There are a range of events to suit all tastes happening across the Wheatbelt Way during spring. The season’s events calendar kicks off with the Dowerin Field Days, a two day agricultural expo bonanza.
Dowerin Field Days
Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th August 2019
The Dowerin Field Days is the largest field day event in Western Australia, spanning two days and featuring close to 800 exhibitors. Entry for adults is $25 and entry for concession holders (including aged pensioners) is $15, with children under 16 free. There is no additional charge for any of the entertainment provided and there is so much to see and do, including two Eco Fashion Week fashion parades each day showcasing the work of Western Australian eco fashion designers including Green Embassy, Fabric of Nature, Skylark, Claudi Jvr, Gemini Kite and Regina Bochat.
Then there are presentations by Chef Anna Gare (two or more demonstrations a day on each day) and Horticulturalist Sabrina Hahn (also two presentations a day on each day). Art and photography exhibitions across a range of categories will be on display and there will be wheatbelt live music (again on both days).
All other Dowerin Field Days photos are by Swifthound Photography
If you are interested in Western Australian food and produce, there are in excess of 300 food and lifestyle market stalls at Dowerin Field Days this year, and plenty of food, coffee and ice cream choices!
On Wednesday the 28th of August between 4 pm and 8 pm there is even a Sundowner with live entertainment from wheatbelt bands Tom Fisher & The Layabouts and Refractory Road.
Gates open at 8 am on both days and Dowerin is an easy two hour drive from Perth, or there are a couple of coach companies providing transport from Perth to Dowerin return.
There is also a free Field Days Clipper that follows a set route around the Field Days grounds that patrons can hop on or off at any point. Disability scooters can even be arranged.
Accommodation in the area is heavily booked around the event, but if you have a self-contained caravan or motorhome, simply head to the free visitors caravan park opposite Gate 1 at the eastern side of the site to be allocated a free bay.
Trayning Tractor Pull & Burn Outs
Saturday 7th September 2019
All Trayning Tractor Pull & Burn Outs photos are by Hayley Higgins.
The Trayning Burnouts, Tractor Bull & Mud Bog is a full day event great for those who enjoy seeing some real motor sports fun up close! The event is held at the Trayning Recreation Ground on Sutherland St in the centre of Trayning. Entry is only $10 for adults, $25 for a family, and $5 for kids under 16. Gates open at 10 am, with food and drinks including a licensed bar available all day as well as a bouncy castle for the kids. The event has been structured so that the viewing area at the Recreation Centre is as close as possible to all the action, which includes timed burn outs, mud bog and tractor pull events.
This is topped off by entertainment from the live band Dirty Little Secret at the Trayning Hotel just across the road at 7 pm that evening. The Trayning Hotel is also open for meals from 5.30 pm until late, and then opens again for breakfast at 8 am the next morning.
Koorda Show
Saturday 7th September 2019
The Koorda Show is a glorious jam packed family day out. Entry is only $15 for adults 16 years and over, $5 for age pensioners, and the event is completely free for children under 16 years of age.
Heliwest will be providing helicopter rides throughout the show, with the first 80 rides offered at the amazing cost of only $25 (or half price)! This year a balloon twister, henna ink tattooist, bouncy castle, snakes and reptiles and Old McDonald’s Farm will also be on site to entertain the kids. The show opens at 8.00 am and there are show bags for the young (or the young at heart) as well as a range of market stalls, coffee and food vans.
The show also features a shearing competition, a vintage car display and a number of equestrian events.
There is yet more to see and do, with wool, sheep, farm produce, vegetable, floriculture, cookery, home produce, handicraft, art and photography competitions and displays.
The Koorda Show is also a great place to see “Corn Dollies,” which essentially are a range of incredibly diverse creations made out of wheat and other cereal crops.
The show culminates with a fantastic fireworks display at 7 pm, which is so much better than the city version because you get to be right below the pyrotechnics action. This is topped off by live music at 7.30 pm at the public bar of the show (which opens at 3 pm in the afternoon).
Koorda Drive In Double Header!
Saturday 21st September 2019
The Koorda Drive In is one of only three Drive-In Movie Cinemas that are still operating in WA. On Saturday the 21st of September a double header will be playing at the drive in, which is now presented via a high quality modern digital projector. Entry is only $12 for Adults, $6 for kids and children under 3 are admitted free.
The gates and canteen (offering burgers, hot chips, pies, popcorn, chocolates and drinks) both open at 6pm and the first movie starts at 7pm. At the time of writing the two movies are still being finalised, however you can call the Koorda CRC on 9684 1081 for an update and for further details as the date approaches. The Koorda CRC run double header movies at the drive in every month, and have even presented special movie screenings for groups who have requested particular movie showings in advance.
Vehicles lining up on their way in to the Koorda Drive In
The Lion King on the Koorda Drive In screen.
The Mangowine Concert
Saturday 5th October 2019
The Eastern Line playing at the Mangowine Concert
The Mangowine Concert takes place at the beautiful heritage Mangowine Homestead, located 13 kilometres from Nungarin. Entry is only $25 per person, with take away meals and a full bar also on site. There are free buses providing return transport from Nungarin or Merredin so that you can relax and enjoy the show, or stay at the on-site caravan park. If you feel like spoiling yourself, you can also pre-book a VIP package for only $125, which gives you and your partner entry to the event, plus a three course meal and a bottle of wine (red or white) all provided in a tote bag. This year Cher, Freddie Mercury and Rod Stewart (from Australia’s Got Talent & Starstruck) are the headlining acts, with the outstanding wheatbelt band The Eastern Line entertaining from 5.00 pm.
On the Friday evening before the concert the Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum present a large two course Casserole Tea for only $15 per head at the Nungarin Recreation Centre adjacent to the Nungarin Caravan Park. This is a popular night, with the bar open and a photographic competition also on display.
The Nungarin Wheatbelt Markets
Sunday 6th October 2019
The Nungarin Wheatbelt Markets are a fantastic laid back wheatbelt Sunday morning market. The wide main street of Nungarin is opened to the public between 8 am and 12 pm, with a free bouncy castle for the kids, a free children’s train that loops up and down the main street and a soft serve ice cream van also a feature.
At this year’s market there will also be a special presentation from the Bunbury division of the 10th Light Horse of the Australian Army, who will march the main street on horseback and in full military regalia.
There are at least 45 different market stalls at the Nungarin Wheatbelt Markets, selling products that range from chocolate, to beanies, honey, alpacas (real ones!), alpaca wool, vegetables and jewellery. Coffee, morning teas and lunches are all available from a variety of outlets, as well as Sunday morning bacon and egg burgers and hot dogs at the sausage sizzle in front of the Craft Shop.
Spring weather is perfect for exploring and anyone travelling the Wheatbelt Way in the coming months is sure to find an event that appeals to their interests.
To find out more information on these events in the Wheatbelt Way, head to the Wheatbelt Way Events page!
By Annemaree Jensen who writes at www.extramilewriting.com.au. Enormous thanks to everyone who assisted me with this story.
