The Best Autumn Festivals In Australia

The arrival of autumn is definitely worth celebrating.

Summer has well and truly had her time in the spotlight this year, with sweltering hot days delivering perfect beachside memories. But for those of us who prefer the cooler months, the arrival of autumn is a welcomed change.

If you’re one of us, grab your favourite knit cardigan and pair of Blundstones – it’s time to celebrate this glorious season. From food-focused festivities and wine weekends to autumnal plant fairs and arts events, here’s your comprehensive guide to the best autumn festivals in Australia by date.

Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival

Macedon Ranges, Vic: 1–30 April

Macedon Ranges, Victoria — Join walking tours with a guide through stunning foliage.

What better way the prettiest season than in one of the prettiest places in Victoria? The eponymous month-long Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival encapsulates over 50 curated events taking place across a variety of towns in the Macedon Ranges. Focusing on the region’s food, wine, music, art, history and community, there are farmers’ markets, art exhibitions, cooking masterclasses, live music, foraging workshops and more. Don’t miss the festival’s iconic foodie trails, which include the self-explanatory Pie & Tart Trail, Edgy Veg Trail and Tipple Trail.

Tasmanian Autumn Festival

Derwent Valley, Tas: 1–30 April

Once summer disappears, the Derwent Valley in Tasmania really dials up its charm. A major part of this allure is the month-long Tasmanian Autumn Festival , where local producers come together to deliver and showcase the best of the region. Embrace the cool change with mushroom foraging workshops, historical tours, foodie trails, distillery tours, wine tastings, guided hikes and plenty more – just don’t forget your coat and woolly hat!

Jamieson Autumn Festival

Jamieson, Vic: 4–6 April

Head up to the Victorian High Country to experience the turning of the seasons at the Jamieson Autumn Festival . Witness the leaves turn fiery shades of red, orange and yellow throughout the small town, which feels like something out of a fairytale. Start the weekend by wandering through the markets with a hot drink, followed by live music at Jamieson’s Night of Blues at the Memorial Hall. On Sunday, join an arts and crafts workshop or the guided Significant Tree Walk to learn about the historical and botanical significance of the surrounding flora.

SA Autumn Garden Festival

Clare, SA: 6 April

One of the best things about autumn is watching our natural landscape transform – which is why the SA Autumn Garden Festival is such a hit every year. Known as South Australia’s first-ever gardening festival, it welcomes green thumbs of all abilities to learn about garden care in the cooler months. This year, master the art of growing irises, join a backyard bee-keeping demo, take part in a fermentation workshop, and even hear from Gardening Australia‘s Costa Georgiadis!

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

Mparntwe/Alice Springs, NT: 4–13 April

The only Aboriginal festival of its kind, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Arrente Country this year. A must on Alice Springs/Mparntwe‘s autumnal calendar, the free 10-night festival is set to blow its guests out of the water with nightly projections against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. A few 2025 program highlights include the Buy Blak Market, a meandering six-metre-high puppet and the first open-air performance by Darwin Symphony Orchestra , as well as performances, talks, films and more.

Stomp Festival

Canberra, ACT: 5–6 April

Four Winds Vineyard in Canberra, ACT — Four Winds is just one of many participating cellar doors. (Image: Four Winds Vineyard)

For oenophiles, autumn is the best season of the year. It’s when many Australian vintners, particularly those working with full-bodied reds, decide to harvest. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, then Stomp Festival is the autumn event for you! The wonderful wine weekend is all about exploring Canberra’s world-class cellar door scene, with a side of live music, gourmet food and interactive experiences. From Clonakilla Wines to Four Winds Vineyard, it’s time to get tasting!

Outback River Lights Festival

Cunnamulla, Qld: 11–13 April

Yes – you can even welcome autumn’s arrival in Outback Queensland – the Outback River Lights Festival just puts its own spin on it. This annual three-day event in Cunnamulla celebrates the spirit of community and local outback life with everything from workshops and competitions to live performances and cultural experiences. Whether you dine under the stars at a long-table dinner, join a bush tucker cooking class, take a fire-twirling workshop or simply admire fireworks over the Warrego River – you’re in for an autumnal treat.

Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair

Wandin, Vic: 12–13 April

Calling all plant hoarders – this one is for you! The Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair & Garden Expo is back for another festival of flowers and foliage, with a particular focus on autumn varietals. Held over two days in Wandin, visitors can expect a range of live gardening demonstrations, panel talks with special guests, expert-run garden clinics and over 30 market stalls touting plants, tools and equipment. Be sure to attend the Rare Plant Auction too, where you can bid on precious plants to support the Kids With Cancer Foundation .

