RV Friendlies & Events

Event date: 18 - 19 April 2026

The award winning National Tourism Accredited Laura Fair is a major rural festival of the Southern Flinders Ranges, held over two days annually in Laura on the first weekend of April and typically attracting 10,000 to 15,000 patrons.

The Laura Fair was first held in 1980, the brainchild of Rocky River Historic and Art Society member Dick Biles. It has been held every year since except during the COVID years. Originally started as a way to promote art and culture in the area, the resounding success of the first year led to the formation of a separate committee to undertake organisation of the event. Since 1981 the wholly volunteer driven Laura Fair Committee has been responsible for this.

The event has since grown into one of the major festivals of our region and has an important economic benefit for businesses around the region. It is the main annual fundraising avenue for many local community groups.

Our family focused event provides a wonderful country experience, with free entertainment over the whole weekend. Our event features a Street Parade with a themed costume parade put together by the local school, beautiful PADARC vintage cars, SES, CFS and local business floats, two stages of live entertainment playing all weekend, as well as roving performers and buskers, Sideshow Alley and the Showmen’s Guild of South Australia rides, on Saturday night there’s food stalls, licensed bar and Entertainment until 10pm. Golden North Ice-Cream Eating Competition, Boot toss competition, Old Courthouse Art Gallery exhibition and over 100 stalls selling a huge variety of handcrafted items, as well as food and refreshment stalls catering to a wide range of tastes.

Laura is a vibrant, artistic rural community with a population of approximately 650, situated beside the Rocky River and amongst the rolling hills of the Southern Flinders Ranges. Our event is wholly driven by a small volunteer committee and a large contingent of casual volunteers who assist with various aspects of the event.

Event Date: 8 January - 12 January 2026.

The Parkes Elvis Festival is held every year in the second week in January, coinciding with Elvis Presley’s birthday. Going into its 33rd year, the Festival continues to grow – with over 200 events across five fabulous, fun-filled days.

Officially endorsed by the estate of Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. in Memphis, Parkes Elvis Festival hosts a number of live entertainment including the official Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest (the winner representing Australia in Memphis, USA), Feature concert series starring a special guest artist, Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations street parade, renewal of vows ceremony, Miss Priscilla Competition and many free live concerts, competitions and prizes.

Recognised as one of the top three Festivals and Events in Australia, the Festival attracts over 22,000 fans, both nationally and internationally, having a global reach of more than 200 million with exposure in the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia.

Event date: 11 April - 19 April 2026 

See the magic and spectacle as one of the Southern Hemispheres biggest Hot air balloon events takes to the sky over the beautiful Canowindra countryside in Central West NSW.

The action is at either end of the day with balloons flying at sunrise and in the last hour before sunset over a 9 day period at the beginning of April.

The signature event is the Cabonne Community Glow and night markets where you will enjoy local produce, wine, crafts and entertainment culminating in a night display as the balloons light up synchronised to music.

Watching the balloons each day is free but there is an entry charge for the Balloon Glow.

As the action happens at either end of the day this leaves plenty of time for exploring the incredible sights in the area and visting the villages and town of the area. Stop in at wineries and local food producers to get a real sense of how wonderful this area is.

Whilst in Canowindra visit the Age of Fishes Museum (home of the State Fossil), wander down the historic main street or enjoy art galleries, wonderful coffee, cellar doors and quirky shopping.