About Festivals, Craft Shows and Fairs in New South Wales
With all the places in the world that you could travel to, nowhere quite says “adventure” like Australia. The crown jewel of this exotic island nation is its capital—Sydney—in the province of New South Wales. New South Wales, or NSW as it’s often called, has a rich history and culture that you can certainly enjoy during your next trip “down under!”
Like most of Australia, New South Wales is known for its excellent food and beaches. There is certainly no shortage of high end restaurants or beautiful shores to explore. Those seeking adventure activities or aboriginal culture will also be blown away by all that New South Wales has to offer. New South Wales highlights these aspects of their province and culture in their festivals that are enjoyed by natives and tourists alike. Below, a couple of festivals are highlighted, from the 2015 New South Wales event calendar, that are sure to make your trip especially memorable and enjoyable.
National Australia Day Maritime Festival
What better way to enjoy Australia than to celebrate their national holiday with the locals? Australia Day—the celebration of the first Britannic peoples in Australia in 1788—is observed on January 26 each year. The residents of Newcastle, NSW carry on the tradition of a maritime festival that dates back nearly two centuries. “The Newcastle Harbour Regatta”, as it was called back in 1834, ran for over one hundred consecutive years before being placed on hold due to World War II.
In 1982, residents of the town reinstituted the festival, now operating under the present name of the “National Australia Day Maritime Festival.” Since that time, this event has grown to become one of the largest maritime events in the entire nation.
Chinese New Year Festival Sydney 2015
This festival will be taking place on Chinese New Year, which is February 8. This festival is an opportunity for those living in or visiting Sydney to enjoy the special event that is Chinese New Year. Attending this festival would be an excellent opportunity to enjoy an Australian interpretation of Chinese food and culture during the New Year!
Byron Bay International Film Festival
Filmmakers from around the world will be heading to Byron Bay during the second week of March to take part in the seventh annual festival. Not only is Byron Bay an excellent place to catch some short films this time of year, but it is also an excellent place to enjoy beach activities along with shopping and fine dining.
Byron Bay is Australia’s most eastern point and enjoys fantastic, sub-tropical weather nearly year round. Some ten percent of international travelers to Australia will spend time in Byron Bay during their travels, despite being away from major cities and other tourist traps.
As you can see there are plenty of things to do in New South Wales. Whether it’s enjoying NSW holidays or basking in the beautiful weather and culture, there is always something to do. Enjoy the festivals in NSW, 2015!