the snail trail, hobsons bay

Not much can prepare you for when you run across a giant snail and it’s jockey/wrangler/rider!

Yitsak and his owner/jockey Yenna (aka Miriam), along with their trusty iceberg lettuce cart pusher Harold (and some traffic management!) are making their way (slowly!) across Hobsons Bay this week and if you are lucky enough to spot them, make sure you say a big hello to the intrepid travellers.

Brought to us by Kinetic Theatre, the westie based theatre company specialises in outdoor performances and everyone is encouraged to engage with The Snail Trail troop as they shine a spotlight on our beautiful coastal trails from Williamstown to Altona!

Catch Yitzak and his Snail Wrangler along the paths they are traversing OR they stop for lunch and chat at the end of each leg of their journey too! Great opportunity for photos and the kids to get up close with the magic!

The Snail's Trails Journey and where to find them!

Friday 12 May - Altona
Start: 10am - Boat Sheds, Maddox Rd Williamstown, to Altona Homestead, Logan Reserve, Altona
Lunch stop:  Approximately 12.15pm to 1pm - near the Altona Beach dog off leash area, and Altona Bocce Club


 Saturday 13 May - Altona
Start: 10am - Altona Homestead, Logan Reserve, heading towards the Men’s Shed, 280 Queen Street, Altona
Lunch stop: Approximately 12.45pm to 1pm - Apex Club playground, Alto


Sunday 14 May - Altona
Start: 10am - Men’s Shed, 280 Queen Street, heading towards 100 Steps of Federation, Truganina Park, Altona
Lunch stop: Approximately 1pm to 2pm - At the lookout, 100 Steps of Federation, Truganina Park, Altona

Please note: The 3pm finish time of the trail is approximate.  Dates and times may change depending on the weather and snail travelling requirements!

the nitty gritty

This is A FREE EVENT

All along the coastal trail
from Williamstown to Altona

Friday May 12 - Sunday
May 14

Winter Wonderlights 2024: Experience the Magic in Ballarat's Sovereign Hill

Winter Wonderlights 2024: Experience the Magic in Ballarat's Sovereign Hill

Experience the Magic of Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat! Dates for Winter Wonderlights 2024 have just been released. Join us for one of the most spectacular winter events on the calendar with snow falling on the main street creating a truly magical atmosphere. Discover a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive music, and exciting activities for the whole family. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience in Ballarat.

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2022 sunshine lunar new year festival

The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival is a free multicultural community event taking place in the busy Sunshine shopping precinct along Hampshire Road, Sunshine on Sunday 6th February 2022, 12pm to 9pm.

Celebrating the lunar calendar, a time of renewal and for friends and family to come together to celebrate the start of a new year. The Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival or Tét Festival will be the first ever staged in Sunshine, that will bring our culturally diverse community together in a safe and fun environment.

Mamma says it is a huge day of free family fun, live entertainment, children’s rides, street performers, music, dancing, street food, face-painting, magical Lion and Dragon dancing, red-pockets and firecrackers ending with spectacular fireworks at 8:30pm.

Mamma’s special mentions for the kids: A large performance stage with seating area will burst with multicultural exciting music and dance groups, the fastest Pho and Bánh mì eating competitions and the fabulous and funny Diana Nguyen will MC and give away red-pockets with $ and business vouchers over the day. It is a fabulous array of street food stalls of many nations. Super fun small and large children’s rides, pony rides, face-painting, kids tattoo’s, circus activities, showbags, street-performers and cultural kid’s activities will take over Hampshire Road. Local sporting groups will also attend and present fun kid’s activities.

the nitty gritty

FREE

Hampshire Road in Sunshine
Sunday 6th February 2022
12pm to 9pm.

wanna know more? click here

melbourne's sunflower festival, diggers rest

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Mamma has been SUNFLOWER obsessed over the last couple of years and now we can look forward to our very own festival dedicated to the brightest flower in the garden! Melbourne's only Sunflower Festival is on the weekend of February 12th 2022 and it is RIGHT here in the west too!

Located in beautiful Diggers Rest there is already over 35 hectares of Sunflowers priming themselves for pickin’ so you're sure to find the perfect bunch.

What to expect?

  • Sunflower picking and lots of it!

  • Food Trucks: Ice-cream - Coffee - Hot Food

  • Sunflower Seeds

  • Kids entertainment

  • Parking onsite

  • Toilets

COST

  • $5 entry per person

  • Children under 5 are free

  • $2 per Sunflower stem

  • $5 pack of Sunflower Seeds

WHAT TO BRING

  • Secateurs or scissors to cut your flowers

  • Bucket/bag for transporting your Sunflowers

  • Hat and Sunscreen

  • Durable footwear

  • Tickets for entry - BUY HERE

SAFETY

  • Wear safe/durable footwear

  • Wear a hat & sunscreen

  • Beware of Snakes, this is a working farm

  • Bees will be buzzing around collecting pollen

  • Organisers will implement COVID safety plans

DOGS
Dogs are permitted to attend, but must be on a leash at all times and owners must pick-up after them.

the nitty gritty

Davis Vineyard Farm
111 Davis Road Diggers Rest

Saturday and Sunday
February 12th and 13th ONLY