Its biggest and best program yet, the Festival celebrates its 21st edition with a revamped Festival Village, a tantalising restaurant showcase, daily Beach Events, and the return of signature event The Long Lunch.

At the centre of the action is the Festival Village; Noosa Eat & Drink’s weekend-long hub of food, drink and entertainment. Including prosecco on arrival, Festival Village tickets give visitors the chance to explore pop-ups from Noosa’s top restaurants, stock up on artisan delights from across the region at the Producers Pavilion, and sip on refreshing tipples from the finest craft brewers, distillers and local wineries, alongside a selection of international brands. Festival Director John Guise says the Festival Village offers something for everyone.

“The Festival Village is an absolute must for those visiting Noosa Eat & Drink this year, with a line- up of over 80 local, Australian and international brands, and exciting demonstrations and masterclasses from our celebrity chefs.

“The Village becomes a hub of culinary excellence and perfectly showcases our region’s food scene – from fine dining to local artisans and everything in between,” said Mr Guise.

Special guests Gary Mehigan and Hayden Quinn will host a culinary utopia daily from 11am at the Festival Village Main Stage, where a stellar line-up of visiting industry powerhouses including George Calombaris, Anna Polyviou, Adriano Zumbo, Warren Mendes, Sarah Todd, Khanh Ong, Matt Golinski and Sergio Perera will cook up a storm during live demonstrations.

For those seeking a more personal experience, masterclasses with Polyviou, Zumbo, Mendes, Todd, plus George Georgovski (The Lunchbox Dad), Seabourne Gin and Sunshine & Sons Gin will pepper the program, while a sizzling daily showdown at the Celebrity Cooking Competition, will see special guests Olympian Michael Klim and Olympian-turned-restaurateur Eamon Sullivan put everything on the table to prove their gastronomic genius.

The Chandon VIP Lounge ups the ante for lovers of fine food and wine, where ticketholders will enjoy front-row seats to celebrity chef cooking demos, a Chandon cocktail on arrival, plus catering by hot new local, Lanai Noosa.

At dusk, get ready to groove with an epic roster of performers, including DJs and bands who will keep the energy soaring into the evening.

Hurry to secure your tickets for Noosa Eat & Drink’s beloved Beach Events, with the daily Sundowner Cocktail Party almost sold out and exclusive sessions at the new Beach Club and

Sunday Brunch by the sea hosted by George Calombaris and Masterchef Australia alumni Sarah Todd also preparing to be a sell-out success.

In a showcase of local restaurants, Festival visitors can embark on a food adventure from the country to the coast. Savour signature dishes while rubbing elbows with local chefs who will dish out secrets on how they’re working wonders with regional produce at one-of-a-kind restaurants events, chef pairings and pop-ups.

Local celebrity chef Matt Golinski has been involved in the festival since its inception in 2003, and this year will work with local suppliers to source the very best produce and supplies for guests and chefs.

“The festival brings so much excitement to Noosa! Our local restaurants are at the forefront of a culinary movement, working closely with producers from the region to bring the freshest seasonal produce to the table,” said Mr Golinski.

“This collaboration not only sparks new concepts and ideas using the vibrant flavours Noosa has to offer but also champions sustainability with the reduction in food miles.”

The Festival’s signature event The Long Lunch continues in 2024 and will be hosted on the popular Arcadia Street in Noosa Junction and catered by local restaurants.

The Gala dinner on Sunday night, hosted by the legendary team at Locale, will see a collaboration with Ben Williamson from Agnes in Brisbane and Jason Saxby from Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay delivering a sumptuous finale to the festival.

Tourism Noosa CEO Sharon Raguse says that Noosa Eat & Drink is a highlight on Noosa’s event calendar.

“One of the unique aspects of Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is the national connection between some of Australia’s best chefs and the collaborative experiences they bring to the restaurant events and with our local chefs,” says Ms Raguse.

“The chefs love attending the festival, often bringing their families to enjoy a long weekend in Noosa.

“Showcasing some of Australia’s premier food experiences, top-quality produce and highlighting the diversity of our coastal dining experiences, the event solidifies Noosa and the Sunshine Coast as a must-visit destination.”

Noosa Eat & Drink regularly attracts 10,000 visitors to the region with more than 1,500 interstate and international visitors predicted to follow their tastebuds to the Festival in 2024 and serve up more than $3 million for the local visitor economy.

With signature events selling fast, be sure to lock in your tickets and sign up to stay in the loop with program updates at noosaeatdrink.com.au.

