Aireys Inlet rolls out month-long festival

A daring Surf Coast community is set to give the coastal calendar a bold shake-up at a time of year when local towns traditionally “turn out the lights”.

The Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association (AITTA) is planning to breathe new life into the region’s social and events diary for late autumn and early winter with a month-long festival of cultural, environmental, wellness and food experiences.

AITTA president Michael Lawrey has announced the program under the title Sense-ational Aireys.

“We’re going to give visitors an attack on the senses,” Lawrey said. “We want visitors to soak up the atmosphere of Aireys. We would like everyone to taste Aireys, to breathe Aireys, to feel it, and live it.

“Every weekend from May 29 to June 28, Aireys will host diverse events to complement and showcase the multi-sensory experiences we have available.

“For such a small town, we have so much on offer within walking distance.”

Starting on Friday 29 May and leading into the school holidays in late June, the festival will include themed lunches and dinners, wellness activities, environmental experiences, arts events, film screenings, workshops and outdoor adventures.

Renowned television and radio personality George Donikian will be guest speaker at the opening dinner on 29 May. Across the opening weekend he will share his passion for the food, coffee, community and culture that makes Aireys Inlet unique, while also launching a festival of artworks at Eagles Nest Gallery and visiting the Aireys Inlet Community Garden.

Environmental and nature-based experiences will form a major part of the festival.

On 30 May, visitors will have the opportunity to tour an 11-acre Bambra Road property rejuvenated by retired ophthalmologist Michael Loghnan and Jacinta Halloran, where more than 8,000 native trees have been planted with support from Angair.

Guided nature walks with the Painkalac Valley Network will also be held across the festival period, while documentary screenings at the community hall will explore ocean pollution and local environmental initiatives.

Other activities include bush labyrinth walks, rockpool exploration, canoe discovery sessions, stand-up paddleboarding and surf lessons.

A dedicated health and wellbeing seminar will be held at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall on Saturday 6 June.

Beginning with a presentation from Dr Debbie Yiap, the seminar will feature local wellness, health and fitness providers alongside workshops spanning yoga, Pilates, meditation and Ayurvedic practices.

The following weekend will include appearances from French comedic performer Jean Claude, who will cycle through town greeting visitors with “Bonjour” while wielding “great authority” – and a few baguettes.

A panel discussion on Saturday 13 June will include former Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy, comedian and actor Glenn Robbins, Justice Rita Incerti and former sports journalist and author Neil Kearney discussing their passion for Aireys Inlet.

The festival program will be updated regularly in the weeks ahead of Sense-ational Aireys.

Visitors can view the full program and register for events at aireys.org.au

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