Nine things to do in the Riverina this week (15 - 21 July)

Tempting as it is to stay in this week, the Riverina beckons with an array of things to see and do.

Head down to hidden gem Altina Wildlife Park and go on a zoo-fari, learn how to create unique designs on fabrics or get a last look at the Festival of W before it draws to a close.

The Classic and Historic Automobile Club of Australia is putting on its annual swap meet at the Showgrounds and for those looking to do something indoorsy, get your culture vulture on with Wagga art historian Doctor Sam Bowker at his lectures on global art histories.

There are markets, music and more in the region this week – so rug up and head out.

All Week

Altina Wildlife Park

When: Every day, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Altina Wildlife Park, 14432 Sturt Highway, Darlington Point
Cost: Various. Bookings are essential and can be requested here

Darlington Point’s hidden gem Altina Wildlife Park offers Zoo-faris with an Australian twist. Meet the animals up close and personal with your guide while travelling in style on your horse-drawn or motorised cart.

All Weekend

Festival of W final days

When: Until Sunday 17 July
Where: Various locations in Wagga, click here
Cost: Various, click here

The Festival of W has been running all school holidays and is coming to a close, but there is still time to go out with a bang. Ice skating sessions continue at Victory Memorial Gardens until 9 pm (final session at 8 pm), the beautiful Airship Orchestra is still up at the Civic Centre Forecourt and StrEAT Food is available from 11 am. If you’re just after a spectator experience, ice carving demonstrations take place from 11 am at Victory Memorial Gardens, large-scale light and interactive spectacles are still up at various locations and Wagga Wagga based band Frostbite will treat crowds to live music from noon on Baylis Street.

Friday

A Night of Music

When: Friday 15 July, from 6:30 pm
Where: The Arts Centre Cootamundra, 18-20 Wallendoon Street, Cootamundra
Cost: Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.

The Arts Centre Cootamundra’s mid-year vocal workshop with talented vocalist Geraldine Ryan will finish with a one-night event, showcasing both group and individual numbers. A fun night out for all ages, book your seat now as walk-in seating will be very limited on the night. BYO Food and drinks.

Leeton Screen Printing Workshops

When: Friday 15 July, 3 pm – 6 pm
Where: Leeton Museum and Gallery, 27-33 Chelmsford Place, Leeton
Cost: Free, register here.

Are you looking to try something new, discover a new hobby or even develop a side-hustle? Learn how to press, smooth and spread paint onto your favourite fabrics to create unique designs in these screen printing workshops.

Saturday

Tarcutta Markets

When: Saturday 16 July
Where: Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall
Cost: Free.

Rug up and head to Tarcutta for the markets where you can browse a range of homegrown products, pre-loved books, plants, accessories and more. Barbecue, sandwiches, cakes and drinks will also be available for purchase. New stallholders are always welcome at $5 per stall – phone 0477 472 154 to enquire.

Sunday

CHACA Wagga Swap Meet

When: Sunday 17 July, 7 am to 3 pm
Where: Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke Street Wagga.
Cost: Entry $5, register here.

PSA for classic car lovers: the annual Classic and Historic Automobile Club of Australia’s (CHACA) Swap Meet is here. Head down to the Showgrounds to feast your eyes on some beautiful automobiles and browse about 900 stalls. Goods for sale have branched out from car jumble to other paraphernalia including bric-a-brac, antiques, hobby wares, homemade items and food.

Willans Hill Miniature Railway Rides

When: Sunday 17, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Wagga Botanic Gardens
Cost: Tickets are $4 and can be purchased from the ticket window at the station.

Kids love mini train rides – fact. Make most of the last days of the school holidays at the Willans Hill Miniature Railway Rides at Wagga Botanic Gardens. See the garden through the woodlands, go through a tunnel and over a bridge. Toot toot!

Tuesday

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

When: Tuesday 19 July, 8 pm, Wednesday 20 July, 12 pm and 8 pm and Thursday 21 July, 12 pm and 8 pm
Where: Civic Theatre
Cost: Adult $38, concession/students $28, family (2 adults /2 children) $98 and special matinee group $15. Tickets can be purchased here.

Go on a musical journey with the Riverina Anglican College Senior School to relive the wondrous world of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory in a charming adaptation of this beloved Roald Dahl classic. Sing along to Candy Man and Pure Imagination and hear a host of new songs.

Global Art Histories – Public Lectures by Dr Sam Bowker

When: Tuesday 19 July, 6 pm
Where: CSU Riverina Playhouse
Cost: Adult $15, concession $10, student $10, group 5+ $10 each and child $10. Tickets can be purchased here.

Wagga art historian Doctor Sam Bowker has spent more than a decade lecturing in universities but strongly believes art history should be accessible to everyone. The senior art history lecturer has spent many years preaching to the converted but now he is running a series of public lectures on global art histories at the Riverina Playhouse. The 12-part series is dedicated to understanding the treasures of humanity and the complexity of international art history as a series of disciplines worldwide.