HELLO Newy | WINTER 2026

WINTER 2026

Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Morpeth & the Hunter Valley

MAGIC IN THE STARS

Disney On Ice Returns to

HOOKED ON NEWCASTLE

The Tuna Festival Returns

REVOLTING CHILDREN REJOICE

Matilda JR. Comes to Newcastle

COLD FEET, WARM HEARTS

Snow Time in the Garden Brings the Magic

Winter has arrived, and Newcastle is turning up the heat with cosy world-class performances, packed stages and a season brimming with culture, creativity and community. As the temperature drops, the Hunter Valley shimmers in cool-season gold, and our city fills with reasons to get out, rug up and experience something extraordinary.

HELLO Newy's Winter edition is your essential guide to making the most of everything happening across Newcastle and the region this season.

Newcastle's stages have something truly special in store for the whole family these July school holidays with Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars skating into town from 9-12 July, whilst Hunter Drama brings the beloved Matilda JR. to life from 9-19 July, with joyful, electrifying energy and bursting young talent!

Civic Theatre is serving up a sensational season this winter with The Very Popular Theatre Company’s & Juliet opening the season from 19-28 June; offering a fresh and modern twist on a classic love story, HER Productions presents The Libertine, for something a little more grown at the Playhouse, from 2-11 July. Mozart's timeless masterpiece, Don Giovanni, delivers operatic grandeur at its finest on 20 August, and Stray Dogs Theatre blends dark humour with psychological tension in their production of The Whisper, from 6-16 August. Rounding things out with a touch of family magic, Room on a Broom brings charm, wonder and a little bit of mischief to audiences of all ages on 22 July.

If food is your language of love, the Newcastle Tuna Festival returns in July with an expanded Seafood Trail across 30 venues. Steep Yourself in fun as the Dungog Tea Party returns to the historic James Theatre from 9–13 September, with free entry, high teas, market stalls and the muchloved Tea Cosy Challenge.

From horse-riding adventures through Wine Country, to world-class productions and food festivals, winter in Newcastle and the Hunter is rich with warmth, wonder and epic experiences waiting to be discovered.

Credit: Destination NSW ON THE COVER

i k u m y j g s x d r

ISSUE #7 | WINTER 2026

WINTER | What's On Calendar

Maitland Heritage Fest Returns

Magic in the Stars | Disney On Ice Returns to Newcastle

Two Nights. Two Centuries. One Devastating Story

Revolting Children Rejoice | Matilda Jr. Comes to Newcastle

Hooked on Newcastle | The Tuna Festival Returns

Beloved Children's Classic Comes to Civic Theatre

It's a Question of Faith when a Stranger Calls

One Night of Passion and Consequence

What If She Didn't Die? The West End Hit That's Rewriting History

Discover Newcastle's Coolest Experience

Don't Stop Me Now | Queen's Greatest Hits Live at PACC

Steep Yourself in Fun: Dungog's Tea Party Brews Up Spring Excitement

Saddle Up for the Best Seat in the Valley

Follow the Trail to Something Special... Your Passport to Wine Country

Making Branxton Worth the Drive | A Masterclass in Regional Main Street

Hunter Valley Brewhouse | Your Home Away from Home

Up Before Dawn | The Story Behind the Balloon

From Paris to Pokolbin | A French Idea Finds Its Perfect Home in the Hunter

Cold Feet, Warm Hearts | Snow Time in the Garden Brings the Magic!

Your New Favourite Hair Day

60 Years Young | Why Tamburlaine's Organic Vision Is Just Getting Started

Past, Present and Perfectly Poured

Sweet Treats at the Heart of the Hunter

Two Cuisines, One Great Night Out!

Source: PACC

UK Rod Stewart Show

AT PERFORMANCE ARTS CULTURE CESSNOCK

FRIDAY 12 JUNE

▲The UK Rod Stewart Show brings to the stage internationally acclaimed artist Shaun J. Marshall, a powerhouse vocalist who delivers the unmistakable raspy vocals and dynamic stage presence of the music legend himself. Performing some of Rod’s biggest and most beloved hits, including 'Maggie May', 'Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?', 'Hot Legs', 'The First Cut Is the Deepest', 'Some Guys Have All the Luck', 'Sailing', and so many more. Book now, visit www.mypacc.com.au.

Matt Corby

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

FRIDAY 12 JUNE

◆ One of Australia's most celebrated artists, Matt Corby, returns to stages nationwide this June with The Tragic Magic Tour. Showcasing his fourth studio album, Tragic Magic, a deeply personal and soul-soaked collection marking a new chapter in his artistry, Corby's live shows are renowned for their intimacy and musicianship. For more information, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.

Lake Mac Meet the Makers

AT MUSEUM OF ART AND CULTURE, YAPANG

SATURDAY 13 JUNE

◆ This wonderful event brings together artists and makers from across Lake Macquarie, showcasing a diverse range of mediums including painting, textiles, glassmaking, ceramics, and more. Meet the artists, discover their creative process, and take home a unique, locally made artwork. Visit www.mac.lakemac.com.au.

Fire Scars

AT MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY

UNTIL SUNDAY 14 JUNE

▲Renae Saxby explores fire as both destroyer and renewer. Merging intimate narrative with landscape photography and sound, this exhibition reflects grief, resilience, and healing; it was created during a period of personal upheaval and is rooted in her deep focus on cultural and environmental preservation. Find out more, visit www.mrag.org.au

Epic Annual Lunch

AT HUNGERFORD HILL

SATURDAY 20 JUNE

◆ The annual Epic Lunches are hosted by the two-hatted Muse Restaurant, featuring a sensational five-course menu matched with a selection of premium aged and new-release Hungerford Hill wines, plus exceptional entertainment. This event is a sell-out every year, so book now! Visit www.hungerfordhill. com.au/pages/whats-on/.

Brother Hollow and The Nashville Experience

AT MEX CLUB

SATURDAY 20 JUNE

◆ Brother Hollow brings the heart and soul of Nashville to the stage in a high-energy live country party experience! Delivering the biggest hits of Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and more, blended with timeless classic country favourites. For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Credit: Renae Saxby

Float Your Boat

AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN LAKE MACQUARIE

FRIDAY 19 – SATURDAY 20 JUNE

▲ Float Your Boat is a free, family-friendly light festival celebrating the lake, creativity, community, and visitors across two nights. The event is set to return this June, lighting up the lake with a colourful flotilla competing for top awards. Families can enjoy the spectacle from three live sites featuring music, illuminated performances, kids' activities, and food trucks. For more information or to locate Float Your Boat locations, visit www.lakemac.com.au

Shrek The Musical JR

FRIDAY 26 – SATURDAY 27 JUNE

▲ St Philip's Christian College Cessnock presents Shrek The Musical Jr. — a hilarious, heart-warming adventure where fairy tale misfits, catchy songs, and unexpected friendships collide! Follow Shrek and the evertalkative Donkey on an epic quest to rescue Princess Fiona and reclaim the swamp. Book now, visit www.mypacc.com.au

GLENDALE

& Juliet

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

FRIDAY 19 – SUNDAY 28 JUNE

▲ The Broadway and West End smash hit & Juliet is rewriting the rules — and the ending. Forget the tragedy; this fearless, feel-good celebration of love, life, and second chances is packed with pop anthems, including Since U Been Gone, Baby One More Time, and Roar. Glitter-soaked, chart-topping, and utterly unmissable, it's the jukebox musical rebellion audiences won't stop talking about. Book now, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Credit: Peter Stoop

Source: The Very Popular Theatre Company

Source: Lake Macquarie City Council

Glandore’s Burning of the Barrel

AT GLANDORE WINES

SUNDAY 27 JUNE

▲ Celebrate the harvest season and the region's rich winemaking history with award-winning wines, gourmet dishes and the burning of the barrel. The highlight of the night will be the lighting of a ceremonial wine barrel to mark the end of the harvest, followed by a spectacular bonfire and fireworks display. Cap off the night dancing to live jazz funk music in this one-ofa-kind experience. For more info, visit www. glandorewines.com/burning-of-the-barrel.

Michael Cusack’s Field Notes: The Ruins of Ideas

AT WATT SPACE GALLERY

UNTIL SATURDAY 27 JUNE

◆ Field Notes: The Ruins of Ideas presents painting and found objects as provisional records — layered, weathered, and wrought through time and labour. Colour feels gathered, gestures remain visible, and meaning stays open. Rather than finished pronouncements, these works invite perception to unfold slowly, holding space for the contingent and the unresolved.

Fashion Thrift Society Tour

AT NEWCASTLE BASKETBALL STADIUM

SUNDAY 28 JUNE

◆ Browse over 100 curated stalls of vintage, preloved, designer, and small business finds, with thousands of unique pieces carefully selected for you to explore. Shop a mix of second-hand treasures and independent brands, grab a bite from local and international food trucks, and vibe to live DJ sets. Visit www.fashionthriftsociety.com.au for more information.

Source: HVG

Snow Time In The Garden

AT HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS

SATURDAY 27 JUNE – SUNDAY 26 JULY

▲ Experience a winter wonderland at Snow Time in the Garden, where you can experience the snow without breaking the bank. This beloved annual event is back for a whole month of chilly fun, packed with fun activities for all ages and takes much less planning than a trip to the snowy mountains. This winter, build a snow person in the Mega snow play zone, speed down the 45m Giant Ice Toboggan, or refine your skills on the massive Ice-Skating Rink, suitable for beginner and experienced skaters. For all the frosty details, head to www.huntervalleygardens.com.au.

ABERDEEN HIGHLAND GAMES

AT JEFFERSON PARK, ABERDEEN

SATURDAY 4 JULY

◆ Immerse yourself in heritage, athletic prowess, and festive spirit at the Aberdeen Highland Games, held on the first Saturday of July each year in the heart of the Hunter. Watch incredible feats of strength in the popular Celtic strongman events. Explore a wide variety of stalls featuring Scottish souvenirs, local produce, and great food. Whether you are tracing your clan genealogy or simply love the energy of a great community event, the Aberdeen Highland Games promises a day to remember. For info, visit www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com.

Credit: Destination NSW

Credit: Elfes Images

Newcastle Tune Festival

AT VARIOUS NEWCASTLE VENUES

SUNDAY 28 JUNE – FRIDAY 31 JULY

▲ Newcastle Tuna Festival returns for 2026, and it's bringing the whole ocean with it!

Prepare for a month-long Seafood Trail across Newcastle, exclusive Chef’s Catch dishes, seafood events across the city, and the return of Japanese master chef Koji Harada for a live 80kg Southern Bluefin Tuna cutting at the Grand Opening on Sunday, 28th June! Visit www.newcastletunafest.com.au for more information.

Water Mirror

AT PERFORMANCE ARTS CULTURE CESSNOCK

SATURDAY 4 JULY

▲ Water Mirror is a breathtaking contemporary ballet not to be missed, coming to PACC for one show only! With a stunning fusion of Taiko percussion, acrobatics, and cutting-edge projection design, this production delivers an immersive theatrical experience like no other. Whether a long-time dance lover or new to contemporary ballet, this is a rare opportunity to see a world-class performance. Book now, visit www.mypacc.com.au

Disney On Ice

AT NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

THURSDAY 9 – SUNDAY 12 JULY

▲ Join Mickey, Minnie, and beloved friends on a spectacular journey through timeless classics, including Cinderella, Aladdin, and Toy Story, alongside modern favourites Encanto, Frozen 2, and Moana. With dazzling skating, stunning costumes, and unforgettable characters, it's an enchanting experience the whole family will treasure. For more information, visit www.disneyonice.com/en-au/tickets

Credit: Newy Digital

Source: Newcastle Tuna Festival

Where Is The Green Sheep?

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

THURSDAY 9 – SATURDAY 11 JULY

▲ Monkey Baa Theatre Company transforms Mem Fox and Judy Horacek's beloved picture book into an enchanting blend of puppetry, animation and movement designed especially for children aged one to six. A magical theatrical experience not to be missed. Visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au for more information.

Paul Dempsey’s ‘Shotgun Karaoke’ Tour

AT BAR ON THE HILL

SATURDAY 11 JULY

◆ Something For Kate frontman Paul Dempsey brings his beloved Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II to Newcastle’s Bar on the Hill! Following a hugely successful capital city tour, he's taking his stripped-back, spontaneous brand of sing-along covers on the road. Expect an evolving setlist of fan favourites spanning Don Henley, Jeff Buckley, David Bowie, and more, for an intimate and unforgettable night of music. Book now, visit www.tickets.oztix.com.au.

Abbie Chatfield Loves Men

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

TUESDAY 14 JULY

◆ In a night of sharp comedy and cultural commentary, Abbie Chatfield tackles modern masculinity, dating delusions and podcast philosophers. Featuring hilarious games, brilliant guest interviews with genuinely great men, and plenty of beautifully chaotic moments. Book now, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.

Blake Pavey ‘Bit Scared’

A

T SOUTHS

MEREWETHER

FRIDAY 17 JULY

◆ After amassing over a million followers online and making audiences worldwide laugh until they cry, Blake Pavey brings his brand new stand-up show, A Bit Scared, to Australia. Following the unexpected news that his terminal illness isn't so terminal after all, he's got a lot more time to worry about everything else. Book now, visit www.eventbrite.com.au

Newcastle Comedy Festival Gala

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

SATURDAY 18 JULY

◆ Newcastle Comedy Festival Gala launches the city's biggest comedy month with non-stop laughs. Features international stars, Australian legends, and rising talent, including Tom Cashman (MC), Brett Blake, Kirsty Webeck, Lizzy Hoo, Nick Cody, Luke Heggie, Wil Anderson, Luke McGregor, and more to be announced. For more information, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Mulletfest

AT CHELMSFORD HOTEL, KURRI KURRI

SATURDAY 18 JULY

▲ Mulletfest is back in Kurri Kurri, celebrating Australia's finest mullets across categories including everyday, extreme, vintage, junior, ranga and more, along with new additions Tattoo and Beard Competitions, Best Black & White, Best Colour, Best Car Theme, Best Beard, Best Stash, and everyone's favourite... the Worst Tattoo. Be a part of the ever-growing 'Party in the Back’ crew, visit www.mulletfest.com.au.