Falling Leaf Festival

Snowy Valleys, NSW: 26–27 April

Tumut, NSW — Tumut is known to dial up the charm during autumn. (Image: Destination NSW)

With the Falling Leaf Festival , it’s all in the name. Attendees are invited to warm their hands on a mug of mulled wine and toast to crisp, cold days across Tumut, a regional town that truly comes to life during autumn. It’s a great opportunity to check out what this picturesque pocket of the Riverina region has to offer, from market stalls touting fresh regional produce to live music by local artists. There will also be creative workshops, kids’ entertainment, roving performers, live theatre and even a community fun run!

Bright Autumn Festival

Bright, Vic: 25 April – 4 May

Bright in Victoria's High Country — The town of Bright epitomises autumn. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Another jewel in Victoria’s crown is the town of Bright, where deciduous tree species and a cool alpine climate make it an autumnal dream come true. Each year, the small but mighty town celebrates this claim to fame with its Bright Autumn Festival , a 10-day event that sees local businesses showcase the region’s best. With market stalls, live music, historic tours, campfire sessions, art exhibitions, guided walks and more, it’s the perfect excuse to book an autumnal road trip through the High Country.

Tasting Australia

South Australia: 2–11 May

Journey Beyond presents Tasting Australia 2025 , the iconic foodie festival that takes over the state of South Australia each autumn. At its heart, the 10-day event is a celebration of eating and drinking, but has evolved over the years to encompass people, place and produce. This is evident throughout the program, which includes meet-and-greets, masterclasses, degustations, tours, tastings and more. Get a taste of autumn from the Fleurieu Peninsula to the Flinders Ranges and everywhere in between.

Bickley Harvest Festival

Perth Hills, WA: 3–4 May

La Fattoria in the Perth Hills, Western Australia — La Fattoria is one of 20 host venues this year. (Image: Experience Perth Hills Kalamunda)

It may be home to one of the best wineries in Perth, but Bickley has more to offer than its world-class vino. Take the Bickley Harvest Festival , which has been delighting visitors for more than 25 years. Running over just two days in May, guests are invited to get a taste of the region’s finest wine, food and music. There are 20 different local venues hosting events this year – from Hogg Culture Brewing Co. to La Fattoria – all backdropped by views over orange-hued valleys and vineyards.

Festival of Outback Opera

Winton, Qld: 13–19 May

Hosted by Opera Queensland, the Festival of Outback Opera is a series of outdoor concerts in the Outback Queensland towns of Longreach and Winton. Autumn colours won’t just be found in the changing of leaves but in the golden light cast against this stunning landscape. In 2025, guests can look forward to performances by headline act Sumi Jo, alongside some of Queensland’s finest singers. There will also be cultural conversations, trivia nights, long lunches and a spectacular gala ball.

Ballarat Heritage Festival

Ballarat, Vic: 16–25 May

Running across 10 days in autumn, the Ballarat Heritage Festival has always been a favourite among locals and visitors alike. Focusing on the history of the township and its people, the program features art exhibitions, tours, talks and workshops, as well as an antique fair, vintage car show and steam train ride. There are plenty of great places to stay in Ballarat too, so linger a little longer to truly experience the charm of this historic town.

Ord Valley Muster

Kununurra, WA: 16–25 May

A traditional Corroboree under the night sky. A long lunch on a working cattle station. A real-life rodeo (with real-life cowboys). This is autumn in the Kimberley. This is the Ord Valley Muster , a nine-day extravaganza of diversity, tradition, culture and character. From bush tucker foraging and black-tie dinners to an open-air gallery and party in the park, the program alone makes this a bucket-list-worthy festival. And if that doesn’t convince you, a one-night-only performance by Fleetwood Mac will.

Vivid Sydney

Sydney, NSW: 23 May – 14 June

Vivid Sydney is turning 15 in 2025, and to celebrate, the 23-day event promises to delight and dazzle like never before. How so, you may be thinking? Well in a recent announcement, Vivid revealed an all-new programme of events with a bunch of incredible special guests, including Nigella Lawson herself! But that’s not all – there will also be outdoor light installations, live music line-ups, interactive art exhibits, expert panel talks, gourmet dining experiences and more.

Taste of Kakadu

Kakadu National Park, NT: 23–25 May

Running for three days this May, Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu: Taste of Kakadu will take you on a stimulating journey of taste and sound. Discover the foods, stories and customs that come alive in Kakadu’s Bangkerreng and Yekke seasons, which correspond to autumn on the Western seasonal calendar. Immerse yourself in the landscape through weaving workshops, cooking demos, dance performances and more – offering an insight into Indigenous culture and customs.

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.