Are you up for something a little different? The coastal region of Port Macquarie celebrates Spring with some of its best boutique events – bliss-out at the Ekam Yoga Festival, join the inaugural Soul Sisters surf camp or descend the hill at the Beechwood Billycart Classic.
Food and wine-lovers can groove to music at the Wildwood Music Festival at Cassegrain Wines or at Jazz in the Vineyards at Bago Vineyards. The events line-up reflects the diverse mix of passions and interests in the Port Macquarie community.
Ekam Yoga Festival on 15 and 16 September – this two-day yoga festival has it all, a great community spirit, a fantastic range of yoga classes, music events, health education, community activities and a Natural Health & Living Expo. Growing year on year this is now the region’s largest yoga celebration and is held at Francis Retreat in Bonny Hills, a refurbished venue with beautiful grounds, gigantic gum trees and yoga spaces. Tickets start from $90 for the day plus there are accommodation and dinner packages. www.ekamyogafestival.org.au
Wildwood Music Festival at Cassegrain Wines on Saturday 29 September – find your groove amongst the vines as a huge line-up of Australian musicians come together in the beautiful grounds of Cassegrain Wines. Children under 14 have free entry at this laid-back festival featuring around 15 music acts including The Beautiful Girls and Ash Grunwald. www.wildwoodmusic.com.au
Soulsisters surf camp 3 and 4 November 2018 – local Soul Surfing school launches its first weekend-long surf camp ‘Soulsisters’ designed to recharge and reset women at Port Macquarie’s beautiful beaches. Hosted by Loren Enfield beginners or advanced riders enjoy surf lessons, ocean healing, yoga classes, art therapy, sisterhood workshops, a cleansing ritual, massages and divine food. Cost $400 for two days. www.soulsurfing.com.au
Beechwood Billycart Classic on Sunday 21 October 2018 – this unique hinterland billycart race sees speedsters young and old race down Mt Pappinbarra at 100 kilometres per hour. It’s joyful viewing as karts of all shapes, colours and sizes descend the hill. There are stalls, jumping castles and kids rides, a crab race and of course a big friendly welcome at the Beechwood Hotel. www.billycartclassic.com.au
Jazz in the Vineyards at Bago Vineyards – a fixture now for 20 years, Jazz in the Vineyards features live music with wine and cheese tastings in the stunning grounds of this hinterland winery. Get lost in Bago Maze, the largest hedge maze in NSW, and learn how Russian chocolate and wine is paired at Baba Lila Homemade Chocolates, now located at Bago. Takes place in the second Sunday of every month from 10am, costs $10 adults and $5 children. Coming up on 8 July, 12 August, 9 September, 14 October. www.bago.com.au
Archibald Prize Regional Tour 25 August to 7 October – Australia’s foremost portraiture prize The Archibald featuring all the 2017 finalists will be exhibited at the Glasshouse. Other cultural show highlights include Opera Australia’s Madame Butterfly on 11 August and iconic musician Ian Moss performing on 21 September. www.glasshouse.org.au
Port Macquarie is a four-hour drive from Sydney on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Plan your short break and enjoy the region’s 17 beaches, pristine rivers and great nature experiences in coastal rainforests and National Parks.
For more information contact the Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre on 1300 303 155 or go on-line at www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au.
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