Events/ Outdoor activities in Armidale in October
No matter when you are in Armidale, you will always be assured of a wide range of outdoor activities. There are so many to choose from, appealing to all ages and interests, as you will see in this exciting line-up in October.
** WALCHA MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th October
VENUE: various, see below.
TIME: various, see below.
The Walcha Mountain Festival is a fantastic two-day festival of activities held annually during October in the beautiful town of Walcha, part of the New England national park. During these two days there is an exciting line-up of activities, including:
- Farmers market – Rock climbing wall
- Billy cart derby – New England Brewing Beers
- Road ride challenge – Whyworry Wines
- Vintage cars – Plenty of live entertainment
- Model boats – Loads of children’s activities
- Horse trail ride – Local food
- Long lunch @ Langford – Rescue Helicopter mountain bike teams challenge
For more information, please phone Susie or Lisa at the Walcha Visitor Information Centre on 02 6774 24660 or email council@walcha.nsw.gov.au
** CAMP QUALITY GIGGLE BALL: Saturday 8th October
VENUE: Armidale City Bowling Club, 92-96 Dumaresq Street.
TIME: 6.30 for 7.00pm.
COST: $70pp – available from Club.
Please join us in supporting local children living with cancer! Together, everyone can make laughter the best medicine!
DRESS: Black tie with Halloween twist. Live music: Sidetracked.
For more information, phone 02 6771 5666.
** WRIGHT COLLEGE 60th ANNIVERSARY: Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October
VENUE: see below.
TIME: see below.
It’s 60 years since the first Wright College was established, and to celebrate, a major reunion is being organised. Anyone who has a Wright College & Village affiliation is welcome to attend. The weekend will celebrate the history of Wright College and the future of Wright College and Village within the University of New England Community. It will be a time to reflect on the triumphs of former students and celebrate the vitality of the current and future residents of UNE’s oldest College.
Activities include Rugtoberfest, poetry reading, an anniversary dinner, cricket, presentations, and tours through the college courtyard.
For more information, phone Jennifer on 02 6773 3365 or email alumni@une.edu.au.
** UNE GRADUATION: Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd October
VENUE: Southern Lawn, “Booloominbah”, University of New England.
TIME: ceremony 10.30am sharp. For further information, phone 02 6773 3333 or go to www.une.edu.au/grad/.
. . . And for an exciting and diverse line-up of outdoor activities . . .
** RUGTOBERFEST: Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October
VENUE: Bellevue Oval, University of New England.
TIMES: various.
COST: $5pp.
This festival is filled with music, great food, and a smorgasbord of rugby. Gates open early with coffee and a full breakfast available before kick-off at around 9am. U18s, girls, 7s, and Golden Oldies will provide some great entertainment till the feature game, North vs South. Both these sides are packed full of Wallaroos and national fringe players, and with an upcoming tour of NZ in late October, both sides will be looking to impress! The aim is also to raise the profile of women in sport by offering increased opportunity through events such as Rugtoberfest at different levels.
For more information, email contact@sports-think-tank.com or visit www.sports-think-tank-com.
** GUYRA SPRING TROUTFEST: Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October
VENUE: various.
TIME: various.
The TroutFest will coincide with the opening of the trout season and combine fishing events with a market day in the main street (Bradley Street, Guyra) with stallholders from the New England region, antique car displays, train rides, music and entertainment, and a Guyra foodies tasting event. Shops will be open and have fishing displays. Tours of local fishing enterprises and maps to fishing spots and other attractions will be available at the Visitor’s Information Centre. Great prizes are up for grabs in the fishing competition so bring the kids, grandkids and all your friends.
For more information and accommodation enquiries, phone 02 6775 5735.
Email contact@sports-think-tank.com or visit www.sports-think-tank-com.
** THUNDERBOLT’S FESTIVAL BULLS & BRONCS SPECTULAR RODEO
Saturday 22nd October
VENUE: rear of Coachwood & Cedar Hotel (Top Pub), 23-27 Bridge Street, Uralla.
TIME: 4.00pm till late.
Thunderbolt’s Rough Stock Rodeo is the third for the small, though energetic, Uralla Rodeo Committee. This year the committee will once again include bareback and saddle broncs. The local community is right behind this event, turning up in the hundreds to be blown away by the Bullride and the totally unexpected and lively entertainment at the Top Pub Uralla.
