The Savvy Globe Trotter, Tatyana Leonov, seeks out sporting events coming up that are teamed with festival fun.
I won’t lie. I’m into working out, but I get no enjoyment whatsoever in watching someone else play sport. Competitive or not, you’ve got to draw me in with a bit more than the sport itself. I did once go to a footie game (I surprised my husband with tickets to a game years ago). I sat there tediously for what felt like forever and the highlight of my night was eating a meat pie.
I do, however, love some revelry, even more so when it’s a celebration of something special. Any sporting event that comes with a party is high on my priority list – celebrating someone else’s sporting achievements over a drink, some music and maybe a dance – that’s my kind of scene.
The Savvy Globe Trotter’s sport event hit list:
Tall Ships, Hobart Tasmania
20-25 September 2013
I hear marching bands can make for pumping music and there’s a bunch of events on that sailing aficionados (and the general public) will love. Tall Ships is managed by the same crew that has been producing the popular Australian Wooden Boat Festival for the last 20 years, and this year is a special anniversary – the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy’s first entry into Sydney Harbour in October 1913. The five-day program includes special ship sailings and maritime displays on the Hobart waterfront, as well as the opportunity to sample Tasmania’s delicious food and wine. The Tall Ships Parade of pipe bands on 22 September is a festival highlight, when Navy cadets and marching bands will take over Hobart’s waterside streets, followed by a concert in Parliament House Lawns that will include music from four Highlands Pipe Bands and the Tasmanian Royal Australian Navy Band.
www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/tallships
V8 Superfest, Armor All Gold Coast 600, Gold Coast Queensland
1-27 October 2013
Boys toys? No way! TheV8 Superfest is a month-long festival leading up to the V8 Armor All Gold Coast 600 race that will take place from 25-27 October. With over 25 events held across various Gold Coast locations (including pop-up concerts, opera, moonlight movies, art exhibitions, animal expos, and the new Tapas on Tedder, a rollicking Latino street festival), there’s really something for everyone. According to Queensland Minister for tourism and major events, Jann Stuckey, “from art to music, movies to motorsports, it’s fair to say October will be one very exciting month on the Gold Coast.” Agreed!
www.v8supercars.com.au
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Byron Bay Surf Festival, Byron Bay NSW
25-27 October 2013
Sun, surf and sea – it’s a winning combination. Then add themed entertainment (think surfing film premiers, ceremonial gatherings, wave gliding battles where anything goes, and even an ancient Olo gliding demo). The Byron Bay Surfing Festival is the event for surfing devotees to have a heap of fun while learning more about Australia’s iconic sport. Over the three days there’s also a fun fusion of “Surf Culture Now”, featuring everything from photography and art, to films, literature and music – a great option for those looking to harness their creative energy in between catching waves.
www.byronbaysurffestival.com
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Crown Oaks Day Melbourne Cup, Melbourne Vic
7 November 2013
Been there, done that? Who cares – do it again. Melburnians make a yearly habit of it, and why wouldn’t you if you were local? Melbourne Cup is one of the parties of the year, made even more fun with the dress to impress ethos. Generally the mornings are best for good impressions, and the afternoons onwards are best left for… letting go. Crown Oaks Day is particularly fun if you’re female and into the whole hat-and-frock extravaganza. Start off stylish, finish off however you think best.
www.melbournecup.com
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Santos Tour Down Under, Adelaide SA
18-26 January 2014
Masses of skintight, colourful lycra over nine long days… What’s not to love? The celebrations kick off with the Santos Tour Down Under’s team presentation and concert on 18 January where renowned cycling commentators, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, will introduce riders to the crowd, and then a free concert in the city centre will follow. Other fun additions over the nine action-pumped days include food and wine (something South Australia is notorious for doing well), entertainment throughout the festival, and fashion and music inclusions. Santos Tour Down Under’s final stage will be held on 26 January, and Australia Day is sure to add to the electric atmosphere in central Adelaide as riders fight it out to be first across the finish line.
www.tourdownunder.com.au
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About the Savvy Globe Trotter
Tatyana Leonov is a writer, editor, avid traveller and determined dreamer. She’s mastered (beginners’) yoga in Goa, partied with Russia’s elite in a Moscow club, sampled local delicacies all around the world (including a camel burger in Morocco and guinea pig in Peru), trekked to Nepal’s Annapurna Base Camp in Havaianas and had a short-lived career as a Bollywood star.