Credit: Robert Catto

Source: Mulletfest

Credit: Destination NSW

Port Stephens Winter Festival

AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN PORT STEPHENS

FRIDAY 10 – SUNDAY 19 JULY

▲ Experience the magic of the Port Stephens Winter Festival, nine unforgettable days packed with something for everyone! Marvel at the iconic Human Whale event, explore six incredible Taster's Trails, and indulge in amazing foodie experiences. From sunset cruises and car shows to scavenger hunts and family fun, this beloved festival connects the community with local businesses in the most memorable way possible. For more information, visit www.pswinterwhalefest.com

Bohemian Rhapsody Queen Tribute

AT PERFORMANCE ARTS CULTURE CESSNOCK

SATURDAY 18 JULY

▲ Australia's longest-running Queen tribute is back at PACC Cessnock this July! Bohemian Rhapsody, presented by BME International, stars internationally acclaimed performer Thomas Crane, whose electrifying portrayal of Freddie Mercury has wowed sell-out audiences since 1993. Expect a powerhouse journey through Queen's greatest hits, from Somebody to Love to Bohemian Rhapsody. One night only. Book now, visit www.mypacc.com.au

Winery Run

AT WANDIN VALLEY ESTATE

SUNDAY 19 JULY

▲ Prepare for a weekend full of running and red! Test yourself while experiencing the beautiful scenery of Wine Country, or come along to show your support, watch the fun and cheer on the participants of the Hunter Valley’s favourite marathon! This professionally staged recreational event offers marathon, half-marathon, 10.5km, 5km, and 2km run distances, set in the serene surroundings of Wandin Estate. For more information, visit www.wineryrun.com

Source: Port Stephens City Council

Source: Ben Maiorana Entertainment

Bed By 10

A T KING STREET BAND ROOM

SATURDAY 25 JULY

▲ Bed By 10 is a chance for ravers over 30s to relive the peak of the 80s, 90s & early 2000s clubbing scene! Expect crazy visuals and immaculate vibes as the DJ spins all the club classics and still be home by 10! Enjoy all the fun and still get that much-needed beauty sleep. For more information, visit www.likeit-loveit.com.

Bush to Beach 2026

AT STOCKTON BOWLING CLUB

SATURDAY 25 JULY

◆ Four incredible bands, one epic location and a whole day of live music, good vibes and great company. Doors open at 12pm, with Dirt Road kicking things off at 12.30pm, followed by Katie Jayne, Hurricane Fall and Viper Creek taking you through to 7.00pm. Grab your friends and get ready for an unforgettable day of country music magic! Book now, visit www.trybooking.com

Lake Mac’s POP BAM

AT HUNTER SPORTS CENTRE

SATURDAY 25 JULY

◆ Lake Macquarie’s iconic pop culture festival returns this July! POP BAM features the ultimate celebration of movies, TV shows, comics, and music. With cosplay, celebrity guests, lightsaber battles, movie vehicles, and creative workshops, there's something for fans of every age. Dive into a vibrant world of creativity, fandom, and fun at this year's unmissable extravaganza! For more info, visit www.library.lakemac.com.au.

Source: The Drink Show

The Drink Show

AT NEWCASTLE SHOWGROUND EXHIBITION CENTRE

SATURDAY 1 AUGUST

▲ The Drink Show is a premium drinks discovery afternoon bringing together wineries and craft distillers - all in one place. See, Swirl, Sniff, Savour and Sip what’s trending across premium wines, craft spirits and emerging beverages. Explore more than 200+ tastings across independent producers, emerging brands and carefully selected portfolios. Meet the makers, discover new releases and explore what’s popular in the Australian drinks industry. For further information go to drinkshow.com.au

Newcastle Music Festival

AT VARIOUS VENUES ACROSS NEWCASTLE

SUNDAY 2 – SUNDAY 16 AUGUST

◆ Newcastle Music Festival returns for its ninth season, bringing together the best of classical, jazz, world, and contemporary music. Featuring top local, national, and international performers, the festival celebrates musical excellence while championing community through its Festival Choir, Festival Strings, and masterclasses. View the full program, visit www.newcastlemusicfestival.org.au.

Merewether Fats' Blues Jam

AT THE STAG & HUNTER HOTEL

THURSDAY 6 AUGUST

◆ Running for over 20 years, the Merewether Fats' Blues Jam takes place on the first Thursday of every month, celebrating blues, roots and folk music. Founded by the late Mark 'Merewether Fats' Salter, this beloved community hub welcomes musicians of all levels. Kicking off at 7:30pm, free entry, bring your instrument! For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase

AT WARNERS BAY THEATRE

FRIDAY 7 AUGUST

▲ Featuring a top-tier lineup of Festival favourites and rising stars, this two-hour comedy spectacular is packed with big belly laughs and non-stop entertainment. Grab your mates and get ready for the funniest night of the year. For more information, visit www.arts.lakemac.com.au

Come From Away

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

FRIDAY 7 – SATURDAY 15 AUGUST

▲ Come From Away is the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded travellers diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001. As 38 planes doubled the town's population overnight, the warm-hearted locals opened their arms to strangers from around the world, restoring hope and humanity in the darkest of times. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Urzila Carlson

AT NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST

▲ Fresh from entertaining 86,500 fans in 2025, fan-favourite comedian Urzila Carlson returns with her brand-new show, Fatty on a Yacht! With deadpan delivery and mischievous charm, Urzila explores the hilarious reality of not quite fitting in. Book now, www.nec.net.au

Source: Metropolitan Players

Source: Ticketek

The Poems, Prayers & Promises of John Denver

A T WARNERS BAY THEATRE

FRIDAY 14 AUGUST

◆ Multi-award-winning performer Darren Coggan honours the timeless legacy of John Denver in The Poems, Prayers & Promises of John Denver– a heartfelt live celebration featuring beloved anthems including Take Me Home Country Roads, Annie's Song, Leaving On A Jet Plane, and more. For more information, visit www.lakemac.com.au

Digitales: Storytime and Art

AT MULTI-ARTS PAVILION (MAP MIMA)

THURSDAY 20 AUGUST

▲Enjoy a digital story on the big screen, then get creative with a hands-on art activity. Afterwards, grab a coffee at Harry & Lola's Cafe or explore Speers Point Park! Tickets are required for all attendees; children must be supervised. Find out more, visit www.lakemac.com.au.

Don Giovanni by Opera Australia

AT CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

THURSDAY 20 AUGUST

◆ Opera Australia brings Mozart's timeless masterpiece Don Giovanni to Newcastle! A dark and thrilling tale of seduction, danger, and dramatic reckoning, this world-class production follows opera's most notorious anti-hero on the final day of his life. Featuring the Regional Children's Chorus, The Hunter Trebles, it's a rare opportunity to experience acclaimed opera performed at the highest level. Book now, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.

Hunter Valley Highland Games

AT SALTIRE ESTATE

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST

▲ Honour the deep connection between Australia and Scotland at this family-friendly celebration of Scottish heritage in Wine Country. Enjoy traditional games, bagpipes, dancing, and more. Tickets are available for purchase at the gate or online to skip the queue. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.huntervalleyhighlandgames.com.au.

The Bloody Long Walk

A T BARTON FIELD, LAKE MACQUARIE TO FORESHORE PARK, NEWCASTLE

SUNDAY 23 AUGUST

◆ This 35km walk along the postcard-worthy beaches and the Fernleigh track will conclude at Foreshore Park! Owned and operated by The Mito Foundation, the Bloody Long Walk raises much-needed funds towards children and adults suffering from Mitochondrial disease (mito) whilst seeking effective treatments and cures for this devastating genetic disorder. For more information or to enter the challenge, visit www.thebloodylongwalk.com.au.

Newcastle Outdoor Adventure

& Lifestyle Expo

A T NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

FRIDAY 28 – SUNDAY 30 AUGUST

▲ Discover the latest caravans, camper trailers, hybrids, boats, 4x4s, accessories and adventure gear from leading national and local brands. With live entertainment, expert demonstrations and something for the whole family, it's the best of the outdoor lifestyle industry, all in one place. For more information, visit www.newexpo.com.au.

Source: Hunter Valley Highland Games

Source: Lake Macquarie City Council

Credit: Destination NSW

Stomp Festival Cessnock

A T CESSNOCK TAFE GROUNDS

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST

▲ After a short break, this beloved event returns, featuring local businesses, wineries, breweries, distilleries, food, kids' rides, grape stomping, markets, local produce, and music for the whole family to enjoy! Set in the heart of wine country, it’s a celebration of local

Emma Memma’s Jungle Picnic

A T CIVIC THEATRE NEWCASTLE

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST

▲ Bring your picnic basket and get ready to dance! Emma Memma's Jungle Picnic tour brings her much-loved new album to life on stage, with catchy tunes, energetic moves, and inclusive sign-language storytelling, creating a joyful, imagination-filled live experience

The Lifespan of a Fact

A T CIVIC PLAYHOUSE, NEWCASTLE

WEDNESDAY 9 – SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

▲ When a Harvard intern is tasked with checking a celebrated writer's essay in just five days, what starts as routine proofreading unravels into an electrifying battle of wills. Sharp, witty, and fiercely relevant, Knock and Run Theatre’s production of The Lifespan of a Fact asks who decides where truth ends and storytelling begins. Book now, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Newcastle Hunter Retirement Village & Resort Expo

Showcasing Retirement Living communities from many different organisations across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter Region, offering a wide range of services, facilities, prices and locations, all under one roof with free admission. Don’t miss this wonderful event!

The Hunter Valley’s home of Art, Music and Theatre

ART, MUSIC & THEATRE

PACC continues to showcase an exciting program of visual ar ts, live performance and f ilm throughout 2026 Currently on display in the ar t galler y is Shapes of the Hunter a contemporar y exhibition exploring regional landscapes, perspectives and ar tistic practice through diverse works inspired by the Hunter region and its unique identity

This July Water Mirror transforms the stage with an immersive fusion of percussion, contemporar y ballet and projection Combining powerful movement rhythm and striking visual stor ytelling, this captivating performance promises a truly unforgettable theatrical experience

Music lovers can also look for ward to awardwinning enter tainer Nathan Foley bringing Unforgettable August 7 Celebrating the legendar y hits of the 50s and 60s, the show features powerful live vocals timeless classics and a feel-good concer t experience audiences will love

From August, the galler y welcomes Clay on Country, a major contemporar y ceramics exhibition celebrating ar tists from Central Deser t communities Featuring diverse and thought-provoking works, the exhibition explores culture, stor ytelling, Countr y and connection through clay practice, showcasing both established and emerging ar tists working across the medium

PACC is open Monday to Saturday for exhibitions, with new shows and events announced regularly Be sure to check in and see what’s coming next

Unforgettable with ACE Male Vocolist of the year Nathan Foley features classics from icons including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Roy Orbison, Dusty Springf ield, Tina Turner and more This spectacular live concer t experience is packed with nostalgia, powerful vocals and beloved songs audiences know and love Book now for August 7.

Water Mirror. 4 July

Shapes of the Hunter. Open untl 27 June

Clay on Country Opening Aug 15

Maitland Heritage Fest 12-28 June 2026

Sunday 14th June | 10am–3pm at Church Street Precinct, Maitland & Olive Street Maitland

A day of heritage and community celebration, this annual event showcases Maitland's rich history through engaging activities-historical displays, vintage games, artisan demonstrations, children's activities, performance, stalls, food & entertainment.

Ticketed Events: Experience guided walks, architecture, music, poetry & entertainment celebrating the history, heritage and culture of historic Maitland maitlandheritagefest.com.au

Maitland Heritage Fest Returns for 2026

READ ONLINE

Mark your calendars! The Maitland Heritage Fest is back, running from 12–28 June and celebrating the city's rich history with a packed program of events for all ages.

The festival's highlight is a free family day on Sunday 14 June, set across the Historic Church Street Precinct and Olive Street School Paddock — encompassing the grounds of St Mary's Church, Grossmann and Brough Houses, Maitland CWA, and Maitland Public School's Olive Street Paddock.

Visitors can discover lost trades including, woodwork, leatherwork, weaving, and lacemaking, while a carriage ride, blacksmith demonstrations, antique steam machinery, and NSW State Heritage Stoneworks add to the atmosphere. Favourites returning in 2026 include Sanjex's Vintage Games, Geoff Pearce's silhouette artistry, croquet, and a Children's Treasure Hunt with great prizes. New for 2026 is vintage farm machinery and expanded stalls and entertainment in the school paddock, which promise even more to explore.

For those after something extra, ticketed events include a heritage dinner, guided heritage walks, a Bush Poet's Morning Tea, and a concert.

Full program details will be available mid-May at www.maitlandheritagefest.com.au or by contacting the team at maitlandheritagefestival@gmail.com.

Hunter Science Festival

newcastlemuseum.com.au

in the Stars

Disney On Ice Returns to Newcastle

For many Newcastle families, Disney On Ice has become a winter tradition. It’s the kind of event that draws together parents, grandparents and children for a few hours of shared wonder.

This July, the beloved production returns to Newcastle Entertainment Centre with Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars skating into town from 9-12 July

Bigger, bolder and more ambitious than ever before, the all-new arena spectacular features an extraordinary 56 Disney characters and the largest cast assembled for a Disney On Ice production to date. Combining elite-level figure skating with breathtaking aerial acrobatics, larger-than-life storytelling, dazzling costumes, cutting-edge special effects, and beloved Disney music, Magic in the Stars promises to deliver one of the most visually spectacular productions the global phenomenon has ever staged.

And once again, Newcastle remains the only non-capital city on the Australian tour schedule, a testament to how enthusiastically local audiences continue to embrace the production year after year.

Hosted by Mickey Mouse alongside Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy, the production takes audiences on a journey through some of Disney’s most beloved worlds. Guided by Jiminy Cricket and the shining North Star, the show celebrates courage, dreams, friendship and the idea that every great adventure begins with a wish.

This year’s production features beloved stories from Frozen 2, Moana, Encanto, Toy Story, Cars, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin and The Princess and the Frog, alongside one of the show’s biggest highlights - the live on-ice debut of Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon.

For Australian skater Simone Aubrecht, however, this year’s tour carries a very personal significance.

and she first stepped onto the ice at just three years old.

“My parents got me into skating,” she says. “I grew up around it.”

Training at Liverpool Catholic Club under the guidance of her parents, Simone built an impressive competitive career, completing every major single skating test available in Australia while competing nationally and internationally.

But despite years spent chasing technical perfection, Disney On Ice offered something entirely different.

“In competitive skating, you’re skating for judges and trying to get as many points as possible,” she explains. “It’s very technical, and sometimes the performance side can get a bit lost.”

“In Disney On Ice, nobody cares what jump you do - they just want a good performance. The audience is on your side. It’s honestly so much more enjoyable.”

That shift from competition to storytelling has transformed the way Simone approaches skating itself.

“When I first joined the tour, I focused more on the character performance and used easier tricks,” she says. “Now I can add in more technical elements as well, and when they land, it feels incredible because it’s like a bonus on top of the storytelling.”

Before joining Disney On Ice in late 2025, Simone spent time performing professionally aboard cruise ships, an experience

The 22-year-old Sydney performer will return home to Australia to portray Elsa in front of family and friends for the very first time.

“This will be the first time I’ve ever performed a Disney On Ice show in Australia, so I’m really excited,” Simone says. “Only my parents have seen me skate professionally before, so having my extended family and friends in the audience is going to feel really special.”

Raised in the Blue Mountains, Simone was practically born into skating. Both of her parents were figure skaters who met through the sport,

she says helped prepare her for the demanding pace of touring life.

