Event: Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Holiday Show
Location: RNA Showgrounds
Details: Queensland’s major show for 2008 is on again at the RNA Showgrounds with hundreds of RVs on display. Whether you’re after a tiny 12ft van or a huge, top-of-the line motorhome, the show has something to suit every budget. For more details, log on to www.caravanqld.com.au or call (07) 3862 1833.

Event: The Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts 2008
Location: Grenfell, NSW
Details: Henry Lawson was born at Grenfell in 1867. This festival, now in its 51st year, seeks to promote and attain recognition for aspiring Australians in the fields of poetry, writing, composing, painting, and in the field of television. The Festival Guest of Honour for 2008 is children’s author Sandy Fussell. Her novels include ‘Samurai Kids: White Crane’ and ‘Ratbags’. Sandy will be judging a children’s writing competition and will conduct book signings and readings. Other highlights of the festival include the street parade, circus acts, street stalls, art, photography, literature and busking competitions, pipe bands and the ‘Bolivia Unida’ dance group; winners of the 2008 Hispanic street dancer’s competition.  Also back for another year is the ever popular live bush poetry performances. At the exact site of Lawson’s birth with a camp fire, billy tea and damper, this is the most moving part of the weekend and serves as a reminder of what it means to be Australian.

More information is available at the website www.henrylawsonfestival.asn.au or by contacting the promotions officer on tourism@grenfell.org.au or (02) 6347 6233.

Event: Event: Injune in June
Location: Injune, QLD
Details: Be entertained by local artists with bush poetry and singing around the campfire at the Injune Caravan Park.

Event: The Camel Cup Carnival
Location: Blatherskite Park, Alice Springs, NT
Details: Camel Races! There will be nine races in total with race 5 the main race- The Imparja Camel Cup. In addition to the races, there will be stalls, rides, live bands and belly dancers. The day is run by the Lions Clubs of Central Australia and proceeds go to local charities. More info, visit www.camelcup.com.au .

Event: Steam Fest
Location: Timbertown Heritage Theme Park, Wauchope, NSW
Details: See steam and oil engines, crawlers, vintage trucks, tractors and cars. There will be damper making, music, performances by Circus Troppo, rides on the miniature railway and steam train, drawn carriage rides, and whip cracking lessons as well as a grand parade. Visit www.timbertown.com.au/events.asp for more info or call (02) 6586 1940.

Event: Chocolate Winterfest
Location: Latrobe, TAS
Details: Here’s one close to my heart- a celebration of chocolate. There are plenty of competitions, and many opportunities to play with chocolate (as well as eat it). If you over-indulge you can always dance it off to the live music.
Head to www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au for more.

Event:  Hervey Bay Whale Festival
Location: Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay, QLD
Details: Celebrating the arrival of the humpback whale. Activities include the blessing of the fleet on the 2nd at the Hervey Bay Marina. The 9th sees A Whale of a Time kick off, with roving jazz bands, an illuminated street parade, fire dancers, staged entertainment and fireworks, at the Seafront Oval.
Visit www.herveybaywhalefestival.com.au for more info or call (07) 4197 4441.

Event:  SA Recreational Vehicle Expo 2008
Location: Loxton Town Oval, Loxton, SA
Details: Vehicles on display include caravans, camper trailers, 4WDs, motorhomes, 5th wheelers, trikes and tents. Members will display their mode of travel to the public. Admission by gold coin, under 15’s free.
More info visit www.riverland-4wd-club.org.au or call (08) 8584 1468.

Event: The Beef Bells & Bottle Tree Festival
Location: Miles Historical Village, QLD
Details: A premiere event at the Miles Historical Village including cultural, heritage, fun & entertainment, education, sporting, agricultural & environmental appreciation.

Event: Gourmet in Gundy
Location: Gundy, QLD
Details: Gourmet in Gundy is an annual food, wine and art festival held each year on the beautiful banks of the MacIntyre River.

Event: Bay to Birdwood Run
Location: Adelaide Shores to Birdwood, SA
Details: This established motoring event, which began in 1980, is on again, with over 1,500 vintage cars, commercial vehicles and motorbikes expected to get involved.
If you want to enter your vintage vehicles (must be manufactured on or before 31 December 1955), get in before entries close on August 15. Visit www.baytobirdwood.com.au for info.

Event: Australian Camp Oven Festival
Location: Millmerran, QLD
Details: The Australian Camp Oven Festival is a weekend of great family fun that celebrates their cultural bush heritage.

Event: Seafarer’s Festival
Location: Bellerive, TAS
Details: Held on the Bellerive Boardwalk, this event celebrates all that is nautical. And it’s completely free.Vessels ranging from surf skis to dragon boats will compete in a colourful regatta on Kangaroo Bay and the Derwent River, and there will be plenty of on-shore entertainment. To find out more, phone (03) 6245 8638.

Event: Wangaratta Festival of Jazz
Location: Wangaratta, VIC
Details: Some of the best jazz performers from Australia and around the world make the trek to Wangaratta to share their music with an appreciative audience of locals and visitors. The festival boasts some 200 musicians giving performances at 11 different venues around town. For more information, phone (03) 5722 1666 or log on to www.wangaratta-jazz.org.au

Event: Beechworth Celtic Festival
Location: Beechworth, VIC
Details: Celebrating all things Celtic. A street parade, workshops, pipe bands, music, dancers, and Celtic food will help make up the three day festival. Visit
www.beechworthcelticfestival.com.au or call (03) 5728 2225.

Event: The Hobart Beerfest
Location: Hobart Waterfront, TAS
Details: Live music, beer tastings and German sausages. Enough said. Go online www.hobartbeerfest.com for more.

Event: Red Bull Air Race and Festival
Location: Perth, WA
Flying at speeds of 370kmph and withstanding forces of up to10 Gs, 12 pilots navigate an aerial race track for the Red Bull Race World Champion title. Join the crowds on the Swan River in the heart of Perth and watch this spectacular event for free. Go to www.redbullairrace.com to find out more.