Government House Open Day: A Glimpse into Australia's History and Beauty

Government House Open Day

Discover the grandeur of one of Australia’s most historic buildings at the Government House Open Day, held on Saturday, April 5th. Nestled amidst 54 hectares of stunning parkland with breathtaking views of Lake Burley Griffin, Government House offers an exceptional opportunity for visitors of all ages to explore its magnificent buildings, lush gardens, and rich history. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or simply looking for a fun family outing, this open day promises an unforgettable experience.

A Day to Explore History and Beauty

Where: Government House, Canberra
When: Saturday, April 5th

Step inside the gates of Government House and embark on a journey through time. As one of Australia's most significant and iconic buildings, Government House has been at the heart of the nation’s political and ceremonial life. On this special day, guests are invited to explore the elegant interiors of the house, learn about its history, and enjoy the scenic surroundings of the grounds.

Fun for All Ages: Activities and Attractions

Government House Open Day

The Government House Open Day isn’t just about admiring the architecture—it’s a day full of engaging activities for everyone. Take part in guided walking tours through the lush gardens, where knowledgeable guides will share fascinating stories about the house's history and the prominent figures who have shaped Australia’s past. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the scavenger hunt, with exciting clues and challenges throughout the gardens and grounds.

For a taste of local flavour, don't miss the sausage sizzle and a variety of stalls offering delicious treats and souvenirs. Whether you’re indulging in a bite to eat or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there’s plenty to enjoy at this family-friendly event.

Stunning Parklands and Lake Views

As you wander through the expansive parkland, take in the stunning views of Lake Burley Griffin, one of Canberra's most beautiful landmarks. The tranquil setting provides the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll, and it’s a great place to snap some photos or simply relax with your family and friends.

A Unique Way to Spend an Autumn Day

With autumn in full swing, the Government House Open Day is the perfect way to spend a beautiful day outdoors. The vibrant colours of the season add an extra layer of charm to the experience, making it even more memorable. Whether you’re a local or visiting Canberra, this event offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with the history of the nation and enjoy a day in nature.

Plan Your Visit

Mark your calendars for April 5th and be sure to visit Government House for an enriching and fun-filled day. With activities for all ages, fascinating historical insights, and stunning views, this open day is a must-visit event for anyone looking to experience the best of Canberra.

For more information, visit Government House Open Day.

Discovering the Spirit of NSW: Six Immersive Aboriginal Sites

Sandstone Caves walking track 
Credit: John Spencer | DCCEEW

New South Wales is home to some of the most significant Aboriginal sites in Australia, where visitors can connect with ancient traditions and stories passed down for thousands of years. From intricate rock art to sacred landscapes, these six destinations offer a profound insight into the world's oldest living culture.

1. Sandstone Caves, Pilliga National Park

Nestled within Pilliga National Park, the Sandstone Caves hold a deep connection to the Gamilaroi people. This site features stunning rock art and engravings that have stood the test of time. Visitors can embark on a self-guided walk along the Sandstone Caves track or join an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger for a guided tour, providing valuable insights into the significance of these sacred spaces.

2. Mutawintji National Park

Mutawintji National Park 
Credit: John Spencer | DCCEEW

Located in the remote Outback, Mutawintji National Park is a living museum of Aboriginal heritage. The land of the Wanuwakul, Malyanuppa, Bungaguli, Wilyakali, and Barkandji peoples, this park is home to one of the most extensive collections of rock art in NSW. Visitors can explore open-access sites such as Wright’s Cave, while the restricted Mutawintji Historic Site is accessible via guided tours. Keep an eye out for the rare yellow-footed rock wallaby, one of the national park’s treasured inhabitants.

3. Mungo National Park

The breathtaking landscapes of Mungo National Park transport visitors back in time, with its striking lunar-like terrain and ancient human history. As part of the World Heritage-listed Willandra Lakes Region, this sacred land of the Paakantji, Ngyiampaa, and Mutthi Mutthi people is home to Mungo Man and Mungo Lady—Australia’s oldest human remains, dating back over 40,000 years. Guided tours along the Walls of China provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the cultural and environmental history of this remarkable site.

