Australia’s best autumn events for 2026
Autumn is a colourful time to go adventuring. It seems like the whole country embraces the harvest season with festivals and events that delight your taste buds and your senses. Here are some autumn events worthy of planning a trip around.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Victoria
When: March 28 and 29, 2026 (and held annually)
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival runs from March 20 - 29, 2026 with dozens of events around the state. On the Mornington Peninsula, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s Pt. Leo Estate x Chin Chin Weekend Takeover is definitely worth travelling for. Melbourne’s modern-Asian institution restaurant, Chin Chin, will be onsite for a takeover. This will be a celebration of food, wine, art and culture set within the Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park, which has expansive views of Western Port Bay from within the two restaurants. Check out the bespoke menu that Benjamin Cooper (Chin Chin) and Josep Espuga (Pt. Leo Estate) are bringing to Laura and the Pt. Leo Restaurant. The Pt Leo Foreshore Reserve is close by, and there are plenty of other caravan parks along the Mornington Peninsula, so you can build a road trip around some standout culinary experiences.
Stay: Pt Leo Foreshore Reserve
Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival, Tasmania
When: 14-17 May 2026
Head to Stanley on the northwest coast of Tasmania for this festival that celebrates everything that is wonderful about Tasmanian produce. Held over three days, locals and tourists flow into town to celebrate the gifts of the forest and the sea at the Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival. Meet the producers, join in the signature Degustation Dinner on the main street and taste the world-class local cheese, honey, abalone, beef, wine, and so much more. While in town, climb The Nut/Munnatrik, or take the chairlift to the top for endless ocean views. Stanley is an easy 90-minute drive from Devonport and is well-loved by RV travellers.
Stay: BIG4 Stanley
Queensland Musical Trails, Queensland
When: April 24 - May 9 2026
If you’ve ever wanted to explore Queensland’s outback roads, autumn is the time. From music in parks and by lakes, travel the music trail from Charleville to Mt Isa to see some excellent Aussie entertainment. Country musicians Tori Darke and Luke Geiger kick off the festival, then you can head to Tambo for line dancing lessons at the Tambo Bush Dance and follow the trail to see the Crackup sisters perform at the Outback’s newest venue – The Dustarena in Winton. There are poetry gigs, fancy dinners and dynamic performances all along the trail. If opera is your thing, head back again for the Festival of Outback Opera, which is on from 19 - 25 May in Winton, Longreach in outback Queensland.
Stay: Winton Wanderers, Tambo Mill Motel & Caravan Park, and Sunset Tourist Park Mount Isa.
Narooma Oyster Festival, New South Wales
When: May 1-3 2026
Narooma is a stunning coastal destination, and autumn is a fabulous time to visit, with temperatures still around 20 degrees and the water around 17. The Narooma Oyster Festival celebrates the Rock Oyster on May 1-3, 2026 on the South Coast of NSW. Leading into it from Saturday April 26 is Rock Oyster Week, with oyster-led experiences held from Shoalhaven to the Sapphire Coast. The program has a comprehensive selection of elevated dining and culinary experiences designed for travellers with cultured palates. Ultimate Oyster Experiences are hosted by John Susman, a globally recognised oyster sommelier and eminent Australian Seafood authority. There are also ‘Master the Shuck’ sessions for those who want to improve their shucking skills.
Stay: Dalmeny Camp Ground
