Great Diary Dates.

23 May to 01 Jun
CAIRNS
Reef and Rainforest Carnivale

Kicking off with the spectacular Street Parade, with its floats, buskers and fireworks, the Carnivale promises fun for everyone. Events include the Audi Cairns Centre Clipper Cup, the Combines Club Carnivale Fishing Tournament and the Hahn Super Dry Gourmet Gladiators. Call 1800 603 000 within Australia for information.

15–18 May
DARWIN
Wordstorm 2008: Northern Territory Writers’ Festival

Catch Charles Firth from The Chasers War on Everything team and other well-known writers from Australia, Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua, Singapore and New Zealand during this literary event at the Museum & Art Gallery of the NT. Tel: +61 (7) 8941 2651.

Photo: Japan National
Tourist Office11 May to 15 Oct
NAGOYA
Cormorant Fishing Season

A 1,500-year-old event not to be missed, Ukai takes place in the town of Gifu, 20 minutes from Nagoya by train. Dine and drink sake aboard a small wooden boat while enjoying the demonstrations, which take place every evening except during the full moon and heavy rain.

21 May to 8 Jun
NATIONWIDE
Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company

Following rave reviews in London, Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company arrives in Australia for their national tour of A Compás! To the Rhythm. Paco Peña is one of the world’s great flamenco guitarists and his show featuring three guitarists, three flamenco dancers, two singers and one percussionist captures the powerful passion of southern Spain’s song, dance and music. Perth (21 May), Sydney (27–31 May), Adelaide (1 Jun), Melbourne (4 Jun), Frankston (5 Jun), Brisbane (6 Jun) and the Gold Coast (8 Jun).

01–31 May
SYDNEY
Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month

Eating and drinking can be your focus this month as the Hunter Valley gears up for a series of activities, including the Lovedale Long Lunch and Broke Fordwich Spirit of the Vines. Call the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association on +61 (2) 4991 4533.

’Til 07 Jun
SYDNEY
Experimenta Playground – International Biennial of Media Arts

Add some edginess to your life by interacting with “extreme” artworks, video installations and short films by over 30 Australian and international artists. “Experimenta Playground draws together a collection of artworks that encourage playfulness, placing the audience in a central role in bringing the exhibition to life,” said Liz Hughes, co-curator and artistic director of Experimenta. Wed–Sat, noon–8pm, free entry.

Photo: Angela Barnett, Andrew Buchanan, Darren Ballingall, Chris MacKellar and Christian Rubino, Immersion (2007) Australia. Still image from interactive installation. Courtesy of the artists. An Experimenta New Visions Commission

Malina Moye29 May to 01 Jun
GOLD COAST
Blues on Broadbeach

Non-stop blues music and entirely free – fans will think they’ve gone to heaven. This massive weekend of free entertainment offers something for everyone in a laidback atmosphere. Support new talents James Southwell and Chase the Sun, catch the legendary Black Sorrows and accomplished pianist Jan Preston, as well as international acts in a village atmosphere while enjoying delicious Gold Coast food.

’Til 21 Jul
PERTH
Leonardo da Vinci Machines Exhibition

First and foremost, Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist and an inventor. Discover his genius with replicas of the tank, spring-powered car, hang glider and air screw protoypes. Children can learn how to build a parachute. The Pavilion on Riverside Drive, 10am–5pm. Tickets at the door or from Ticketmaster 136 100.

DINO COMES HOME

Photo: Stuart HumphreysMeet Australia’s original residents at the Australian Museum’s first permanent public exhibition, Dinosaurs.

We chat with project manager Trish McDonald about bringing these ancient monsters to life in downtown Sydney.

How did the idea for Dinosaurs come about?
In 2005, we did a think tank. We knew dinosaurs would be popular and help people understand that knowing about the past can help us understand the present, and preserve our future.

Can you explain our fascination with dinosaurs?
I think it’s to do with their sheer size; also that they roamed earth millions of years ago, then suddenly were no more – it stirs the imagination.

Tell us about this exhibition in numbers.
There are 10 dinosaur skeletons, eight life-sized models, 18 skulls and hundreds of other fossils, and two 11m long x 5m high projections of a forest scene and a CGI-animated dinosaur stampede.

Is there Australian content in the exhibition?
There’s a display recreating New South Wales’ Lightning Ridge over 100 million years ago. There’s a scene where carnivorous dinosaurs attack a small plant-eater. There’s a 9m long Muttaburrasaurus skeleton and a life-size model of the armoured dinosaur Minmi, both found in Queensland, and more.

Why should everyone visit?
Because it’ll change the way you look at these fascinating creatures.

Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9320 6181.

BOOK FLIGHTS NOW!

04–09 Jun
Little Big Shots International Film Festival
Australia’s key annual film festival for under-18s is perfect for families. It’s back in Melbourne with more than 90 films from 25 countries.

04–22 Jun
55th Sydney Film Festival
It’s star-spotting time in Sydney, especially at the red carpet gala premiere film screenings. Twelve films vie for the AU$60,000 prize.

The Umbilical Brothers05–09 Jun
2008 Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship
Don’t miss this top racing event on the Sunshine Coast, when sailors speed past the cafés and restaurants lining Mooloolaba’s foreshore.

06–15 Jun
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
With 240 cabaret artists in 46 shows, Adelaide’s the place to be. The Burlesque Hour promises to be scintillating.