-style food with plenty of local stalls and fresh coastal flavours — perfect for grabbing something and settling in by the water.
For culture lovers:
Enjoy cultural workshops, storytelling and performances led by the Gooreng Gooreng people, alongside historical re-enactments that bring the area’s past to life.
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed events
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore Caravanning Queensland’s Park Directory.
Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June 2026
Sydney completely transforms during Vivid, with the harbour, city streets and major landmarks lit up in colour through large-scale light installations.
For families:
The Vivid Light Walk is easy to follow and free to explore, with interactive installations along the harbour that make it simple to keep kids engaged without needing a strict plan.
For foodies:
Night markets, pop-up food stalls and harbourfront dining all come to life during the festival, giving you plenty of reasons to stop along the way.
For culture lovers:
Beyond the lights, you can enjoy live music, talks and creative events, bringing together artists and performers from around the world.
Cost: Many free installations, with ticketed events available
Saturday 11 July 2026
A classic Hunter Valley weekend, bringing together local wineries, breweries and food producers in one relaxed setting.
For families:
Kids are well catered for with activities like a jumping castle, train rides, carousel and face painting, making it easy to spend the day without needing to leave.
For foodies:
Wine, beer, cider and spirit tastings are paired with local cheeses and gourmet food stalls, with plenty to try at your own pace.
For culture lovers:
Meet the makers behind the region’s produce, enjoy live music throughout the day and soak up the easy-going atmosphere that makes the Hunter such a favourite weekend escape.
Cost: Paid entry (children free)
Wednesday 03 June to Sunday 14 June 2026
Over 12 days, Sydney’s cinemas come alive with 200+ films screened across multiple venues, from red carpet premieres to international releases you won’t see anywhere else.
For families:
There are dedicated family-friendly screenings throughout the program, offering something a little different from the usual trip to the movies and making it easy to include kids in the experience.
For foodies:
Many screenings are centred around the CBD and Inner West, so it’s easy to turn a session into a full night out with dinner or drinks nearby. Some venues also feature festival bars and pop-up spaces that add to the atmosphere.
For culture lovers:
This is one of Australia’s leading film festivals, with filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions and special events sitting alongside a huge lineup of local and international storytelling.
Cost: Ticketed (with multi-film passes available)
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore Caravan & Camping NSW.
Wednesday 27 May to Monday 08 June 2026
RISING takes over Melbourne for 12 nights, filling the city with new art, music and performance across major venues and public spaces.
For families:
Large-scale installations across the CBD and Birrarung Marr make it easy to wander through and explore at your own pace, especially if you’re looking for something different to do after dark.
For foodies:
Festival hubs and pop-up bars run alongside the program, giving you plenty of spots to stop for a drink or bite before or after events, with Melbourne’s wider dining scene only adding to the appeal.
For culture lovers:
Expect a bold mix of contemporary art, live music and performance, with immersive installations, major acts and late-night shows taking over the city.
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed events
Friday 01 May to Sunday 03 May 2026
Set in Halls Gap, this long-running festival brings together the best of Western Victoria’s food, wine and live music.
For families:
There are free kids’ activities and entertainment across the weekend, so it’s easy to settle in and enjoy the full event without needing to rush off early.
For foodies:
With over 90 stalls, you can sample everything from local wines and spirits to fresh regional produce, along with cooking demonstrations, tastings and plenty of gourmet finds.
For culture lovers:
Meet the makers behind the region’s food and wine and get a real sense of what makes the Grampians such a standout destination.
Cost: Ticketed entry
Friday 19 June to Sunday 19 July 2026
A whole region comes alive with this month-long festival, with 100+ events popping up across towns and communities in East Gippsland.
For families:
Lantern walks, light installations, markets and community events give families plenty of reasons to stop and explore as they move through the region. It’s the kind of festival that works well as part of a longer winter road trip rather than just a one-day visit.
For foodies:
From winter feasts to long lunches and cosy dining experiences, the program puts seasonal produce front and centre and gives you a good excuse to slow down and settle in somewhere warm.
For culture lovers:
Art trails, live music, pop-up performances and town-based events help show off the creativity of the region, with each stop offering something slightly different.
Cost: Mostly free with some ticketed events
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore Caravan Parks Victoria.
Wednesday 01 July to Sunday 19 July 2026
Illuminate Adelaide transforms the city into a winter playground of light, music and immersive experiences, lighting up North Terrace and the East End.
For families:
Free, large-scale installations stretch through the city, making it easy to walk the route and explore at your own pace. It’s a great way to experience Adelaide after dark without needing to lock in a big, complicated plan.
For foodies:
Pop-up food hubs, bars and late-night dining experiences run throughout the festival, so it’s easy to turn an evening of light installations into dinner and drinks in the city.
