Three spring festivals to soak in the season

The Festival of Roses is a little journey back in time, providing the perfect chance to explore Woolmers Estate, a colonial heritage property in Longford, 30 minutes’ drive south of Launceston. Thousands of stunning roses bloom and deliver perfect eye candy for all of those who come to witness it. 

The fragrant display is complemented with stalls showing off the best of the region from  local makers, producers and artists. Get your wallet ready and waiting to pick up some unique souvenirs and gastronomic delights. 

Details are still to come on the festival, which is scheduled for November 21, however, you can be guaranteed beautiful landscapes, delicious treats and a lively atmosphere as you explore one of the lesser seen sides of Tasmania. 

Explore more: woolmers.com.au

If you’re a craft beer lover, into music and looking to sample some fantastic local vendors, you’re almost certainly going to have a rocking time at the Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Fest on 6-7 November. 

Take your pick from more than 80 craft beers, sample cuisine from all over the world and listen to bands from across Australia tearing it up on stage. There will also be home brew masterclasses to get you started on your own brewing journey. 

The festival is an opportunity to meet some of the beer makers and this year, hops experts from Yeastie Boys, Nomad Brewing Co, Hope Brewery, Grand Ridge and the gang from Hunter United Brewers are attending. 

The atmospheric setting (it’s held in the former maximum-security prison, Maitland Gaol) only adds to the eccentric nature of the festival, and roving entertainers, market stalls and various beer-centric activities mean every minute will be an exciting one.

Explore more: bitterandtwisted.com.au

Now in its third year, the Darwin International Laksa Festival celebrates the Top End’s multicultural community and love of laksa throughout November. 

Darwin’s proximity to Asia has meant that there is a thriving multicultural community in the capital of the Northern Territory. And deep appreciation has developed among the community for this fragrant, sweet, sour, salty and spicy noodle soup dish. Whether the chef’s laksa hails from Malaysia, Singapore or Indonesia, each recipe is a closely guarded secret.

As part of the Laksa Food Tour and Competition, Territorians and visitors follow a laksa trail, trying different laksas from restaurants, market stalls and eateries all vying for the 2021 People’s Choice title. The trail is held over four weeks and you can vote for your favourite along the way. Visit Chok’s Place in Smith Street Mall, a shopping centre food court outlet which won the Golden Bowl at the inaugural 2019 Laksa Festival. It’s also worth slurping up the laksa from Asian Pot, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Darwin Central Hotel. You’ll find also Singaporean street hawker food treats like satay on the menu. 

The trail culminates with the Darwin International Laksa Festival on November 28. The highlight is the crowning of the best laksa in the Top End with the “Golden Bowl”.

Explore more: laksafestival.nt.gov.au