Festivals flourish throughout Australia

From wine festivals in the Hunter Valley to cockroach races in Brisbane, visitors to Australia are promised an interesting lineup of events year round.

With so many events and festivals throughout the country, there is something to suit all tastes, and such occasions are often the highlight of travellers' plans.

One of the most prestigious events is South Australia's Adelaide Festival. Held in March biennially, it features over 500 performances of traditional and contemporary opera, dance, theatre and music. The event includes an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island programme, showcasing the continent's indigenous culture and talent.

Every alternate year, South Australia also presents WOMADELAIDE, a three-day multicultural music event held in Adelaide's Botanic Park.

In January, visitors to Tasmania can experience its best arts, theatre and produce at the annual Hobart Summer Festival. Highlights include the famous Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race and Taste of Tasmania, a 7-day wine and food fiesta.

Just as Tasmania is renowned for its delicious fare, Melbourne has an unsurpassed reputation for the arts. Its annual International Festival takes place in October, featuring the finest of local and international visual and performing arts, complemented by a writers' festival and popular entertainment programme.

Melbourne hosts a variety of other events including the Moomba Festival, held every February. Moomba is one of Australia's biggest outdoor celebrations with fireworks, music and a famous street parade.

Another celebrated event is the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in March. A fun-filled, provocative parade along Oxford Street, it is the grand finale to a month-long gay and lesbian arts festival featuring theatre and cabaret, cinema, sporting events and exhibitions.

New South Wales is also home to the Sydney Festival – three weeks of sensational dance, music and visual arts culminating on Australia Day, January 26. The celebration includes a free concert series in The Domain featuring a festival favourite, Opera in the Park. Kicking off with fireworks over the harbour on New Year's Eve, Sydney Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary in January 2001.

Many local festivals showcase novelty features, like races between champion lizards, crabs or other unlikely species. Some events provide insights into the national sense of humour, such as the annual Henley-on-Todd Regatta at Northern Territory's Alice Springs where crews battle it out on a dry riverbed.

Whether it's the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Gold Coast Honda Indy or Tamworth Country Music Festival – Australia boasts a line-up of events and festivities to suit all tastes year round. To learn more about Australia visit Welcome to Australia, featuring over 10,000 pages of information to help you plan your holiday.

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