You don’t have to be a celebrity to go on your own bush tucker trial!
Head to Hokitika on the south island of New Zealand on 13th - 15th March to sample the ‘delights’ on offer! Join the crowds who have been lured here with a curiosity for strange flavours. Fancy swallowing crickets, chewing slugs, gobbling sheep’s eyes and nibbling on sausages made from bulls’ penise, you pay’s your money and you take your choice!
Hokitika is a tiny, beautiful town in the middle of the wild, cold, wet, and did I say wild? West Coast of the southern island of New Zealand. It’s known as the “Greenstone (New Zealand Jade) Capital of the World,” the small seaside town is not much more than a few shops with a beach reputed to wash up jade along the shore. Every spring over 15,000 travelers, tourists, locals, and freaks descend upon the village to put their mouth where their money is and eat all manner of cuisine from the forests, farmland, and ocean waters of New Zealand.
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OK all you Hound Dogs, get out them Blue Suede Shoes, practice swivelling those hips, and head down to New South Wales on January 7th – 11th.
Each year the Parkes Elvis festival celebrates the birthday of the ‘King’. There are other Elvis festivals around the world in other locations (such as Porthcawl, Wales, and Collingwood) – more of these in later articles.
Thousands of Elvis – and I do mean thousands – impersonators gather for the occasion. With each costume vying to be more elaborate and outrageous than the rest, quiffs ‘glued’ in place…it’s a sight to behold!
Lip curling and hip swivelling is mandatory, as well as copying one of his best know phrases ‘Thank you very much’ said at the end of his shows.
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This festival began in 1997 and is held on the last week-end in November. It has since been awarded Australian Tourism award of ‘the most significant event in the region’ and so it one of Australia’s premier music events.
It showcases original Australian contemporary music (including unsigned roots, acoustic and jazz) in addition to featuring a few International artists. This year there will be some 90 artists performing over the 3 days on 11 stages including:
• 2 circus marquees as the primary stages
• The Bellarine historic steam train provides another venue
• The town hall is a reasonably sized seated venue
• Stoked on Hesse Street is another small seated venue
• Wharf Street stage for free, open-air music
• A church
• A grand ballroom
There are also many food stall, galleries and the kids are catered for with a kids club and the festival is famed for its great laid back atmosphere. You can also check out the aptly named ‘Foot-in-the-Door competition’ which is dedicated to emerging talent.
This eco hotel (formally called ‘Fur ‘n’ Feathers Treehouses’ has won many awards. Not surprising when you understand the hotel has a passion for the environment and wildlife. Small is amazingly beautiful, and luxurious, in this instance. So what does The Canopy offer its visitors?
Accommodation is provided in the following:
• 5 two bed-roomed luxury timber and glass tree houses are fully self contained, (all totally secluded and private with fully equipped kitchen, spa baths, a balcony with a BBQ and hammock.
• One larger 3 bedroom house (called the Bower House) with spectacular views of the valley and is on top of a ridge in the rainforest.
• A further two bed rooms are located at ground level within the main building (called the Rainforest Unit) and has wheelchair access.
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This three week annual festival began life in 1977 with the aim of attracting tourists to Sydney in January. Well, it succeeded! It showcases Sydney’s style and diversity with around 80 events that include theatre, music and dance in addition to a large number of free outdoor events such as an outdoor cinema. In 2008 for the first time, the festival opened on January 5th with ‘Festival First Night’ street party and other events including a free concert by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
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