“On a cruise ship, you live there and do other jobs as well as the performances,” she explains.

“Disney On Ice is completely different because your only job is to skate and portray the character. You really get to dive deep into who they are.”

And few Disney characters are more beloved than Elsa.

“I love the character of Elsa,” Simone says. “She’s one of the few Disney characters who really goes after what she wants and learns how to control her power. I actually relate to that stubborn side of her personality.”

One of Simone’s standout moments in the production is performing Elsa’s iconic solo from Frozen 2

“I get to skate to Into the Unknown, which is such an incredible number to perform,” she says. “It’s emotional and powerful all at once.”

She says one of the most rewarding parts of the role is seeing the reaction from young audience members, many of whom arrive dressed exactly like Elsa.

“Elsa is one of the most popular Disney characters,” Simone says. “When you see the little kids smiling at you from the audience, it’s just perfect.”

While Simone brings Elsa’s icy power to the arena floor, another performer is helping take the production to entirely new heights - quite literally.

American skater Sydney Berrier portrays Raya in the show’s spectacular new Raya and the Last Dragon sequence, which features an advanced aerial acro-pole routine unlike anything audiences have previously seen in Disney On Ice F

Image Source: DisneyOnIce

Source: Disney On Ice

“When I found out I was going to portray Raya, I was filled with so much excitement and gratitude,” Sydney says. “She’s such a strong and earnest warrior, and I love that she teaches audiences about trust and understanding people who are different from you.”

Originally from Minnesota, Sydney has been touring with Feld Entertainment since 2018 and has performed across countries including France, Scotland, Belgium, Spain, Colombia, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Like Simone, she first discovered skating as a child.

“I convinced my mum I needed a skating dress,” Sydney laughs. “She told me I could only have one if I actually learned how to skate.”

That childhood fascination eventually evolved into a professional career built on both athleticism and performance. Sydney describes her skating style as “steady, fast and powerful,” qualities that suit Raya’s fearless character perfectly.

But she says Raya’s story resonates for reasons beyond the action itself.

“One of the biggest lessons in Raya is learning to trust people who are different from you.”

“I really believe that’s something the world needs more of today.”

The production’s aerial sequence has quickly become one of the show’s most talkedabout moments.

“I get the pleasure of representing Raya’s strength through this really high-flying aerial performance while still skating at full speed,” she explains. “When I first fly up into the air,

theirAges1-6and families!

you can hear the audience gasp. I don’t think they expect it.”

That audience reaction, she says, is one of the greatest joys of performing.

“Kids react to Raya almost like she’s a superhero,” Sydney says. “There’s a lot of cheering and shouting when she appears. It feels like a rock concert sometimes.”

Behind the scenes, however, life as a Disney On Ice performer requires immense discipline and resilience.

The touring production travels with a massive international team of skaters, technicians, costume staff and crew members, many of whom spend most of the year living out of hotel rooms and suitcases while moving from city to city across the globe.

“The best part is definitely getting to travel and perform,” Simone says. “The hardest part is being away from home.”

Sydney agrees.

“I love seeing new places and finding great local food,” she says. “But you definitely miss home-cooked meals.”

Still, both performers say the close-knit touring community quickly becomes its own kind of family.

“I’ve learned to love so many different human personalities and make them family,” Sydney says.

Source: Disney On Ice F

That sense of connection and shared joy sits at the very heart of Disney On Ice itself.

Since its launch in 1981 as Walt Disney’s World on Ice, the production has grown into one of the most successful live family entertainment experiences worldwide, performing in more than 68 countries and entertaining hundreds of millions of audience members.

Behind the magic lies extraordinary athleticism. Performers rehearse for hundreds of hours before ever stepping onto the ice in front of an audience, mastering complex choreography while navigating moving set pieces, rapid costume changes, intricate lighting effects, aerial stunts and high-speed ensemble routines.

Yet despite the scale of the production, its greatest strength may still be its emotional connection.

For adults, Disney On Ice offers nostalgia wrapped inside familiar songs and cherished characters. For children, it’s the chance to see heroes step off the screen and into real life before their eyes.

Parents who once attended Disney On Ice as children now return with their own families. Grandparents sing along beside toddlers. Teenagers rediscover the stories they grew up loving.

For a few hours, entire families step into the same shared sense of wonder.

And perhaps that’s why the production continues to resonate generation after generation.

At its heart, Magic in the Stars isn’t simply about spectacular skating or dazzling visual effects, although there is certainly plenty of both. It’s about courage, hope, friendship and believing that something extraordinary might still be possible.

Whether it’s Elsa embracing her power, Moana finding her path across the ocean, Tiana refusing to give up on her dreams, or Raya

fighting to unite her world, each story reminds audiences that strength can take many forms.

As Jiminy Cricket reminds audiences beneath the North Star, the most magical things can happen when you make a wish.

And this winter in Newcastle, plenty of wishes are about to come true.

Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars is on at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre from Thursday, 9 July, through Sunday, 12 July, with multiple time slots daily. Tickets are on sale now at www.premier.ticketek.com.au Note that all guests aged two and over require a ticket to attend.

Source: Disney On Ice

Two Nights. Two Centuries. One Devastating Story

Provocative, sensual and unflinchingly human, The Libertine is theatre that refuses to let you look away...

UpStage at the Playhouse presents the second production of its 2026 season, The Libertine, a bold and provocative new production from Newcastle’s HER Productions.

Following the success of Romeo and Juliet: A Reimagining in 2024, HER Productions

returns to the UpStage program with Stephen Jeffreys’ acclaimed play exploring excess, artistry and self-destruction.

Co-directed by Charlotte De Wit and Marigold Pazar, The Libertine brings together a powerhouse ensemble of performers from Newcastle and Sydney in a darkly witty and visually striking production.

Set in the decadent court of King Charles II, the story follows John Wilmot, the Earl of Rochester, poet, provocateur and notorious

rake. Armed with sharp intelligence, irresistible charm and a contempt for hypocrisy, Rochester dedicates their life to pleasure and satire. But when they meet ambitious actress Elizabeth Barry, they are forced to confront the devastating consequences of ego, desire and nihilism.

In a unique theatrical experience, audiences are invited to see two distinct versions of the production. The first is a gripping historical staging in which the male Rochester’s selfdestruction unfolds against the emerging power of women. The second is a contemporary reimagining featuring a woman in the role of Rochester, exploring how the story transforms when a female wields the same brilliant and destructive power.

“We are delighted to present HER Productions’ staging of Libertine as part of the UpStage 2026 program. Companies like HER Productions continue to create challenging, thought-provoking work, and we are thrilled to have them as part of this year’s program, which continues to bring new and reimagined works to the Playhouse stage,” said Leonie Wallace, Executive Manager of Newcastle Civic Theatre. WHAT | The Libertine WHEN | 2–11 July 2026

WHERE | Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle TICKETS | civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Provocative, sensual and unflinchingly human, The Libertine is theatre that refuses to let you look away.

Written by Stephen Jeffreys

Produced by HER Productions

JUNE

Resin Homewares Workshop SAT 13th

Resin Cheeseboard Workshop SUN 14th

Lazy Susan Resin Workshop SAT 27th

EVERY THURSDAY 6PM

Picnic Table Resin Workshop SUN 28th

JULY

Beach Resin Workshop SAT 4th

Acrylic Paint Pouring Workshop SUN 5th

Mixed Media Texture Workshop FRI 17th

Alcohol Ink Techniques Workshop SAT 18th

Abstract Art & Mixed Media WED 22nd (8-week Course)

Christmas in July Resin Workshop SAT 25th

Resin Wall Artwork FRI 7th

Resin Cheeseboard Workshop SAT 29th

Liquid

Paint & Sip Workshops

Northern Lights FRI 26th JUNE

Fergus the Honkey FRI 31st JULY

Donut Pop Art FRI 28th AUGUST

Revolting Children Rejoice Matilda JR. Comes

to Newcastle

Hunter Drama is bringing the beloved musical phenomenon Matilda JR. to the stage these July school holidays in a bold, energetic, and heartfelt production celebrating courage, imagination, and the power of young voices.

Playing at Hunter Theatre, Newcastle, from 9 to 19 July 2026, Matilda JR. tells the story of Matilda Wormwood - a brilliant girl with a vivid imagination, a sharp mind, and a mysterious gift. Faced with terrible parents, a terrifying headmistress, and a world that tries to silence her, Matilda discovers that even the smallest person can change their own story.

READ ONLINE

Based on Roald Dahl's beloved novel and featuring a celebrated score by Australian comedian and composer Tim Minchin, Matilda the Musical has captivated audiences across London's West End, Broadway, and Australia since premiering with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2010 and is widely recognised as one of the most successful family musicals of the modern era.

Featuring an extraordinary cast of 106 young performers alternating across two full casts - the "Naughty" cast and the "Revolting" cast - the production promises

an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.

Director James Chapman says the show has long been on Hunter Drama's wish list. "It's one of those rare stories that speaks to both children and adults at the same time and is wildly imaginative and full of heart, but really about courage, rebellion, and finding your voice."

Choreographer Rachel Stark describes the movement as "energetic, expressive and full of personality, which is at times playful, at others capturing the sense of revolt and determination that sits at the centre of the story."

Musical Director Ali Hodge says Tim Minchin's writing brings a unique energy to the production. "The clever writing captures the imagination of a child just as much as it connects with an adult, and brings an undeniable electricity into the rehearsal room."

With themes of kindness, resilience, and standing up for what is right, Matilda JR. is set to be a joyful and empowering highlight of the July school holidays.

WHAT | Matilda JR.

WHEN | 9–19 July 2026. Performances at 2pm and 7pm

WHERE | Hunter Theatre, Newcastle TICKETS | www.hunterdrama.com.au/ productions

FEATURING: Philip Costovski, Galatea Kneath, Eloise Sheehan, Ian Fisher, Michael Saunders, Dana Leon Oakley, Jennifer Wilton, Anthea Harrington, Samantha Cobcroft, Geoffrey Hicks, Evan Graham, Archer NicholasCanning, Ben Starling The Opera Hunter Chorus

CONDUCTOR: Christopher Bearman OAM DIRECTOR: Stewart McGowan

Hailey Fielding as Matilda 1

Source: Hunter Drama Credit: Peter Stoop

Hooked on Newcastle The Tuna Festival Returns

WORDS LIANE MORRIS | FEATURES WRITER IMAGES CREDIT NEWY DIGITAL

Newcastle is a coastal city built on the ocean, shaping the skyline, the lifestyle and, increasingly, the plate.

This winter, that connection is being celebrated on a city-wide scale with the return of the Newcastle Tuna and Seafood Festival.

Following a sold-out debut in 2025, the festival returns in 2026 with an expanded month-long program running throughout July, transforming the city into a living Seafood Trail.

Launching on Sunday 28 June, around 30 participating venues across Newcastle will each create a signature tuna or seafood dish, inviting locals and visitors to eat their way through the city while discovering the chefs, restaurants and flavours shaping its coastal dining identity.

From waterfront dining rooms to neighbourhood favourites, the trail encourages diners to follow their appetite across Newcastle one plate at a time.

Presented by Namba Group and several local sponsors, the festival continues to evolve from a single showcase event into a broader

Follow The Seafood Trail

celebration of seafood, seasonality and the city’s hospitality community.

For founder and Nagisa owner Taiyo Namba, the idea began with a simple question rooted in place.

“We’re a coastal city, and seafood should be a bigger part of how we express who we are,” he says. “We all love seafood in summer - prawns, oysters, eating by the water - but I’ve always believed winter is actually where seafood can really shine.”

That thinking led to the inaugural festival in 2025, which opened with a dramatic live cutting of an 80kg Southern Bluefin Tuna by Japanese master chef Koji Harada at Nagisa.

“The tuna cutting really showed people that food can be an experience. There’s precision, skill and respect involved. In Japan, that relationship between chef and ingredient is incredibly important.”

Chef Koji’s involvement came through a chance connection via a mutual friend, chef Mark Rusev, who encouraged Taiyo to visit Koji’s restaurant, Tai no Yume, in Fukusaki, Japan.

“Mark told me I had to go,” Taiyo laughs. “He said there was this ramen restaurant operating at an almost Michelin level.”

After experiencing Koji’s cooking firsthand, the partnership quickly followed.

F

Credit: Newy Digital

“I told him about the festival and that I was looking for someone to lead a proper tunacutting experience. Then he told me about his background at Nobu in Perth and his experience running tuna-cutting events. At that point it felt like the deal was done.”

Chef Koji will return for the 2026 Grand Opening on Sunday, 28 June, once again cutting a whole 80kg Southern Bluefin Tuna to officially launch the festival.

While tuna remains the symbolic centrepiece, this year’s program expands into a broader celebration of Newcastle’s seafood culture.

The Newcastle Seafood Trail will run throughout July, with around 30 venues each presenting a signature Chef’s Catch dish, alongside a series of seafood-focused dinners and special events across the city.

For Taiyo, the expansion reflects both ambition and philosophy, particularly the Japanese concept of shun, or eating ingredients at their seasonal peak.

“A lot of Australians think seafood is all about summer,” he says. “But in Japan, winter is actually considered one of the best times to eat seafood.”

He says the colder months produce fish with richer flavour and higher fat content.

“The ocean doesn’t stop because the weather gets colder. Winter seafood can be incredible.

When people taste seafood at its absolute best, something clicks.”

That shift in perspective is central to the festival, reframing how the city thinks about food and seasonality.

From the outset, Taiyo says the hospitality industry's response confirmed that the idea had struck a chord.

“The biggest lesson from 2025 was realising Newcastle was ready. The support from restaurants, venues, hotels and the wider hospitality community has been amazing.

“It’s not one restaurant trying to do something on its own. It’s the whole city coming together. Everyone can see the potential for Newcastle to have something that people look forward to every year.”

Long term, the ambition extends well beyond seafood.

Taiyo hopes the Newcastle Tuna Festival will grow into a nationally significant cultural event, one that reflects the city's full creative identity.

“Food will always be at the heart of it. But Newcastle already has incredible artists, musicians and creative spaces. We want the festival to grow with all of that.”

With the new art gallery adding further momentum to the city’s cultural landscape, he sees an opportunity for the festival to become more than just a food trail.

“Within four years, we’d love this to become a signature event for Newcastle,” he says.

“Something locals are proud of, and visitors travel for.”

For now, the focus remains on July - on seafood, on seasonality, and on the simple idea of exploring a city through its restaurants.

As the trail launches once again, Newcastle’s coastline will quite literally come to the table. Visit www.newcastletunafest.com.au for more information.

Credit: Newy Digital P

the best breakfast, lunch or dinner at

Beloved children’s classic comes to Civic Theatre

Room on the Broom flies into Civic Theatre Newcastle this July, inviting families, schools and young theatre lovers to experience the magic of one of Australia’s most beloved children’s stories live on stage.

