REGIONAL New South Wales is open for business this Easter long weekend, with communities across the district ready to welcome a holiday wave of tourists and visitors.
In Moree, the local markets will be held at Jellicoe Park on Sunday from around 7.30am, with the inaugural Easter Sunday Markets also taking place at Bingara from 10am. Narrabri will host the Rotary Markets on Saturday at the river walk along the banks of the Narrabri Creek behind Leitch Oval from 7.30am.
Easter markets will also be held over the border at the Town Park in Goondiwindi from 8am on Sunday and feature local artisans, food and products.
The Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival 2026 at Texas is a major electronic music and arts camping event over the Easter long weekend, held from Thursday, April 2 through to Monday, April 6.
The 17th edition of the festival features riverside camping, art installations, workshops, and late-night electronic music.
Sapphire City Markets at Inverell will be held Easter Sunday and the Inverell Sporties Bowls Club 2026 Easter Lawn Bowls Carnival across all four days of the Easter weekend will include singles, pairs and triples.
The 2026 Bingara Anglers Club Easterfish competition will be held from Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 5 at Copeton Dam.
Lines can be dropped along the Gwydir River – from Copeton Dam to Tareelaroi Weir – and the Horton River, with a presentation, music, and barbecue at Copeton Dam at 2pm on Sunday.
Westward, the Lightning Ridge Easter Carnival features the Lightning Ridge races on Saturday, with six races scheduled, including the $14,000 Lightning Ridge Cup.
On Good Friday, the Black Opal Bull and Bronc Ride will be held at the Lightning Ridge Pony Club grounds.
The Lightning Ridge Easter carnival features fireworks, markets, treasure hunt, local culture and a celebration of opal mining.
The Burren Junction Carp Muster, a local community fishing event near the Namoi boat ramp, will bring anglers from across the district to Burren on April 3-4-5.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Kevin Anderson, said cuts to the fuel excise is welcome news ahead of the Easter break.
“Communities across regional New South Wales are looking forward to welcoming thousands of tourists this Easter as people head to the regions to visit family, friends, and have a well-deserved break,” Mr Anderson said.
“The announcement that the fuel excise will be halved is welcome news after the NSW Liberals and Nationals led the charge in calling for cuts to the excise prior to the Easter break.
“If prices don’t drop immediately, the Minns and Albanese Governments must own up to their failure to safeguard families ahead of the Easter long weekend.”
Tourism provides a major economic boost to regional communities over the Easter long weekend.
“This time last year, around 23 per cent of the state was planning to travel within New South Wales over the Easter break, and many of those tourists chose regional New South Wales as their destination,” Mr Anderson said.
“For accommodation providers, tourism operators, hospitality venues, and small businesses, these tourists represent a vital economic boost that the regions rely on.”
