There’s a whole lot to get up to across the Riverina in the coming days. Photo: Visit NSW.
In the coming days the Riverina will buzz with plenty of excitement, from sporting events that cater to families as well as pros, to art exhibitions, art classes, stand-up comedy, musical performances, community festivals, author talks and so much more.
The Lake Hume Cycle Challenge invites the public, from the professional to the weekend cycler, to enjoy the beautiful Riverina countryside with a series of trails and courses from 14 km up to 114 km.
There’s a lot of live music across the region, with performances from staples in the Aussie music scene, community festivals with local bands and country-folk performers at the conservatorium.
Check out all this and much more in this week’s guide to the best attractions across the Riverina.
Multiple Days
Presentation as medium at the Wagga Art Gallery. Photo: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
Light Trap: Works from the National Art Glass Collection at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
When: 7 to 12 February, during normal gallery hours
Where: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow Street, Wagga
Cost: Free.
Light Trap presents works from the National Art Glass Collection in a radical new way. By using light and AV technologies, glass works are removed from organically lit settings and reimagined in entirely dark spaces, then shot through with light from the inside. This novel method of presentation shows a different side to glass as artwork, showing the inner workings of a piece of glass through the manipulation of light.
By changing the setting and presentation of a work, this exhibition invites new interpretations and a fresh way of viewing a given piece.
Friday
Hone your artistic skills at the Sketch Club. Photo: Visit Albury Wodonga.
Sketch Club at the Murray Art Museum Albury
When: 6 February, 11 am to noon
Where: Murray Art Museum Albury, 546 Dean Street, Albury
Cost: Free | No bookings required.
If you need that little push to start sketching or drawing, the sketch club at the MAMA is a great way to find the motivation to create.
By surrounding yourself with like-minded artists and the many beautiful works of the MAMA, you’ll be inspired to respond to works, dive deep into techniques, find details or just sharpen the skills you already have.
This monthly class begins with a brief introduction to a current exhibition from the gallery’s host, who goes on to share drawing techniques for context and consideration by you, the amateur artist.
Laughs and cold beers at the Thirsty Crow Brewery. Image: Humanitix.
Live Stand-Up Comedy at the Thirsty Crow Brewery
When: 6 February, 7 to 9 pm
Where: Thirsty Crow Brewery, 153 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga
Cost: Tickets $30 plus fees | Book online.
Award-winning stand-up comics Mick Neven and Nicky Wilkinson are on tour, packing themselves into a VW van to visit every corner of Australia as The Vanlife Comedians.
They’re coming to Wagga this Friday for a night of laughs, telling side-splitting stories of life, love and the perils and adventures that come with living on the road.
The pair have a combined 35 years in the world of comedy and they’ve performed across the globe, from London to New York, Malaysia and Japan.
Chef, media personality and author Julie Goodwin comes to the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre. Photo: Visit NSW.
Julie Goodwin – Your Time Starts Now Tour at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
When: 6 February, 7:30 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way (off Tarcutta Street), Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $73.5 to $93.50 | Book online.
Much-beloved home cook, media personality and author Julie Goodwin is travelling across the country for her first-ever national tour.
This two-hour show combines a cooking demonstration and a personal heart-to-heart. Equal parts food and storytelling, this show is a warm, honest experience with plenty of laughs covering Julie’s extraordinary life, from MasterChef to some of her mental health struggles and the release of her 2024 memoir. Julie will also be joined by her longtime friend and well-known broadcaster, David Rabbetts. Their chemistry is palpable and it’s sure to lead to plenty of laughs.
There will also be an audience Q&A and interaction after the event.
A uniquely Australian sound comes to the Wagga Conservatorium. Photo: Visit NSW.
The Water Runners at the Conservatorium of Music
When: 6 February, 7:30 to 9 pm
Where: Conservatorium of Music, 1 Simmons Street, Wagga
Cost: Tickets $25 plus fees | Book online.
South Coast performers, The Water Runners, pull influences from a range of musical traditions, including folk, country and bluegrass to synthesise a unique musical style that is quintessentially Australian.
With engaging melodies, personal lyrics and storytelling as a focus of their music, it’s sure to be a captivating show. Their talents have been recognised across the country, winning Best Band at the 2020 National Busking Championships and being named runners-up at the 2025 Australian Folk Music Awards.
Saturday
A community festival of great tunes and delicious food. Photo: Visit Albury Wodonga.
Beats & Eats Fest
When: 7 February, 5 to 9 pm
Where: Noreuil Park, Noreuil Parade, South Albury
Cost: Free.
This free community event held in Noreuil Park is a great chance to kick back, relax and enjoy a summer’s evening by the river, with plenty to get excited about.
There will be a bar and food stalls with plenty of delicious food, including pulled pork rolls, pizza, souvlaki, crepes, ice-cream, African dishes, sausage sizzles and more. In addition, a live band will perform throughout the evening, serenading the community with classics, pop, rock, blues and folk.
Don’t miss out on an Aussie music veteran at the Wagga Theatre. Photo: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks – 50 Years of Hits at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre
When: 7 February, 8 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, (off Tarcutta Street), Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $79 to $84 | Book online.
Ross Wilson is on the road with his band The Peaceniks to celebrate more than 50 years of hits. He’ll be playing all the classic songs that you’d expect from his long and storied career, as well as tracks from his latest albums.
Ross Wilson has no less than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits as either a singer, producer or songwriter and he’s solidified his reputation as a stellar performer. Don’t miss out on this world-class musical talent right at home at the Wagga Civic Theatre.
Sunday
Get out and about and enjoy the warm weather. Photo: Lake Hume Cycle Challenge.
Lake Hume Cycle Challenge
When: 8 February, 6:45 am to 12:45 pm
Where: Ebden Reserve, Murray Valley Highway, Ebden
Cost: Free.
The Lake Hume Cycle Challenge is a great day out for cycling enthusiasts, from young to old, amateur to professional. Whether you want a more relaxed cycling trip or you want to test your limits, there’s a circuit for you to enjoy.
For a family ride, suitable for kids, check out the challenge’s 14 km ride. For a bit of a challenge, there is a 42 km trail ride, a 64 km loop ride and a 78 km ride. If you’re after a real challenge, apply for the 114 km Lake Hume Hustle trail, with plenty of climbs to test your mettle.
Check its website for info on what ride is best for you.
Thursday
Come hear the life stories of 25 Australian women who have overcome hardship and found solace in community. Photo: Visit NSW.
Author Talk: “Write Around the World – Women’s Voices for Peace”
When: 12 February, 6 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis St, Wagga
Cost: Free | Book online.
This author talk is a collection of stories from 25 diverse women from around the world who have been displaced from their homes, combining to tell their life experiences.
Each of the speakers has overcome various challenges and they will speak about their experience in suddenly landing in a new country where they had to settle and adjust to their new adopted homeland. Drawing on these experiences, this talk explores identity, cultural heritage and how community has helped them break down language barriers, isolation, cultural differences and hardship.
Between these diverse stories, the audience finds commonalities of aspiration, towards peace, education and opportunity.
Books about these personal tales of perseverance will be available for purchase.
