The Mid North Coaster’s wrap up of events across the region in October, including rural festivals, stage shows and rainforest adventures.
Know of an upcoming event? Send details to [email protected].
Looking for our September events? Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
🟡Reclaim the Night in Kempsey
A community march calling for an end to gendered violence will be held in Kempsey on Friday, October 30. The march will begin from the West Kempsey Hotel at 4:30pm and travel to the Bandbox Theatre, where the film How to Train Your Dragon will be screened from 5:30pm.
🗓️ Friday October 30
📍 West Kempsey Hotel, West Kempsey
🎟️Free
More information
🟡Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival
Image credit: Dorrigo Photo.
The annual festival features touring folk and bluegrass acts from Australia and abroad, kid’s activities, workshops and market stalls. An Old Time Music School is held in the days before the festival.
🗓️ October 23-25
📍 Dorrigo Showgrounds, Dorrigo
🎟️Full adult weekend ticket $240 (single day tickets available)
More information
🟡Orphans by Dennis Kelly
Et Tu Theatre brings Orphans by playwright and screenwriter Dennis Kelly to the Bellingen Memorial Hall - Studio stage.
🗓️ October 1-11
📍 Bellingen Memorial Hall - Studio, Bellingen
🎟️General Admission $35
More information
🟡Rotary markets
The Rotary Club of Taree market returns on Saturday, October 17, with around 50 stallholders in attendance.
🗓️ October 17
📍 Taree Showground, Taree
🎟️Free
More information
🟡Dorrigo rainforest after dark spotlight tour
Image credit: NPWS.
An after-dark adventure by torchlight through ancient Gondwana rainforest. Visitors should keep an eye out for nocturnal creatures including possums, pademelons, microbats and glow worms.
🗓️ Friday October 2
📍 Dorrigo National Park, Dorrigo
🎟️ Adult $25, Concession $21 Child $18
More information
🟡Old Bar Beach Festival
Image credit: Old Bar Beach Festival.
An annual celebration of live music and vintage Volkswagens by the beach.
🗓️ October 2-4
📍 Old Bar Beach, Old Bar
🎟️ $2
More information
🟡Sea Acres rainforest boardwalk tour
Image credit: J Spencer/DCCEEW.
Join a ranger for a guided tour of the Sea Acres rainforest in Port Macquarie.
🗓️ October 1, 6, 7, 8
📍 Sea Acres Rainforest boardwalk, Sea Acres National Park
🎟️ Adult $10, Concession $9, Child $7
More information
🟡Argents Hill art show
A biannual display of art and photography in the picturesque Nambucca Valley.
🗓️ Saturday October 17
📍 Argents Hill Hall, Argents Hill
🎟️ Free
More information
🟡 Innes Ruins Historic Site guided tour
Image credit: NPWS.
A guided tour of some of the oldest surviving brick structures in northern NSW, featuring stories of convict labour and colonial life in the 1800s.
🗓️ October 7 and 10
📍 Innes Ruins Historic Site, Port Macquarie
🎟️ Adult $25, Concession $21, Child $18
More information
🟡 Smoky Cape Lighthouse tour
Image credit: Louise Walpole/DCCEEW.
An opportunity to explore the highest lighthouse in NSW and learn about the region’s maritime history.
🗓️ October 3 and 7
📍 Smoky Cape Lighthouse, Arakoon
🎟️ Adult $20, Concession $17, Child $14
More information
🟡 Bellbrook Yowie Festival
The Bellbrook Yowie Festival returns to Bellbrook for a weekend of music, entertainment, country fun and yowie folklore.
🗓️ October 2-4
📍 Bellbrook Hotel, Bellbrook
🎟️ Adult $10, kids under 14 free
More information
🟡 Bar Gangland
Veteran crime reporter Mark Morri and Kings Cross piano player Geoff B Good bring their true crime show to Port Macquarie and Kempsey.
🗓️ Port Macquarie October 2-3, Kempsey October 10-11
📍 Bandbox Theatre in Kempsey and Glasshouse Studio in Port Macquarie
🎟️ From $27.50
More information
🟡 Hideaway Festival
A two-day youth festival held in the laneways of the Port Macquarie CBD, featuring live music, a clothes swap and skating.
🗓️ October 3-4
📍 Phillips Lane and Barracks Lane, Port Macquarie
🎟️ Free
More information
September events
🟡 Open Streets Festival
A community-led, all-ages festival showcasing the food, music and culture of the Nambucca Valley.
🗓️ Saturday September 19
📍 River Street & Wallace Lane, Macksville
🎟️Free
More information
🟡 Out of the Shadows Ceremony
A gathering at sunrise on Town Beach, Port Macquarie to honour those lost to suicide.
🗓️ Sunday September 13
📍 Salty Crew Kiosk, Port Macquarie
🎟️Free
More information
🟡 Rockin’ at Nambucca
A weekend of rock and roll dance in the auditorium of the Nambucca Heads RSL Club.
🗓️ Friday September 10 to Sunday 13 September
📍 Nambucca Heads RSL Club
🎟️Weekend ticket, $60
More information
🟡 Hastings Farm Gate Tour
An annual showcase of locally grown produce, offering a self-drive tour of properties across the Hastings region.
🗓️ Saturday September 12 and Sunday September 13
📍 Farms across Hastings region
🎟️On sale now
More information
🟡 Riverside Rhythms Festival
A day of music, markets and community activities on the banks of the Macleay River at Kempsey, headlined by Nambucca Valley artist Tasman Keith.
🗓️ Saturday September 5
📍 Riverside Park, Kempsey
🎟️Free
More information
🟡 It’s OK on the Macleay
Annual community event celebrating diversity in the Macleay Valley, featuring a runway show, free entertainment and games for the kids.
🗓️ Sunday September 20
📍 Riverside Park, Kempsey
🎟️Free
More information
🟡 Kempsey Aussie International Rugby 11s
The inaugural Phuket Rugby 11s event to be held in Australia, hosted by the Kempsey Cannonballs at their home ground in Crescent Head.
🗓️ Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27
📍 Ian Walton Rugby Park, Crescent Head
More information
🟡 The Happiest Refugee
A comedy show from Vietnamese-born Australian author and entertainer Anh Do, whose book, The Happiest Refugee, was a bestseller in 2011.
🗓️ Tuesday September 22
📍 C.ex Coffs Harbour
🎟️From $69
More information
🟡 A Taste of Ireland
Image credit: A Taste of Ireland.
An on-stage celebration of traditional Irish music and dance at the Jetty Memorial Theatre.
🗓️ Wednesday September 2
📍 Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour
🎟️Adult $89.90
More information
🟡 King of the Manning
Nitro Buggy and EP8 Electric Buggy racing on an off-road track in Taree, hosted by the Manning Valley Radio Control Car Club.
🗓️ Friday September 11 to Sunday September 13
📍 Taree Showgrounds
More information
🟡 Stars of the Hastings Dance for Cancer
Local personalities put their talent and dance skills to the test in a fundraiser for Cancer Council NSW.
🗓️ Friday September 11
📍 Panthers Port Macquarie
🎟️General Admission: $145
More information