For more information, phone Dave Mailer on 0487 785 229.
** TAB RACE MEETING: Friday 21st October
VENUE: Armidale Racecourse, Barney Street.
TIME: gates open 11.00am, first race approximately 1.00pm.
COST: $7.00 (adult), $5 (concession), free (under 16).
Seven-race TAB race meeting, tote and local bookmakers, full bar and catering facilities.
For more information, phone Jim on 02 6772 3102 or 0407 293 239 or visit www.armidalejockeyclub.com.au.
** ARMIDALE PARKRUN: Saturday 1st October
Venue: SportUNE fields, off SportUNE Drive
Time: every Saturday at 8am (7:45am arrival)
This is a FREE 5km running, jogging, or walking event, and anyone wishing to join in must register online and bring their printed barcode with them. It is a wonderful community event.
More information: http://www.parkrun.com.au/armidale/
To register: http://www.parkrun.com.au/register/
** ARMIDALE BIRDWATCHING GROUP: Sunday 2nd October
VENUE: Imbota Nature Reserve, Long Swamp Road.
TIME: 8.00am (depart Visitor Information Centre, 82 Marsh Street) – Daylight saving begins: put clock forward one hour!
Bring food (morning tea and lunch), water, binoculars, sunscreen and hat, and wear solid walking shoes.
For more information and register to join group, phone Shirley on 02 6772 7262.
There are always fascinating exhibitions at the Armidale Art Galleries! …
** NERAM EXHIBITIONS PROGRAMME : Every day (except Mondays) to 30th October
VENUE: New England Regional Art Museum, 106-114 Kentucky Street.
TIME: 10.00am-4.00pm.
Exhibitions:
- Par Avion: Watercolours by Armidale artist, James White, who explores the art of travel in this series of postcard-sized watercolour paintings that document scenes from his own travels during visits to England, Greece, Spain, North Korea and Antarctica. James has taught art and exhibited since the 1990s.
- Run with it: Over the past year, local visual artists who identify as having a disability, have been participating, with their families and carers, in a series of arts and business workshops at NERAM facilitated by Ned McDowell. This exhibition is an opportunity to discover their work that came from this projects.
- Views of Landscape – a NERAM exhibition: Discover how artists have approached the landscape in different eras through this exhibition from NERAM’s collections, drawing inspiration from the land, the sea and the city.
For more information, phone 02 6772 5255.
** NERAM EXHIBITION OPENING: Friday 21st October
VENUE: New England Regional Art Museum, 106-114 Kentucky Street.
TIME: 10.00am-4.00pm.
Exhibition:
- I do love paint. The artist is Euan Macleod, New Zealand-born artist, whose expressive painting style is instantly recognisable. This small exhibition is drawn from the NERAM Collection and includes portraits, landscapes, other paintings and studies.
For more information, phone 02 6772 5255
** NERAM PACKSADDLE ANNUAL SELLING EXHIBITION: Friday 21st to Monday 31st October
Featuring artwork from established and emerging Australian artists. Euan McLeod, the award winning artist, will be opening this exhibition.
For more information, phone 02 6772 5255
** THE RENNIE ELLIS SHOW: 1st to 16th October
VENUE: New England Regional Art Museum, 106-114 Kentucky Street.
TIME: 10.00am-4.00pm.
The photographer Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was a key figure in Australian visual culture. He is best remembered for his lively observations of Australian life during the 1970s–90s, including his now iconic book Life is a Beach. Although ever-present are his own personality and wit, the thousands of social documentary photographs taken by Ellis during this period now form an important historical record.
Sounds of the Seventies and Eighties by DJMatMan. Catering by Friends of NERAM. Door prizes for best dressed 70s and 80s fashion. So see what’s lurking in your wardrobes and bring it out!
For more information, phone 02 6772 5255.
** PHOTOGRAPHY, SCULPTURE & CERAMIC PRIZE EXHIBITION OPENING: Saturday 22nd – Sunday 30th October
VENUE: Armidale Art Gallery, 168 Beardy Street Mall (upstairs – adjacent Carr’s NewsXpress).
TIME: 6.00pm.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, phone 02 6772 9993.
