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Tuesday, 1 October 2019

NSW SPRINGS INTO ACTION THIS OCTOBER WITH OVER 20 THINGS TO DO!

Spring has well and truly sprung in NSW, and the month of October is jam-packed with a wealth of events across the state to ensure you’re kept busy.

Kick start the month with a long weekend escape to explore greater NSW, cheer on your team at one of the many world-class sporting events on show, indulge in NSW food and wine from some of the top producing regions throughout the state, get your Instagrammable moment at the blooming Jacaranda Festival in Grafton, and lots more.

Check out these highlights, mark your diary and secure tickets now to avoid missing out:

Deni Ute Muster 4-5 October, Deniliquin (Murray Region) Head to Deniliquin on the NSW Labour Day long weekend to be part of one of Australia's premier rural events, the Deni Ute Muster Festival, which celebrates the iconic Ute, live music and all things Australian. Event-goers can participate in and experience the quintessential Australian Guinness World Record breaking Ute Muster and Blue Singlet Count. The two-day festival line-up includes over 24 hours of live music, the Bullride Spectacular (Rodeo), trade and catering stalls, NSW Whip Cracking Championships, woodchop demonstrations, helicopter rides, circus, camel rides and a family centre to name a few.

Gears and Beers Festival 6 October, Wagga Wagga (Riverina Region) A perfect paring of craft beer and picturesque cycling routes, Gears and Beers Festival returns to Wagga. A Community Cycle Challenge run by the local Rotary Club of Wollundry to raise money for charity, the festival encourages community participation and draws the attention of cycle enthusiasts from all over the country. Event-goers can enjoy handcrafted beers and ciders produced in the region, whilst soaking up the rural scenic beauty of the area. Ride distances begin with nine kilometres to 105 kilometres, and culminate with their marquee ride 'The Rapha Dirty 130' which contains four challenging dirt sectors.

Sculpture on the Farm 4-7 October, Dungog (Hunter Region) See some of Australia’s finest sculptors in the treasured rural landscape of Dungog. This exhibition includes large scale pieces displayed in the expansive paddocks and gardens of “Fosterton”, a picturesque valley property along the Williams River just outside Dungog, as well as smaller scaled indoor works. Many sculptors will be present over the weekend and available to discuss their works.

GV Block Party 5-7 October, Tongarra (South Coast Region) For those seeking an active challenge, Australia's boutique mountain bike event of the year, The GV Block Party, returns to Greenvalleys Mountain Bike Park, one and a half hours south of Sydney. Mountain bike riders can participate in three feature events across the three days – the Dual Slalom, NorthShore Challenge and DHaRCO Super D – as well as a series of side events which are expected to attract 600 participants and 2,500 spectators to the Illawarra region.

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Griffith Spring Festival – Garden Festival 7-20 October, Griffith (Riverina Region) Experience the blossoming beauty of rural NSW at the Griffith Spring Festival, with a fantastic fortnight of festivities and celebrations. Explore one of the beautiful open gardens, attend a gardening workshop, admire the 70 wonderful citrus sculptures and party at the street launch with live music, local wine and food stalls.

Sydney Good Food Month 6-26 October, Sydney Sydney Good Food Month returns this October, with a dazzling line-up of dining experiences that celebrate Sydney’s innovative, experimental and ever-changing dining scene. From established heavyweights who have paved the way to new-in-town players making their mark, the program heroes iconic restaurants and their ground-breaking chefs that define Sydney food today.

Billy Elliot The Musical 10-23 October, Sydney Lyric Theatre Playing at Sydney Lyric Theatre, the smash-hit Billy Elliot The Musical comes to Sydney in October. Featuring music by the legendary Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot The Musical has been seen by over 12 million people worldwide. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, it is the recipient of over 85 awards internationally, including 10 Tony Awards, five Olivier Awards and eight Helpmann Awards.

Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 10-13 October, Bathurst (Central NSW) Join thousands of sports fans and make the annual pilgrimage to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 for the most prestigious race in Australian motorsport. Kids 12 and under receive free trackside admission with a paying adult.

Riverlights Multicultural Festival 12 October, Maitland (The Hunter region) Riverlights Multicultural Festival will return to Central Maitland this October for what is becoming the most exciting community event in the Hunter. Celebrating diversity through food, music, dance and interactive experiences, Riverlights transforms Central Maitland into a global village. This event really shines at night, with the popular festival parade and magical lantern flotilla featured on the Hunter River. Entry to the festival is free.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 17-19 October, ANZ Stadium Sydney Get ready to witness the largest Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ever staged when it marches exclusively into Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in October. Featuring over 1,500 of the world's finest pipers, drummers, dancers, military musicians and performers, this renowned Scottish spectacular will be brought to life set against the backdrop of a full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle.

DREAM Festival 17-27 October, Dubbo (Country NSW) From lights and lanterns, pianos on the pavement, music and markets, the DREAM Festival is a series of events that captures the imagination of all who visit. With more than 22,000

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attendees recorded in 2018, this family friendly festival continues to grow as it celebrates all forms of creativity.

Downer Rugby League World Cup 9s 18-19 October, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney (Parramatta) In what will be a festival of footy for everyone, it is a time to show your passion for your nation and watch the world's best in one weekend. Twelve nations will descend on Western Sydney, as the top male and female teams of the international game compete on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th October at the new Bankwest Stadium to claim the inaugural Downer Rugby League World Cup 9s title.