4. Bingi Dreaming Track, Eurobodalla

Bingi Dreaming Track, Eurobodalla
Credit: Jason Lerace

Stretching 14 kilometers along the South Coast, the Bingi Dreaming Track follows ancient Song Lines of the Brinja-Yuin people. These paths, once used for navigation and knowledge-sharing, link important Aboriginal sites, including ceremonial grounds, water sources, and shell middens. Walking this track offers a unique opportunity to step into a story woven through time, with breathtaking ocean views and the possibility of spotting migrating whales during peak seasons.

5. Aboriginal Cultural Ways Trail, Ballina

For an interactive cultural experience, the Aboriginal Cultural Ways Trail in Ballina brings together modern technology and ancient wisdom. This Northern Rivers pathway on Bundjalung land features interpretive signboards and QR codes that share local Aboriginal stories, language, and traditions. The trail offers a window into the deep spiritual connection between the Bundjalung people and their environment.

6. Brewarrina Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu)

Brewarrina Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu) 
Credit: John Spencer | DCCEEW

The Brewarrina Fish Traps, known as Baiame’s Ngunnhu, are an extraordinary example of Aboriginal ingenuity and sustainability. Located in northern NSW, this complex network of stone weirs and pools was designed by the Ngemba, Murrawarri, Euahlayi, Weilwan, Ualari, and Barranbinya peoples to catch fish as they migrated upstream. Thought to be over 40,000 years old, these fish traps are one of the world's oldest human-made structures. Visitors can explore the site with a guided tour and visit the Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum to gain a deeper appreciation of its historical and cultural importance.

These six immersive Aboriginal sites offer a rare and invaluable opportunity to experience the deep connection between Australia’s First Nations people and the land. Whether through ancient rock art, sacred pathways, or stories told through generations, each site provides a meaningful journey into the heart of Aboriginal heritage in New South Wales.

PARRTJIMA FESTIVAL UNVEILS FULL LINEUP FOR DAZZLING 10TH EDITION

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

New installations headline a massive 10-night program featuring illuminated artworks, music and comedy performances, talks, workshops, markets and more

 

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light has unveiled its full program for the milestone 10th edition, set to illuminate Alice Springs (Mparntwe) from 4–13 April 2025.

 

As the only Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima 2025 will showcase the works of more than 20 First Nations artists across six major installations, alongside more than 100 performers and special guests spanning music, comedy, art, workshops, talks and more.

 

The free, all-ages event will debut four new dazzling installations this year, featuring a diverse mix of emerging and established artists. Visitors can look forward to immersive experiences, each offering fresh artistic perspectives to the festival’s ever-evolving creative landscape.

 

For 10 magical nights on Arrernte Country, Parrtjima will bring the world’s oldest living culture to life with captivating light displays and modern technology, all set against the star-studded skies of Central Australia and the awe-inspiring, 300-million-year-old Tjoritja/MacDonnell Ranges.

 

New installations and artists set to shine

 

Parrtjima 2025 will feature four stunning new installations by award-winning and emerging Aboriginal artists that celebrate cultural continuity and storytelling, all inspired by this year’s festival theme, ‘Timelessness’.

 

Three Generations of Station Women by Balanggarra and Yolŋu artist Molly Hunt pays tribute to the resilience and strength of three generations of Aboriginal stockwomen in an animated comic strip. This cinematic experience will be enriched by an original soundtrack composed by Australian actor Mark Coles Smith.

 

Hypnotic Reverberations will immerse visitors in Bobby West Tjupurrula’s Country, where beams of light dance through mist and reflect across a shallow pool, forming ever-shifting dreamscapes that evoke the spirit of the land. Bobby West Tjupurrula won the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2011 and is son of Freddy West Tjupurrula, one of the original shareholders of Papunya Tula Artists.

 

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

Transforming Light & Country invites festivalgoers to engage with Lyall Giles’ intricate sand dune patterns. By activating drums, guests will trigger dynamic rings of light and immersive natural soundscapes, highlighting the deep connection between ancient landforms and life-giving waterholes. Giles, an exciting and dynamic artist, is the most senior wati (man) in Tjukurla and is entrusted with preserving a vast library of stories in his head. Though he has shared these stories for many years, it is only recently that he has begun painting them.

