The October weekend is a perfect time to get away for a break. It is usually our last chance to do so before the hectic silly season begins. In South Australia, school holidays have begun so your family could extend a long weekend by a day or two longer. Here are a few ideas of events and places to go for this coming long weekend. They are all under a three-hour drive from Adelaide, so you could make a day trip or stay for a relaxing break.
MARRABEL RODEO This tiny country town has no shops and no facilities apart from a pub, but the whole town comes alive every October long weekend for the
annual rodeo. This event is a popular one in the country and it will be the 79th year. It is a great country day out on Sunday the 2nd and not too far from Adelaide. See the cowboys do their horse riding and roping skills. Take the Thiele Highway via Kapunda and keep going north and you will get there. Bring your camera and have your photo taken with Curio the bucking horse statue, another of our State's big things.
Image courtesy of marrabel rodeo.com
If you are down by the sea this long weekend, there will be some great entertainment at
Victor Harbour Artisan Market. The Big Busk will be happening on Saturday 1st October from 11am-9pm with stacks a wonderful local talent. Highlights include the poetry grand slam at midday and some on the spot artworks being created. Drop by and give them your support. It is free entry but drop a note into the busker's hat as they are putting on the show for you. You will find the artisan market on Railway Terrace.
This market supports visual and performing artists. Image by Out and About
If you are into music Gawler is the place to be this long weekend, with this annual music event bringing 11 band acts over three days. There is an 8-page booklet available with a full program at the venues or check out the
Facebook page for updates. Venues are the Kingsford Hotel and the Prince Albert both on Murray Street in the centre of town. Be safe and don't drive. Hop on a train with a pleasant ride up to Gawler. Get off at the end of the line, Gawler Central stop and you can walk across the road the Exchange Hotel. This is a free event, so patronise the hotels with a meal and a drink or two or support the many other local business sponsors. This event is on Sunday 2nd, Monday 3rd and the following Sunday 9th October if you missed out over the long weekend.
The heritage pub, The Prince Albert Hotel in Murray Street Gawler is one of the venues for the music festival. Image by Out and About.
Head north for a great day out or a nice weekend escape and view the many open gardens. So much to see it is worth going for a weekend escape. Get some inspiration for your garden or enjoy a great drive out in the country to see something pretty. See my article
here for all the details and program.
Enjoy a peek into some of the pretty local gardens in the country. Image by Out and About.
If you are over on the Yorke Peninsula for the long weekend pop down to the Moonta Primary School in Blanche Tce from 9-1pm on Saturday 1st for a local car boot sale.
You never know what you will find at a car boot sale or swap meet. Image by Out and About.
Up on the river at Morgan, you will find the annual swap meet in full swing from early in the morning on Sunday October 2nd. The location is the Primary School grounds. You would have to get there early as swaps generally wind down at lunch time.
