Doing Dungog

Do you want to find out more about the life and history of a ridgy-didge country town? Ever wanted to experience the beauty of the Barrington Tops countryside, or pay a visit to a boutique vineyard or olive grove? Is being entertained by local street artists, buskers and musicians as you sip coffee more your style? Or would you rather just wander around shops, galleries and browse at local markets?

During the weekend of the Dungog Film Festival, the hospitable townsfolk have arranged vast and varied activities to entertain visitors, no matter what your taste! Here's a small appetizer of what's in store:

DUNGOG: The Town

Live Music at Catbird Gallery
Be a "cool cat” as you relax and enjoy Music in the Backyard after browsing the works of local artists, artisans, and well-known jewellers such as Robyn Gordon. Free refreshments for Passholders.

Art Show at The Doug Walters Pavilion, Mackay Street
Enjoy and buy works of art in a variety of media at this pavilion that celebrates Dungog’s famous cricketing son. Presented by the Dungog Arts Society.

Dowling Street Buskers
Buskers from the local school will keep you entertained as you wander down Dowling Street.

Antique Shops
Interested in one-of-a-kind antiques and bric-a-brac? Old Bank Antiques, housed at the heritage listed NAB, has a variety of quality objets d’art and small furnishings from the 1860s to the 1960s. Giving that extra little glint of movie glamour, this business provided some props for Baz Lurhmann’s latest film Australia. Dungog Village Store and Antiques concentrates on antique furniture, brass beds, and new and antique giftware.

Historic Walking Tours
Dungog Rotary Club is conducting guided tours of the historic and architecturally significant buildings around Dowling Street. More than 30 buildings are heritage listed, including the cinema, the National Australia Bank, Hiram Lodge and several local churches.

Dungog Museum
Housed in the former School of Arts, this rustic museum has a special display of old farming equipment as well as memorabilia reflecting the town’s rich history as a hub of timber-getting, gold mining and dairy farming.

Thadius Steptoe’s Attic
Watch artists create footpath art and enjoy vibrant street theatre as performers have fun with Romeo and Juliet. You’ll be fascinated by the shop’s contents, which Steptoe himself has affectionately dubbed “interesting old stuff”.

Street Stalls
A variety of street stalls serve delicious country fare: BBQs, spit roasts, Devonshire teas, homemade biscuits and slices, olives and dips, while ‘coffee carts’ will ensure an adequate supply of caffeine to keep filmgoers and culture buffs energised for their marathon viewing.

Dungog Creative Markets
Held in the grounds of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, stalls sell a variety of goods and food. Of particular interest is the work of a local wood turner who crafts beautiful objects from local timbers.

Country Auction
If you’re looking for a bargain and want to see a real country auction in a real country showground, why not venture up to Dungog Showground in Abelard Street? Whether you’re a bidder or a spectator, you’ll have a lot of fun.

DUNGOG: Off the Beaten Track

Bus Trips to historic Munni
See this glorious valley before it is inundated with former-suburbanites looking for a rural seachange. These trips on Saturday and Sunday are sponsored by the No Tillegra Dam Group, a local community group opposed to the proposed development of the Tillegra Dam on the basis of its negative impact on the local community and environment. See www.notillegradam.com for more information.

Boutique Wineries, Olive Groves and Lavender farms
More and more vineyards, olive groves, and even a lavender farm are putting down their roots in the Dungog-Gresford-Vacy-Stroud region, so why not visit these towns and the businesses that are eager to open their doors to Festival comers.

Gresford
Drive into the historic village of Gresford (about 26 kms west) to visit the historic Beatty Hotel, and tour three heritage listed churches. Call in at Simple Kneads, a bakery that also sells old wares, and at 59 Park Street for light snacks and country clothing. Follow the boutique winery and olive trail through the surrounding towns. The NRMA has described the drive from Dungog to Gresford as “a hidden treasure” with spectacular vistas of horse studs interspersed with pockets of rainforest.