Power Up.

Get out and about this July with free activities and a really big birthday party!

05-14.07 DARWIN

Darwin International Guitar Festival
Think rock guitar is the pits? Classical guitar fans can look forward to their annual indulgence at the seven-year-old International Guitar Festival, hosted by Charles Darwin University. It’s your chance to see some of the world’s leading classical guitarists and musicians from Europe, the Americas and Australia – legendary guitarist Eliot Fisk opens the festival, on his first visit to Australia. Tel: +61 (8) 8946 6826 during office hours, Monday to Friday.

28.07 SYDNEY

Photo: Andrea Francolini /
AudiAudi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
Yachties gearing up for the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race are also marking the 22nd Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race on their calendars – us landlubbers will just be searching out the best spots for watching the 70-odd ocean-going yachts leaving the start line in Sydney’s harbour. Look out for record-holder Brindabella, now called ASM Brindabella, as she makes for the finish line at Southport on the Gold Coast, 384 nautical miles away. Tel: +61 (2) 8292 7800.

05-08.07 HOBART

Festival of Voices
There’s nothing quite like listening to angelic voices in song. Soloists and choirs will be performing all kinds of music styles – gregorian chant, gospel music, cabaret – around Salamanca Place and Hobart’s waterfront, entertaining the crowds around crackling fires. And if you’ve got a song to sing yourself, book in for a workshop, or just turn up at one of the short “Vocal Taster” classes.

Says festival director Jasper Wood, “This year’s festival is like a good meal to share with friends, as we serve up some fantastic sound and celebrate the human voice.” Tel: +61 (3) 6224 5975 for more info.

UNTIL 30.11

Photo: Tourism Western
AustraliaWESTERN AUSTRALIA Wildflower season
Vibrant bursts of colour everywhere you turn? It must be wildflower season in Western Australia! Just drive into the countryside and you’ll come across hundreds of the state’s 12,000-plus varieties – and best of all, it’s totally free. Look out for spectacular fields of everlasting daisies, not to mention kangaroo paws, orchids and even carnivorous plants. Come September, you don’t even need to drive: the 400-hectare Kings Park in the heart of Perth will be putting on its hugely popular Wildflower Festival, and you can wander among its blooms to your heart’s content within a few minutes of a good coffee. Tel: +61 (8) 9483 1111 for more information.

24.07 BRISBANE

Bindi’s birthday party
Australia’s sweetheart, Bindi Irwin, turns nine this month, and the Australia Zoo will be hosting one huge birthday party with free entry for all kids. Brisbane’s very own pop sensation, The Veronicas will rock the Crocoseum and there’ll be free face-painting and fun and games with giveaways – we hear birthday cake for everyone is on the menu, too! While you’re there, find out how to do your bit for animal conservation. 9am to 4.30pm, adults AU$49, kids free. Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, tel: +61 (7) 5436 2002.

29.07 DARWIN

Darwin Lions Clubs Beer Can Regatta
For the last 30-odd years, Darwin residents have been collecting beer cans and constructing all sorts of seaworthy (and not-so-seaworthy) vessels every year for the Beer Can Regatta, pitting their skills against one another in the Battle of the Mindil, complete with flour bombs and water sprays! It’s a great day out for the entire family; juniors are dared to chug all the soft drink they need to build a “boat” to race in. Entrance is by gold coin donation, with proceeds going towards Lions Clubs of Darwin projects. Mindil Beach; food and drink stalls operate between 10am and 10pm, no BYO.

UNTIL 13.07

NEW ZEALANDTV2 KidsFest 2007
The 16th TV2 KidsFest, held in Christchurch, is New Zealand’s favourite – and largest – festival for children. Its 200-plus events were specially created with kids in mind, but we won’t be at all surprised if adults are tempted to gatecrash, with fascinating workshops like penguin care, jewellery making and kite building on offer! Tickets from NZ$2 (AU$1.80) Christchurch Town Hall Box Office, 86 Kilmore St, tel: +64 (3) 377 8899.

20-21.07 HAWAII

Hawaii All-Collectors Show
Love collecting? The All-Collectors Show is for you! The largest collectables and antiques show in Hawaii, it’s the place to get your hands on that special item to complete your collection, or the conversation piece you’ve always wanted for your coffee table. Come prepared to splash some cash at the 180 booths and vendors from all over the US and Japan. We’ll be checking out the Vintage Surf Auction and haunting the stalls offering kitsch Hawaiiana like Aloha shirts, beads and toys! Blaisdell Hawaii Suite, 777 Ward Ave, Honolulu, tel: +1 (808) 941 9754.

08.07 SYDNEY

Premiering Sydney 2007 Gala Concert
Imagine the stupendous sound of 20 trombones, 40 trumpets, 15 timpanis and over 100 strings together at the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall. Well-known American composer Roger Cichy’s commissioned piece Dazzling Lights – Sydney in Celebration premiers at this event, with American and Australian young musicians also performing. The day before (July 7) there are two free concerts on offer, featuring seven bands visiting from the US – choose between 12pm at Darling Harbour’s Harbourside Amphitheatre or 7.30pm at the Paddington Town Hall. Tickets to the gala concert from AU$25, tel: +61 (2) 9250 7777.

25.07-12.08 MELBOURNE

Melbourne International Film Festival
You only have 19 days to take in all the fabulous, thought-provoking films chosen from around the world by the Melbourne International Film Festival committee – and festival director Richard Moore promises the program will “challenge, delight, provoke and enrage”. Kids will love the new Next Gen category, covering films for primary-school children and the over-14s; the starstruck will jump at the chance to get up close to their idols at the Opening Night and Closing Night bashes. Tickets and information, tel: +61 (3) 9417 2011.