Planning a country escape to Gloucester, Barrington Tops, Stroud, Dungog or the MidCoast of NSW?
Spring and early summer are fantastic times to explore this beautiful part of New South Wales. From country rodeos and agricultural shows to cycling festivals, heritage celebrations, markets, live music, nature experiences and major outdoor festivals, there is plenty happening across the region during the remainder of 2026.
Gloucester makes an excellent base for exploring the valleys, villages and wilderness surrounding the southern Barrington Tops. Visitors can combine an event weekend with bushwalking, waterfalls, scenic drives, local produce, historic towns and some of the most spectacular countryside in NSW.
Here are some of the major upcoming events worth adding to your calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What events are coming up in Gloucester NSW in 2026?
Upcoming events and experiences include Mountain Maid Heritage Gold Mine tours, Copeland Tops Twilight Tours, the Gloucester Open Tennis Tournament and Aboriginal cultural experiences at Copeland Tops. Major events are also taking place nearby in Stroud and Dungog.
What are the biggest events near Gloucester in spring 2026?
Major events include the Stroud Rodeo in September, Stroud Campdraft in October, Dungog Show and Subsonic Music Festival in November, and the ten-day Stroud 200 Bicentenary Celebration.
What events are happening in Stroud NSW?
Stroud’s 2026 calendar includes the Stroud Rodeo, Stroud Campdraft, Mid-Spring Festival, Subsonic Music Festival in nearby Monkerai and the major Stroud 200 Bicentenary Celebration in November.
What events are happening in Dungog?
Dungog hosts PedalFest in September, monthly markets, arts and cultural activities and the Dungog Show on 13–14 November 2026.
Are there family-friendly events near Barrington Tops?
Yes. Country shows, markets, heritage tours, cultural tours, school-holiday gold-mine experiences and regional festivals provide plenty of family-friendly options around Gloucester, Dungog, Stroud and the Barrington Tops.
Where should I stay when visiting Gloucester events?
Gloucester is a convenient base for events and attractions throughout the Gloucester Valley, Copeland Tops and Barrington Tops, while also providing access to Stroud, Dungog and the wider MidCoast region.
September 2026
Stroud Rodeo
18–19 September 2026 | Stroud Showground, Stroud
One of the region’s great country events returns to Stroud in September.
The Stroud Rodeo is a two-day celebration of Australian rodeo culture and country life, held at Stroud Showground.
The venue features all-weather spectator seating and hosts a full rodeo program in a traditional country-showground atmosphere.
For visitors travelling through the Gloucester and Barrington Tops region, the rodeo provides a great reason to turn a day trip into a weekend country escape.
Camping is available at the showground, with event entry available at the gate.
Stroud itself is one of the region’s most historic villages, making the weekend an opportunity to explore its heritage buildings, country pubs and surrounding farmland as well.
Good for: Families, country weekends, rodeo fans and regional NSW experiences.
Dungog PedalFest
18–20 September 2026 | Dungog
Cyclists should put Dungog PedalFest firmly on their calendar.
The annual cycling festival welcomes everyone from recreational riders and families to serious mountain-bike and road competitors.
Events include mountain-bike racing at Dungog Common, road cycling events and activities catering to gravel, mountain, electric and traditional bikes.
Dungog is increasingly well known as a cycling and mountain-biking destination, and PedalFest is an excellent opportunity to discover the town while experiencing its cycling culture.
Away from the bikes, visitors can explore Dungog’s cafes, galleries, historic streets and its famous heritage cinema.
Good for: Mountain bikers, cyclists, active families and adventure weekends.
Gloucester Events - Spring 2026
Mountain Maid Heritage Gold Mine Tours
Selected dates from September through October | Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Just outside Gloucester, visitors can discover another side of the region’s history at the Mountain Maid gold mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area.
Guided experiences explore the area’s fascinating gold-mining history while taking visitors into the rainforest environment surrounding the historic mine.
Tours are scheduled on a number of dates during the spring period, including school-holiday dates in October.
This is an excellent addition to a Gloucester getaway because it combines local history with the spectacular natural environment for which the Barrington Tops region is known.
Good for: Families, history enthusiasts, nature lovers and school-holiday visitors.
