What’s on
2 October, 2026
WEEKEND WIRE: Highlands, Tablelands, Wollondilly and Yass – October 2 to October 5
A long weekend filled with a variety of activities across the regions, including Goulburn's all important Lilac Time Festival, which runs through until Monday October 5.
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2
Golden Vale Twilight Torch Tour and Fire Circle
Experience the natural beauty of Sutton Forest homestead Golden Vale after-hours as you explore the property and uncover its stories of adventure, tragedy and triumph from 6pm to 8pm.
The evening begins in the English Garden, with drinks and a grazing platter served to the backdrop of Golden Vale’s elegant sandstone homestead.
As evening falls, meander down to the Medway Rivulet, where a fire circle and warm beverage awaits, and recount stories of First Nations people, early explorers and convict settlers in the shadow of Mount Gingenbullen.
A secret passageway from the historic stables takes everyone into the rustic four stand shearing shed where the property’s pastoral history comes alive.
Finally, return to the warmth of the Golden Vale homestead, the site of 150 years of elegant living to farewell a wonderful evening.
This special twilight tour will captivate first-time visitors and offer a new experience for those returning.
Please bring your own headlamp or torch and wear sensible footwear, as this tour will traverse uneven ground.
For more information and to make a booking, contact 9258 0187, email goldenvale@nationaltrust.com.au, or visit the National Trust website link at www.nationaltrust.org.au/event/golden-vale-twilight-torch-tours/.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3
Colo Vale Village Market
Held on the first Saturday of every month from 8:30am to 1:30pm, the Colo Vale Markets are on again at the Colo Vale Community Hall.
The Colo Vale market has a variety of stalls including fresh produce, Devonshire teas, home crafts and delicious home cooked food along with a great BBQ menu and a coffee truck.
While there, also check out the historic Railway Station which is opposite the Community Hall.
The Colo Vale Community Hall is located at 28 Railway Avenue, Colo Vale. For more information, contact 0494 142 788 or email stevec664@gmail.com.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4
Bundanoon Makers Market
Held on the first and third Sunday of every month at the Soldiers Memorial Hall in Bundanoon, the Bundanoon Makers Market is on again this Sunday from 8:30am to 2pm.
The market is crammed with arts, crafts and music, fresh local produce, breads, eggs and honey, plus a glorious selection of homemade cakes, jams, chutneys and sauces.
Their delicious food stalls also serve up fare with an international flavour, including a range of ready-made take-home meals, and they also have a coffee van for your morning caffeine hit!
It's also a market for the craftsmith with everything for sewers, knitters, woodworkers, photographers, leatherwork and silver jewellery.
The Bundanoon Soldiers Memorial Hall is located on Railway Avenue, Bundanoon, opposite the Bundanoon railway station. For more information contact 0411 297 963, email bundanoonmarket@gmail.com or visit the website at www.makersmarkets.com.au/bundanoon.
MONDAY OCTOBER 5
Yerrinbool Railway Garden
From 10am to 1pm every Monday, the Yerrinbool Railway Garden at the village's railway station is open to the public.
They provide morning tea and tours, and the garden has a mix of natives, herb beds, rose beds, a pollinator patch and chemical free vegetables raised in beds using a wicking bed design.
They also have some art and historical information.
For more information contact 0405 266 481.
WOLLONDILLY
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3
Australian Wildlife Experience
Every weekend at the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary in Bargo, enjoy a private, one-hour wildlife experience designed just for your group.
Wander through open woodlands with kangaroos and emus, meet rare marsupials, get up close with fascinating reptiles, and discover forest favourites like the Tawny Frogmouth and Ring-tailed Possums. Suitable for all ages, with children under 5 years free, this exclusive encounter hosts up to 8 guests.
Bookings are essential.
Every booking supports vital conservation as The Australian Wildlife Sanctuary are a registered charity. An unforgettable adventure that gives back to Australia’s wildlife.
The Australian Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 3105 Remembrance Driveway, Bargo.
For more information and to make a booking, go to the website at https://australianwildlifesanctuary62.rezdy.com/760743/australian-wildlife-experience.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4
Picton Tennis Open Day - Free Family Fun
Held from 12pm to 4pm this Sunday at the Picton Tennis Courts on Downing Street, get down and join a free tennis open day.
Hosted by the Picton Tennis Academy's Steve Whicker, the open day will host fun games of tennis, some free kids coaching (for ages 3–17 years), and a free BBQ. Get tips from professional Tennis Australia coaches - all abilities welcome.
RSVP is essential for BBQ catering.
Text Stewart Whicker on 0412 571 963 with the number of people attending.
You can also learn more about the Picton Tennis Academy on their Facebook page.
