If you’re looking for a delightful spring time escape and a big dose of country air, but still want to be close to both Sydney and Canberra, look no further than Yass Valley in NSW.
“Spring is the best time of year to visit Yass Valley. Not only is the landscape alive with the bright greens and colours brought on by the warmer weather, but it’s also the time of year that this region hosts many high-quality family-friendly events jam-packed with country charm,” said Tourism and Economic Development Manager for Yass Valley Council, Sean Haylan.
“Spring in Yass Valley is a time to enjoy delicious regional food and wine, live music, culture, colourful local characters and the beauty of the natural landscape here.
“New this year is ‘4 Before Midnight’, a rolling dinner where guests can graze four Yass venues in one night and enjoy wine as they go at Clementine Restaurant, Trader & Co, YazzBar and Thyme to Taste.
“Following this rolling dinner on the October long weekend, visitors can enjoy more fine food, premium wine, picturesque views and quality time with friends at the Murrumbateman Moving Feast.
“For those who love creative arts and history, join us for Sculpture in the Paddock at the heritage listed property, Cooma Cottage.
“If live music is more to your taste, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the Turning Wave Festival and Gundaroo Music Festival.
“And don’t miss Classic Yass featuring cars from the early 1900s through to the 70s and the popular Billy Cart derby in the main street,” Sean concluded.
For more information on these and other events in Yass Valley visit www.yassvalley.com.au For Yass Valley accommodation bookings, call 1300 886 014.
Graze your way around the finest Yass venues at 4 BEFORE MIDNIGHT rolling dinner
You’ve no doubt heard of progressive dinners, how about a rolling dinner? Four of the best Yass food and wine venues have developed the inaugural 4 Before Midnight rolling dinner – the chance for guests to graze four venues in one night. Clementine, Trader & Co, Thyme to Taste and YazzBar are offering three savoury and one sweet dish matched with local red or white wine, plus live music and cool extras like fire pits. Tickets are $100 per person for this stand-up event at both indoor and outdoor locations. Kick off the long weekend on the Thursday night with 4 Before Midnight. Bookings via Eventbrite.
When: 28 September 2017
Where: Clementine Restaurant, Trader & Co, Thyme to Taste and YazzBar
More: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/4-before-midnight-tickets-36812964568
Celebrate Irish and Australian music and arts at TURNING WAVE FESTIVAL
The Turning Wave Festival is a celebration of Irish and Australian traditional music and related arts, modelled along the lines of a typical Irish Fleadh or festival. Celebrate Irish and Australian music in a family-friendly relaxed environment at various venues within and around Yass town. The festival features concerts, dancing, spoken word, sessions, Irish music classes and a Junior Fleadh catering for young people wanting to learn Irish music.
When: 15 -17 September 2017
Where: various venues in Yass
More: www.turningwave.org.au
Taste the best in regional food and wine at the MURRUMBATEMAN MOVING FEAST
How does a weekend of fine food, premium wine, picturesque views and quality time with friends sound? Murrumbateman Moving Feast is taking place on the October long weekend and is your opportunity to explore all this region has to offer in the way of food and wine. Tantalise your taste buds with this roving degustation of fine local wines matched with delicious tasting plates. Each participating winery offers a main meal and/or dessert, perfectly matched with one of their wines. Guests can meet the makers and get a complimentary wine and Moving Feast wine glass with every dish.
When: 30 September – 2 October 2017 (October long weekend)
Where: various Murrumbateman wineries
More: www.makersofmurrumbateman.org.au
Celebrate local music at the Gundaroo Music Festival
Make it a day of celebrating with music and entertainment at the Gundaroo Music Festival. Bringing together national talent and attracting a crowd of 3000 stong music lovers, the event is 12 hours of non-stop music and entertainment. Festival attendees will be spoilt with a choice of wine tasting from regional wineries, food and produce stalls, local arts and handcrafts, a kid’s zone with jumping castles, face painting, super heroes, and petting zoo, a mechanical bull, roaming entertainment, 4×4 Extreme Display, and an evening fireworks display at 8.30pm
When: 14 October 2017
Where: 70 Cork Street, Gundaroo|
More: www.gundaroomusicfestival.com
Sculpture in the Paddock – Yass’ very own sculpture festival
The historic National Trust ‘Cooma Cottage’, once home to Hamilton Hume, plays host to Yass’ sculpture festival – Sculpture in the Paddock. Conceived in 2013 and presented by YassArts, the festival continues to delight locals and visitors who venture out to Cooma Cottage to pace through the grounds and interact with these installations in a truly unique event. Featuring sculptures that are poignant and sympathetic to the landscape, this festival boasts work from local sculptors of national and international standing.
When: 16 September – 8 October 2017
Where: Cooma Cottage, 756 Yass Valley Way, Yass.
More information: www.sculptureinthepaddock.com.au
Tulip Top Gardens
The region welcomes the warmer weather with an eruption of flowers at the tranquil Tulip Top Gardens. Sprawled over ten acres in Sutton, Yass Valley, visitors can explore an array of blooms. The garden of magnificent tulips and other spring flowers creates a spectacular display as hundreds of blossom trees nestle between the flowers, providing a magical pathway to the cascading waterfall and watercourse, complete with classical music wafting through the air in the hidden valley. Take the popular pathway past the rosemary field framed by unique blossom trees to the 70-metre-high viewing platform for the perfect photo. The gardens are dog friendly and there is plenty of food stalls, a nursery and entertainment.
When: 16 September – 15 October 2017, 9am to 5pm daily.
Where: Federal Highway, Sutton NSW
More information: wwww.tuliptopgardens.com.au
Classic Yass
Promoted by the Yass Antique Motor Club and now in its 12th year, Classic Yass brings together all their favourite parts of ‘The Good Old Days’ in an idyllic setting in the centre of the Historic town of Yass. Featuring cars from the early 1900s through to the 70s, vintage memorabilia, their favourite music from the 50s 60s and 70s plus the Rotary Billy Cart Derby and Yass Scout and Rotary Markets, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this free event.
When: 4 November – 5 November 2017
Where: Meehan Street, Yass
More information: https://www.yassvalley.com.au/events/festivals-and-celebrations/classic-yass/
For more information on Yass Valley visit www.yassvalley.com.au For Yass Valley accommodation bookings, call 1300 886 014.
