Events

January Vivacity
An incredible celebration, starting with Sydneys magical New Years Eve festivities, and incorporating the Sydney Festival (9–30 January), a rich programme of music, dance, theatre and visual arts, the Medibank International tennis tournament and the 5th Test of the Ashes cricket series between Australia and England (www.vivacitysydney.com).

26 January Australia Day
Take to the beaches, backyards and parks of Sydney to celebrate what makes Australia great in the countrys oldest and biggest city (www.australiaday.com.au).

3–7 May Rosemount Australian Fashion Week
Established and emerging designers from Australia and the Asia-Pacific will present their collections against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Opera House and city skyline (www.australiaday.com.au).

21–30 May Reef & Rainforest Carnivale
Celebrate life in the tropics, its culture, art and cuisine, with the North Queensland townships of Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree and Cape Tribulation (www.carnivale.com.au).

27 May–20 June Vivid Sydney
Sydney Opera House is the focal point of this festival of light, music and ideas, which includes the spectacular illumination of the sails and music performances (www.vividsydney.com).

Now–27 June Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
The Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, is hosting this touring exhibition curated by the world-renowned milliner (qag.qld.gov.au).

7 August–7 November Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future
The Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, celebrates 50 years of Italian fashion house Valentino,encompassing haute couture from 1959 through to pieces from A/W 09 (qag.gld.gov.au).

20–28 August Hamilton Island Race Week
A thrilling combination of world-class yacht racing and some spectacular off-water events (www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au).

3–4 September Birdsville Races
Horse-racing and live entertainment abound during this world-famous two-day carnival in a tiny Queensland Outback town (www.birdsvilleraces.com).

1–31 October Crave Sydney
A month of food, outdoor art and fun, culminating in Breakfast on the Bridge, when 10,000 square metres of turf is laid on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a public picnic (www.cravesydney.com).

28 October - 14 November Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney
The spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal path is transformed into a giant sculpture park (sculpturebythesea.com).

25–29 November Australia vs England Ashes Test
Brisbane’s famous ‘Gabba’ cricket ground is the venue for the opening Test match of the Ashes series between Australia and England (www.cricket.com.au).