Festivals and Events in Australia

Australian events are exciting and diverse and in Western Australia, there are plenty of unique, nature-based, sporting and cultural events to be experienced.

Many regional centres have their own distinct character and local traditions - sparking a number of unique country style festivities.

A Taste of Diverse Culture

The annual Perth International Arts Festival brings together a month-long calendar of local and international acts, showcasing almost every discipline of theatre and performance during the summer months.

Bridgetown Blues Festival, Bridgetown Regional centres have long-established traditions with events such as the York Jazz Festival, Blues at Bridgetown Festival and the annual Leeuwin Concert. These unique events attract entertainers from Australia and across the globe.

Summer's reliable weather also inspires some unusual outdoor Western Australian events such as Opera in the Park and the popular 'moonlight cinema' in Kings Park. Bring a deck chair, rug and picnic and relax in front of an outdoor cinema screen to watch new-release or classic movies.

Concerts are also popular during summer with many outdoor venues promoting musical styles such as 'jazz among the vines' at wineries throughout the State.

Nature's Calendar of Events

Western Australia's natural environment puts on some dramatic annual events of its own.

Staircase to the Moon, Broome The 'Staircase to the Moon' in Broome is a natural phenomenon which occurs for three nights each month between March and October.

The full moon rising over exposed mudflats at low tides creates a beautiful optical illusion of a staircase reaching to the moon.

The colourful coral spawn on the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef each March, the annual arrival of the whale sharks near the reef and the turtle nesting season in Exmouth rank as some of the State's more spectacular natural events.

Get Active

The annual Cottesloe to Rottnest Island swim sees teams of swimmers take to the open ocean to battle tides and currents for an endurance swim of approximately 19 kilometres.

Then there's the Blackwood Marathon Relay in the South West region, which is made up of running, canoeing, swimming, equestrian and cycling legs. The relay involves both team and individual participants.

Something Different

There are many uniquely Western Australian events happening throughout the State.

Shinju Matsuri Festival, Broome

Some, like the Kulin Bush Races with its horse, camel, sheep and dog racing, epitomise the spirit and hospitality of rural Western Australia.

Broome's Shinju Matsuri or Festival of the Pearl was established to commemorate Japanese pearl divers. Dragon boat racing, a float parade through China Town and family mardi gras make for an exciting week.