October 2026
Copeland Tops Twilight Tours
2 October, 6 November and 4 December 2026 | Copeland Tops State Conservation Area
Experience the rainforest after the daytime visitors have left.
The Copeland Tops Twilight Tour explores the Hidden Treasure track and historic buildings around the Mountain Maid gold mine during the evening.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service schedules these tours throughout the year, generally on the first Friday of the month.
October to December tours run from approximately 7pm to 9pm.
It is a very different way to experience the rainforest and makes an excellent addition to a weekend staying in Gloucester.
Copeland Tops Aboriginal Cultural Tour
6 October 2026 | Copeland Tops
Visitors can learn more about the cultural landscape surrounding Gloucester during the Copeland Tops Aboriginal Cultural Tour.
The experience explores the traditional lands of the Worimi and Biripi peoples around the foothills of the Barrington Tops.
For visitors interested in understanding the region beyond its scenery, the tour provides valuable insight into the long cultural history of the landscape.
Stroud Campdraft
16–18 October 2026 | Stroud Showground
Following September’s rodeo, Stroud Showground hosts another major country event in October.
The Stroud Campdraft showcases horsemanship, cattle work and one of Australia’s great traditional rural sports.
Competitors demonstrate the relationship between horse and rider as they work cattle through a demanding campdraft course.
It is an authentic regional NSW experience and another excellent excuse for a spring road trip through Stroud, Gloucester and the Barrington region.
Mid-Spring Festival
17 October 2026 | Stroud district
Spring in the countryside is celebrated at the Mid-Spring Festival, held at The Farmer’s Wife Distillery.
The event offers visitors another reason to explore the Stroud district and the beautiful countryside along The Bucketts Way.
Combine the festival with a scenic drive through Stroud, Gloucester and the foothills of the Barrington Tops for a relaxed spring weekend.
November 2026
Dungog Anglican Church Market Day
7 November and 5 December 2026 | Dungog
Country markets remain one of the best ways to experience the character of a regional town.
Dungog’s Anglican Church Market Day operates on the first Saturday of the month and features stalls selling items including handmade jewellery, arts and crafts, cakes, slices, jams, pickles and bric-a-brac.
Entry is free.
Visitors can wander through the markets before exploring Dungog’s heritage streets, cafes and shops.
Dungog Show
13–14 November 2026 | Dungog
The Dungog Show is one of the classic country events on the region’s calendar.
Held over two days, the agricultural and horticultural show celebrates the produce, people, livestock and agricultural traditions of the Dungog district.
The event combines agriculture with entertainment and places particular emphasis on helping visitors understand modern farming, agricultural innovation and the importance of agriculture to regional communities.
Competitions and youth agricultural activities are also an important part of the show.
For visitors from Sydney, Newcastle or the Central Coast, the Dungog Show provides an ideal introduction to authentic country NSW.
Subsonic Music Festival 2026
13–15 November 2026 | Riverwood Downs, Monkerai
One of the biggest destination events in this part of NSW returns in November.
Subsonic Music Festival takes place at Riverwood Downs at Monkerai, between the Dungog, Stroud and Gloucester areas and close to the wilderness of the Barrington Tops.
The three-day festival combines electronic music, art, nature and camping across a spectacular rural property.
Music ranges from house and techno to ambient, experimental electronic music and global sounds.
But Subsonic is much more than music.
The festival experience includes immersive and interactive art, performances, wellness spaces, market stalls, food options and riverside camping.
Riverwood Downs extends across hundreds of acres with kilometres of mountain-river frontage, giving the festival a setting quite different from a traditional city music festival.
Visitors travelling to Subsonic should plan ahead because mobile reception around the venue can be limited.
Good for: Music lovers, groups of friends, festival weekends and visitors looking for a nature-based music experience.
Stroud Bicentenary Celebration
20–29 November 2026 | Stroud
One of the most historically significant events in the region during 2026 will be the Stroud 200 Bicentenary Celebration.
For ten days, Stroud will celebrate more than 200 years of community, heritage and connection.
