Put some fun in your life with free outdoor activities and a touch of the arts

09 Sep
AUSTRALIA
The Great Australian Bushwalk
Celebrate 50 years of the National Parks Association by going on a bushwalk with your mates. “It’s the best way to discover our spectacular natural environment while meeting new people and keeping fit,” says Australian mountaineer and 2007 Ambassador for the Great Australian Bushwalk, Tim Macartney-Snape. With 120 free guided walks on offer from Darwin to Tasmania, there’s bound to be one near you. Register at www..greataustralianbushwalk.org.au

Cheong Liew

06–16 Sep
ADELAIDE
South Australian Writers’ Festival
If you love the written word or have writing aspirations, treat yourself to this event. Held in the town of Onkaparinga, 30 minutes from Adelaide, the fourth annual festival begins with the launch of Sculpture Park and several permanent public artworks, then ends with the Writers at Wirra Wirra Weekend. “As always, the Festival will blend literature with South Australia’s enviable lifestyle,” says Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg. Tel +61 (8) 8326 5577 for the official program.

22 Sep to 07 Oct
MELBOURNE, BRISBANE, SYDNEY
The Island Princess
In Barbie’s most recent release, The Island Princess, she stars as Princess Rosella, and is shipwrecked on a tropical isle with a red panda, a peacock and a baby elephant as friends. Will she stay there forever? To celebrate the launch, Island Princess entertainment packs will be given out to kids on selected Jetstar flights during school holidays, while stocks last. Children can also catch a free performance and exciting activities at the following zoos: Melbourne Zoo (22 September to 7 October), Australia Zoo (26–30 September) and Taronga Zoo (3–7 October).

20–23 Sep
SYDNEY
Chalk the Walk Urban Art Festival
Take to the streets to watch more than 30 artists apply their talent to the footpath of Pyrmont Bridge, Darling Harbour, with nothing but chalk. Last year’s Champion Pavement Artist, Gary Jagamarra, will return as this year’s Guest Artist. As he says: “It’s one thing to sit down in a studio and paint and be lost in your own little world, but it’s a lot more exciting to do the work interactively with people stopping and talking to you as they walk along.” Tel: +61 (2) 9280 1443.

26 Sep to 14 Oct
MELBOURNE
The Age 2007 Melbourne Fringe Festival
The Melbourne Fringe has been bringing independent arts to the masses for a quarter of a century now. It’s Victoria’s largest and most affordable indie arts showcase with tickets averaging just AU$20 and loads of crazy free performances to enjoy. Check out the photography exhibition covering 25 years of Melbourne Fringe at the Arts Centre’s Curve Bar. Call +61 (3) 8412 8777 for tickets.

Richard Flanagan

05–09 Sep
MELBOURNE
The Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show
A stitch in time saves nine and there’s no better place to source all your craft supplies and pick up a load of fresh ideas for spring than at Stitches & Craft. With 50 workshops and 120 exhibitors, plus fashion parades and competitions, there’s an enormous range for beginners and experts alike. The show is held at Caulfield Racecourse between 10am to 5pm each day; entry for adults AU$14, children AU$7. Call the show hotline on tel: 1800 770 222 (toll free) within Australia.

25–30 Sep
BALI, INDONESIA
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
This festival has become one of the top events on the world literary stage. For this year’s festival, with the theme “Sekala-Niskala | The Seen & Unseen”, expect over 80 writers from 16 countries to engage each other and their readers in discussions, workshops and literary lunches. Don’t miss the staging of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream with a South African director and Balinese cast in the gorgeous, new Botanic Garden Ubud. Log on to www.ubudwritersfestival.com for more info.

22 Sep to 13 Oct
AUSTRALIA
Thomas and Friends Live! On Stage
Fans of Thomas the Really Useful Engine and all his friends will be thrilled to watch this 90-minute musical stage performance, here for the first time in Australia. For 60 years, Thomas and his friends have taught values of friendship and cooperation and this performance is no exception: The Island of Sodor’s Lantern Festival can only proceed when everyone pitches in to help after a stormy disruption! Starting in Brisbane, the show will travel to Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney. Call Ticketek on tel: 132 849 within Australia to book.