Based on the bestselling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the stage adaptation brings the popular story to life in a fun-filled theatrical adventure packed with music, laughter and imagination.

Perfect for preschool and primary-aged audiences, the production follows a kind-

hearted witch and her cat as they make room on their broom for a collection of unexpected animal passengers, before coming face-to-face with a hungry dragon.

To celebrate the upcoming performance, Civic Theatre Newcastle is partnering with City of Newcastle Libraries during the Term 2 school holidays, helping introduce the story to a new generation of young readers and theatregoers through themed activities and giveaways.

Families visiting participating libraries during the holidays will have the opportunity to win

family passes to the show, with QR-linked displays and take-home bookmarks connecting audiences directly to the production.

Civic Theatre is also inviting local preschools and primary schools across Newcastle and the Hunter to an engaging early Term 3 excursion opportunity that supports literacy, storytelling and imagination through live performance.

“The production is a wonderful opportunity for children to experience theatre through a familiar and much-loved story. It’s imaginative, funny and heartwarming, and a great way for young audiences to see storytelling come to life on stage,” said Civic Theatre Executive Manager Leonie Wallace.

Whether it’s a child’s first live theatre experience or a favourite story revisited, Room on the Broom offers a fun and imaginative outing for families, schools and young theatre lovers alike. With three performances on Wednesday, 22 July, audiences are encouraged to book early before tickets fly away.

WHAT | Civic Theatre Presents CDP with Tall Stories’ production of Room on the Broom WHEN | Wednesday 22 July 2026 at 10am, 1230pm and 6pm WHERE | Civic Theatre Newcastle TICKETS | civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

CDP Kids presents Tall Stories’ production of

Adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Credit: Heidrun Lohr

It’s a Question of Faith when a Stranger Calls...

The Whisper is a darkly funny and thoughtprovoking new work from award-winning Newcastle playwright Carl Caulfield, produced by Stray Dogs Theatre and presented by the Civic Theatre’s UpStage at the Playhouse program.

When a stranger insinuates himself into a family navigating grief and emotional

vulnerability, doubt takes hold and distrust grows, with devastating consequences. It’s a story that feels unsettlingly close to home — a timely examination of how quickly certainty can unravel when we are at our most exposed.

Blending dark humour with psychological tension, The Whisper explores the increasingly blurred line between fact and fiction, and

the contemporary forces that challenge our confidence in reality.

“The play is ostensibly a comedy, but underneath that humour, buried truths and fears lurk, with dearly held belief systems being threatened,” says the writer, Carl Caulfield.

“I was interested at looking how disinformation and conspiracy theories that have always been part of the human experience have become more mainstream and problematic because of the internet.

“The process of writing the play surprised me as it tapped into my own experience of growing up in a faith.”

The production forms part of the 2026 season of UpStage at the Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle’s initiative supporting local artists, playwrights and producers to bring new and reimagined work to the stage. Performed by a talented local cast, The Whisper runs at the Playhouse from 6–15 August 2026, with a post-show Q&A on opening night. Don’t miss this sharp, unsettling and darkly funny piece of new Australian theatre right in the heart of Newcastle.

WHAT | The Whisper

WHEN | 6 – 15 August 2026

WHERE | Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle TICKETS | civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

A bereaved family is brought to the brink after the arrival of a charming young stranger in The Whisper, a new black comedy for the Digital Age.

Written by Carl Caulfield

Produced by Stray Dogs Theatre

One Night of Passion and Consequence

For opera’s own Casanova, it’s just another day of pleasure seeking. Seducing a bride on her wedding day. Breaking into a woman’s bedroom in the dead of night. Killing her furious father. Presented by Opera Australia and Civic Theatre, Mozart’s Don Giovanni arrives in Newcastle this August in a bold production that blends timeless music with striking 1950s-inspired staging.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest operas ever written, Don Giovanni tells the story

of a charismatic and reckless seducer whose pursuit of pleasure ultimately leads to his demise. From the opening moments, Mozart signals that this is no ordinary romance. Beneath the elegance, wit and dark humour sits a powerful story about consequence, morality and human behaviour.

For Newcastle audiences, this one-nightonly performance offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class opera locally, brought to life by one of the country’s

leading performing arts organisations. The production combines Mozart’s iconic score with a contemporary visual approach, creating an experience that feels both classic and contemporary.

Beyond the performance itself, the production is also creating opportunities for local connection. Members of regional children’s choir The Hunter Trebles will join the performance following months of rehearsals, providing young performers with the chance to work alongside professional artists on a major national production.

As part of the visit, Opera Australia will also deliver a series of education workshops and community engagement activities across Newcastle. One of the featured events will be a Student Talk: Career Pathways in Performing Arts, hosted at Civic Theatre Newcastle. The session will give attendees the opportunity to hear from professional performers about training, auditions and careers in the industry.

The initiative reflects Civic Theatre’s broader commitment to building connections between audiences and the art through memorable cultural experiences.

WHAT | Don Giovanni (Opera Australia) WHEN | Thursday 20 August 2026 WHERE | Civic Theatre Newcastle TICKETS | civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

presents

MOZART

DON GIOVANNI

An Opera Australia Production

Meet Opera’s own Casanova Experience Mozart’s masterpiece in a chic 1950’s inspired staging

Thursday 20 August

Credit: Daniel Boud

What If She Didn't Die?

The West End Hit That's Rewriting

History

WORDS LIANE MORRIS | FEATURES WRITER

IMAGES CREDIT PETER STOOP

IMAGES SOURCE THE VERY POPULAR THEATRE COMPANY

When & Juliet arrives at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre this June, it brings with it the glittering credentials of a global phenomenon. Since its 2019 premiere, this irreverent reimagining of Shakespeare's most famous tragedy has conquered the West End, Broadway, and stages across the globe, winning three Olivier Awards and earning nine Tony nominations along the way.

The premise of & Juliet is deceptively simple: what if Juliet didn’t die?

Instead of tragedy, the story offers possibility, giving Shakespeare’s heroine the chance to choose her own future. It’s a clever twist, but also a meaningful one, reframing a centuriesold narrative through a contemporary lens of independence and self-determination.

“It completely reimagines a story we all think we know and flips it into something modern, empowering, and incredibly entertaining,” says Associate Producer Hayley Stoddart.

Stoddart first encountered the show in London’s West End in 2022 on what she describes as “a date with myself.”

“By the end of the night, I was dancing with a perfect stranger,” she says. “It showed me the true meaning of a collective experience.”

That sense of shared joy, of theatre as something you feel together rather than watch, is exactly what The Very Popular Theatre Company is aiming to recreate for Newcastle audiences.

Powering that story is a soundtrack of global pop hits, songs made famous by artists including Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson. But unlike many jukebox musicals, & Juliet wasn’t built around nostalgia alone.

The concept originated with Swedish super-producer Max Martin, whose catalogue of chart-topping hits spans decades. Rather than focusing on a single artist, the creative team set out to craft an original story that could draw from the full emotional range of his music.

To shape that vision, Emmy Award-winning writer David West Read, who is best known for his work on Schitt’s Creek, was brought in to develop the book. As he worked through Martin’s songs, he found recurring themes of love, heartbreak, resilience and reinvention.

The answer, it turned out, was hiding in plain sight.

“It’s bold, it’s funny, and it’s packed with music people genuinely know and love.”

By flipping the ending of Romeo and Juliet and introducing a meta-theatrical device in which William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, rewrite the story in real time, Read created a musical that is as self-aware as it is entertaining, balancing humour, romance and emotional depth with a distinctly modern voice.

“It’s bold, it’s funny, and it’s packed with music people genuinely know and love,” Stoddart says. “You don’t have to convince people to lean in, they’re already there.”

That immediacy, combined with a story that feels both familiar and fresh, has helped the show reach audiences well beyond traditional theatre circles.

“It absolutely feels like a concert. That’s part of what makes it so exciting.”

For The Very Popular Theatre Company, bringing & Juliet to Newcastle is a natural extension of its mission.

Image Credit: Peter Stoop

Rachel Parish as Anne Hathaway, Anaiya Mahony as Juliet and Bree Bennett as Angelique

“For us, it’s about bringing world-class productions to regional audiences. You don’t have to be in a capital city to experience theatre at the highest level.”

It’s a philosophy the company has been steadily building on, with previous productions including Mamma Mia!, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins and Jersey Boys, each raising the bar in terms of scale and ambition. Of course, mounting a production of this size comes with its challenges.

“There are so many moving parts. From the set to the crew coordination, it takes a lot of people to make it happen. But that’s also what makes it exciting. It’s about bringing all those elements together to create something really special.”

Her role as Associate Producer spans both creative and logistical worlds, overseeing everything from casting and scheduling through to ensuring the final production meets the company’s high standards.

At the heart of the production is a cast that blends local performers with national experience, many of whom share long-standing connections to Newcastle’s creative community.

The principal cast is supported by a dynamic ensemble of more than twenty performers, including an exceptional pool of dancers drawn from across the region.

Anaiya Mahony (Juliet) says, “it’s been amazing walking into the rehearsal room... everyone is so talented and so generous.”

Director Lauren Harvey was drawn to the show not just for its spectacle, but for its message.

“I first fell for the music and dance elements,” she says. “But then I fell in love with the idea that we can write, or rewrite, our own stories.”

That idea sits at the centre of her approach to the production.

“This is a story people think they know,” she says. “So the challenge is getting them to look past that and open themselves up to something new.”

Working alongside musical director Dan Wilson and choreographer Vanessa Ambrose, Harvey has built a creative team focused on energy, connection and storytelling.

“There’s an incredible vibe in the rehearsal room,” she says. “The cast is having so much fun, and that energy will absolutely translate to the audience.”

The audition process itself reflected the demands of the show, requiring performers who could balance strong vocals, dance ability and emotional authenticity.

“We had an open call back where we swapped performers in and out to find the ultimate pairings. The whole audition process had a wonderful, supportive environment and gave the creative team a sense of the fun, energetic cast we were about to immerse ourselves in.

“These characters are larger than life. But they also need a realness that makes the audience feel connected to them.”

The result, she says, is a production that feels both polished and deeply human.

“It’s a nostalgic musical party, but there’s real heart underneath it.”

Rehearsals have been moving at speed, with the company already deep into the show. But despite the pace, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie within the cast.

“One of my best friends from NIDA is in the show,” says Mahony. “So that’s been really special.”

At its heart, the show is about identity, independence and the courage to rewrite your own story. It also naturally embraces inclusivity, with LGBTQI+ representation woven into the story and characters who challenge traditional roles and expectations. Critics and audiences consistently describe it as joyful, uplifting, and celebratory.

“I love the glitter,” Mahony says with a laugh. “But the heart of this show is so big. The challenge is making sure that truth and vulnerability come through.”

For Stoddart, those themes resonate both on and off stage.

“I’m very proud to be a woman building a career in this industry,” she says. “Being part of a female-led creative team, telling a story about independence and rewriting the rules feels incredibly aligned.”

It’s also part of what makes the show feel so contemporary.

“There’s something really powerful about it,” she says. “Audiences connect to that sense of possibility.”

When & Juliet opens at the Civic Theatre, audiences can expect more than just a night at the theatre.

“Audiences will laugh, they’ll cry, and they’ll hear songs they know and love,” says Mahony. “It’s engaging, heartfelt, and so much fun.”

And if Stoddart’s experience in London is anything to go by, they may find themselves part of something bigger than they expected.

“It’s that collective experience,” she says. “That moment where everyone is in it together.”

This June, & Juliet arrives in Newcastle not just as a global success story, but as a production shaped by local talent, creative ambition and a shared love of storytelling.

It’s bold, it’s joyful, and it’s ready to rewrite the ending one audience at a time.

& Juliet plays at Civic Theatre Newcastle from 19-28 June 2026

Image Credit: Peter Stoop

Discover Newcastle’s coolest experience!

Hunter Ice Skating Stadium is more than just an ice rink - it’s one of Newcastle’s most unique entertainment and sporting destinations, bringing together families, friends, athletes and sports fans all year round.

Known by locals as HISS, the venue has become a community hub where people of all ages can enjoy recreation, competition and unforgettable experiences on the ice.

Located in Warners Bay, HISS is home to public skating sessions, school holiday activities, birthday parties and elite-level ice hockey action. Whether you’re stepping onto the ice for the first time or cheering from the stands, there’s always something happening at Newcastle’s coolest venue.

Public skating sessions are a favourite for visitors looking for a fun and active experience. Thanks to Crowd DJ, skaters can help choose the soundtrack to their session, creating an atmosphere filled with pop hits, nostalgic throwbacks and party favourites. Combined with colourful lighting and a lively atmosphere, every session feels like an event.

Friday nights at HISS are especially popular, with Friday Night Skate transforming the rink into an ice disco experience. Featuring upbeat music, disco lighting and plenty of energy, it’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend with family or friends. Whether you’re confidently skating laps or carefully finding your balance, Friday Night Skate offers a fun night out for all skill levels.

If you’d rather stay off the ice while the kids burn some energy, the HISS café provides the perfect place to relax. Serving hot food, coffee and snacks, the café overlooks the rink so parents and spectators can stay warm while still enjoying the action.

Looking for the ultimate birthday party venue? HISS birthday parties remain one of Newcastle’s most popular celebration options. Fully catered party packages take the stress out of planning, with dedicated party rooms, food options, skating sessions and entertainment included. Kids can skate with friends, dance to their favourite songs and enjoy plenty of fun on the ice while parents sit back and enjoy the celebration.

HISS is also proudly home to the Newcastle Northstars, one of Australia’s most successful ice hockey clubs and a powerhouse of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The Northstars have built a passionate following over more than two decades and continue to deliver one of the Hunter’s most exciting live sporting experiences.

Source: HISS

The 2026 AIHL season has already seen huge crowds pack HISS for Northstars home games, with fans filling the venue to witness the speed, skill and intensity of Australia’s highest level of ice hockey.

From crowd-roaring goals to fast-paced action, the atmosphere inside the rink is electric from puck drop to final siren.

Tickets for Northstars games are available, but get in fast – they sell out ahead of gamedays: northstars.thundertix.com

Beyond elite competition, HISS also plays an important role in supporting grassroots ice sports across the region.

Monday and Wednesday nights feature Newcastle Ice Hockey League games, with free entry for spectators and the café and bar open throughout the evening. On weekends, the Newcastle Northstars Ice Hockey Club representative teams compete across nine divisions, helping develop the next generation of local players.

School holidays are another busy time at HISS, with additional public skating sessions running throughout the break. It’s the perfect opportunity for families to stay active, try something new and enjoy a fun day out together.

Whether you’re chasing excitement on the ice, planning a birthday party, supporting local sport or simply looking for a familyfriendly activity, HISS offers something for everyone. With a welcoming atmosphere, a passionate community, and a year-round calendar of events, it’s easy to see why so many Novocastrians continue to return to the rink week after week.

