Five Spring Things to Do for the Week of September 23
Taste some fresh craft beers, take your pick of food trucks, and admire thousands of vibrant flowers.
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After the recent deluge of much-needed rain, the spring sun has peaked out from behind the clouds, promising warm breezes and blue skies, and ushering in dreams of beach days and road trips out of town. Thankfully, even if you can't quite find the time to make it out of the city, Sydney is brimming with ways to soak up every last drop of springtime fun. As its Spring Carnival continues, we've teamed up with Australian Turf Club to bring you five top-notch ways to celebrate the season this week.
ENJOY A STROLL (AND SNAP A PIC) AMONG THE TULIPS
When? Tuesday, September 24–Monday, October 7
It doesn't get much more spring than this — the 59th annual Tulip Time festival sees more than 75,000 tulips bloom throughout Bowral's Corbett Gardens and surrounds. A 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney, the gardens will come alive with colour, set to light up hearts and Instagram feeds for two weeks of live entertainment, market stalls and flowers. Mary Poppins fans will be delighted to know the festival kicks off with the Tulip Time Twilight Procession — on Tuesday, September 24, the community will gather in Glebe Park to turn a statue commemorating the birthplace of Mary Poppins (writer P.L. Travers is said to have come up with the iconic character while living in the town) from east to west to mark the spring equinox, before an umbrella lantern parade heads to Corbett Gardens.
SAMPLE A COUPLE OF LOCALLY MADE CRAFT BEERS FOR FREE
When? Thursday, September 26–Friday, September 27
Dust off the working day with free craft beer tastings at Chippendale's Central Park, poured for you from a pimped out, beer keg-filled kombi. As part of a country-wide road trip from hotel chain Four Points by Sheraton, the kombi will roll into town this week and give out free samples from 4–6pm on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27. While relaxing with a cold one, you can also chat to local brewers, throw your hat in the ring to win a trip to New Zealand, and score a beer and wings deal at Four Points by Sheraton Sydney afterwards.
SIP BUBBLES AT GOLDEN ROSE RACE DAY
When? Saturday, September 28
Sydney's spring racing season continues, with Everest Carnival's De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Race Day at Rosehill Gardens, one of seven events running on consecutive Saturdays until November 2. Gather your friends, get frocked up and experience all of the food, fashion and entertainment of the day. The festivities include the soothing sounds of a live music duo, the 2019 AFL Grand Final playing on the big screen (so you can fittingly cheer on GWS while in their heartland), a DJ spinning beats all day at the main stage bar, signature cocktails and plenty of food trucks. If you're having too much fun to call it a day as the sun sets, the nearby Rosehill Bowling Club will host the official after-party, and Everest Carnival continues the following Saturday.
EAT YOUR WAY AROUND BELLA VISTA FARM
When? Saturday, September 28–Sunday, September 29
There's nothing quite like getting your mates together, throwing down a picnic rug on a sunny patch of grass, and enjoying a delicious lunch. At the annual Park Feast, all the picnic fare you could wish for will be at your fingertips with 30 of Sydney's best food trucks and dessert stations on hand. With rides for the kids (and grown-ups), live music performances and a pets-are-welcome attitude, the two-day food truck festival is a great way to unwind, catch up and enjoy the water views at Bella Vista Farm. The hardest part of the day will be choosing what to eat, with big-name vendors on the bill including Halloumi Me, Bao Brothers, Smoking Grill BBQ, Chur Burger, Pimp My Chimney and The Cannoli Truck.
CATCH A SHOW AT SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL
When? Any day
After a packed few weeks of art and performances, the 2019 Sydney Fringe Festival is almost at its end. If your heart breaks at the thought of all the fun ending for another year, never fear, as the final week of programming is a big one. Highlights include live art piece Say Something Nice, gritty feminist cabaret Feminah, 24-hour dance and music performance piece All (H)Ours, shameless comedy homage Speed: The Movie: The Play and, of course, the raucous Dance All Night closing party. The festivities don't end there, so make sure to check out the huge Sydney Fringe Festival program to find all the kids activities, pop-up bars, performances and workshops.
Everest Carnival runs until November 2 at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick. For more information, head this way.
Top Image: Felipe Neves.
