The Festival of W is chock-full of things to do for the whole family. Photo: Visit NSW.
There’s so much going on in the Riverina region this week.
For an immersive experience in Albury’s most beautiful public space, Aurora brings an underwater seascape to the gardens with light shows, interactive areas and special effects.
The Wagga Botanic Gardens’ zoo opens its doors for the school holidays, giving kids a chance to feed and even pet some of the zoo’s more loveable animals.
Hit play The Queen’s Nanny comes to the Griffith Regional Theatre, telling a fascinating tale of royal scandal and class conflict.
Check out all the attractions that we’ve found for you and your family.
Multiple Days
Bring along the whole family for the magic of Aurora. Image: Albury City Council.
Aurora, Tides of Treasure – Immersive experience at the Albury Botanic Gardens
When: 4 to 10 July, 6 to 9:30 pm
Where: Albury Botanic Gardens, Dean Street and Wodonga Place, Albury
Cost: Child tickets $10 | Adult tickets $15 | Family (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) $40. Book online.
Aurora is an immersive nighttime experience with interactive areas, light displays, soundscapes and special effects that replicate the magic of the sea. There will be an undersea journey, Tides of Adventure, where visitors get to find a lost key that unlocks a treasure chest at the bottom of the sea, as well as holograms of deep-sea creatures to add to the adventure.
Come see one of Albury’s most beautiful spaces completely transformed with marine magic.
Celebrate the Wagga winter this week. Photo: NSW Government.
Festival of W
When: 5 to 10 July, 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Various locations around Wagga, see website for more information
Cost: Many events are free. More information online.
The Festival of W is all about celebrating winter in Wagga and there’s a lot to see and do. Centred around Wollundry Lagoon, the festival brings light shows, ice skating, art, bonfires, neon tunnels and wine together for a community celebration. There will also be plenty of great food on offer with doughnuts, coffee, burrito bowls, pasta, bao buns and toasties to help keep you warm.
Don’t miss out on this festival, which is sure to have something for everyone.
Relive the early days of arcade gaming. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Museum of the Riverina Retro Arcade Gaming
When: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Historic Council Chambers site, 243 Baylis St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Free.
The Museum of the Riverina’s new exhibition AUDIO/VISUAL is all about our ever-changing relationship with technology and communication and the myriad ways these impact our lives. One of these impacts has been on entertainment, as video games have completely changed the way that people spend their free time.
The AUDIO/VISUAL exhibition is bringing classic retro arcades back with Frogger!, letting kids and their nostalgic parents play one of the earliest successful video games. Play against yourself or enable two-player mode to see who’s the top frog.
Get up close with some of Wagga zoo’s most cuddly creatures. Photo: Visit Wagga.
School holidays encounters at Wagga Botanic Gardens’ zoo
When: 7 to 10 July, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, MacLeay Street, Turvey Park
Cost: Free. Donations welcome.
Wagga’s favourite zoo is running special meet-and-greets during the school holidays, giving kids a chance to get up close to some of the Botanic Gardens’ amazing animals. Curious kids will be able to feed some of the zoo’s most lovable residents. There will also be mini pony walks around the gardens and photo opportunities.
In addition to this special event, the zoo’s regular menagerie of dingos and reptiles is still wild and waiting.
Sunday
Experience the best hits of the Beach Boys. Photo: Visit Wagga.
The Australian Beach Boys Show – Beach Boys tribute band
When: 6 July, 2 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way, off Tarcutta St, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Children under 15 $59 | Concession and group 8+ $64 | Adult $69. Book online.
The Australian Beach Boys capture the essence of the original band, paying tribute to the musical powerhouse that defined an era led by the late great Brian Wilson. Playing hits from over three decades, from rock n roll to signature vocal-centric songs, the Australian Beach Boys will play beloved songs such as Surfing USA, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Then I Kissed Her, California Girls and of course, Good Vibrations.
This stellar tribute band has left a trail of glowing reviews and satisfied audiences in their wake. Don’t miss out on this chance to see the magic of the Beach Boys in Wagga.
Tuesday
A new comedy drama strips a royal scandal bare for all to see. Image: Griffith Regional Theatre.
The Queen’s Nanny
When: 8 July, 7:30 pm
Where: Griffith Regional Theatre, 1 Neville Place
Cost: Tickets from $30. Book online.
Inspired by historical events, a royal scandal ignites a blistering fire between the steely Queen Mother and her children’s doting nanny in Melanie Tait’s sparkling new comedy drama.
Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford adored her job as governess to Princesses Lilibet and Margaret Rose … until she was ostracised without warning, despite dedicating the best part of her life to raising, educating and caring for the young royals. The reason? A tell-all memoir.
From the creative team behind the sell-out success of The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race, this blackly funny play imagines a series of pivotal moments between two strong, spirited women harbouring complicated resentment.
Wednesday
Get artsy these school holidays. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Galactic Stars: Watercolour! School holidays art class for six- to 12-year-olds
When: 9 July, 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Unique State Art Space, 8 Little Best Street, Wagga Wagga
Cost: Tickets $55. Book online.
Take your kids to Unique State Art Space for this artistic workshop where they get to use watercolour paint, wax, salt and stencils to create their own galaxies. Kids become artists as they combine colours, use texture, form lines and shapes in watercolour works.
The fee is inclusive of materials, tuition and a snack provided by the art space.
Thursday
Indigenous culture takes centre stage in Ashmont. Image: Visit Wagga.
Ashmont NAIDOC Week Celebration
When: 10 July, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: 42 Tobruk Street, Ashmont
Cost: Attendance is free, no registration required. Stalls prefer cash.
Ashmont’s NAIDOC Week celebration is a full day of fun, entertainment, food and plenty of cultural activities to get excited for.
Celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage with a community get-together that includes a smoking ceremony, cultural dancers, a DJ and a barbecue lunch provided by the Wollundry Rotary Club.
