The 10th Annual Australian Festival will be held on September 15-17, 2006 at Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Over 50 Australian/American organizations and 250 participants will come together to put on the largest Australian Festival ever held outside of Australia. The Festival will feature Australian arts & culture, tourism & travel, education & immigration, and business & trade - all from the Land Down Under.

Headlining the Australian Festival is Colin Hay (pictured right), former front-man and principle songwriter for the smash group Men At Work, who will be joined by 15 Australian Music Acts including the world’s greatest Bush Band from Melbourne Australia - The Bushwackers and Australian Country Star James Blundell. There will be 40 hours of Australian music and entertainment over the 3-day festival on 3 main stages showcasing the incredible talent that Australia has to offer.

Dreamtime Village will showcase Indigenous Australia with Aboriginal artists including Joanne Reid (from the Wiradjuri tribe in New South Wales), Aboriginal performer and didjeridoo teacher Lewis Burns (born and raised on the Talbragar Aboriginal Reserve near Dubbo in New South Wales), Aboriginal dance group InDidgDance (from Northern Queensland and Torres Strait Island), and an Aboriginal Art Gallery – Walkabout Gallery from San Francisco.

Travel Down Under will highlight an extensive travel area with a chance to win a trip to the 2007 Australian Open Tennis Championships. The trip giveaway is proudly presented by Qantas, The Australian Open, Southern Cross Travel & Tours, and The Australian Festival. The lucky winner will win 2 round-trip air tickets to Melbourne, Australia, in January 2007 (in the Australian summer), with tickets to the 2007 Australian Open Men’s Finals. The Australian Open is Australia’s largest sporting event and always the hottest ticket in town.

The Australian Expo & Down Under Market Place features 20 Australian companies and organizations with products and services including Australian merchandise, Aboriginal art, and Australian books, with product spotlights and guest presentations from Aussie experts in travel, immigration, & education. 

Highlighting this year's Australian Expo is Careers Down Under and Study in Australia (from the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC) who are coming to Nashville to promote working, studying and living in the land down under. Representing the Australian Embassy is Angus Pryor, First Secretary (Immigration), and Dr. Joe Hlubucek, Executive Director of Study Australia. There will also be additional Careers Down Under sessions offered around Nashville during festival week. 

Kids Down Under will entertain and educate children and families alike with the Land Down Under & Animal Program by Kentucky Down Under, Indigenous Aboriginal Dance Group InDidgDance (pictured right), Australian music and entertainment on the Tuckerbox Stage, rock climbing, kiddy rides, jump castles, Aussie & Indigenous face painting, Aussie footy & cricket, an extensive range of Australian merchandise... and to finish off the day's adventures, the great Aussie Sausage Sizzle.

Sports Down Under will demonstrate the great sports of Australia: Australian football – Australia’s national game, cricket - one of worlds oldest games, and rugby - Australia’s other official football code. Learn about Australia’s sports heritage through The Australian Open, The Melbourne Cricket Ground, and The Australian Grand Final.

And why not finish off your grand day Down Under with some great Aussie Tucker? G’Day Café, The Australian Pavilion, & Jackaroos Pub will be serving up unique Australian food and drink throughout the festival. Enjoy meat pies, Aussie burgers, Chicken Sangas (sandwiches) and our Great Aussie Sausage Sizzle.

Australian Festival Major Sponsors include the Australian Embassy, Hardy Wines of Australia, FOX 17, MYTV30, The CW58, Southern Cross Travel & Tours, Down Under Answers, Careers Down Under, Study In Australia, Qantas Airlines, Party Place, BeareWare, and our Official Charity for 2006 – Dismas House Of Nashville. The Australian Festival's success has been established by the strength of its wonderful sponsors.  These companies have come together to help produce the largest Australian celebration known outside of Australia. We ask all festival patrons to please support these great sponsors whenever possible. 

To check out the Official 2006 Australian Festival Schedule please Click Here...

Online Tickets Now On Sale

The Australian Festival Online Ticket Office is now open with 10-25% discount on all ticket prices until September 1, 2006. Several events & tickets are limited so if you want to guarantee your place in the land down under (and save some money while you are at it) visit our Ticket Booth. We also have Group and Corporate packages available!

Other Events During Australian Festival Week – September 11-15, 2006

• Guest Appearances on Tennessee Mornings – September 11-15, 2006 – FOX 17 (6:00-8:00 a.m.)
Watch Tennessee mornings on FOX 17 – 6:00 – 8:00 a.m. as Charlie Chase, Kelly Sutton, Brooke Austin and David Park head down under with special Australian Guests appearing during festival week including music, culture, art as well as daily VIP giveaways to see Australian Festival headliner Colin Hay.

• The Australian Film Festival – Wednesday September 13, 2006 at Belcourt Theatre (6:30-10:30 p.m.)
Featuring “The Dish” – Based on a true story, "The Dish" recounts the emotions, drama and humour behind the 4-day Apollo XI moonshot mission in July 1969 and the extraordinary role that Australia played in televising the historical lunar landing to the world. Featuring guest speaker Peter Croft representing Parkes, New South Wales.

• The Australian Music Forum – Thursday Sept. 14, 2006 at Down Under Market Place (9:00-12:00 pm)
The Australian Music Forum will focus on the music industry in Nashville and the opportunities that exist for Australian and New Zealand artists who are looking to expand their careers in the United States. Guest speakers include international producer Mark Moffat, Jeff Walker of Aristomeida, and Linda Rose, Rose Immigration.

• Gum Trees Gala Celebrating 10 Years – Thursday Sept. 14, 2006 at the Australian Pavilion ( 7:00 pm) Featuring Australia’s Premier Bush Band – “The Bushwackers” – Australian singer-songwriter Neil Murray, and upscale food & drink in the shadow of the Parthenon at Centennial Park – with a big farewell to founder and 10-year director Peter Beare along with recognition of key folks and organizations that have helped build this great event.

• G'day Mates Schools Program – Friday Sept. 15, 2006 – Centennial Park - (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Australian Educational and Recreation experience for American school children featuring four amazing experiences - Parliament House, Dreamtime Village, Tuckerbox, and Sports Down Under. Children will visit with Australian officials, learn about indigenous Aboriginals, hear folks songs and stories, and participate in Aussie sports, including Cricket and Australian Football. 

- Aussie In The Round at Bluebird Café – Tuesday September 12, 2006 – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Careers Down Under Sessions – Various sessions around Nashville – September 11-15, 2006