Anlaby Spring Festival | Hamilton | 17 & 18 Oct 2026

Anlaby Station, the oldest Merino sheep stud in South Australia, is celebrating their final Spring Festival garden party this October.

After 14 years of Spring Festival, Andrew Morphett and Peter Hayward will host the event for the final time at Anlaby Station on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026.

For families, the weekend offers a rare chance to experience one of South Australia’s great heritage properties in a way that feels active, hands-on and easy to enjoy at your own pace.

New for 2026 is Baa to Beanie, giving children and adults the chance to follow the journey of wool from fleece to finished beanie in real time.

At approximately 11.15am, Roy will shear one of Anlaby’s Merino sheep in the courtyard. The Eudunda Fabric Weavers and Knitters will then take that fleece through the different stages involved in turning it into a finished beanie across the weekend.

Families will be able to return throughout the Festival to see how the process is progressing and learn more about the traditional skills involved along the way.

The completed beanie will then be raffled, with visitors able to make a donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to go into the draw to win it.

For Andrew, that kind of experience is exactly what Spring Festival is about.

“We love seeing children actually connect with what is happening around them,” Andrew Morphett said.

“They can see the sheep, watch the fleece come off, then come back later and see what is happening to that wool. It becomes something real rather than just something they are told about.”

“There is always a moment when a child sees or understands something they have never come across before, and that is one of the nicest parts of the weekend.”

Families will also find face painting, activity bags and badminton on the tennis court, along with ten acres of historic gardens to explore.

Across the property, visitors will meet Kate and her pottery, the Basket Weavers, the Eudunda Fabric Weavers and Knitters, Fitzys Natives, Smokin’ Heights and Ante’s Olive Oil.

Food will include local Kapunda business Com Viet, Barossa Valley Ice Cream, coffee and cake, while traditional Devonshire Tea will be served at scheduled sitting times across both days.  Anlaby’s champagne and gin bar will also be open for the grown-ups.

Andrew and Peter bought Anlaby in 2004 and have spent the past 22 years bringing the property back to life, restoring its homestead, historic buildings and gardens while continuing its story as South Australia’s oldest continuously operating Merino stud.

For 14 years, Spring Festival has given families and visitors the chance to step into that story.

“This will be the final Spring Festival Peter and I host, and we want it to feel full of life,” Andrew said.

“We want families wandering the gardens, children asking questions, people talking to makers and everyone simply enjoying the day together.”

“Spring Festival has always been about sharing Anlaby, and we would love to see plenty of families here for this final one.”

Parking is a gold coin donation, with proceeds supporting the Eudunda Show Society.

Tickets:

Online ticket prices are $20 for adults with kids under 16 free. Two-day passes available for $30. Children 16 years and under are free.

Prices are higher at the gate on the day (at the gate $25 for adults).

You can also prebook your Devonshire Tea and lunch this year.

Parking is a gold coin donation for the local Eudunda Show Society.

READ OUR REVIEW OF ANLABY STATION

For more information and all enquiries please visit the Anlaby Station website or follow their Facebook page.

What:  Anlaby Spring Festival 

When:  Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October 2026 | 10am – 4pm

Where:  Anlaby Station | 829 Anlaby Road, Hamilton

Who:   Everyone

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

Image Source: Anlaby Station

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