Everything from opera in the outback to the continuum of ancient cultural traditions in the Top End takes centre stage  as  in-depth ways to appreciate a destination.

1. Camping with Custodians, WA

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

Western Australia’s Camping with Custodians is a first for Australia. The program invites travellers to stay at one of the state’s Aboriginal-owned and operated campgrounds, such as Lombadina on the Dampier Peninsula, Imintji on the Gibb River Road and Peedamulla in the Pilbara, to meet the Traditional Custodians and learn about their culture and land. Fees paid support employment, training and generating income, creating a positive impact for both camper and community.

2. Garma Festival, NT

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

Garma is a four-day event hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation to share traditional Yolŋu knowledge systems and address and improve social equity for Aboriginal people. The annual festival in north-east Arnhem Land is the country’s largest Indigenous gathering, showcasing art, song, dance, film and storytelling. Garma attracts thousands of political and business leaders from across the globe who are invited to the remote Gulkula ceremonial site, about 40 kilometres from Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula. See also Cape York’s Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, slated next for June 2026, and the Katherine region’s Barunga Festival for more culturally significant First Nations gatherings.

3. Festival of Outback Opera, Qld

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Opera Queensland has impressed its image into the red dirt of the outback. The Festival of Outback Opera, which runs annually during May, is about singing and scenery on a grand scale: gather under the stars at Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton for Dark Sky Serenade. Or linger in Longreach to see singers like Kate Miller-Heidke or soprano Sumi Jo lead Singing in the Night at Camden Park Station. Up the ante on the experience further with a stay at Rangelands Outback Camp.

4. Illumina, K’gari, Qld

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

The sky is a liquid violet as luminous lilies bobbing on the silvery surface of Lake McKenzie/Boorangoora help to illustrate its magnificence. Illumina by Canadian-born artist Bruce Ramus uses lighting, lasers and audio-visual projections to incorporate and celebrate the natural environment on Queensland’s K’gari. The light and sound show, Return to Sky, invites guests of Kingfisher Bay Resort to immerse themselves in the island’s landscapes.

5. Adelaide’s festivals, SA

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

March is arguably the most exciting month on Adelaide’s calendar, with three huge events – Adelaide Fringe, WOMADelaide and Adelaide Festival – creating an absolute buzz on the streets. Some locals call it ‘Mad March’, when some 6000-plus artists descend on the city, from comedians and musicians to street performers. No matter which day you visit, or which way you look, you’re sure to find music, arts and entertainment. Or set your sights on Illuminate Adelaide, a winter festival of art, light, music and tech.

6. Townsville’s art scene, Qld

Travelling with: Taylah Darnell

The temperature in Townsville isn’t the only thing that’s hot – the North Queensland capital of cool will have you wiping your brow thanks to its diverse culinary scene, incredible outdoor offerings and luxurious five-star waterfront hotel, Ardo. But the city’s relatively under-the-radar arts community and communal creative spaces are also raising the mercury. Whether it’s a rare exhibition at Perc Tucker Regional Art Gallery, a showcase of local work at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts or a hands-on pottery workshop at the North QLD Potters Association, Townsville’s creativity flows as freely as a sea breeze in summer.

7. Big Red Bash, Qld

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

The tiny outback town of Birdsville in south-west Queensland has become renowned for its historic pub and annual Birdsville Races. But each year, the numbers in the town also swell for the annual Big Red Bash, an all-ages music festival held in the Simpson Desert. The epic event is on pause for 2025 but is expected to come back bigger and better in 2026. Festival-goers camp under the starry sky and enjoy performances by Aussie music legends. If you can’t wait until 2026, fill your cup at NSW’s Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash in August, at which Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, Birds of Tokyo and The Cat Empire will perform.

8. Bendigo Art Gallery, Vic

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

A $54-million expansion of Bendigo Art Gallery is set to lure even more art lovers to the regional Victorian city, which has built its brand around arts, culture and events. Bendigo’s place in Australia’s art scene has also been bolstered by the exclusive exhibition Frida Kahlo: In her own image (until 13 July). Fans of the revolutionary Mexican artist are making a beeline for Bendigo to see the pop-up exhibition featuring some of the artist’s most treasured belongings.