Happenings

HAPPENINGS ON THE COAST

© KEVIN MORGAN MAGIC LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

5 Lands Walk Saturday, June 26

The 5 Lands Walk, a highly popular Central Coast tradition, is a day-long festival on June 26 that connects five coastal communities. The 10 km route starts at the surf club at MacMasters Beach, heads north to the surf clubs at Copacabana, Avoca Beach and North Avoca following the beaches, headlands, bush tracks and back-roads to the surf club at Terrigal.

You can walk all or part of the route, drive, take a shuttlebus, or just hang out in one location and enjoy some people-watching, and the entertainment and exhibits.

The walk – timed to coincide with the peak of the northerly whale migration past the Central Coast – connects people with people, people with place, and people with Aboriginal ceremony and culture, music, food, artworks, gigantic kites, whales, dance, sculptures on the beach and craft workshops.

The new patron of the 2021 walk is Darkinjung woman, Katrina Sales, further reflecting and reinforcing the cultural significance and collaboration between the thousands of people who participate in the Walk and the First Nations’ People on whose land the walk is held.

Some 22,000 people are expected to participate. You can register (free) beforehand at 5landswalk.com.au/registration-form, or on the day.

5landswalk.com.au

Pearl Beach Arboretum ‘Ephemeral Art Trail’,

June 12–July 4

Ephemeral art is sculpture made from materials that are at hand that have a short life cycle. The Trail, from June 12 to July 4, showcases temporary public art with themes of nature conservation, community identity and cultural vibrancy. The art cannot be bought, sold or traded, and the sculpture merges back into the environment as its materials gradually degrade

Entry is a donation of $5 per adult. Car access is via Opal Close or Crystal Ave, Pearl Beach. pearlbeacharboretum.org.au/ephemeral-art-trail-2021/

COAST ARTISTS SHINE IN ART GALLERY ON PALM BEACH

The gallery is an artist-run initiative by 20 professional and awardwinning artists. Coast artists feature strongly, including Meg Lewer from Wagstaffe, Cheryl Bruce from Wamberal, Karen Bloomfield from Ettalong Beach, and Vanessa Ashcroft from Patonga. The artists regularly cross Broken Bay by ferry to staff the not-for-profit gallery, so watch out for your favourite artist ‘in residence’ when you visit.

1095 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach. Open Thursday to Sunday 10am–3pm. artgalleryonpalmbeach.com.au

© JENNIFER HARTICH

Girri Girra Tours in Bouddi National Park, Yengo National Park and Bulgandry Aboriginal Site

Walk in the footsteps of Australia’s First Nations’ people and feel their living connection to the land in today’s world. Hear timeless stories, see original rock carvings and feel the power of connecting with this beautiful country.

Tours operate seven days a week and are usually limited to groups of 15. Suitable for all ages. Larger groups, schools and corporate bookings by arrangement. Adults: $90; Pensioners: $55; Teenagers: $45; Children 5–12: $25. girrigirra.com.au/tours

NAUGHTY NOODLE FUNHAUS HAPPENINGS

It’s baby time at the AUSTRALIAN

REPTILE PARK, June 26–July 11

naughtynoodle.com.au/whats-on

Bathhouse Bette cabaret

Direct from New York city, and courtesy of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, celebrated vocalist and comedic monologist, Amber Martin, presents her Broadway World award-nominated Bathhouse Bette cabaret, a tribute to Bette Midler. Watch out for a special steamy, surprise guest, the popular Rupert Noffs (of Lucky Bee restaurant).

The annual Crown Jewels Dragstravanza dinner and show, June 12

Some of the best contemporary drag artists in Australia vamp it up in a curated showcase that’s set to draw you deep into the diverse and satirical world of performative drag with a largerthan-life night of parody and illusion.

5 Broken Bay Rd, Ettalong Beach. Adults: $55; Concessions: $45. From 8pm, June 12

During the winter school holidays, from June 26 to July 11, the Reptile Park will hold a daily Baby Animal Show in the Show Pit where you can see the adorably mischievous dingo puppy, and the slightly less cuddly, but unforgettable pod of baby alligators. You’ll also be able to have some special oneon-one playtime with the dingo pup in her enclosure.

Come July, watch out for the koala joeys beginning to venture into the big world from the safety of mums’ pouches. We challenge you to find anything cuter if you can spot them!

And the Kids2Keepers program is back where kids can get a taste of the daily life of a zookeeper. For very special children there’s also the Inclusive Kids 2 Keeper program designed for children with a disability, and their carers.

All this is in addition to your favourite reptile park encounters, including the interactive walk with some of the park’s much loved stars.

Pacific Hwy, Somersby. Open seven days per week, 9am–5pm. Adults: $25; Family pass: $115. reptilepark.com.au The Lyons Den hosts ‘ThursGAY’

Gosford’s latest funky bar and after-work drinks spot, The Lyons Den, is the location for ‘ThursGAY’ presented by Naughty Noodle, on the last Thursday of each month as an ‘all welcome’ social night with drinks, tunes and entertainment.

37a Mann St, Gosford from 6pm–10pm. lyonsdengosford.com.au

© LISA HAYMES