For session times, event information and bookings, visit hiss.com.au

Don't Stop Me Now Queen's Greatest Hits Live at PACC

They said they wanted it back, and PACC listened. Bohemian Rhapsody, Australia's longest-running Queen tribute, returns to Cessnock for one night only on Saturday, 18 July 2026, and if you missed it last time, this is your chance.

At the heart of the show is Thomas Crane, an internationally celebrated performer whose portrayal of Freddie Mercury is something you really do need to see to appreciate. The energy, the theatrics, the vocal range, and that unmistakable stage presence, it's all there.

And the material he has to work with is extraordinary. Bohemian Rhapsody, released

in 1975, defied every convention: a six-minute epic spanning multiple genres, from ballad to operatic pastiche to hard rock, all stitched together with seamless brilliance. It has since become the most-streamed song of the 20th century, with its accompanying music video becoming the first pre-1990s video to surpass one billion views on YouTube. That's the kind of catalogue Thomas gets to draw from.

Expect a powerful journey through Queen's greatest hits from the 70s to the 90s, including Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the Dust, Don't Stop Me Now, and of course, the anthem itself. Thomas also brings live piano to the stage,

adding another layer to what is already a highenergy, immersive night out.

Presented by BME International and backed by a full live band, this production has been touring to sell-out audiences across Australia since 1993. PACC is a great room for it, intimate enough to feel every moment, big enough to let the songs breathe the way they deserve. Tickets are on sale now. Book your spot at mypacc.com.au.

Location: PACC | Performance Arts Culture

Cessnock

Date: Saturday, 18 July 2026

Time: 7:30 pm

Source: Ben Maiorana Entertainment

Source: Ben Maiorana Entertainment

Steep Yourself in Fun: Dungog's Tea Party Brews Up Spring Excitement

WORDS LIANE MORRIS

Welcome to the Dungog Tea Party, where a spectacular showcase of over 250 tea cosy and trivet entries awaits you, along with artwork created by local school students displayed at the IGA and larger works exhibited at the theatre. From Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 September, the Dungog Tea Party is a fabulous way to celebrate the return of Spring.

Now in its sixth year, the event aims to encourage visitation to the town and involves local businesses, the community and the schools.

“We were looking for ways to encourage people to stay in the town, not just drive through it,” said Erika.

“We tend to be an ‘arty farty’ town and thought the tea party concept would work well."

Workshops throughout the week will include a tea-making workshop at Country Elegance Gardens & Gifts, a Paint & Sip hosted by Earth & Elm Studio, Wellness Services at the Tin Shed Brewery, and a felting workshop. Full details for all happenings throughout the Tea Party will be available on the website and Facebook page.

Pivotal to the event are the Tea Cosy Challenge and the Trivet Challenge, which are still open for entries until 23 August. Winners receive cash prizes, vying for the $500 prize awarded to Tea Cosy of the Year.

Held at the historic James Theatre - the oldest purpose-built cinema still operating in Australia, there will be market stalls of all things tea related, including the competition tea cosies and trivets. The event's Open Day will take place on Wednesday 9 September at 10am when the winners of each category are announced and awarded. A morning tea hosted by Dungog High School will be served and bus groups are welcome.

Visitors throughout the week can tour the exhibition, participate in special events such as high teas and workshops, wander the heritage main street, browse the eclectic shops and galleries, and explore the museum. With easy, flat walking, plentiful parking and the train station right in town, it’s an affordable, quirky day out.

For more information and workshop booking, visit www.dungogteaparty.com.au or contact the tea party team via the Facebook page.

Saddle Up for the Best Seat in the Valley

There is something quietly spectacular about the Hunter Valley in winter. The air has a sharpness to it, the light sits low and golden across the ranges, and the landscape takes on a stillness that the warmer months rarely allow. At Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures, it is precisely this time of year that makes a trail ride through the Molly Morgan Range feel like something out of a dream.

Perched above Lovedale, the property has

from horseback in the cooler months. Clear winter days bring crisp, far-reaching views across wine country and north towards the Barrington Tops, while frost-touched mornings give the bush a quietness that makes every trot through the tree-lined trails feel like a genuine escape. The horses are calm, well-matched to their riders, and have earned devoted fans who return season after season.

The ride options cater to everyone, from tiny

saddle, while the 1.5-hour ride climbs to the top of the range, where kangaroos and wallabies are often spotted moving through the scrub. Experienced riders can take a private ride to trot and canter across the terrain, with patient guides on hand to tailor the experience to each group's comfort and confidence.

Winter school holidays make this the perfect time for families to plan a visit. Beyond the rides themselves, the property is a full-day destination. Tractor hayrides cross the farm to feed and interact with the animals, while yabbying, pedal go-karts and bush walks keep younger visitors entertained long after they have dismounted. Lenny and the team have a gift for making kids feel like the most important helpers on the property, and bonfire evenings add a special touch for those who linger into the afternoon.

For those wanting to make a proper trip of it, overnight stays are available in the hilltop villas, the cabin, the homestead or at the campsite. Waking up on the property, with valley views from the verandah and horses grazing in the paddock below, is a different kind of winter morning altogether.

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures is located at 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Phone

Follow the Trail to Something Special… Your Passport to Wine Country

WORDS DI VON ESSEN

The Hunter Valley's most trusted guide to food and wine experiences is back, and with winter settling over Wine Country, the timing is perfect. Wine & Dine Hunter Valley Issue #24, covering Winter and Spring 2026, has just landed, packed with everything you need to plan the perfect Hunter Valley escape, whether you're a seasoned visitor or discovering the region for the first time.

For those unfamiliar with the guide, Wine & Dine Hunter Valley has long been the go-to resource for navigating the sheer breadth of experiences on offer across Wine Country.

Divided into Wine & Food Trails and Specialty Tasting Trails, it's essentially a roadmap to the region's finest cellar doors, restaurants, cafes, producers, breweries and distilleries, beautifully laid out and completely free to pick up at visitor information centres, accommodation providers and cellar doors throughout the region.

This new issue is as rich and rewarding as the region it celebrates. The Specialty Tasting Trails are a standout feature, guiding readers through focused experiences such as sparkling wine, gourmet foods, Rosé, distilleries and more, perfect for visitors who want to go deeper into a particular passion. The Wine & Food Trail maps, meanwhile, make it easy to plan a day out by

area, turning a simple winery visit into a full and memorable journey through the Hunter's best.

Issue #24 features three outstanding wineries, each representing a different corner of Wine Country. Molly Morgan Wines flies the flag for the Lovedale Food & Wine Trail, Margan brings the beauty of the Broke Fordwich Trail to life, and Tamburlaine Organic Wines represents the Parish of Pokolbin Trail in Pokolbin South. Together they offer a genuine taste of the Hunter's remarkable diversity, across landscape, style and terroir. The featured dining experience this issue is at ESCA Bimbadgen, where a commitment to producedriven cuisine is as impressive as the sweeping vineyard views.

Winter and spring are, just quietly, two of the best times to visit the Hunter. From crackling fireside tastings and generous red pours to the burst of wildflowers and fresh new vintages that spring brings, the region rewards visitors across both seasons. Issue #24 covers it all, and arrives at exactly the right moment to inspire months of great eating, drinking and exploring.

Pick up your copy at visitor centres, cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation providers across the region, or visit wineanddinehuntervalley.com.au to explore the interactive trails and start planning your next Hunter Valley adventure.

Hunter Valley DISCOVER NOW

FOOD & DRINK

FAMILY ACTIVITIES WHERE TO SHOP

THINGS TO SEE & DO AFTER DARK

Making Branxton Worth the Drive A masterclass in regional main street revival

WORDS LIANE MORRIS | FEATURES WRITER

IMAGES CREDIT BEN GREENSLADE STANTON

There’s a particular kind of pleasure in arriving somewhere without expectation and leaving with the quiet certainty that you’ve discovered something just before everyone else does. Branxton is beginning to feel like that place.

Long considered a gateway town, somewhere you pass through on the way to the Hunter Valley’s vineyards, Branxton is quietly, deliberately shifting into something else. Not a reinvention that erases its past, but a recalibration: one that brings together heritage, craft, and a distinctly modern sensibility around quality, creativity, and community.

What appears, at first glance, to be a modest stretch of shops along Maitland Street is, in practice, something more layered: a collection of businesses that share a common philosophy. They are not chasing volume or trends. Instead, they are building something slower, more intentional, and they’re spaces that reward curiosity and invite people to linger. It’s an evolution toward a destination defined as much by culture and craft as by proximity to wine country, and, importantly, much of this momentum is driven by a cohort of women shaping what Branxton will become next.

Your exploration may begin just off John Rose Avenue, where a small gravel car park opens onto a pathway between heritage buildings. Follow the path, and you arrive at Sidecar Roasters - the kind of space that F

Credit: Ben Greenslade Stanton

anchors more than just your morning coffee. Beans are roasted on site, the process visible, the result precise. It’s a place where people don’t just stop, they stay.

Housed in a former motor garage, the roastery retains its industrial bones while incorporating contemporary elements, including a video artwork installation by Australian artist Shaun Gladwell. There is also a billboard-sized still from the video emblazoned upon the wall in the pea gravel courtyard outside, overlooking industrial cement plints, perfect for winter sun-catching with a coffee. It’s an unexpected intersection of coffee, photography and contemporary art and one that hints at the broader cultural ambition emerging on the street.

It’s also where Kel McIntosh first began to see what Branxton could become.

"We moved to the Hunter Valley to be closer to family. My sister lives in the next town. We drove past this amazing building, and I couldn't believe it was sitting empty. My partner Ben thought he’d have a crack at moving his roastery up here, and he opened Sidecar Roasters in June 2025. After that, every time I came in for a coffee, I kept noticing the same thing - the town has an energy. People with genuine ambition, and a main street that wants to be something magical.”

McIntosh is the founder of Najeroux and the force behind PRINT, a curated second-hand art and design book project that began as a pop-up inside Sidecar and now operates online, with collection from the café while a dedicated space is being finalised.

Doo Stop Op Shop

Suppor t Jodie’s Place and our suppor t ser vices by shopping a range of great value pre - loved clothes

“The original vision was a curated second-hand art and design bookstore focused on non-fiction - humanities, arts, visual culture, ideas,” she says.

“Books that help people think, not just feel.”

But PRINT is less about retail than it is about creating a different kind of experience within the Hunter Valley.

“PRINT exists at the intersection of things visitors don’t usually expect to find outside a capital city - quality curation, a genuine point of view, and something to take home that isn’t a wine region tea towel,” she says.

“The visitor experience I care about isn’t the transaction. It’s the moment someone picks up a book they’ve never heard of, in a town they almost drove past, and feels unexpectedly seen.”

Tucked behind Sidecar, a workshop space known as The Garage is taking shape. It’s a temporary home for printmaking workshops, not only for visitors, but to create access for local young people. It’s part of a broader not-for-profit model, where 50 per cent of revenue from donated books sold through PRINT is directed toward fully subsidised workshops for 11 to 17-year-olds within the 2335 postcode.

“If you’re a 14-year-old in Branxton, your access to contemporary art practice or printmaking is close to zero,” McIntosh says.

“That’s not a values problem; it’s a geography and economics problem. And it’s solvable.”

PRINT’s not-for-profit model is designed to address exactly that.

“It’s not peripheral - it’s load bearing,” she says.

“Without it, PRINT is a nice bookshop. With it, it’s an argument that a small commercial operation in a regional town can generate genuine cultural access without waiting for government or philanthropy.”

It’s a perspective shaped by her background in education policy and work with major cultural institutions, but it also speaks to something broader happening in Branxton: a desire to build something that lasts.

“The risk is that once a town starts to work, the economics push out exactly the businesses that made it interesting,” she says.

“So the work of the next few years is to make sure the identity is built on something structural and not just the personal commitment of a handful of people.”

A short walk down the street brings you to Hungerford Meat Co, where that same balance of history and forward thinking is playing out in a very different way.

Operating as a butcher shop since 1937, the business carries nearly a century of local history, something current owners Alana and Michael Downie are determined to honour.

“We were absolutely honoured to take on the role of bringing the shop back to its original name,” she says.

“It was important not to lose that history.”

At the same time, the offering is anything but static.

“We like to use local where possible, working closely with farmers,” Downie explains.

“Everything we produce is from animals that are, at a minimum, free range, and we use heritage breeds where we can.”

F

Make a donation of good condition, pre - loved clothing by contacting us on 0 408 989 809

Credit: Ben Greenslade Stanton

The result is a butcher shop that operates as both a retail space and a place of craft, where traditional methods such as curing, fermenting, and smoking are applied with precision and care under the direction of Michael Robinson, who trained and worked as a chef in leading kitchens in London, Los Angeles, and Sydney.

Next door, Burgers by HMC offers a more immediate way in.

“The burgers just tied perfectly into Michael's original craft,” Downie says.

“It made sense to have a small, meat-focused food offering on site. Who doesn’t love a burger?”

That combination of depth behind the scenes and simplicity up front is part of what makes the street feel cohesive rather than curated.

“We want people to feel welcomed,” she adds, “and somewhat surprised by what we’re producing and offering.”

That idea of doing simple things well carries through to Just Roll With It, where baker Stephanie Fisher has built a following around sourdough made without shortcuts.

“A single loaf is a three-day process,” she says.

“It’s fermentation, timing, temperature and working with a living culture.”

It’s a process that doesn’t easily fit within the constraints of a traditional shopfront, which is why Fisher chose a pre-order and collection model instead.

“Because sourdough doesn’t like being rushed,” she explains. “The pre-order model gave us the space to work with that, rather than forcing it into a retail schedule.”

What began as baking for family and friends has grown organically into a business that now supplies markets and local collection points, including Sidecar Roasters.

“It wasn’t something we set out to build,” she says. “It grew because people kept coming back. People are becoming far more intentional about what they’re putting into their bodies and where it comes from. It’s not just about taste anymore, it’s about trust.”

Beyond these anchor businesses, Maitland Street continues to fill out in ways that feel both natural and necessary.

Dear Petal brings a softness to the streetscape with a floristry offering that feels as much about emotion as it does about aesthetics. Adding to the street’s visual and sensory appeal, it’s the kind of place you walk into without a reason and leave delighted.

Piggott’s Pharmacy remains a steady presence, a reminder that good main streets are built not just on destination retail, but on everyday usefulness and community connection. Here you can marvel at the exquisite federation-stained glass and apothecary glass jar collection in the dispensary while waiting for the one script you inevitably left at home!

What connects it all is not a category but a mindset.

“They bring the heart into it,” Fisher says of independent businesses. “You’re supporting real people who care about what they’re making. There’s pride in that.”

“For instance, the Doo Stop Op Shop is an essential visit for any avid vintage shopper, with all proceeds going to Jodie's Place, a safe refuge home for up to 11 women and children in Cessnock,” she added.

