Australia’s Major 2013 Events and Festivals

Check out the best events happening in Australia this year.

By: Tourism Australia

Check out the best events happening in Australia this year.

1. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Each year in March, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival unveils a world-class program of more than 300 events that fill Melbourne’s labyrinth network of restaurants, laneways, lights-turned-low basements and dizzying rooftops, as well as spilling into spectacular regional Victoria.

2. Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix

The Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix offers an action-packed extravaganza of on-track and off-track activities for people of all ages to enjoy, set in the stunning surrounds of Albert Park and offering views of Melbourne's skyline.

3. Sydney Royal Easter Show

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is an iconic showcase of Australian culture, heritage and excellence. It combines Australian agriculture, education and entertainment. Every year the show attracts around 900,000 visitors.

4. Blues on Broadbeach

An expected crowd of over 85,000 people will visit Broadbeach, Gold Coast over 4 days and nights with free live entertainment, with 6 outdoor stages and at various venues. More than 60 acts are featured in the largest lineup since Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival started in 2002.

5. Vivid Sydney

Coloring the city with creativity and inspiration, the annual Vivid Sydney festival features the hugely popular immersive light installations and projections, performances from local and international musicians at Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House, and the Vivid Ideas Exchange featuring public talks and debates from leading global creative thinkers.

6. Qantas Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions

See the clash of 2 rugby favorites when the Qantas Wallabies take on the British & Irish Lions in one of the top Australian sporting events of the year. It’s been 12 years in the making and when the Qantas Wallabies and British & Irish Lions come face-to-face for the first test of the 2013 tour, sparks are sure to fly. Get ready for full-contact action as some of the best Rugby Union players battle it out around Australia with their speed, skill and agility, delivering the exciting, fast-paced games we know and love.

7. Gold Coast Airport Marathon

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is an event that motivates and challenges tens of thousands of people of all ages and abilities, featuring a marathon, half marathon, 10K run, community walk and junior dash. The marathon course runs next to the Gold Coast's surf beaches and broadwater and has a reputation as one of the flattest and fastest courses in the world.

8. Darwin Festival

The Darwin Festival features local and touring performances and events including outdoor concerts, workshops, theater, dance music, comedy and cabaret, film and visual arts. See Darwin abuzz with performers, artists, locals and visitors enjoying the vibrant and colorful atmosphere.

9. ISPS Handa Perth International

The Perth International is the richest golf event in Australia, with $2 million prize money at stake. The event brings some of the world’s best golf players to Perth’s Lake Karrinyup Country Club, which is regularly rated as one of the top 10 golf courses in Australia.

10. Crave Sydney International Food Festival

The Crave Sydney International Food Festival is a landmark on the Sydney calendar, enhancing and consolidating Sydney’s status as a world-class food city and global dining destination. The event features a month long program of extraordinary food events in unique locations across Sydney and New South Wales region.

11. Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is one of Australia’s most significant sporting and social events, with 4 major race days encouraging people to break out their suits and fascinators. The highlight of the carnival is the Melbourne Cup, held every year on the first Tuesday in November, known as "the race that stops a nation."

12. Margaret River Gourmet Escape

The Margaret River Gourmet Escape is a new 4-day wine and food festival attracting the world’s best chefs, culinary and wine critics and celebrities. Be entertained at the Gourmet Village at the famous Leeuwin Estate Winery, which will feature master classes, pop-up restaurants, cooking demonstrations, wine theatre and live music. This unique event in one of Australia’s most stunning locations is not to be missed.

13. Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has become an icon of Australia’s summer sport, ranking in public interest with such national events as the Melbourne Cup horse race, the Davis Cup tennis match and the cricket tests between Australia and England.

14. New Years Eve

Different, unique and amazing celebrations take place across Australia to welcome in the New Year. Celebrate in a quiet rural town, by the sea, or even on an island in Sydney Harbour to watch a spectacular display of fireworks and fun.

15. The Taste Festival

Welcome in the new year at The Taste Festival, the premier event showcasing Tasmanian food and wine on the Hobart waterfront over the New Year season each year. Indulge in fresh seafood, Bruny Island cheese and Bicheno berries. Sip on local wine, peat-distilled malt whiskies and boutique beers. The festival also showcases international flavors – from Persian to Indian to Spanish – all prepared with fresh Tasmanian ingredients.