SOUTHERN TABLELANDS
As well as the traditional October long-weekend activity of the 75th Lilac Time Festival in Goulburn, there are also a host of other events on across the region this long weekend, too.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2
Goulburn Uniting Church Op-Shop and Café
Held at the Wesley Centre on Goldsmith St, the Goulburn Uniting Church is hosting their Friday Op –Shop and Cafe from 11:30am to 2pm.
The Friday Café of the Uniting Church has been an important point of connection for members of the Goulburn community over many years.
By providing a simple meal at a highly affordable price, the Café has created a space for members of the community to meet, connect, overcome isolation, and make new friends.
Likewise, their Op-shop is a great attraction for bargain-hunters in search of clothing, linen, kitchenware, and books.
The Wesley Centre is located at 43 Goldsmith St, Goulburn.
For more information contact the Reverend Dr. John Miller on 0422 574 741, or email crookwelluniting@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
Under 12s & 14s Southern District Cricket Zone Intrazone Competition
Held across three days over Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the Southern District Cricket Zone will be hosting their Intrazone Competition at Seiffert Oval on Verner St.
The Southern Tablelands Representative Team (incorporating Goulburn, Crookwell and Yass District Cricket Asoociations) will be hosting teams from the Southern Highlands, Far South Coast and Monaro, with T20 format games played throughout the day and concluding with a T20 game.
The canteen will also be open with a BBQ fundraiser for the Southern Tablelands Rams Representative teams and is open to all to attend.
For more information contact organiser Claire Smith on 0438 218 373, or email her at admin@goulburncricket.com.au.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Bungonia Sunday Breakfast
Held on the first and third Sundays of every month, the Bungonia Sunday Breakfast is on again at the Bungonia Community Hall from 9am to 11am.
The Bungonia Cafe is run by the Bungonia Progress Association, along with other local volunteers.
It is a not for profit run by the community, with all proceeds going to the Bungonia Progress Association Inc to help with the costs of keeping the hall open to the public.
The menu includes delicious country cooking including the signature English Big Breakfast for only $12, a Bacon & Egg Roll, scrambled eggs or Pancakes with maple syrup, cream, jam and butter for only $7, and barista - made coffee from only $4.
For group bookings please contact Melody McCulla on 0493 166 025 or email her at info@bungonia.org.au.
MONDAY OCTOBER 5
The Goulburn Workers Annual Art Prize
Held across the whole long weekend in the auditorium of the Goulburn Workers Club is the annual Goulburn Workers Annual Art Prize.
The prize/exhibition contains artworks of all varieties from oil, watercolour/pen and wash, acrylics, drawing, other media, miniatures, GDAS Members Only, photography, digital art and finally, The People’s Choice Award.
The event is open across the whole four days on the following times:
- 2nd Oct 2026: 6:00pm – 10:00pm;
- 3rd Oct 2026: 10:00am – 5:00pm;
- 4th Oct 2026: 10:00am – 5:00pm; and
- 5th Oct 2026: 10:00am – 3:00pm.
For more information visit the Goulburn District Art Society Facebook page or visit the website at https://artsociety.goulburn.net.au/.
YASS
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3
Riverbank Park Run
The Riverbank Park Run runs every Saturday from 8am to 10am and is a free, fun, and friendly community event.
Walk, jog, or run the five kilometre track, or choose to volunteer or spectate, it’s up to you.
The event takes place at Riverbank Park off Comur St, and requires registration prior to attendance.
Attendees can also monitor their lap time. For more information call 6226 2557, email riverbank@parkrun.com, or visit the website at www.parkrun.com.au/riverbank.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4
Cars and Coffee Yass
From 9am to 11am in Comur St, the Yass Cars and Coffee event is on again this Sunday.
There's good cars, great coffee and good people.
All cars, trucks, and bikes are welcome, or just bring your passion.
The event is also family friendly and is located near Riverbank Park Yass. For more information contact 0412 644 230, or email woobackyass@gmail.com.
MONDAY OCTOBER 5
Beginner Friendly Pottery Workshop with Whistle and Page
Held every week from 10:30am to 12:30am, come along to a beginner friendly pottery workshop at Murrumbateman's Whistle and Page Studios.
Designed for what they call 'the clay-curious, the creatively restless, and anyone who’s ever thought, surely, I need something that isn’t another screen'.
Inside the studio, time slows down in the most generous way.
You’ll be guided step-by-step through simple, satisfying hand - building techniques to create your own functional ceramic piece — think cups, bowls, or something uniquely you.
No experience needed, no perfection required.
This is your permission slip to make something imperfect and beautiful… and to realise you’re actually quite good at this.
Also share light refreshments, a few laughs, and those “oh wow, I didn’t know I needed this” moments.
You’ll leave a little lighter, a little prouder, and with clay under your nails in the best possible way.
Whistle and Page is located at Clydesdale Close, Murrumbateman. For more information and to book call 0403 846 477, email contactus@whistleandpage.com, or the website at https://www.whistleandpage.com/workshops-events/p/casual-pottery-workshop.
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