Autumn 2026: Your guide to a season of gold and grit

As the heat of summer fades into the golden light of autumn, the Murrumbidgee comes alive. Whether you're navigating the backroads between Narrandera and Leeton or exploring the charm of Lockhart and the Murrumbidgee Shire, there’s a rhythm to autumn here that you just can't miss. This season, the trails are paved with chrome, community spirit, and a whole lot of country soul.

High-Octane Heritage

Autumn is peak season for chrome and classic engines. From vintage rigs to custom rods, the region is turning into an open-air museum this March and April.

7 March • The Rock Truck Show • Kick off the season at The Rock. It’s a relaxed community day featuring an impressive display of classic and modern trucks. Grab a snag from the stalls, enter the raffles, and soak up that local spirit.

7 March • Jerilderie Fun Fair • Featuring a variety of entertainment and activities at the event, including live music performances, carnival rides, jumping castles, market stalls, food trucks, classic car display, outdoor cinema screening and much more.

8 March • Lockhart Lions Show ’n’ Shine • This vibrant celebration of vintage and custom vehicles is set against the town’s picturesque backdrop with live music and plenty of family-friendly vibes.

4-5 April • Narrandera Rod Run • A regional icon. Don’t miss Cruisin’ no Boozin’ on Saturday night, followed by the massive Show ’n’ Shine on Sunday. It’s a festival atmosphere with markets, music, and some of the best-restored cars in the country.

4 April • MIA Cruisers Leeton Motoring Classic • Leeton joins the Easter action! From muscle cars to vintage beauties, owners from across the region will be gathered to talk shop and show off their prized possessions.

Riches of the Land

If you prefer the smell of wool and the scale of big machinery over the roar of engines, these events celebrate the gold that comes from our soil. From the vast rice crops of Leeton to the historic wool of Lockhart.

2-6 April • Leeton SunRice Festival • The region's biennial crown jewel. This five-day festival celebrates the rice harvest with the nationally recognised Balloon Glow, a nostalgic street parade, and the Festival on Mountford. It’s a powerful tribute to the industry that sustains our community.

27-28 March • Riverina Field Days • Held at the Whitton Malt House, this is the ultimate showcase of regional innovation. Get hands on with massive machinery demonstrations, explore lifestyle stalls, and see the cutting-edge technology driving modern agribusiness.

28 March • Toganmain Wool Shed Open Day • Step inside the massive timber structure and learn about the restoration efforts to preserve one of the most significant wool sheds in Australian history.

4 April • Women and Wool Exhibition • Explore the artistry, creativity, and history of wool Lockhart’s Greens Gunyah Museum. Discover beautifully preserved garments, sketches, design notes, and the legacy of the Bond sheep breed, a proud part of Lockhart's history.

Carp and Canvas

Not everything is about horsepower or harvest; sometimes it’s about slow days on the water and a splash of colour on canvas.

21 March • Refreshing Rivers Carpathon • A family-friendly fishing day aimed at improving our local waterways. With snack provided and prizes across multiple age categories, it’s a great way to get the kids outdoors for a cause.

4 April • Darlington Point Duck Races • Don’t miss the spectacle as hundreds of rubber ducks launch from the old wharf, racing downstream toward the Darlington Point Bridge.

17 May • Expressive Acrylics Workshop • Tap into your inner artist and join Karen Ritchie at Narrandera’s Railway Arts Hub for a full-day workshop exploring the beauty and movement of Australia birds through bold, freestyle painting.

See You on the Trails!

The Murrumbidgee Trails offer a rare slice of Australia, where the rugged grit of the heartland meets a surprisingly refined creative spirit. Here, you can spend your morning marvelling at multi-million-dollar harvest machinery or world-class classic cars, and your afternoon wandering through heritage wool galleries or watching hot air balloons float over Riverina plains.