Discover a year-round calendar of annual events in Australia and New Zealand
Every season brings new reasons to visit the lands Down Under. Here we share a colourful calendar of some of the most popular local annual events in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji:
JANUARY
Watch the greats of the game battle it out at the Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis in Melbourne (14-28 January 2024 – annual event)
See the Southern Hemisphere’s answer to the to the Tour de France with the Santos Tour Down Under celebrating 11 days of cycling racing in South Australia (16-21 January 2024)
Head to Heron Island to see baby turtle hatchlings make their way out to sea (January – March annually)
FEBRUARY
Witness one of the world’s iconic pride parades as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (16 February – 3 March 2024)
Book early to secure a romantic table for two at the best restaurants across Australia and New Zealand (Valentine’s Day, 14 February annually). Our Travel Design team can suggest and curate dozens of romantic ways to celebrate a special occasion or pop-the-question in spectacular style!
MARCH
Satisfy your need for speed with the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne (21-24 March 2024)
Enjoy a spectacle of colour like no other with Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (West Side Story, 22 March – 21 April 2024)
Cruising season kicks off in the Kimberley, a luxury expedition-style cruise of this rugged and remote part of the world delivers a bucket-list travel experience (Mid-march through to September)
From Marlborough to the Margaret River, Martinborough or Mornington Peninsula; visit one of the wonderful wine regions of Australia or New Zealand to enjoy a buzz of activity during harvest season.
APRIL
Swim with whalesharks on Western Australia’s Ningaloo reef (these majestic gentle giants visit the region between late March and late September annually)
Hit the road to enjoy one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives decorated in swathes of Autumn colours (the road between Glenorchy and Arrowtown is particularly spectacular!)
MAY
Enjoy a spectacular sound and light show and events throughout the city and on the harbour during Vivid Sydney (24 May – 15 June 2024)
Swim with Manta Rays in Fiji (whilst these graceful creatures can be spotted year-round, the months of May to October offer the best opportunities).
JUNE
New Zealand’s Ski Season opens from mid-June (through to late September annually). The South Island’s snow-covered Southern Alps are a stunning playground for skiers and boarders alike.
Matariki (Maori New Year) is a great time for Southern Hemisphere stargazing (28 June 2024). Lucky stargazers may even catch the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis is best viewed in New Zealand’s Southern Alps or remote reaches of Tasmania during the Southern Hemisphere winter months)
Dive into the deep at the Ribbon Reefs off Lizard Island for the rare opportunity to dive with Minke Whales that visit the Great Barrier Reef between June and July.
Head out on a truffle hunt or dive into a delicious truffle-infused feast in Western Australia’s Margaret River.
JULY
Catch a game of Rugby Union or Aussie Rules football to soak up the local atmosphere (July through to September annually)
See a colourful celebration of Indigenous art at the Indigenous Art Show in Cairns (25-28 July 2024)
AUGUST
Hamilton Island Race Week, a festival of yachting and events in the Whitsundays (17-24 August)
Witness a spectacle of wildflowers carpetting Western Australia’s south-west from mid-August through to late October.
Only in Australia! Head to Darwin to see the locals battle it out with the Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach
SEPTEMBER
Head out game fishing in the waters around the Great Barrier Reef’s Lizard island for the chance to hook a Giant Black Marlin (September – December annually).
A beautiful time for birdwatching in the Northern Territory’s tropical Top End when the water levels are low
See Otahuna Lodge’s heritage gardens burst into bloom with iconic displays of Spring Daffodils
OCTOBER
Trout fly-fishing season officially opens in New Zealand’s South Island – ask our Travel Design team to hook you up with an in-the-know local fishing guide.
NOVEMBER
Have a flutter on the Melbourne Cup Horse Race that ‘stops the nation’ (5 November 2024, First Tuesday in November annually)
Lupin season sees insta-worthy blooms in all shades of lilac and lavender line Lake Tekapo from mid-late November through to early January.
Swim with dolphins on New Zealand’s Kaikoura Coast when ‘dusky’ dolphins visit the region in ‘super-pods’ (November through to March)
DECEMBER
Celebrate Christmas by the beach in boardshorts and flip flops in Australia and New Zealand (25 December)
Catch all the excitement of the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Sydney Harbour (26 December)
See in the New Year with one of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks displays on and around Sydney Harbour (31 December)
This selection of some of our region’s popular annual events is only a small sampling of the events on offer around Australia and across New Zealand every day of the year so, sports-mad, nature-lover, foodie or culture-vulture – ask our Travel Design team to match you with an event to suit!
Looking further ahead, our destinations will host a raft of high profile events in the coming years:
2025 – British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia (28 June – 2 August 2025)
2025-2026 Australia v England Ashes Cricket Tour (November 2025 – January 2026)
2027 – Rugby World Cup (1 October – 13 November 2027)
2029 – Women’s Rugby World Cup
2032 – Brisbane Olympic Games