It’s a sentiment McIntosh echoes, albeit more directly.

“You can’t franchise a sense of place,” she says. “You can only accumulate it slowly.”

For decades, Branxton’s role in the Hunter Valley has been clear: a place to pass through on the way to somewhere else, but now, there’s a reason to stop.

The emerging Maitland Street precinct offers something distinct from the cellar door experience. It doesn’t compete with it; it complements it. A different rhythm, a different pace.

You might start your morning with coffee at Sidecar Roasters, collect a loaf from Just Roll With It, wander into Hungerford Meat Co, and leave with provisions for the weekend or chow down on a burger. Soon, you may find yourself browsing PRINT’s shelves or signing up for a workshop you didn’t expect to discover here.

You can spend an hour or an afternoon. You can arrive with a plan or simply follow your instincts. Branxton is no longer just a point on the map between destinations. It is becoming one.

And for those willing to take the turn off the highway and spend a little time exploring, it offers something increasingly rare: a sense of discovery, grounded in quality, and shaped by the people building it.

For more information visit PRINT www.najeroux.com/print, Hungerford Meats www.hungerfordmeatco.com.au and Just Roll With It www.justrollwithithuntlee.com.

Credit: Ben Greenslade Stanton

Credit: Ben Greenslade Stanton

Source: Sidecar Roasters

Small Batch, Big Warmth at Sidecar Roasters

There are cafés that serve coffee, and then there are places that make you want to stay. Sidecar Roasters, on Maitland Street in Branxton, is firmly the latter. And in winter, it becomes something even more compelling.

The building itself sets the tone. Housed in a former motor garage, the space has retained its industrial bones while evolving into something warm and considered. On a cold morning, the smell of beans roasting on-site wraps around you before you even reach the counter. This is not coffee that has travelled far – it is roasted here, in small batches, by people who are paying very close attention to what ends up in your cup. That process - visible, intentional, unhurried - is part of what makes the experience feel different from the moment you walk in.

Sidecar was founded in 2021 by three longtime mates - Mike Raper, Ben GreensladeStanton and Marty Farrugia - who brought two decades of friendship and a background in Sydney's music scene to the Hunter Valley. That creative sensibility shows up in everything from the curated playlists to the rotating art exhibitions that line the walls. Out in the peagravel courtyard, a billboard-sized artwork by Australian artist Shaun Gladwell adds an unexpected gallery moment to what might otherwise be just a coffee stop.

Caffeine+Contrast presents Australian and International photographers in a rotating exhibition series built around bold imagery, fresh perspectives and visual conversation. Photography, coffee and culture sharing the same walls.

Projection transforms the roastery into an evolving gallery space, showcasing contemporary screen-based works from Australian and international artists. Extending in tandem with our external billboard, the series creates a dialogue between interior and public space through light, movement and visual storytelling unfolding beside the roaster.

The coffee itself rewards the visit. Beans are sourced globally and roasted on-site with precision, offering bold single origins for those who like to explore and approachable blends for those who simply want a great cup done well. The Enigma Blend - Sidecar's signatureis now also available in Nespresso-compatible capsules, small-batch and Hunter Valley roasted, making it easy to take a little of that Branxton warmth home with you. It is the kind of thing you keep for yourself and gift to people you really like.

A thoughtful food offering rounds out the experience, with everything on the menu designed to complement rather than compete with the coffee. Whether you are after a quiet winter morning to yourself, a reason to linger over a long catch-up, or simply a stop that makes the drive through Branxton feel worthwhile, Sidecar delivers on all counts.

Sidecar Roasters is located at 59 Maitland Street, Branxton.

Visit www.sidecarroasters.com or find them on Instagram @sidecarroasters.

Hunter Valley Brewhouse Your Home Away from Home

Source:

IMAGES SOURCE THE VALLEY BREWHOUSE

There's something about a craft beer that tastes even better when there's a chill in the air. As the Hunter Valley settles into its cooler months, the vines stripped bare and the mornings sharp with frost, The Valley Brewhouse comes into its own as one of the region's most welcoming and characterful places to pull up a chair and linger a little longer.

You know you've arrived when you spot the distinctive heritagelisted beehive-shaped red brick kilns rising against the winter sky. They're a landmark in the truest sense, and they tell you something important about this place before you've even walked through the door. The Valley Brewhouse sits on a 4-hectare site at Nulkaba, on Wine Country Drive, and its roots go back much further than its life as a brewery. The land was first developed in 1880 for its rich clay deposits, which were perfect for making the bricks, roofing tiles, and sewage pipes that helped build the Hunter region. At its peak, it was one of the largest employers in the area outside the mines, and during the Second World War, it was officially deemed an essential service. The site was converted to a tavern in 1989; accommodation was added in 2002; and in 2003, The Valley Brewhouse was established as the region's first craft brewery, stepping into the gap left by mainstream breweries that shut up shop in the 1980s.

In early 2024, Campbell Rogers and business partner Josh Gamgee of Rogers Hotels took over the property, bringing with them a track record of running well-loved venues, including the Sunnyside Tavern, the Mayfield Hotel and the Holmesville Hotel. Rogers has spoken about his approach with characteristic warmth: the goal is always to create a place people genuinely want to be, somewhere fun, safe, and full of good food. The Valley Brewhouse, he says, is a little different from his other venues, and that's exactly the point.

At the heart of it all is the beer. Head Brewer Keith Grice is something of a legend in Hunter Valley brewing circles, one of the founders of the craft beer movement here and a presence at the Brewhouse since 2007, racking up awards along the way. He works alongside fellow brewer Daniel Gayner, and the pair have built a reputation for a range that balances approachable core beers with an ongoing rotation of limitededition releases that keep things interesting. The core range includes the Draught, a golden ale that Grice describes as his "gateway beer," and the Hazy Pale Ale, full of tropical and citrus character. But it's the one-offs that really speak to the creative energy here.

The Valley Brewhouse

Source: The Valley Brewhouse F

"Being so close to wine country means our market is a bit different," Grice has said.

"People are on a visit, on holiday, looking for fun experiences, and wanting to try different things."

Winter, it turns out, is an ideal time to explore exactly that. With ten craft beers on tap at any given time, there's always something worth trying, and the season tends to inspire richer, roastier styles that feel just right when the temperature drops. A Dark Ale or a robust Amber beside the fire is one of those simple pleasures that the colder months have a way of sharpening.

Food-wise, the bistro runs a premium pub-style menu seven days a week, and on weekends the Smokehouse Kitchen fires up in the beer garden, serving slow-smoked meats that have become something of a drawcard in their own right. Melt-in-the-mouth brisket, ribs and pulled pork paired with a pint brewed on the premises: it's the kind of meal that makes you want to stay for the afternoon. In the cooler months, the bistro inside comes into its own, warm and buzzy, with that particular relaxed energy that makes a great pub so inviting.

For those who want to go deeper, The Valley Brewhouse offers brewery tours and guided tastings that are widely regarded as some of the best in the business. Brewery tours run up to an hour and include three 200ml tastings, held on Fridays at 5pm and Saturdays at 12pm and 5pm. Guided tastings, covering eight 75ml pours, run at 11am and 2pm Tuesday to Saturday, lasting up to 45 minutes. And if you'd rather go at your own pace, a tasting paddle of four 200ml beers is always an option. The Cellar Door Manager, Claire Bullen, is part of the tight-knit team that makes these experiences feel personal rather than perfunctory.

The space itself is generous with 40 picnic tables on the sprawling lawn, a large kids' playground, and multiple function areas, including the renovated KilnHaus event space, which takes its name, naturally, from those iconic kilns. Locals are particularly well looked after here, with a locals' discount card that reflects the Brewhouse's genuine connection

to the community it calls home. In winter, that community feel comes through in the live music that regularly fills the venue, drawing in regulars and visitors alike for an evening that doesn't need much of an occasion to justify it.

It's worth noting what The Valley Brewhouse represents in the broader story of the Hunter Valley. Wine rightly dominates the conversation when people talk about what makes this region special, but the Brewhouse has spent more than two decades quietly building a parallel story about craftsmanship, heritage and a genuine sense of place. The kilns out front aren't just decorative; they're a reminder that this land has always been about making something from the earth. Today, it's beer rather than bricks, but the spirit isn't so different.

So as the Hunter Valley takes on that golden, hazy quality of a cold afternoon, a visit to The Valley Brewhouse just feels right. Pull up a stool, wrap your hands around something cold and fresh from the taps, and let the warmth of the place do the rest. The Valley Brewhouse is open seven days a week until late. Find it on Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba.

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Source: The Valley Brewhouse

Up Before Dawn The Story Behind the Balloon

There’s a moment, just before sunrise in the Hunter Valley, when the landscape holds its breath. The mist sits low across the vineyards, the light begins to shift, and, almost without warning, the sky begins to fill with colour. Not clouds, but balloons. Slow, silent, and impossibly graceful, they drift across the valley, marking the start of another day for Balloon Aloft

.

For many, it’s a fleeting sight from the ground. For others, it’s a longawaited experience. But behind those early morning flights is a business that has spent decades quietly building something far more substantial than a single bucket-list moment.

Balloon Aloft is now Australia’s most experienced and awarded hot air ballooning company, operating across the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Camden Valley, Byron Bay and, seasonally, Burketown in Far North Queensland. What began as a niche pursuit has evolved into a cornerstone of regional tourism, particularly here in the Hunter, where ballooning has become as synonymous with the region as its world-class wine.

Last year marked a major milestone: 45 years in operation, more than 700,000 passengers flown, and a double Gold win at the 2024 Australian Tourism Awards for both Adventure Tourism and Excellence in Accessible Tourism.

At the centre of it all is a family story that spans three generations.

For Director Matthew Scaife, ballooning is not something he discovered; it’s simply something he grew up with.

“I was just a child when I watched Dad flying balloons,” he says. “It wasn’t until I was eight that I went on my first flight, and the rest is history.”

His father, Graeme Scaife, established Balloon Aloft’s Australian operations after building a successful ballooning business in the UK, earning his licence in 1986 when the industry here was still in its infancy.

“When I first launched a balloon, I never imagined that more than four decades later we’d be flying across multiple locations in Australia,” Graeme says. “We get to share what is one of the most exciting days of people’s lives with them.”

Today, Matthew is a three-time Australian Balloon Pilot Champion, leading a team that flies thousands of passengers each year. And now, a third generation is waiting in the wings.

“Watching my son Hugo take an interest in it now feels like things have come full circle,” he says.

Despite the scale of the operation, the core of the experience remains unchanged.

“We all consider ourselves fortunate to be working in ballooning,” Matthew says.

It’s a sentiment that runs through the entire team. Pilots and crew are up from as early as 3am, assessing weather conditions, wind patterns, and launch sites. Ballooning is entirely dependent on the elements; there are no shortcuts, no guarantees, and no room for error.

Balloons move with the wind, not against it, meaning no two flights are ever the same. Routes shift, perspectives change, and each journey becomes a quiet collaboration between pilot, passenger, and landscape.

In the Hunter Valley, rolling vineyards, open farmland, and soft morning light combine to create one of the most recognisable ballooning environments in the country. Flights drift across Pokolbin, Lovedale, Rothbury and Broke, often reaching heights of 2,000 feet or more.

Back on the ground, the experience continues with a sparkling wine tasting and gourmet breakfast - an extension of the region’s broader offering, and a reminder that ballooning here is part of a larger story.

While the experience itself remains timeless, what’s changed in recent years is who gets to take part.

Balloon Aloft has become a leader in accessible tourism, developing a purpose-built balloon basket in partnership with Australian manufacturer Kavanagh Balloons. Featuring a specially designed door, wheelchair access, and tailored seating and harness systems, it has opened the experience to passengers who may previously have been excluded.

“We want everyone to be able to experience hot-air ballooning,” Graeme says. “That’s why we launched accessible flights.” F

The impact has been immediate. Since launching in 2023, more than 800 passengers have taken part in accessible flights in the Hunter Valley alone.

“It’s allowed us to share the magic of ballooning with a much wider audience,” Matthew says. “And that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

Alongside accessibility, Balloon Aloft has also taken a considered approach to sustainability and community impact.

The company was the first balloon operator to complete Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, measuring environmental, cultural, social and economic impact. Initiatives include carbon offsetting through partnerships with Greenfleet, as well as the use of solar energy and rainwater across operations.

There’s also a strong focus on advocacy. Through its partnership with Sea Shepherd, Balloon Aloft uses its platform to raise awareness of marine conservation, with a dedicated balloon flown internationally.

Further north, the company’s collaboration with indigenous tourism operator Yagurli Tours in Burketown offers a different kind of experience, one that combines ballooning with cultural storytelling, creating employment opportunities and a deeper connection to Country.

It’s a reminder that tourism, when done well, can contribute to communities rather than simply pass through them.

Back in the Hunter Valley, ballooning has become one of the region’s defining experiences.

Flights run seven days a week, weather permitting, from bucket-list first flights to milestone moments such as birthdays, engagements, and even weddings in the sky. Exclusive flights offer intimacy, while shared flights create a quiet sense of connection between strangers.

And that sense of awe is the constant.

For all its growth and innovation, Balloon Aloft hasn’t lost sight of what matters. You rise with the sun, move with the wind, and see the landscape differently.

else exists to support that moment.

As the Hunter Valley evolves, Balloon Aloft remains both a constant and a contributor, adding a dimension to the region that begins in the dark and unfolds with the light.

For visitors or locals, there is no better way to soak up the stunning rural landscapes, vineyards and mountains of the Hunter Valley. Guaranteed to be the highlight of any visit, it's an experience of sheer exhilaration and joy.

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Australian Adventure & Accessible Tourism Operator of the Year

Everything

Credit: Elfes Images

FROM PARIS TO POKOLBIN

A French Idea Finds Its Perfect Home in the Hunter

WORDS Liane Morris | Features Writer

The Hunter Valley has long been known for cellar doors, restaurants, and gourmet offerings, but a regular fresh-produce market hasn’t traditionally been part of the Pokolbin experience. That’s what makes the Pokolbin Markets operated by Organic Food Markets (OFM) feel like such a natural fit. It’s a relaxed Sunday gathering where fresh food, local businesses and community come together in the heart of the Valley.

The weekly market brings together fresh produce growers, artisan makers, gourmet food stalls and local businesses in an open-air setting designed to feel welcoming, relaxed and community-driven. For visitors, it adds another layer to their visit to the Hunter and a chance to explore the region’s produce, makers and local character alongside its celebrated wine and dining scene. For locals, it’s quickly becoming part of the Sunday routine.

The story behind Organic Food Markets began decades ago on the other side of the world. According to founder Stephen Choularton, the idea first took shape in London in the early 1990s, when his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, discovered the growing Marche Biologique movement in Paris.

“Organic Food Markets was the brainchild of Elizabeth Taylor back in the early 90s when we were living in London,” Stephen explains.

