Enjoy an Aussie summer                                                                   

Believe it or not, an Australian summer is not all about the beach. Of course, stunning beaches are certainly a major summer drawcard of this nation, but the list of events that go on throughout the country at this time of year just can’t be ignored. From exciting cultural festivals to nail-biting sporting events and grand music festivals, get your piece of the Aussie action.

Sydney Harbour Bridge by night

 Ironman WA Triathlon

Discover the exciting world of elite Iron men and women. Watch as they complete a 3.8-kilometre swim, 180.2-kilometre bike course and 42.2-kilometre run – exhausting!

Australian PGA Championships

Bear witness to Australia’s oldest and one of its most distinguished professional golf tournaments, staged annuallly at the Hyatt Regency Coolum.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

A 628-nautical mile event that sees the world’s greatest yachts charge through Sydney Heads on their way to Hobart. One of the world’s pre-eminent offshore yacht races.

Woodford Folk Festival

An event of international standing with concerts, dances, workshops, street theatre, film, comedy, art, crafts and a spectacular fire event. The festival takes place over six days and nights from 27 December to 1 January each year in Queensland. The final evening of the Woodford festival ends with a spectacular New Year's Day closing ceremony, the Fire Event.

The Taste of Tasmania

Food, glorious food! Set opposite historic Salamanca Place, showcasing fantastic international cuisine and entertainment, with top Tasmanian wine and beers. Indulge in fresh Tasmanian seafood, such as salmon, oysters, scallops, blue fin tuna and giant west coast crabs.

Sydney Festival

Featuring a three-week program of local and international theatre, music, dance, multi-disciplinary and visual arts, this is one of Australia’s most important cultural events.

Australian Open Tennis Champs

Get set for some explosive action when the cream of international tennis congregate for the first of the four Grand Slam tennis event of the year.

Tamworth Country Music Festival

Without doubt one of Australia's greatest events. City meets country in a celebration of culture, heritage, identity and good old-fashioned country music.

Imparja Cup Cricket Carnival, Alice Springs

All-indigenous teams representing all states and territories in Australia, as well as major centres and communities of the Northern Terroritories, take part in the hotly contested cricket carnival.

Adelaide Fringe Festival

Australia’s largest arts festival has been running since 1960 and is renowned for fresh ideas, risk, imagination, spontaneity and fun. This arts festival runs for three weeks every February to March, and is an open-access event which means anyone can register in the categories cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, events, film, music, theatre and visual arts.

January is Aussie and New Zealand month at Flight Centre so call them on 0860 400 747 or visit www.flightcentre.co.za for special deals to these two countries.