The program includes:
- Official opening celebrations
- Heritage walks
- The Stroud 1826 theatre production
- Historic church and monastery open days
- Ghost tours
- Progressive dinners
- Trivia and film nights
- Poetry and storytelling
- A Debutante Ball
- Late-night shopping
- Heritage activities
- Community celebrations
The celebrations culminate with Back to Stroud Day on Saturday 28 November, running from approximately 8am to 8pm at Stroud Showground.
The day’s program is expected to include historic transport displays, art exhibitions, traditional artisan demonstrations, bullock wagon and sulky rides, market stalls, children’s activities and a rodeo exhibition.
An evening concert featuring The Bushwhackers will round out the festivities.
For anyone interested in regional NSW history, Stroud’s bicentenary will be one of the standout events of the year.
More MidCoast Events Worth the Drive
If you’re staying longer, there are plenty of events happening across the wider MidCoast and Barrington Coast region.
Old Bar Beach Festival
2 October 2026 onwards | Old Bar
The popular coastal festival returns with its famous Kombi presence alongside markets, food, entertainment and carnival activities.
It makes a great contrast to a stay in the mountains — spend part of your getaway exploring Gloucester and the Barrington Tops before heading towards the Manning Valley and coast.
Forster Spring Festival
10 October 2026 | Forster
Celebrate spring beside the water at Forster.
The festival brings activity to the Wharf Street precinct and can easily be incorporated into a broader MidCoast road trip.
Barrington Coast Air Show
7 November 2026
A major November event on the Barrington Coast calendar, the Barrington Coast Air Show brings aviation displays and high-flying entertainment to the region.
It is particularly suited to families and aviation enthusiasts and is another reason to explore more of the MidCoast during a Gloucester getaway.
Bulahdelah Show
20 November 2026 | Bulahdelah
Country-show season continues with the Bulahdelah Show, celebrating the agricultural community of the southern MidCoast.
Expect the atmosphere of a traditional regional agricultural show and another opportunity to experience the communities surrounding the Barrington Tops and Great Lakes.
Regular Gloucester Markets
Visitors don’t necessarily need to wait for a major festival to experience Gloucester.
The Gloucester Markets are generally held on the second Saturday of each month, providing an opportunity to browse local products and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the town.
Markets are a great addition to a weekend itinerary: start the morning in Gloucester before heading towards Copeland Tops, Barrington Tops or one of the region’s scenic drives.
Why Visit Gloucester for an Event Weekend?
Gloucester occupies a special position between the Hunter, MidCoast and Barrington Tops.
The town provides access to some of NSW’s most impressive mountain scenery while still offering the cafes, shops and services visitors need for a comfortable country getaway.
A Gloucester holiday can include:
Barrington Tops National Park – World Heritage-listed wilderness, rainforest, mountain landscapes and walking trails.
Copeland Tops State Conservation Area – rainforest walks, historic gold-mining sites and guided experiences.
Gloucester Tops – waterfalls, walking tracks, forests and spectacular mountain scenery.
The Bucketts – the distinctive mountain backdrop that has become synonymous with Gloucester.
Scenic country drives – explore routes connecting Gloucester with Stroud, Dungog, Barrington, Wingham and the Manning Valley.
Country towns and villages – discover historic Stroud, Dungog and smaller rural communities throughout the district.
Turn an Event into a Gloucester Country Escape
Coming to the Stroud Rodeo, Dungog Show, Subsonic Music Festival, Stroud Bicentenary, Gloucester sporting events or a Barrington Tops experience?
Rather than driving home afterwards, make a weekend of it.
Staying in the Gloucester and Barrington Tops region gives you time to experience both the event and the destination.
Spend the morning exploring a country market, take an afternoon drive into the mountains, discover local food and produce, or simply slow down and enjoy the landscape.
With events spread throughout spring and early summer, September to December is an excellent time to book accommodation in Gloucester and explore the Barrington Tops, Stroud, Dungog and the wider MidCoast region.
Find Accommodation in Gloucester & the Barrington Tops
Whether you’re planning a family weekend, attending a festival, visiting friends, competing in a sporting event or simply looking for a relaxing country escape, HolidayCo offers holiday accommodation that puts you within easy reach of Gloucester and the surrounding Barrington Tops region.
Plan your stay around one of the region’s upcoming events and discover why Gloucester is much more than somewhere to pass through.
It’s a destination worth staying for.
HolidayCo — escapes for every season.
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