“She read an article while on holiday describing the Marche Biologique that was springing up around Paris and committed herself to opening up an organic food market

based on that street market model when she returned to London.”

That first market opened in London’s disused Spitalfields wholesale fruit and vegetable market and quickly found an audience. After moving to Australia, the concept evolved further, beginning in Frenchs Forest in 1995 before expanding to multiple markets across Sydney over the next two decades. OFM are the team behind Sydney institutions like Organic Grove Market, Marrickville Market, and Kings Cross Market.

The move into Pokolbin, however, came from recognising a gap in the local landscape.

“We were very surprised to see that Pokolbin and the Hunter Valley did not already have a weekly market providing fresh fruit and veg and other food products,” says Amanda Choularton.

“Through our markets elsewhere, we have seen the way that this particular type of market can drive the local economy and bring the local community together.”

Rather than simply creating another tourist attraction, the goal was to establish something that genuinely serves the people who live here as well.

“The opportunity to purchase fresh food at a market is a great way to support local businesses, access high-quality produce and build relationships with other people in your community,” Amanda says.

“It makes the weekly shop into a social event.”

That sense of connection carries through every stall and every interaction. While visitors wander through discovering seasonal produce

and artisan products, locals catch up over coffee, browse the weekly offerings and pause to enjoy live music beneath the trees.

“Community is critical,” Stephen says. “Many of the residents up and down Hermitage Road walk to the market. Markets give everyone a chance to chat with new and old acquaintances.”

“Through our broader experience with food markets, we have seen friendships forged, couples meet and go on to marry, children grow up with a sense of real community around them,” agrees Amanda.

“Those human connections are just not possible at the supermarket.”

That sense of belonging is something the markets deliberately nurture. Every week features free live music, shaded seating areas and an easy-going atmosphere designed to

Source: Organic Food Markets F

encourage people to linger rather than rush through their shopping list.

For first-time visitors, Stephen describes the experience as simple and welcoming.

“Easy parking, a pleasant open market site, a delightful coffee, the weekly shop for fruit and veg, meat and more, a chat with the neighbours and strangers,” he says.

“Music, somewhere to sit in the shade, or sun depending on the weather, a last chance to buy a bottle of wine to take home.”

The stalls themselves reflect both the Hunter Valley’s food culture and the broader philosophy behind Organic Food Markets. Visitors can browse everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables to artisan bread, olives, honey, cheese, premium grass-fed beef and gourmet pantry items, alongside a selection of fashion, jewellery and homewares.

Importantly, the market also taps into the growing consumer interest in sustainability, ethical production and understanding where food comes from.

“There is a growing section of the

“People know that their money is going to support a small business operator and make a real, tangible difference to their lives and family,” she says. “This is highly valued in today’s economic and social climate.”

That direct relationship between producer and consumer also creates greater transparency in food production, particularly around terms like “organic” and “biodynamic,” which can sometimes cause confusion.

Amanda says education and honesty are essential.

“Customers should ask the stallholder to see their certification or a receipt showing the product is certified organic if the stallholder is promoting it as organic,” she explains.

Beyond individual purchases, the markets also contribute to the evolving identity of the Hunter Valley itself. While the region remains internationally recognised for wine, its food culture continues to expand and diversify.

“Pokolbin offers more than just wine and is worth coming back for,” Stephen says.

That broader experience is exactly what the markets hope to reinforce, by creating another way for visitors and locals alike to engage with the region through its growers, producers and small businesses.

Whether you arrive for farm-fresh produce, artisan bread, gourmet pantry staples or simply a relaxed Sunday morning in wine country, the Organic Food Markets at Pokolbin have added something new to the Hunter Valley calendar - an experience that sits naturally alongside the region’s celebrated cellar doors, restaurants and local flavours.

The Pokolbin Markets are located at 691 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, every Sunday from 8am to 1pm. For more information, visit www.organicfoodmarkets. com.au or follow @pokolbin_market on Instagram.

Source: Organic Food Markets

Cold Feet, Warm Hearts Snow Time in the Garden Brings the Magic!

WORDS Liane Morris | Features Writer

There’s no need to head to the mountains to find snow this winter. From 27 June to 26 July, Snow Time in the Garden returns to Hunter Valley Gardens, bringing snow play, ice skating, toboggan rides and carnival attractions into the heart of wine country.

Set across 14 hectares of themed gardens in Pokolbin, the month-long event transforms the landscape into a working winter playground complete with real snow, an open-air ice rink, a 45-metre ice toboggan, amusement rides and roving entertainment designed for all ages.

And the best part? No snow chains. No alpine drive. No weekend logistics spreadsheet. Just a short trip into the heart of Pokolbin and suddenly you’re in the middle of a winter experience that feels lifted straight from the mountains, only with better coffee nearby and a cellar door waiting for you on the way home.

Now in its second decade, Snow Time in the Garden has quietly become one of the Hunter’s most anticipated seasonal events.

“Year after year, we love seeing guests return to experience the magic, excitement and

festive atmosphere that makes Snow Time so special,” says Julie Pettit, Marketing Manager at Hunter Valley Gardens.

“For many families it’s an annual winter tradition. There’s something truly unique about stepping into a winter wonderland right here in the Hunter Valley.”

It’s that contrast of snow against vineyards, ice against sandstone, winter fun surrounded by wine country that continues to define the appeal.

For the team at Hunter Valley Gardens, Snow Time doesn’t just appear; it’s built from the ground up, months in advance.

Sales & Event Manager Stacey Morrison says preparations begin as early as April, with the site gradually transformed into a functioning winter environment.

“We start preparations at the beginning of April,” she explains. “Right now, we’re laying pipework and setting everything up, and snow production begins about three weeks out. The weather plays a big part in how the snow forms, which is why we start early so we can build those big snowy mountains.”

“And honestly,” Stacey adds, “I love being the first one to climb the snow mountains in my big

boots. It’s one of the best parts of the job.”

It’s a sentiment that reflects the tone of the entire event. Stacey describes her role simply: “I get paid to come up with quirky concepts and fun adventures. It’s the funnest job in the world.”

The transformation begins the moment you enter the gates. The familiar pathways of Hunter Valley Gardens are reimagined into a series of wintry zones, with snow machines working daily to keep conditions fresh and play-ready.

Ten themed gardens remain at the heart of the experience, including the ever-popular Storybook Garden. There’s music drifting through the air, bursts of laughter from the Snow Play Zone, and the unmistakable sound of skates on ice. Even before you’ve done anything, the atmosphere does most of the work.

For many families, the Snow Play Zone is the first stop, and often the last. It’s simple, tactile, and endlessly repeatable. Fresh snow is pumped in daily, creating soft, sculptable drifts perfect for building snowmen, launching snowballs, or simply sinking in and making snow angels.

Stacey says it’s this simplicity that keeps families returning year after year. F

“My daughter has been coming every year since she was little,” she says. “It’s been fascinating watching how her experience has changed as she’s grown. This year she’s bringing her friends, and they’re all about snow angels and just being in it together.”

Gloves, waterproof jackets and spare socks quickly become the unofficial uniform of the day. Dress for wet conditions, bring a towel, and pack a change of clothes. Because once the snow starts flying, staying dry is rarely part of the plan.

If the Snow Play Zone is a gentle introduction, the Ice Toboggan is the adrenaline shift.

Stretching 45 metres, the giant ice slide sends riders flying down in inflatable tubes, picking up speed as laughter takes over. It’s fast, slightly chaotic, and designed for repeat rides because once is rarely enough.

Rules keep things moving safely: children under four must ride with an adult, and no doubling up in the same ring unless it’s an adult-child pairing.

At the centre of Snow Time sits the open-air ice rink, a surprisingly large space capable of holding more than 200 skaters at a time. Made with real ice and supported by timed sessions, it offers a structured but still relaxed skating experience.

Skate hire, helmets and hair nets are included, and sessions run for 20 minutes at a time from 10am daily. First-in, first-served ticketing adds a bit of early-morning strategy to the day, with regulars arriving early to secure preferred session times.

This year, a key change has been made to improve the flow and experience for younger skaters.

“The junior rink is now exclusively for the use of Bobby Seal skating aids and very young children,” Stacey explains. “It means kids learning to skate can do it safely, while parents can join them on the main rink.”

Source: HVG

Source: HVG

On peak days, the energy shifts again.

“We’ll have DJ Jeff ramping up the atmosphere on busy days with his Glacial Groove,” Stacey says. “It really lifts the whole rink, it becomes part skating, part party.”

Beyond the snow and ice, Snow Time leans into its carnival side.

The 25-metre Ferris Wheel rises above the event, offering sweeping views across the winterised gardens. Below it, the Venetian Carousel spins in traditional style, while Swing Chairs and Tea Cups add movement and colour to the landscape.

Roving entertainment brings another layer of energy. This year, visitors can expect encounters with Polar Bear, Penguin and Mr Abominable Snowman, along with Glacier Guy, who also leads snowball games, scavenger hunts and interactive play in peak periods.

Scallywagz have also introduced a new

“We’ll have DJ Jeff ramping up the atmosphere on busy days with his Glacial Groove... It really lifts the whole rink, it becomes part skating, part party.”

Yeti character, developed specifically for the Abominable Adventure storyline. Plush Yeti toys are even available in the gift shop, extending the experience beyond the gates.

One of the standout additions in recent years is the Abominable Adventure, a gardenwide scavenger hunt that turns the landscape into an interactive storyline.

Families collect maps at the entry, then follow clues and checkpoints throughout the gardens, working toward the goal of freeing the Frozen Yeti. It’s simple in structure but effective in execution: it gets people moving, exploring, and engaging with parts of the gardens they might otherwise miss.

All that activity inevitably drives hunger pangs.

Throughout the event, visitors will find a wide range of winter-friendly options, including wood-fired pizza, nachos, burgers, dumplings, loaded fries, toasties and hot chips, alongside waffles, churros, fairy floss and hot chocolate. There’s a deliberate focus on warmth and comfort with food that works best eaten with cold fingers and flushed cheeks. It’s also where the pace naturally slows. Families gather, thaw out, and recalibrate before heading back into the snow.

Even with all the snow and spectacle, the gardens remain central to the experience.

Spanning 14 hectares, they offer space to wander between attractions or step away from the activity altogether. In winter, the contrast between themed landscaping and snow installations creates a layered visual experience that is part botanical, part winter set piece.

It’s this dual identity that continues to set Snow Time apart from more conventional winter festivals. It’s not just an event space, it’s a working garden that shifts its personality with the season.

Snow Time in the Garden runs daily from 9am to 5pm, with activities operating from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The last entry for Snow Time experiences is at 3pm, and general garden entry closes at 4pm.

Tickets include access to snow play, ice skating and the toboggan, while rides operate on a ticketed system. Family passes remain one of the most popular options, particularly during school holidays.

The advice from organisers remains consistent: arrive early, pre-book where possible, and plan must-do attractions first.

One of Snow Time’s defining strengths is its accessibility. Located just two hours from Sydney and under an hour from Newcastle, it offers a winter escape without the usual travel burden.

It also sits in the middle of one of the country’s most established food and wine regions, meaning the experience can easily extend beyond the gates into cellar doors, restaurants and accommodation stays.

Snow Time in the Garden continues to refine itself year after year, but its core appeal remains unchanged - the chance to experience snow, ice and winter play in the middle of wine country, without the complexity that usually comes with it.

It’s playful, accessible, and deliberately designed for families looking for something that feels both easy and memorable.

And in a region known for its food, wine and slower pace, it adds something slightly unexpected into the mix: a full-blown winter playground, right where you least expect it. Visit www. huntervalleygardens.com.au/events/snow-time-in-the-garden for daily updates.

Event Entry 9AM to 5PM (last entry 3PM) Ticket Prices

Snow Time Family Pass 2ad + 2ch (4-15yrs)

Snow Time Family Pass 2 Adults + 1 Child ( 4-15yrs)

Snow Time Family Pass 1 Adults + 2 Children (4-15yrs)

Snow Time Adult (16yrs +)

Snow Time Child Pass (4-15yrs)

Snow Time Extra Child (4-15yrs)

Snow Time Child Pass (3yrs and under)

Exclusive Boutique Hair Salon Now Open In Huntlee!

Jordan Jones of Jones at Home Hair Boutique brings his home-based La Biosthétique salon to Huntlee, now open! With over twenty years of experience, Jordan is a true master of his craft, offering a high-end, personalised approach that is tailored especially for you!

Following a successful career in the Vancouver Film and TV industry and at several prominent salons around the world, Jordan launched his own boutique salon in 2021 on the Central Coast which will be relocating to his permanent new home in Huntlee from May 2026.

Check out the salon’s 5 star reviews by googling ‘Jones at Home Hair Boutique’ to see what clients love most about their experience with Jordan.

By appointment only. 0447 929 293 | @jonesathomehair

Your New Favourite Hair Day

Winter is the perfect excuse to treat yourself, and if your hair has been waiting for some attention, Jordan Jones of Jones at Home Hair Boutique is ready to deliver. His La Biosthétique Paris Boutique Hair Salon has found its permanent home in Huntlee, North Rothbury. And it is already turning heads!

With over two decades of experience at prestigious salons around the world, Jordan works exclusively with La Biosthétique Paris - a professional hair care range renowned for its scientific approach to hair health and luxurious results. Every appointment is deeply personalised, taking into account not just what you want, but what your hair actually needs.

The salon is a world away from the busy, conveyor-belt experience of a shopping centre chain. Think unhurried appointments, genuine oneon-one attention, and a stylist who is as invested in your hair as you are. Whether you are after a precision cut, a colour transformation, or a full treatment, Jordan brings the same care and artistry to every chair.

Glowing five-star reviews speak for themselves, but the real proof is in the results. Clients travel from across the region for the experience, and many who first visited out of curiosity have become regulars who would not go anywhere else.

La Biosthétique Paris Boutique Hair Salon is located in Huntlee, North Rothbury. By appointment only. Book via jones-at-home.square.site, call 0447 929 293, or find Jordan on Instagram at @jonesathomehair.

Source: Jones at Home

60 YEARS YOUNG

Why Tamburlaine's Organic Vision Is Just Getting Started

WORDS LIANE MORRIS | FEATURES WRITER

In the Hunter Valley wine landscape, few names have evolved with as much consistency or conviction as Tamburlaine Organic Wines.

This year marks a significant double milestone: 60 years since the Tamburlaine story began, and 40 years since Managing Director and Head of Grape and Wine Production, Mark Davidson and General Manager Lou Davidson took the helm of the business. Between them, they’ve helped shape one of Australia’s most established organic wine producers into a winery defined not just by what it makes, but by how it thinks.

That thinking has always been forwardfacing. Organic before it was mainstream. Experimental when the market demanded convention. And increasingly, adaptive to a new kind of wine consumer who expects flexibility, transparency, and choice.

