As Winter approaches the country towns of Central NSW are warming up to host some of the best and quirkiest events of the year. Expect sequins, bonfires and jazz, served with a glass of red, of course!
Snuggle up by a roaring bonfire at the Orange Winter Fire Festival or on a magical ice-ring at the Bathurst Winter Festival. Foodies will meet the producers at Grazing down the Lachlan, an epic long lunch by the river in Forbes, or cook lamb over a camp oven at Trundle’s Bush Tucker Day.
Plan your visit around one of these events, head outdoors and indulge in the region’s beautiful food, wine and culture.
The ‘Orange Winter Jazz Festival’, Orange, 9-11 June 2023
The 2nd Orange Winter Jazz Festival has as an amazing line up of Australia’s best jazz, blues and roots performers playing at various food, wine and cultural venues across the region. Meander between music venues, discover historic sites, enjoy boutique food and brews and explore the wine trails and quaint villages in this three-day festival. Venues include the Orange Regional Conservatorium, Canobolas Dance Hall, the Agrestic Grocer, Birdie Noshery and Drinking Est, as well as local churches and a hotel. www.owjf.com.au
‘Henry Lawson Festival’, Grenfell, 8-12 June 2023
Gearing up to be the best yet, Grenfell’s Henry Lawson Festival sees the return of the legendary street parade and this year’s addition of a family fun night on the Friday and a Microfilm Competition. A celebration of Lawson’s life, the festival features competitions for aspiring artists and writers, vibrant street parties, market stalls, buskers and performers over a five-day program. It is a wonderful showcase of Grenfell’s rich heritage and culture, and the birthplace of Henry Lawson. www.henrylawsonfestival.com.au
‘Frost and Fire’ in Forbes, Saturday 17 June 2023
A truly magical winter night in the country, Frost and Fire in Forbes will warm you up with its grand bonfire, fire buckets and hearty food. A celebration of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, the Forbes community come together to dance, sing and feast under incredible starry nights at the Forbes Ski Dam. This year Aussie pop sensation Sneaky Sound System will take to the stage, there are Wiradjuri cultural performances, live local musicians and a relaxed family friendly vibe. Tickets are available from www.123tix.com.au. Go to www.amazingforbesnsw.com
‘Bathurst Winter Festival’, Bathurst, 1-16 July 2023
Celebrate the magic of winter at the Bathurst Winter Festival, ideally timed for the school holidays with so much to entertain the kids. The Winter Playground is the heart of the action with an outdoor ice-skating ring, rides on a carousel and giant ferris wheel, plus stunning light shows and illuminations onto historic buildings. Taste your way around boutique food events and enjoy live music, mulled wine and local craft beers. It’s a beautiful time to enjoy Australia’s oldest inland city. There are various free and ticketed events. www.bathurstwinterfestival.com.au
‘Orange Winter Fire Festival’, Orange, 4-13 August 2023
Sip red wine around bonfires and share stories and laughter with loved ones under crystal clear starry skies for the annual Orange Winter Fire Festival. Based on the Australian ‘cracker night’ bonfire tradition, people will be brought together at wineries, orchards and venues around the region. Local produce is served from open fire pits, BBQ’s spit with whole beast rotisseries and char-grilled feasts are paired with mulled wines. Highlights include the Millthorpe Village Night Markets (Fri 4th) and Woodfired at Eugowra (Sat 5th) which is set along the Mandagery Creek with a crackling fire heating up slow cooked meats and wood-fired pizzas. You’ll be warmed up with that! www.orange360.com.au
‘Trundle Bush Tucker Day’, Trundle near Parkes, 2 September 2023
An authentic Australian celebration of cooking in the great outdoors, the Trundle Bush Tucker Day began 37 years ago when two mates competed for the best tucker in a camp behind the pub. That fiery contest has now grown to attract thousands of people with bush cooking competitions, billy boiling sprints, bush tucker tastings, live bands and a quirky, fun program of bush entertainment. Located 55km from Parkes, Trundle is a historic village and rural community producing wheat, sheep and cattle farming. www.trundlebushtuckerday.com.au
‘Grazing down the Lachlan’, Forbes, 16 September 2023
Marking its fifth year in 2023, Grazing Down the Lachlan is an epic long lunch of divine food paired with beverages, served along 2.5km of the banks of the Lachlan River in Forbes. Featuring produce native to the Central West NSW region, local restaurateurs and caterers will be inspired by Greek flavours where the produce is the hero, as well as wood fire cooking, pastries and sweets. The event showcases the regions food, art, culture and history with Brendan Sheldrick, of Sheldricks Fine Foods this year’s Creative Director. Make a gourmet weekend of it with Sundowners by the Lake, the Amazing Grazing Breakfast and Sculpture Down the Lachlan bus tours. www.grazingdownthelachlan.com
‘Mayfield Garden Spring Festival’, Oberon, 23 September to 22 October, 2023
For a blooming great day out, head to the ‘Mayfield Garden Spring Festival’, row a boat across the lake and marvel at the extraordinary colours on display in the 65-hectare garden. One of the world’s largest privately owned cool climate gardens, Mayfield Garden features a maze, 80-metre cascade and waterfall, and plenty of spots to picnic amongst the daffodils. A complimentary shuttle bus explores the grounds. Cost $35/15. If you don’t want to leave, immerse yourself overnight with the luxury on-site glamping tents which are set up alongside Obelisk Pond. Pure Spring bliss. www.mayfieldgarden.com.au
‘Trundle ABBA Festival’, 14 October 2023
All dancing queens are being called to come and have the time of their life at the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday 14 October 2023. ABBA mania is set to return with extra sparkle and white satin and features the renowned band Bjorn Again headlining the program. This is Australia’s only and original ABBA festival and is a true celebration of the Swedish supergroup. Enjoy eight hours of family-friendly entertainment, music, singing, dress ups, market stalls and dancing fun in the heart of this lively rural town. The event attracts around 4000 people. www.trundleabbafestival.com.au
Central NSW begins two-hours’ drive from Sydney and offers a variety of accommodation from B&Bs and farm-stays to luxury hotels and glamping. The region includes the LGA’S of Oberon, Bathurst, Lithgow, Orange, Cabonne, Blayney, Lachlan, Cowra, Grenfell, Parkes and Forbes. Go to www.visitcentralnsw.com.au