Noosa Eat & Drink
30 May – 2 June 2024
Various locations around Noosa
www.noosaeatdrink.com.au

This year boasts a stellar line up of 80 films from 20 countries over a four-day festival weekend across Noosa and Eumundi venues.

“This year’s festival is better than ever with seven specially themed short film sessions, awesome Inside Cinema workshops as well as discussions with award-winning special guests,” said Holly Pittman, festival
president.

The program includes feature films, short films, special guests, workshops and talks covering a variety of themes and topics that any film enthusiast or screen industry creative will enjoy.

“We’re honoured to have Oscar-winning cinematographer, John Seale return to Noosa for a third year in a row. Mr Seale is best known for his work on films such as Mad Max: Fury Road, The Talented Mr Ripley, Gorillas in the Mist, and The English Patient. He’s our founding patron and is becoming a real favourite within our festival community.

“We’re also excited to welcome one of the world’s leading film editors, Jill Bilcock and Australian film director, Heath Davis, among other special guests.”

The feature film program is varied and enthralling. Headlining is NIFF’s opening night feature, the Queensland premiere of Australian black comedy drama, Book Week. Writer and director, Heath Davis will join filmgoers at the opening night party and Q&A.

Also on the bill, controversial feature and political revenge fable, TERROR NULLIUS screens with a special guest panel discussion.

Jill Bilcock will present in person her Academy Award-nominated feature documentary, Dancing the Invisible with Q&A, delving into her life and work as a film editor for some of Australia’s most iconic films.

“My ‘not-to-miss’ highlights for NIFF 2018 would have to be the outstanding feature on world renown film editor, Jill Bilcock and the beautiful environmental short film session, ‘Planet Earth’ at Eumundi,” said Ms Pittman.

Official selection short films will screen at multiple sessions over the weekend. The diverse themed sessions about Women & Film, the Environment, Real Stories, plus Thrillers and Comedies are sure to entertain all filmgoers.

Filmmakers from around the country and abroad are already making plans to visit Noosa for the festival and will celebrate with filmgoers at the NIFF Short Film Awards Show with an extended screening of the winning films.

3rd Noosa International Film Festival 2018
25-28 October 2018
Various venues in Noosa and surounds
www.niff.com.au

Moving through arena sized venues, starting at the Adelaide Entertainment Theatre on the 18th November, continuing to the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney on the 1st December and finishing up in her home town of Melbourne at the Margaret Court Arena on the 14th December. She will be joined by likeminded strummers Pierce Brothers and forest ravers Willow Beats for a celebration of musical freedom and instrumental virtuosity.

Tash Sultana has spent the last 18 months collecting fans and selling out shows worldwide in what can only be described as a whirlwind of activity. Riding high on the back of her singles ‘Jungle’, ‘Notion’ and ‘Murder To The Mind’, the accolades have come thick and fast. She landed at number 3 in last year’s triple j Hottest 100 (picking up the Unearthed J Award on the way through), fixed herself in the top 10 of the ARIA chart with her Notion EP and has watched the view count on her YouTube channel rocket into the millions.

Returning home for another victory lap before focusing her attention on that all important debut record, these standalone performances (no extra shows will be added to this tour) will serve as a benchmark to just how much Sultana has achieved since she was first noticed busking amongst Melbourne’s humming CBD. Solo on the stage, as she was on the street, Sultana has a rare ability to create wholly intimate atmospheres, even in the largest of spaces. A diminutive figure equipped with searing confidence and incredible skill, Sultana utilises her self-taught skills on several instruments (guitar, horns, drums) to compliment her powerfully exotic voice and build a truly intoxicating on-stage atmosphere.

Also appearing at these landmark shows are fellow former buskers Pierce Brothers. Forging a similar path to Sultana, this brotherly duo has garnered considerable buzz worldwide for their high energy performances and virtuosic skills. Their latest EP The Records Were Ours came in at #9 on the ARIA chart after topping the iTunes charts across the globe. Opening up will be Melbourne based free spirits Willow Beats, an uncle-niece partnership who will provide glorious, tropical rave pop.

Tash Sultana Homecoming Tour This November/December
November 18 – Adelaide Entertainment Theatre, Adelaide
December 01 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
December 07 – Freo Arts Centre, Fremantle
December 09 – 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River
December 14 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
December 16 – Noosa AFL Grounds, Noosa
www.tashsultana.com