Date: 10/4/26 - 12/4/26
The 2026 AORC Pooncarie Desert Dash launches the Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship season with a fast, rugged, and fiercely competitive opener set in the remote Wentworth Shire of far‑west New South Wales. Held from 10–12 April 2026, the event sends competitors across harsh desert terrain, sandy creek beds, and wide‑open station country, creating a true test of endurance and machine reliability.
Spectators flock to the small outback township of Pooncarie to witness high‑horsepower off‑road machines tear through the landscape, bringing a festival‑like atmosphere to the region. The combination of challenging terrain, remote beauty, and intense competition has cemented the Desert Dash as one of the AORC’s most anticipated rounds, offering both seasoned teams and rising talents a dramatic stage to showcase their speed and resilience.
This celebration of the steam age, vintage machinery, railways, the rural way of life in north-west Tasmania and the old way of doing things was first held in Sheffield, the town of murals and gateway to Cradle Mountain, in 1994. This is the 31st annual SteamFest, and our volunteers are working very hard to make it the best ever, including some big changes to the event layout and the welcome return of wood-chopping on the Monday. Long-time crowd favourites including the steam railway, the tractor pull and the Tasmanian Lighthorse will be operating right through the three day event.
Event date: 15 May - 17 May 2026
The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival 2026, will be held in May 2026, and will celebrates its 34th year as one of regional Australia's premier arts events. Set in the historic town of Penola and the renowned Coonawarra wine region, the festival offers a vibrant mix of visual arts, music, literature, and culinary experiences.
Attendees can enjoy a range of activities, from the lively "Shenanigans" music event on Saturday night to the family-friendly "Down the Lane" market on Sunday, which includes artisan stalls, food vendors, and live performances . Workshops, literary discussions, and children's programs further enrich the festival experience.