NSW’s upcoming Labour Day weekend will shaping as a hectic one headlined by the NRL grand final and historic train and boat rides.
The state government says 11 sports and cultural events are tipped to lure more than 100,000 visitors with almost $60 million for the economy.
A ‘highlight’ will see 82,000 fans converge on Homebush on Sunday when Melbourne take on Brisbane and pubs able to trade until midnight on the day.
Southwest Sydney will host the AusCycling BMX National Championships from October 6-12 that will bring around 4000 visitors, including 1600 riders, to Camden.
In Sydney’s CBD, cultural events this long weekend include Cerith Wyn Evans at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala at Art Gallery of NSW, and musicals The Book of Mormon at the Capitol Theatre and the national premiere of Back to the Future: The Musical at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.
Tourism Minister Steve Kamper says the long weekend will be “one for the record books” and a vindication of government’s targeted support for events.
“Our NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 provides a clear mandate for delivering a year-round calendar of world-class events that drive visitation, support jobs and boost the businesses that rely on our growing visitor economy.
TRANSPORT HERITAGE EXPO
Sydney’s Central Station will host the annual Transport Heritage Expo this weekend (October 4-6) featuring historic train, bus, and steamboat rides, tours and high tea. Organisers expect to sell a record 13,000 tickets by the weekend.
Events include two steam train running side-by-side (3pm, October 4) from Central Station to Hurstville, one-hour steam train rides, vintage double-decker bus rides, harbour steam cruises, Central Clock Tower tours, high tea in a 1960s dining car, train driver’s cab visits and historic displays. Tickets, details: visit transportheritageexpo.com or call 1300 11 55 99.
REGIONAL NSW EVENTS
Elsewhere, at Deniliquin in southern NSW, the Deni Ute Muster will run from October 3-4 and is on track to sell out for the first time with 20,000 due to attend.
At Pambula, the Wanderer Festival (October 4-5) will draw almost 9000 people to the Sapphire Coast.
In the Southern Highlands, the inaugural Horizontal Festival (October 4-5) will pair food and wine with curated music, art installations and workshops.
At Coffs Harbour, the Touch Football National Youth Championships (October 1-4) will attract more than 7000 players, coaches and supporters.
At Newcastle, the New Annual festival (September 26–October 5) showcases art, plays or concerts while the Goin’ to Gil Festival Weekend in Gilgandra (October 3-6) features live music, craft beer, markets and street food.
That momentum is expected to continue with the upcoming Bathurst 1000 (October 9-12), SXSW Sydney conference (October 13-19) and World Triathlon Championship in Wollongong (October 15-19).
BUMPER YEAR
NSW recently recorded $55.9 billion in visitor spend for the year ending June 2025 off the back of more than 75 government-backed events.
The results were reinforced by Sydney’s highest August hotel occupancy in seven years due to the Sydney Marathon and British and Irish Lions rugby tour.
The government says early data shows occupancy averaged 84.4% in August (up 8.7% year on year) and peaked at 95.1% on the eve of the marathon.
