Fun and games - and old-world charm - at country fair

Ride a horse-drawn Cobb & Co coach, learn to crochet or knit socks, and meet the makers - from potters and photographers to snippers and weavers ... these are just some of the family-friendly experiences you can have at the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail, on March 16 and 17. After attracting a record number of people (more than 3000) last year, the two-day fair is back bigger and better, with stalls, entertainment, live music performances, displays and delicious food, all of which hark back to good old - and simpler - times.

And the best news? Kids under 18 get free entry into the Bathurst Showground, where the event will be held. Fair ticket holders also get 50 per cent entry discounts at seven heritage venues in the region - from Abercrombie House, which dates back to the 1870s, to the colourful Bathurst Rail Museum. The fair is a key event of the region's Autumn Colours Heritage Festival, so don't forget to explore the fiery landscapes when you're in this neck of the woods in March. bathurstregion.com.au

Speaking of regional travel, low-cost airline Bonza has just announced the launch of new direct flights between Launceston and the Sunshine Coast from March 29, making an escape to this sunny patch of Queensland a tad easier in winter for Tassie residents. The Bonza aircraft will shuttle twice a week (on Monday and Fridays) between the regional ports, with fares starting as low as $89 per person. Book via the Bonza app.

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