 

At the festival’s entrance, The Gateway will stand as a powerful welcome, featuring towering poles created collaboratively by artists from Alice Springs’ three estate groups – Antulye, Irlpme, and Mparntwe.

 

Festival favourites Grounded and the MacDonnell Ranges Light Show will make their highly anticipated returns in 2025. The MacDonnell Ranges Light Show will offer a breathtaking fusion of contemporary classical music and Arrernte language, paying tribute to the deep spiritual connection to the land. Meanwhile, Grounded will captivate audiences with a large-scale projection, where six striking Indigenous artworks transform the red earth into a luminous, ever-shifting canvas beneath visitors' feet.

 

Interactive and immersive workshops

 

Parrtjima 2025 will present an exciting lineup of interactive workshops, offering festivalgoers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse cultural traditions and artistic expressions.

 

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

Highlights include a watercolour painting session with local art centre Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands, where participants can explore the renowned Hermannsburg style made famous by Central Australian Aboriginal art legend, Albert Namatjira. Parrtjima Curator and Bundjalung woman Rhoda Roberts AO will lead a weaving workshop, while Muruwari musician Dobby will lead a high-energy drumming workshop, blending traditional Indigenous beats with contemporary percussion.

 

Bushfoods and traditional recipes will be the focus of a special session with Rayleen Brown (Kungkas Can Cook) and Bundjalung chef Mark Olive (Midden by Mark Olive, Sydney Opera House), while renowned language holder and ecologist Veronica Perrule Dobson will share insights into the medicinal properties of native plants in Aboriginal healing.

 

Thought-provoking talks

 

Parrtjima 2025 will feature a compelling series of talks and ‘in conversation’ sessions with some of Australia’s most influential Indigenous voices. Covering a diverse range of topics – including the power of media, music, art, and communication, as well as cultural economies and pathways to change – these discussions will offer deep insights and inspiration.

 

From the fusion of tradition and technology to the power of radio and rap as modern tools for connection, these sessions will challenge perspectives and celebrate the enduring strength of First Nations voices. Conversations will explore the ways that creativity can shape identity, the responsibility of cultural custodianship, and how storytelling continues to drive change – whether through country music, cinema, or the painted lines of an artwork.

 

Notable guests and speakers include Arrernte filmmaker and producer Rachel Perkins, along with kinship, language, and cultural reclamation expert Michael Liddle.  Community leader and advocate Armani Francois will also take the stage, along with ABC Radio National’s Rudi Bremer and Australian country music legend Troy Cassar-Daley.

 

Music, comedy and markets

 

Parrtjima 2025 will feature nightly live performances and special comedy acts. The festival’s opening weekend will see Troy Cassar-Daley take the stage to perform his only free

 

performance announced for the remainder of 2025, and his only free gig scheduled for 2025 in Outback Australia.

 

The festival’s closing weekend will feature an historic, ticketed performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra – marking the first orchestral performance in Parrtjima’s history. The unforgettable open-air event will immerse audiences in a stunning fusion of music and light as the 50+ piece orchestra plays alongside acclaimed Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams, and Bronwyn Stuart.

 

Other musical highlights will include singer-songwriter Bumpy, hip-hop group Dem Mob, and Warren H Williams & Western Wind.

 

The festival’s first-ever comedy night, set for Thursday, 10 April 2025, will deliver plenty of laughs with stand-up performances by Andy Saunders and Sean Choolburra.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

You can also look forward to the return of the Blak Markets during Parrtjima’s opening weekend. This collaboration between Desart and the NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) provides a unique opportunity to explore and ethically purchase First Nations creations, from paintings and jewellery to woodwork, prints, baskets, sculptures, and handcrafted pieces from Central Australian art centres and businesses.

 

Quotes from festival spokespeople

 

Northern Territory Major Events Company, Interim CEO, Trevor Cox, said:

“Parrtjima - A Festival in Light provides a powerful opportunity to engage with Aboriginal culture, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation that can be shared with the world.   The program not only entertains but challenges visitors to reflect on the profound impact of Aboriginal culture, right in the heart of Australia.

