GROUNDSWELL
GROUNDSWELL is an artist-led symposium highlighting innovation and ingenuity in arts and performance emerging from creative practices based outside Australia’s metropolitan centres.
Bringing together some of the nation’s most compelling place-based projects, GROUNDSWELL shines a light on work of national significance — creative and performance practices that combine excellence, social engagement and inventive methodologies to build understanding and empathy in a complex world.
Through case studies, workshops, landscape-based experiences and collaborative inquiry, participants will hear directly from the artists and project leaders behind major works inspired by their locations — the ideas, the process, the philosophy, and the learnings of bringing ambitious art to life outside the city.
Co-designed by a group of distinguished regional practitioners, GROUNDSWELL explores new approaches to creative leadership, First Nations collaboration, socially engaged practice and large-scale production in regional contexts.
More than a conference, GROUNDSWELL is building a national movement — a community of practice connecting regionally based creators, expanding cultural knowledge systems, and reshaping how we think about making work in Australia.
Join the movement. Shape the conversation. Be part of GROUNDSWELL.
Dates: 25 – 27 November 2026
Venue: Headland Theatre@Tathra Hotel, Tathra NSW
REGISTER HERE
Limited places available.
$155 Individuals
$190 (funded Companies)
Creative Team
The program for Groundswell will be co-designed by a group of distinguished regional practitioners led by Lindy Hume AM PhD (Creative Director – Crimson Rosella) and Julian Louis (Artistic Director – NORPA). Other key regional artists will be confirmed soon.
Groundswell is supported by
Travel and Accommodation
TRAVEL
GROUNDSWELL is being held in Tathra on the Far South Coast of NSW, on the beautiful Sapphire Coast. Travel options include:
Fly – Merimbula Airport is the closest airport to Tathra, approximately 25 minutes away by car. Regular flights operate between Merimbula and Sydney and Melbourne. Car hire options are available at the airport.
Drive – Approximate driving times:
Canberra: 3 hours
Sydney: 6 hours
Melbourne: 6–7 hours
A car is the easiest way to explore the region during your stay.
Bus – Coach services operate to the Sapphire Coast from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Local bus services connect Tathra with Bega, Merimbula, Pambula and other towns in the region.
Sapphire Coast – Getting Here and Local Transport
ACCOMMODATION
There is a good range of accommodation in and around Tathra, from hotels and holiday apartments to cabins, camping and holiday parks. Staying in Tathra means you’ll be close to the symposium venue, beaches, cafes and restaurants.
Tathra options include:
Tathra Hotel & Motel – centrally located in Tathra
NRMA Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park – beachfront cabins, villas and camping
BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks – Tathra Beach – cabins, caravan and camping options
Kianinny Bush Cottages – cottages in a bushland setting
Tathra Beach Eco Camp – camping and glamping
Tathra Beach House – apartments and resort-style accommodation
Stay nearby
There are many more accommodation options in Merimbula, Pambula and Bega, all within easy driving distance of Tathra. Merimbula is approximately 25 minutes from Tathra, while Bega is approximately 20 minutes away.
Options include:
Merimbula Sapphire Motel
NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort
Sapphire Waters Motor Inn
Bega Downs Motor Inn
The Grand Hotel Bega
There are also numerous holiday houses and apartments available through local accommodation providers.
Explore accommodation on the Sapphire Coast
A note about booking
Late November is a popular time to visit the Sapphire Coast, so we recommend booking accommodation and travel as early as possible. If you are travelling without a car, we recommend staying in Tathra itself where possible, or arranging transport between your accommodation and the symposium in advance. For local travel information and assistance with accommodation, the Merimbula Visitor Information Centre provides a free accommodation advisory service. Merimbula Visitor Information Centre