Ballina Wine & Food Festival 18-20 October, Ballina (North Coast Region) The Ballina Wine & Food Festival is a two-day festival showcasing the best produce, products, restaurants and culinary expertise the Ballina region has to offer. A Gala Dinner featuring degustation style food, designed and prepared by Blake Seymour and complemented by stunning wines and craft beers, is followed by the main event at the Ballina Jockey Club where visitors can sample from 70 culinary and cottage exhibitors, and take part in wine and beer appreciation sessions and cooking demonstrations.

Bird Haven Festival 18-20 October, Shoal Haven Heads (South Coast Region) Bird Haven Festival is a celebration to promote an appreciation and understanding of birds and their habitat. It is an annual event in Shoalhaven Heads, based around the themes of science, conservation, education, community and creativity. BirdLife Shoalhaven is delighted to be a supporter of this exciting initiative.

Sydney Kings vs NZ Breakers (NBL) 18 October, Qudos Bank Arena Sydney (Western Sydney) Get ready to see the Sydney Kings take on the NZ Breakers on their home turf at Qudos Bank Arena Sydney on 18 October.

The Everest at Randwick (The world’s richest race on turf) 19 October, Randwick Sydney Twelve horses, 1200 metres, $14 million to be won or lost in a little over a minute. The world's richest turf race, The TAB Everest attracts the world's best sprinters and will put the global sporting spotlight firmly on Sydney and the Royal Randwick Racecourse.

Great Australian Beer Festival 19 October, Albury (Murray Region) Albury’s 3rd annual Great Australian Beer Festival (GABF), offers Australia’s biggest alfresco beer and cider garden with over 150 brews to enjoy. In addition to nationally acclaimed breweries, the festival gives event-goers the opportunity to taste the beers and ciders from the region. While beer lovers are in for a treat, so are the music lovers. Headlining is Sydney songwriter Ruby Fields and the Potbelleez - one of Australia’s most in- demand and electrifying live acts.

Bowral Classic 20 October, Bowral (Southern Highlands Region) Cycle through the picturesque scenery of the Southern Highlands of NSW at the award- winning Bowral Classic. With four courses to choose from, there is a course to suit

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everyone’s ability. Make your choice: 175km Maxi Classic, 120km Challenge Classic, 90km Rouleurs Classic and 35km Social Classic.

Constellation Cup (Netball) - Australia vs New Zealand 20 October, Qudos Bank Arena, Western Sydney The Samsung Diamonds will bring international netball to Sydney in October as part of the 2019 Constellation Cup Series. Defending title holders Australia will host game three of the coveted trans-Tasman series at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday 20 October.

WWE Live Australia 21 October, Qudos Bank Arena, Western Sydney Get to ready to wrestle when WWE LIVE comes to Sydney. Fans attending WWE LIVE will be able to see their favourite WWE Superstars including, Roman Reigns, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Finn Balor, , Xavier Woods, SmackDown Women’s Champion , , , Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Australians Buddy Murphy, and (The IIconics) and many more.

Grafton Jacaranda Festival 25 October – 2 November 2019, Grafton (North Coast Region) Spring blooms are their finest in Grafton at the annual Grafton Jacaranda Festival. The striking purple blossoms have been celebrated since 1935 with a variety of events including street parades, markets, cultural and handicraft displays and the crowning of the Jacaranda Queen. Recent festival additions include a riverside feast of the best food, wine, craft beer and local artistic talent from the Clarence Valley region.

Trans-Tasman Test Match - Australia v New Zealand 25 October, Wollongong (South Coast) WIN Stadium will play host to an international blockbuster between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwi’s on Friday, October 25. Witness the full spectacle of international footy, kicking off with an epic clash between the Junior Kangaroo’s taking on France before the Australian Jillaroos battle it out with the fierce New Zealand Fern’s. Be there for our greatest test, with two international powerhouses going head to head.

Sculpture by the Sea 24 October -10 November, Bondi Sydney Sculpture by the Sea returns to the Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach coastal walk as the world’s largest free to the public sculpture exhibition. See the spectacular coastal walk transformed into a 2km long sculpture park over three weeks, featuring 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the world.

Sand and Sea Festival 25-27 October, Huskisson (South Coast Region) Sand and Sea Festival is a three day beach festival for all ages and abilities. This multisport event showcases the beauty of the whitest sand beaches in Jervis Bay. Event-goers can experience stand up paddle-boarding (SUP), kite surfing, ocean paddling, windsurfing, ocean swimming, beach water polo, sailing, plus beach netball and sunrise yoga.

Share your favourite Sydney and NSW holidays on social media by using the hashtag #IloveSydney or #NewSouthWales. For more information on events in New South Wales go to www.visitnsw.com or sydney.com

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Media Enquiries: Charlotte Greig, Destination NSW [email protected] / 0417 322 945

Images can be found in the Destination NSW Content Library.

About Destination NSW Destination NSW is the lead NSW Government agency for the State’s tourism and major events industry and is responsible for devising and implementing strategies to grow the State’s visitor economy. Our particular focus is driving tourism and acquiring and developing major sporting and cultural events for Sydney and regional NSW. In addition, Destination NSW is the major investor in Business Events Sydney with the aim of securing more international conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.