Each week in Reset Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure.
Waipu Highland Games, January 1
Come January 1, air your dusty head from the night before at Waipu’s 150th Highland Games, one of the longest-running Scottish gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere. Caledonian Park will be awash with bagpipers, Highland dancing, food and drink stalls, as well as family-friendly events. Don’t miss the Heavyweight Games, where pretty much anything weighty is tossed, including an 18-foot-long tree trunk coming in at 58kg. waipuhighlandgames.co.nz
Matakana Food and Beer Festival, January 28
Stay ahead of the curve and score tickets to the first-ever Matakana Food and Beer Festival. Springing up at Matakana Country Park on Saturday, January 28, it’s pitched to be a winning combination of food trucks, locally-crafted beer, and all-day entertainment. Tickets start from $44. matakanafoodbeerfest.com
Auckland Gin Festival, February 3-5
It’s new and GIN-credible, coming to Auckland for three days from February 3, the Gin Festival will take over The Cloud. Taste a selection of 300 gins (some would call it a choice, others a challenge) and purchase all your favourites to take home. From free-flowing samples to demos and tutored tastings, it’s a no-brainer for the avid gin drinker. aucklandlive.co.nz/show/auckland-gin-festival
Sydney Festival, January 5-29
January is a great month to be Sydney-side, notably for the 24-day-long Sydney Festival. Commencing January 5, experience the city at its creative best with exhilarating art - and artists - to impress every attendee. Next year’s highlights include a multi-sensory Frida Kahlo exhibition and the Maho Magic Bar, a neon-lit Japanese-inspired bar featuring magicians, it’s both a venue and a performance. sydneyfestival.org.au
Palm Tree Music Festival, Australia March 10-12
Debuting in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in March 2023, the Palm Tree Music Festival is already an international hit in the US, Mexico and Croatia. Headlining high-profile DJs such as Kygo and Tiesto, the new festival kicks off in Sydney on March 10 and plays in Brisbane and Melbourne in the days following. palmtreemusicfestival.com