 

“The festival plays a crucial role in connecting the community, offering a chance for both locals and visitors to engage with traditions, stories, and practices, as well as giving people the perfect opportunity to stay and explore the region. From tours and bush walks to historical sites, there’s so much to see and experience.

 

“As one of the Red Centre’s largest events, Parrtjima continues to grow in both scale and significance. This award-winning festival illuminates the world’s oldest continuous living culture through modern technology.”

 

Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO, said: 

"More than ever, this year we all need to experience Parrtjima, as the festival continues to shine new light on age-old traditions and fresh expressions. Echoing the legacy of culture and the stories that connect us all across time. Come and feel the red earth beneath your feet as you look up at the magic that is Arrernte country as we illuminate the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.”

 

We Are Gather Director and Co-Founder, Naomi Wilson, said:

“We Are Gather works on events that leave a lasting legacy, driving destination appeal and community engagement - and Parrtjima does just that. As we enter the 10th edition of Parrtjima, we’re excited to present a supercharged celebration of people, culture, and place. The interactive program offers something for everyone – whether you’re keen to learn, participate, or simply enjoy the incredible lightworks on display. It’s a true privilege to be part of an event that showcases the richness of Aboriginal culture and connects people from all walks of life.”

 

Grumpy Sailor CEO, James Boyce, said:

"Grumpy Sailor is so proud to have been part of Parrtjima as Creative Directors. Helping Mparntwe (Alice Springs) shine on the national stage was an incredible experience, and we loved helping to bring stories of hope, positivity, and the Dreamtime to life.

 

“Working with the artists, we’ve tried our best to come up with truly unique ways to honour and celebrate Indigenous art, artists, and stories on Country. After taking out the 2024 Australian Event Awards Tourism Event of the Year, this year’s 10th edition needed to be truly special, and we can’t wait for visitors to see how we’ve managed to build on last year’s epic program."

 

Parrtjima is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) in partnership with events destination company We Are Gather and Creative Directors Grumpy Sailor.

 

The much-loved festival continues to make a significant social and economic impact on the Northern Territory. Parrtjima 2024 attracted over 21,000 attendances, generating $9.42 million for the Alice Springs economy.

 

Tickets for the Darwin Symphony Orchestra performance are available via the Parrtjima website and select travel partners. Limited free tickets for certain areas will be released closer to the event, along with a small number of tickets at the door.

 

Free registration for Parrtjima 2025 is available now at: parrtjima.com.au

A Vision in Purple! The Stunning Wisteria Temple

Stunning Wisteria 

A Hidden Gem of Cascading Beauty

Nestled in the serene town of Daisen-cho in Tottori Prefecture, Juunji Temple, fondly known as the "Wisteria Temple," is a mesmerizing destination for nature lovers and travelers alike. This peaceful temple is home to four magnificent wisteria trees, each standing as a testament to time and beauty. Their delicate purple flowers drape gracefully over the temple grounds, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that captivates all who visit.

The Rare and Breathtaking Rokushaku Fuji

Among the wisteria trees at Juunji Temple, the rare Rokushaku Fuji variety stands out as a true spectacle. With its cascading flower clusters stretching up to 1.8 meters in length, this rare species can only be found in a handful of places across Japan. When in full bloom, the temple becomes enveloped in a sea of soft purple hues, offering a stunning visual experience that feels almost otherworldly. The fragrance of wisteria fills the air, adding to the enchanting ambiance of this sacred place.

The Best Time to Experience the Bloom

Every year, from late April to early May, visitors from near and far gather at Juunji Temple to witness the breathtaking wisteria in full bloom. The temple’s tranquil setting, combined with the cascading flowers, makes it a perfect spot for relaxation and photography. Whether admiring the blossoms in the gentle morning light or as the sun sets behind the temple, each moment spent here is a serene escape into nature’s artistry.

JUUNJI TEMPLE INFORMATION

• Address: 513 Komido, Daisen-cho, Saihaku-gun, Tottori Prefecture
• Access: 25 minutes by car from JR Yonago Station
• Website: https://tourismdaisen.com/spot/65/