Six ways to have the best Forage ever
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Canberra’s most delicious festival is back again next Saturday 6 April from 2 – 7 pm.
With a brand new home in Fyshwick’s uber cool Dairy Road Precinct and heaps of new vendors, it’s all the thing you love about The Forage – the atmosphere, the food, the friendly-family, dog-friendly vibe – just bigger.
Of course, a new location means a new plan of attack when it comes to timings, food and getting there. But don’t worry, we have you covered.
We present, our ultimate guide to making this Forage your best yet.
Don’t come at 2 pm
A lot of people assume that coming at 2 pm on the dot means you’ll avoid the lines, but unfortunately in recent Forages, it’s actually meant the opposite.
Instead, aim for quieter times like 4 pm onwards when the lines will be shorter, thus maximising your chance to eat all the things!
If you’re worried about missing out on a particular item, don’t fret. Vendors are prepared for bigger crowds.
Here’s a handy map! Click it to see a high-res version!
PLAN AHEAD
Make the most of your afternoon by planning ahead! Here’s what to keep in mind.
PARKING
Parking at Dairy Road itself will be limited, so your best bet is to catch the free bus from NewActon, ride your bike in from Kingston Foreshore or just carpool with friends!
Be aware that while you can park in other areas of Fyshwick, you will be walking next to main roads to get to Dairy Road, so keep that in mind if you’re bringing along kids.
CASH + ATMs
There will be ATMs on site, but all vendors will also accept either cash or card.
EAT STRATEGICALLY
This autumn, we’ll see some new faces at The Forage, including pop yum cha steamed buns from Natural 9, Mexican from Chilakillers, burgers from Braddon’s Grease Monkey, Hector the Dirty Vegan, Collector Wines, non-alcoholic cocktails from Atlina Drinks, gin from Big River Distilling, sweet treats from the Sicilian Biscuit Co, delicious fried ‘chimney’ desserts from Pimp My Chimney and homegrown goods from Canberra City Farm.
Of course, this is in addition to a host of favourites which bring the total to over 45 vendors in total.
Some of our personal favourites to keep an eye out for include Zaab Street Food, Canberra Distillery, Hungry Brown Cow, Asian Tiger Bao, Mount Majura Winery, Cracking Corn, Fricken Chicken, Ramen Daddy, Papa Laci, The Tea Garden, Get Crackin’ Creme Brulee, Limogela, Three Mills Baker and plenty more.
As for a plan of attack, it’s best to plan your arrival time with when you’re planning on eating.
For example, if you arrive around 5 pm, you can grab a couple of snacks and some pre-dinner drinks before you get to the main course (and then dessert).
Or alternatively, you could arrive for a late lunch and then once your appetite had returned, grab some early dinner.
GET SOME FREE FOOD
Carlos Ramirez-Roldan at Mr Papa
Yes, you read that right.
Share this article with your Facebook friends and you’ll go in the draw to win a $100 voucher to spend at The Forage!
Just share this editorial, tag a friend in your post and make sure the post is set to public (so we can see it!).
The winner will be drawn Thursday 4 April and will be contacted by direct Facebook message.
HYDRATE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
While The Forage has always offered free water, this year they’re doing things differently.
This autumn, The Forage is partnering with Give Me 5 For Kids, who have been supporting and raising funds for local children’s hospital wards across regional Australia for the last 25 years.
To raise money for this great cause – and help the environment in the process – you’ll be able to buy a Forage branded water bottle, with $5 from every purchase going to Give Me 5 For Kids.
There will be plenty of free H2O available around the festival with free water stations thanks to ICON Water where you can easily fill your bottle or BYO your own.
The Forage.
If you’ve brought your own bottle, keep an eye out for Give Me 5 For Kids roaming around Dairy Road and offload some gold coins into their buckets.
In the meantime, if you wish to make a donation online it’s super quick and easy. All you have to do is go to donate.giveme5forkids.com.au, select a donation amount, specify the region for your donation as Canberra and make your donation. Big or small, it all counts.
MAKE A DAY OF IT
One of the ways this Forage will be the biggest yet is because the Dairy Road precinct is packed with plenty of ways to spend an entire day.
Don’t be fooled by the precinct’s warehouses. Inside these massive structures are some of Canberra’s newest and coolest businesses and start-ups, many of which will be open during The Forage.
Grab a beverage at Canberra’s own brewery, Capital Brewing Co or sample some local gin at Big River Distillery Co. Navigate a dry ski slope at Vertikal Indoor Snow Sports (with discounted passes) or try your hand at bouldering at BlockHaus.
Canberra’s newest coworking space, Keep Co, will be handing out free day passes for their hotdesking space or pop into Jasper and Myrtle for some artisanal Canberra-made chocolate. If you’re after a coffee, The Public Place Cafe is your best bet.
If the kids are looking to work off that excess energy, head to Kidzplore and their epic ball pit or if you’re after a family adventure (or a way to kill time while you digest lunch) head to the nearby Wetlands for some scenic walks.
the essentials
What: The Autumn Forage 2019
When: Saturday 6 April from 2 – 7 pm
Where: Dairy Road Precinct, Fyshwick
More information: Facebook
BUS TIMETABLE: NEWACTON – DAIRY ROAD RETURN
Click here for your free ticket from Nishi to The Forage (Dairy Road, Fyshwick). Rides are free courtesy of Molonglo Group, a friendly sponsor of The Forage.
To go the other way, click here.
Missing a booking isn’t a huge deal but the bus might fill up. You can check availability on the ticket site by trying to reserve a spot.
Each ride is one way. Reserve a spot, or show up before one of these times:
- 1.30 Leave NewActon
- 1.45 Leave NewActon
- 2.10 Leave NewActon
- 2.30 Leave NewActon
- 3.05 Leave NewActon
- 3.00 Leave Dairy Road
- 3.30 Leave NewActon
- 3.30 Leave Dairy Road
- 4.00 Leave NewActon
- 4.00 Leave Dairy Road
- 4.30 Leave NewActon
- 4.30 Leave Dairy Road
- 5.00 Leave NewActon
- 5.00 Leave Dairy Road
- 5.30 Leave NewActon
- 5.30 Leave Dairy Road
- 6.00 Leave Dairy Road
- 6.15 Leave Dairy Road
- 6.45 Leave Dairy Road
- 7:00 Leave Dairy Road
At Nishi’s Grand Stair you’ll find Cellar Door, NewActon’s weekly wine and produce market.
Parking is easy AROUND NewActon, including hundreds of parks at ANU (41-51 Marcus Clarke Street and many other spots), thousands of parks around 1 London Circuit and beside the pedestrian bridge by the lake at the end of Barrine Drive.
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