While the Tamburlaine name now spans certified organic vineyards, an award-winning distillery, and a growing range of wine styles, its foundation remains deceptively simple: grow well, farm responsibly, and let the vineyard lead.

Mark and Lou have now worked side by side for four decades in a partnership that has quietly guided Tamburlaine through industry shifts, climate challenges, and changing consumer expectations.

What has stayed constant is the philosophy.

From evolution to organic certification beginning in the 1980s to today’s biodynamic vineyard trials and sustainability systems, Tamburlaine has always operated with one foot in tradition and the other in adaptation.

That balance is most visible in the vineyards themselves, particularly in the Orange region’s Borenore Vineyard, which has

become a flagship example of modern organic viticulture in practice and is shortlisted in this year’s Vineyard of the Year Awards.

Rather than relying on a single approach, the vineyard uses a layered system tailored to soil type, season, and variety. Soil moisture probes guide irrigation decisions. Weed control is managed mechanically through methods like roll hacking, discing, and mow-and-throw practices that retain organic matter and protect soil structure.

Nutrition is delivered through fertigation using certified organic inputs and biostimulants, while pest and disease management relies on copper, sulphur, and natural enhancers such as potassium silica products.

Even canopy management is highly specific with shoot thinning, bunch thinning, leaf plucking and wire lifting all adjusted vine by vine depending on seasonal conditions.

It is, as the team describes it, “vine husbandry without shortcuts”.

And the results are measurable. Improved soil biology, more consistent vine growth, and stronger fruit expression, particularly in varieties such as Cabernet Franc, which has shown marked improvement under these regenerative systems.

Sixty years represents a rare continuity in Australian wine. Forty years of joint leadership represent something even rarer: stability in a category defined by change.

Together, Mark and Lou have overseen Tamburlaine’s growth from a pioneering organic winery into a multi-regional producer with vineyards across New South Wales, a significant export presence, and one of the most diverse portfolios in the country, from table wines to non-alcoholic innovations and spirits.

But perhaps the most significant shift hasn’t been structural. It has been cultural.

One of the most noticeable changes in recent years, according to Samantha Elliott, Executive Director of Branding, Digital Sales and Marketing, is not what people drink but how they choose to drink it.

“The wine consumer expectations have changed,” she says.

“People still love quality wine, but they want flexibility, they want control, and they want to feel like their choices fit their lifestyle.”

That shift has driven a rethink of how Tamburlaine’s membership model works.

For decades, the Reserve Members Club has been the winery’s flagship offering - a traditional subscription model delivering allocations of premium, limited-release wines. The Reserve Range is released annually in July in strictly limited quantities that often do not make it to general release.

“It’s essentially an annual subscription to our most awarded wines,” Elliott explains. “And many of those members have been with us for 20, even 30+ years.”

Source: Tamburlaine

Those long-term members remain central to the business; they’re a living thread through decades of vintages, packaging changes and evolving winemaking styles. But alongside that legacy, a new model has emerged.

Tamburlaine’s Organic Rewards program represents a shift in how this winery thinks about loyalty.

Rather than fixed allocations, members can now build their own subscription selecting wines, quantities, and delivery frequency based on personal preference. The program includes a 15 per cent discount on RRP, but more importantly, it reflects how people actually shop today.

“It’s been really well received,” says Elliott. “People expect customisation now. They want to choose what arrives on their doorstep, and when.”

It’s a model that balances convenience with connection, maintaining the relationship between the winery and its members without the rigidity of traditional club structures.

In many ways, it reflects Tamburlaine’s broader philosophy: structured enough to ensure quality, flexible enough to stay relevant.

Tamburlaine’s reputation for innovation is well established, but it’s not novelty for novelty’s sake. More often, it’s practical problem-solving.

Smoke-affected fruit during bushfire seasons was reimagined into the Herding

Cats gin range. Research partnerships with the University of Adelaide helped shape a more sophisticated alcohol-free wine offering. Lightweight recycled PET bottles introduced through the Lizard Drinking range reduced transport emissions while giving consumers a more practical option for camping, caravanning and outdoor entertaining.

Even in the vineyard, innovation tends to focus on long-term resilience rather than quick fixes.

Water use is carefully monitored through soil probes. Mid-row grasses are maintained to reduce heat stress and moisture loss. Mechanical weed control replaces conventional herbicides, while biodiversity initiatives encourage beneficial insects and healthier vineyard ecosystems.

It’s labour-intensive, adaptive and highly seasonal work, but it reflects the same philosophy that has guided Tamburlaine for decades: work with the land, not against it.

As Tamburlaine celebrates its 60th year, and Mark and Lou celebrate four decades at the helm, the focus remains firmly on the future - evolving while staying true to the organic principles that have defined the winery from the beginning.

From limited-release Reserve wines and award-winning organic reds to sustainable packaging initiatives, alcohol-free alternatives, and innovative spirits, Tamburlaine continues

to adapt to how modern consumers want to drink and connect with wine.

Whether you’re a long-time Reserve Member or discovering the winery for the first time, Tamburlaine’s focus remains the same: thoughtful farming, quality wine, and organic innovation without compromise.

Join the Organic Rewards Club with a nocost, no-obligation membership at www.tamburlaine.com.au/rewards. P

Source: Tamburlaine Organic Wines

Taste . Explore . Unwind

Past, Present and Perfectly Poured

Few names in the Hunter carry the weight of Ben Ean. This beautifully restored Pokolbin estate has been a working vineyard since the 1800s and has long been synonymous with Lindeman's, one of Australia's most iconic wine labels. In 2017, two of the region's most respected winemaking families, the Petersons and the McGuigans, joined forces to purchase and revitalise the estate, restoring its historic charm while reestablishing it as a living, breathing symbol of Hunter Valley excellence.

With a philosophy of "from our wine families to yours," the cellar door showcases an impressive collection of labels, including Savannah Estate, Petersons Wines, Gunpowder, and The Still House Wines. It's also the only place in NSW where visitors can book a tasting of its current vintage Penfolds Grange and other premium Penfolds releases. A rare opportunity that draws wine lovers from far and wide.

At the heart of the estate's hospitality is The Still House - a former tin shed that once housed John McDonald's distillery in 1907, now transformed into one of the Hunter's most exclusive private dining and tasting spaces. Experiences range from tailored tastings from $50pp to the ultimate Penfolds degustation, pairing six courses with current and backvintage releases, including Grange.

When hunger strikes, Baumé Restaurant delivers relaxed yet refined dining, with Mediterranean-inspired pizzas, pastas, and mains best enjoyed on the sunlit terrace.

For those after something lighter, the Ben Ean Patisserie and Deli sit side by side on the terrace and are open seven days a week. Freshbaked croissants, barista coffee, New York Deli Style sandwiches, and charcuterie boards make them a favourite for locals and visitors alike, whether you're fueling up before a day of tasting or simply lingering in the Hunter sunshine.

From a storied past to a vibrant present, Ben Ean is the Hunter Valley in a single destination.

Source: Ben Ean

. Current vintage Penfolds Grange tastings available . Back vintage Penfolds collection for sale

Scan

Sweet Treats at the Heart of the Hunter

There are plenty of reasons to linger in the Hunter Valley, but Sabor in the Hunter Dessert Bar gives you one of the sweetest. Set on Lambloch

sweeping vineyard views to the warmth of its hospitality. “Sabor has created something truly special over the past seven years,” they say. “We feel honoured to continue a place that so many locals and tourists already love, while bringing fresh ideas and our own passion for hospitality.”

The menu already boasts over 60 individually crafted desserts, including the multi-award-winning Portuguese chocolate mousse, decadent cakes, pastries, handmade chocolates, eight varieties of Belgian waffles, and gourmet ice cream, and the new owners are expanding the selection further. New additions include indulgent cheesecakes, cheese plates, dipping plates for kids and adults, and creative seasonal specials. Nothing is served by the slice; every dessert is made to order, giving the whole experience a real sense of occasion. Gluten-free options are available throughout, and the drinks list spans barista-made Glinelli coffee, local wines, ports, ciders, and an ever-growing range of shakes and iced beverages.

The setting is as appealing as the menu. Sabor shares its beautifully designed building with the Lambloch cellar door, so guests can pair their desserts with premium Hunter Valley wines while taking in sweeping views of the vineyard and the Brokenback Mountain Range. Large sliding doors open to the breeze, making the fully air-conditioned space feel relaxed and welcoming in any season.

For Bunty and Ram, being part of the Hunter Valley community is one of the great joys of running Sabor. “The Hunter Valley is such a special destination where people come to relax, celebrate, and create memories,” says Bunty.

“We feel privileged that Sabor can be part of those moments. Being

Open 7 Days

· 50+ INDIVIDUALLY CREATED DESSERTS

· DESSERT + WINE/LIQUOR PAIRINGS

· GLUTEN FREE + VEGAN AVAILABLE

· SABOR’S OWN COFFEE

· HOT, COLD + ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

· TAKEAWAY OR DINE IN

· HIGH TEA

· E-GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!

For an altogether sweet experience, a visit to Sabor Dessert

Bar is a MUST! Indulge in our multi-award winning Portuguese chocolate mousse, decadent cakes, pastries, hand-made chocolates, Portuguese tarts and gourmet ice-cream. Bookings are recommended – visit our website or call us for same day bookings.

Join us for after dinner dessert and sundowners

Two Cuisines, One Great Night Out!

When the craving for something a little different hits, Ocha Japanese & Thai Restaurant at Cessnock's historic Railway Hotel has become the Hunter Valley's go-to for authentic Asian dining. As the sister venue to Oishii Japanese & Thai Restaurant, Ocha has quickly carved out its own devoted following, and it's easy to see why.

The name "Ocha" means tea in Japanese, a nod to the care and intention behind everything on the plate. The kitchen handles both Japanese and Thai cuisines with genuine skill, moving between clean, delicate flavours and bold, aromatic heat with ease. Rather than splitting the difference, the chefs honour each tradition on its own terms, and the result is a menu where both shine.

Whether you're in the mood for silky Japanese rice bowls, fresh sushi and sashimi, rich Thai curries or a flavour-packed stir-fry, the menu has you covered. Every dish is made to order using quality, fresh ingredients, and it shows. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, ideal for a casual midweek dinner, a long lunch with friends, or a family meal that keeps everyone happy.

The atmosphere is unfussy in the best possible way. Friendly, attentive service and an accessible setting inside the heritage Railway Hotel make it a comfortable choice for locals and visitors alike. It's the kind of place where you can linger over good food without any of the fuss, or duck in for a quick bite and still leave impressed.

Open seven days for lunch (11am–2:30pm) and dinner (5pm–9pm), with takeaway also available, Ocha makes it genuinely easy to enjoy two of Asia's great culinary traditions right in the heart of the Hunter.

Ocha Japanese & Thai Restaurant, Railway Hotel Cessnock, 216–220 Vincent St, Cessnock. Bookings: (02) 4990 1070 or at www.railwayhotelcessnock.com.au

Source: Ocha Japanese & Thai Restaurant

JAPANESE & THAI RESTAURANT

Our menu is a carefully curated selection of dishes that showcase the best of Asian cooking. From the fiery spices of Thai curries to the umami-rich flavors of Japanese rice bowl, each dish is a masterpiece crafted with precision and passion.

Open 7 Days 10AM–10PM

OPEN 7 DAYS

BREAKFAST | LUNCH | DINNER

• 4 Pines at The Farm – Taproom

• The Barrel Bistro

• Hunter Farm Wines & tasting

• Hunter Farm & Adventure Centre incl. farm animals, segway & horseriding

• Hunter Valley Resort

Welcome to Taste of the Country, the premier destination for authentic country hospitality and exquisite culinary experiences in the Hunter Valley. Whether guests are dining in to savour the famous All Day Breakfasts and Ploughman's Platter or browsing the unique country-themed retail offerings, every visit is sure to be memorable. Guests can enjoy the outdoor area with room for children to play and space to bring dogs. Enjoy live entertainment on Sunday afternoons and phone ahead to book the perfect picnic spot under the trees. 1616 Broke Road, Pokolbin PH (02) 4998 6605

OPEN Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat–Sun 9am–5pm W www.tasteofthecountry.com.au E info@tasteofthecountry.com.au

Tower Lodge

The dining experience at Tower Lodge is designed to mirror the Hunter Valley’s intrinsic connection with food and wine. Guests will enjoy dishes that are simple and unpretentious, healthy and hearty, inspiring and imaginative. Seasonal menus showcase the outstanding quality of Hunter Valley produce, and its location allows the team to align with the philosophy of turning to the sea, mountains, and valleys for its produce. Australian Good Food Guide award winner 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026. 6 Halls Rd, Pokolbin, NSW, 2320 OPEN 12pm until late 7 days PHONE 4998 7022 W www.towerlodge.com.au/restaurant-reservations

Hunters Quarter (HQ)

Located in Pooles Rock Vineyard of Pokolbin, Hunters Quarter (HQ) is a relaxed and elegant destination. The restaurant is a dining space with something for everyone – whatever the occasion. Come and discover a contemporary dining experience with a private terrace in the vineyards. Perfect for family, friends and fantastic food.

Pooles Rock/Cockfighters Ghost Vineyard, 576 De Beyers Rd, Pokolbin PH 4998 7776 OPEN Lunch Fri, Sat & Sun, Dinner Fri & Sat E info@huntersquarter.com.au W www.huntersquarter.com.au

Restaurant Botanica, set among vines and gum trees at Spicers Vineyards Estate, offers modern Australian cuisine with impeccable provenance and a superb regional wine list. Produce from its own garden and local growers, crafted with sustainable practices, creates award-winning dishes in a distinctive Hunter Valley style. 555 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

OPEN Wed-Sun Dinner from 5.30pm, and Sat-Sun Lunch from 12pm PH 02 6574 7229 E reception.vineyards@spicersretreats.com W www.restaurantbotanica.com.au

Blaxland Inn

Blaxland Inn is bringing its signature hearty meals and rustic charm to the breakfast table. With a steakhouse twist on morning favourites, expect bold, delicious dishes you won’t find anywhere else. It’s breakfast—done the Blaxland way. 2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin E info@blaxlandinn.com.au

OPEN 7 Days – Breakfast 8.30am–11am + Lunch and Dinner PH 02 4998 7550 W www.blaxlandinn.com.au

Voted one of the Top 10 Cellar Doors to visit in the Hunter Valley, Gartelmann Wines specialise in fine hand-crafted wines using grapes sourced from some of our most famous wine regions.

Mezze Hunter Valley

Mezze brings Mediterranean flair to The Vintage Estate, serving fresh, local breakfast classics by day and bold, flavour-packed share plates by night. A relaxed yet refined destination where good food, great wine, and warm hospitality create an unforgettable Hunter Valley dining experience.

The Vintage, 1 Claret Ash Drive, Pokolbin PH 4998 2244 OPEN 7 Days, from 7am until late E hello@mezzehuntervalley.com.au W mezzehuntervalley.com.au

Restaurant Botanica