** GALLERY 126 EXHIBITION: Saturday 1st – 8th October
VENUE: Gallery 126, 126 Jessie Street.
TIME: 9.00am-1.00pm.
Prints by Lin Quaife and encaustic wax paintings by Hayley Ward, “Layers”.
For more information, phone 02 6771 1859.
** SAUMAREZ HOMESTEAD TOURS: Throughout October
VENUE: Saumarez Homestead, Saumarez Road (enter from New England Highway via Armidale Airport).
TIMES: homestead tours 10.30am, 2.00pm and 3.30pm. Grounds open between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Café open 10.00am to 4.00pm. Devonshire teas, lunches and other refreshments are available at the Café
Take a guided tour through the White family’s 30-room Edwardian mansion complete with original furnishings. Stroll through Mary White’s garden, with its cottage garden, the picking garden and the lawns. Visit outbuildings complete with 19th century tools and equipment.
For more information, phone 02 6772 3616.
** SAUMAREZ GARDENS & FARM: Throughout October
VENUE: Gardens & Farm, Saumarez Road (enter from New England Highway via Armidale Airport).
TIMES: 10.00am-5.00pm.
COST: $7 (adult), $5 (concession), $15 (family), National Trust members free.
Today the visitor to Saumarez can see a rural property little changed from the time when many families worked there, whose skills made the homestead almost self-sufficient. Most of the food was grown, harvested or slaughtered on the property. Transport was supplied by station-bred horses, shod from the on-site blacksmith’s shop. Stroll through Mary White’s garden, with its cottage garden, the picking garden and lawns. In the main gardens at the front of the house our ‘Green Cathedral’, under a giant Chinese Elm, creates the perfect place for an outdoor wedding or function.
For more information, phone 02 6772 3616.
. . . And then there are the markets . . .
** FARMERS’ MARKET & CAR BOOT SALE: Sunday 2nd October
VENUE: Curtis Park, adjacent Armidale Visitor Information Centre carpark (behind Hungry Jacks). TIME: 8.00am-1.00pm.
Purchase fresh products from local producers and possibly find the article that you have always wanted.
For more information or book stall, contact 0476 539 204 or email armidalefarmersmarket@gmail.com.
** WALCHA FARMERS’ MARKETS: Saturday 15th October
VENUE: McHattan Park, Fitzroy Street, Walcha.
TIME: 8.30am-12.30pm.
The markets include a wonderful range of fresh produce, gourmet food, plants and health and wellbeing stalls, with an all-day BBQ, fresh espresso coffee and live music.
For more information, phone 02 6777 2448 or email info@walchafarmersmarket.org.au or go to www.walchafarmersmarket.org.au.
** URALLA INDOOR MARKETS: Saturday 22nd October
VENUE: RSL Memorial Hall, Salisbury Street, Uralla.
TIME: 8.00am-1.00pm.
COST: free.
Just some of the items which may be available are: office furniture, toys, clothes, scented herbs, trees and shrubs, jams, art and craft, linen, concrete garden ornaments, leather ware, honey, crockery and cutlery, shoes, knitting, jewellery, home baking, floor mats and rugs … and much, much more!
For more information, phone Uralla Neighbourhood Centre (Salisbury Street, Uralla NSW 2358) on 02 6778 3277.
** PCYC MARKETS IN THE MALL: Sunday 30th October
VENUE: The Mall, Beardy Street.
TIME: 8.30am-1.00pm. Purchase fresh products from producers and possibly find the article that you have always wanted.
For more information or to book stall, phone 02 6772 1023.
With so much to choose from, you might need to extend your Armidale stay to fit more in! The Club Motel Armidale, situated at 107 Dumaresq Street, Armidale, NSW, offers outstanding motel accommodation with large, modern rooms. Call us today on (02) 6772 8777, or browse through our website: www.clubmotelarmidale.com.au
Our 18 rooms are all located on the ground floor, providing easy access, with parking outside each room. We offer affordable rates, and rooms are always maintained in pristine condition. Club Motel Armidale will provide you with the comfort you are looking for in excellent motel accommodation in Armidale.
Our friendly staff and outstanding customer service will ensure you have a great experience when you stay with us. Give us a call today – we will make your stay a memorable one.