Winter festivities
Tim Colman
Winter surfing
When you picture outdoor activities in Australia they’re generally hot and beach related. You might think everything shuts down over winter but there are pockets of activity happening throughout the country. Some of them are still water-related too, although more frozen then flowing.
Not everyone can take out a second mortgage to go skiing. Fortunately Sydney arts venue CarriageWorks is hosting Winterland from July 5 to 31. The winter festival features live music, design and art markets plus alpine cuisine which should warm you up. Best of all is an ice skating rink where you can practice spins, jumps, intricate footwork or just balance.
Melbourne is getting in on the southern hemisphere ice skating craze too. The Melbourne Winter Festival Ice Rink will be open for skating from August 4 to 15 at Federation Square and Queens Bridge in Southbank. The event will also feature bars serving Gluhwein mulled wine and hearty winter cuisine.
As we all know it never gets cold in Brisbane so the idea of the city keeping an outdoor ski rink frozen is probably environmentally reckless. Fortunately they have an indoor rink where you can skate and get into ice hockey fights.
If ice skating makes you dizzy Canberra is hosting the considerably more civilised Fireside Festival over August. Focussing on food, wine and art you can enjoy degustation meals, a wine master-class and exhibitions. Venues include Grazing, Lerida Estate and Beaver Galleries.
Tasmania, who are probably quite used to the cold weather, are running the four month festival, Lumina. Ending in August it includes music and choir performances, plays, art, food and wine, even AFL at Aurora Stadium. Venues hosting events include St David’s Cathedral and Cradle Mountain Lodge.
If you’re representing the Westside Perth is running its Winter Arts Season. The Art Gallery of Western Australia is staging a varied contemporary arts program, while The Ellington presents a series of jazz shows. Theatre, film and dance also get a run.
This is just a taste of what’s on offer. Where do like to spend the winter nights?
I love ice skating!
chloerobot of Lilyfield
