Spring is in full swing down under: a million blooms in Canberra, engines on Mount Panorama and sculpture on the Bondi clifftops. Here are six events in the next two weeks.
1. World of WearableArt Show — Wellington, New Zealand
When: Final shows October 2, 3 and 4, 2026
New Zealand’s best-known stage spectacle: an international wearable-art design competition presented as an arena show with music, dance and aerial performance. This weekend is the last chance for 2026.
Nearest airport: Wellington International (WLG), about 7 km from TSB Arena on the waterfront. Most international travellers connect via Auckland (AKL).
Getting there: Taxi, about 15–20 minutes, or the Airport Express bus to the central city and a short walk to Queens Wharf.
Good to know: Tickets are essential, and Saturday shows have been selling out. Check availability before you fly.
More info: worldofwearableart.com
2. Floriade — Canberra, ACT, Australia
When: Through October 11, 2026, daily 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Australia’s largest spring flower festival, with more than a million bulbs and annuals in Commonwealth Park on Lake Burley Griffin. This year’s theme is “Feast of Flowers.” NightFest runs through October 4.
Nearest airport: Canberra Airport (CBR), about 8 km away. Sydney (SYD) is about three hours by road.
Getting there: Taxi or rideshare direct to the Regatta Place drop-off, or take the airport bus to the City Interchange and hop on the free Floriade shuttle, which runs every 10–20 minutes.
Good to know: Daytime entry is free.
More info: floriadeaustralia.com
3. Melbourne Fringe Festival — Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
When: Through October 18, 2026
Three weeks of open-access arts with more than 450 events across comedy, theatre, cabaret, circus and visual art. The hub is Trades Hall in Carlton, with venues all over the city.
Nearest airport: Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL), about 22 km from the Trades Hall hub.
Getting there: SkyBus express to Southern Cross Station, about 30 minutes, then a tram or short taxi ride to Carlton.
Good to know: Shows are ticketed individually and many events are free. Popular shows sell out.
More info: melbournefringe.com.au
4. Repco Bathurst 1000 — Mount Panorama, Bathurst, NSW, Australia
When: October 8–11, 2026 (race Sunday, October 11, 11:30 a.m.)
Australia’s most famous motor race: 1,000 km of Supercars endurance racing on a mountain circuit that is a public road the rest of the year. The campground culture on the mountain is half the experience.
Nearest airport: Bathurst has no scheduled passenger flights. Orange (OAG), about 40 minutes’ drive, has daily Sydney flights. Sydney (SYD), about 200 km away, is the practical gateway.
Getting there: Drive about 2.5 hours from Sydney in normal conditions, or take the airport train to Central and then a train to Bathurst. Event shuttle buses run from town to the circuit. Road closures and rail trackwork are in place this year, so check Transport for NSW before you set out.
Good to know: Tickets are required, and camping and grandstands sell out early.
More info: supercars.com
5. Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival — Hastings, Havelock North and Napier, New Zealand
When: October 8–18, 2026
Eleven days of theatre, circus, music, dance and family shows in New Zealand wine country, with venues in Hastings, Havelock North and Art Deco Napier.
Nearest airport: Hawke’s Bay Airport, Napier (NPE), about 6 km from central Napier and 22 km from Hastings. Flights are domestic, via Auckland (AKL) or Wellington (WLG).
Getting there: Taxi, pre-booked shuttle or rental car. A car is the best choice, as venues span three towns.
Good to know: Shows are ticketed individually.
More info: hbaf.co.nz
6. Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi — Sydney, NSW, Australia
When: Opens October 16, 2026 and runs to November 2
Billed as the world’s largest free public sculpture exhibition, with about 100 works along the two-kilometre clifftop walk from Bondi to Tamarama. This is its 30th anniversary.
Nearest airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD), about 12 km away.
Getting there: T8 Airport Line to Central, change to the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line to Bondi Junction, then bus 333, 380 or 381 to Bondi Beach. A taxi takes 25–35 minutes.
Good to know: Free, with no ticket. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends.
More info: sculpturebythesea.com
Dates and details were checked on October 2, 2026. Schedules change, so confirm with the festival before you list for a flight.