For culture lovers:
Expect a mix of art, technology and music, with immersive installations, ticketed shows and major performances all helping transform the city through winter.
Cost: Free and ticketed events
Monday 01 June to Monday 31 August 2026
A winter series of pop-up food events across Kangaroo Island, with chefs and producers hosting intimate, one-off dining experiences through June, July and August.
For families:
These events are smaller and spread across the island, making them easier to build into a slower-paced getaway rather than a packed itinerary. It suits travellers who want to explore at their own pace and mix food experiences with time outdoors.
For foodies:
This is where winter really shines on Kangaroo Island — think fire-cooked meals, long-table dinners, warming pours and seasonal menus that hero local produce, seafood and wine.
For culture lovers:
Each event offers a deeper connection to place, with local chefs, producers and venues sharing the stories behind the food, the landscape and the island itself.
Cost: Mostly ticketed
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore SA Parks.
Saturday 30 May to Sunday 31 May 2026
One of WA’s largest free community events, held at the Edenvale Heritage Precinct and packed with live entertainment and activities.
For families:
A full weekend of free rides, roving performers, market stalls and kids’ activities makes this a very easy day out with children. There’s plenty going on, but it still has that relaxed community festival feel.
For foodies:
Food trucks and market stalls line the grounds, giving you plenty of easy options to grab as you explore, with something for both quick bites and sweet treats.
For culture lovers:
Set in a heritage precinct, the festival celebrates local history and community with live music, entertainment and displays that reflect the area’s character.
Cost: Free
Friday 31 July to Sunday 02 August 2026
An action-packed weekend of racing at Carco.com.au Raceway, marking one of the final events before the circuit changes.
For families:
Paddock access, driver signings and interactive displays make it more than just a race day, giving kids plenty to see even when the cars aren’t on track. It’s the kind of event where you can make a full day of it.
For foodies:
Food trucks and casual eats are spread across the venue, so it’s easy to grab something between races without missing too much of the action.
For culture lovers:
As one of the key rounds on the Supercars calendar — and one of the last at this iconic venue — it offers a chance to be part of a major motorsport weekend with a real sense of occasion.
Cost: Ticketed
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore Caravan & Camping WA.
Wednesday 05 August to Sunday 23 August 2026
Darwin’s signature dry season event, running over 18 days and filling the city with arts, music, food and performance.
For families:
Outdoor venues and open-air shows make it easy to drop in and out across the waterfront and city, which suits families who want flexibility rather than a rigid schedule.
For foodies:
Festival hubs and outdoor dining spaces offer everything from casual bites to more curated food experiences, all set against Darwin’s warm dry-season evenings.
For culture lovers:
From theatre and music to dance, cabaret and visual arts, the program brings together artists from the NT, across Australia and around the world in one big city-wide celebration.
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed
Thursday 06 August to Sunday 09 August 2026
A major celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, with 70+ Indigenous-owned art centres represented and a strong public program running alongside the fair.
For families:
Workshops, artist demonstrations and kids’ activities make this an easy event to explore at your own pace, with plenty to see and do beyond simply browsing the stalls.
For foodies:
The fair has a lively atmosphere, with local food vendors adding to the experience and making it easy to settle in for a few hours rather than just passing through.
For culture lovers:
This is one of the country’s most important Indigenous art events, giving you the chance to meet artists, hear directly from communities and experience contemporary First Nations culture in a meaningful way.
Cost: Free
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore Caravanning Northern Territory.
Thursday 11 June to Monday 22 June 2026
A bold winter festival in Hobart, known for its large-scale art, music and iconic rituals like the Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim.
For families:
Some daytime installations and public artworks can be enjoyed with kids, especially if you’re exploring the city during the day, but it’s one where it pays to check the program and pick what suits.
For foodies:
The Winter Feast is a major drawcard, bringing together food stalls, open fires, drinks and local producers in a dark, atmospheric setting that feels distinctly Hobart in winter.
For culture lovers:
This is the festival for people who like their events bold and a little unexpected — with boundary-pushing art, live music, large-scale performances and signature rituals that have become part of its identity.
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed
Friday 03 July to Sunday 12 July 2026
A 10-day celebration of singing and music across Hobart and regional Tasmania, bringing together performances, workshops and events for everyone from casual music lovers to serious singers.
For families:
Interactive workshops, community performances and participatory events make this one feel welcoming rather than intimidating. It’s a festival where families can join in, not just sit back and watch.
For foodies:
With plenty happening across Hobart, it’s easy to pair performances with cosy dinners, wine bars or a longer winter weekend in the city.
For culture lovers:
The program spans choral, cabaret, classical, comedy and contemporary music, with local, national and international performers all adding to the atmosphere.
Cost: Mix of free and ticketed
To find places to stay close to these winter events, explore Caravanning Tasmania.
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