Archive for the ‘Events & Festivals’ Category

Floriade: The Biggest Celebration of Spring

Friday, November 21st, 2014

The winters in Canberra, traditionally cold, provide ideal conditions for the growth of the millions of tulips. Every year, these tulips bloom in the spring exactly when expected, in a park overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Popular spring event Floriade, once limited to a single day, now includes NightFest, which continues for five magical nights.

floriade fest

7 Reasons to join the celebrations:

1) Do you like to take pictures? The fragrant beds of Floriade, full of tulips and inspired by a different theme each year, represents an ideal subject for a photographer. More than 440,000 tourists come from all over the world to visit the largest floral festival in the southern hemisphere, which has free admission.

2) To admire the hard work behind the festival: set up of the flower beds, paths and temporary infrastructures requires months of planning. The team of gardening makes sure that there are flowers to bloom throughout the month, by planting them at different depths. During the festival, the gardeners always guarantee a perfect look by removing the faded flowers, reshaping the beds and monitoring the pH and the percentages of salt and soil nutrients.

3) The flowers are the main attraction of Floriade, but the wonderful floral arrangements are also framed by many other activities. Tasty food is served by world-renowned chefs, chance to learn horticulture and gardening and live music can be enjoyed with animal show.

Food and wine

4) Floriade became even more fabulous in 2008 with the introduction of NightFest, a fantasy evening that continues for five nights, transforming the park into a world of fairy tale, full of fun and lightness. Flower beds, innovative lighting show, ponds and gardens with live music, comedians and DJ also contribute to the lively atmosphere.

Nightfest Floriade

5) Once the show ends, the flowers of Floriade are not wasted: They cut the remaining flowers and send them to hospitals in the nearby area. And more and more people get the chance to enjoy their beauty.

6) In addition to providing a central theme (the edition of Floriade 2014 was inspired by the passion), the list of the events changed from week to week, so that any returning visitors can always see something new. This year, the themes proposed for individual weeks included art and culture, food and wine, family fun and outdoor adventure.

7) Give yourself a truly regal treat with a boat ride on the Burley Griffin lake : In 2011, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip left the Parliament and boarded a majestic boat to visit Floriade. Three ferries carry passengers to the entry gate of the event.

Burley Griffin lake

Floriade is a must visit for gardening enthusiasts and lovers of Flowers. DIY learners can draw inspiration from a wide range of demonstration. visitors will be able to capitalize on a number of ideas to put into practice once they return home.

Australia Day – A Day of Big Celebrations in the Country

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

Australian commemorate 26 January as Australia Day, a holiday which is celebrated nationwide once a year. A public holiday that sees hundreds of events, large and small, taking place across the country, Australia Day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in Port Jackson in 1788.

Different communities across the country celebrate the day organizing concerts, beach parties, breakfasts, exhibitions, parades and shows, sporting events and fireworks.

Australia Day Parade

Things that make Australia Day special:-

1. The Foundation Day

You can spot Australia being at its best during its national holiday. The anniversary will fall on a Monday, in 2015, which means a long weekend in the middle of an Australian summer thus ensuring enthusiastic celebrations by the locals.

2. Fun with Family

Australia Day is celebrated in various ways by Australians, but the recurrence is generally regarded as an opportunity to relax, preferably in the company of family and friends. Favorite activities for this days are picnic or barbecue on beach or hiking in the nearest park or participation in an official event.

3. Wave the Flag

On this day, you can become a honorary Australian and wave its national flag, taste a lamington with an Akubra on your head and wear green and golden color clothes.

4. Music in the Air

Australia Day is considered as the best time to attend open air concerts and performances, as this national event falls in summer. The anniversary also falls during the Sydney Festival and you can get a chance to enjoy exciting outdoor musical events.

Sydney Music Festival

5. Enjoy the Sparkling Night

Australians people love the fireworks and the Australia Day offers some of the most exciting, bright and sparkling fireworks. You can head to the Parklands (in Brisbane) to listen to music, play with interactive art installations, swim at the only artificial beach town in Australia and watch the extraordinary firework display in the evening.

6. Ride a Camel

In Perth, head to the Langley Park, along the Swan River in the Central Business District, to take advantage of an entertainment area that offers the chance to ride camels and ponies or visit a petting zoo full of cute Australian animals. This is also an ideal place to watch the laser show on the water.

Camel Ride

7. Be a Proud Australian

Each year, thousands of people choose to become Australian citizens on this important date (this is definitely the favorite day in the whole year to take the pledge). Throughout the country many ceremonies are held for the conferment of citizenship as part of community initiatives.

For those who want to learn more about the country, its culture, history, make acquaintance with the locals, explore the nation at its most relaxed and witness the most majestic fireworks, this is the best time to visit Australia.

Upcoming Events in Melbourne in 2014

Saturday, October 4th, 2014

Melbourne is the center stage for many events which are held throughout the year. This can be easily seen with the busy lineup of upcoming events related to culture, sports and entertainment. Although 2014 is heading towards its end but few major events are yet to come.

You can experience a magical vacation in Melbourne with popular impending events such Melbourne Festival, Grand Prix of Formula 1 and the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE FESTIVAL (10 to 26 October 2014)

Since 1986, every year in October Melbourne turns into one big stage. This month, with events of the Melbourne Festival scattered in every part of the city, attracts thousands of visitors. The Melbourne Festival, which embraces the visual music, dance, arts, theater and multimedia, is one of the most versatile event of the entire Australian calendar.

Melbourne Festival

It involves young talent, established artists and national and international performers. Numerous events are held outdoors and access for the events is free. On the site of the Festival you can find the detailed program, various event venues and other important information.

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (17 to 19 October 2014)

The Motorcycle Grand Prix is an extraordinary event held at Phillip Island. Every year in autumn, the race of the MotoGP attracts countless numbers of racing enthusiasts on the island, an hour away from Melbourne. At Phillip Island the best riders in the world compete with each other with motorcycle up to 1000 cubic inches of displacement.

Moto GP

The Phillip Island circuit, opened in 1956, is 4.5 km long. Track record in motion corresponds to an average speed of about 180 km / h. On the home stretch, however, the drivers whizz even at 320 km per hour. Along with the Formula 1 and the World Superbike Championship, MotoGP is one of the third most prestigious world events played in Australia.

For information on prices and tickets, please visit the MotoGP at Phillip Island.

MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL (1 to 8 November 2014)

For over 150 years, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is the most important horse race in Australia and perhaps the world. Four memorable days at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne is an extraordinary horse event famous for sport, wine, food, business and fashion.

Melbourne Cup Carnival

The week of racing begins on Saturday with the AAMI Victoria Derby Day and four Group 1 races, the highest category at the international level. While it concludes with Emirates Stakes Day, which has a prize of more than one million Australian dollars. Tickets for the event can only be purchased in advance.

For information and prices please visit the event website.

Under the sign of sport, recreation, culture and cuisine, Melbourne offers a unique atmosphere to enjoy. Plan your holiday accordingly so you do not not miss the opportunity to be a part of Australia’s best events and festivals, held across the year.