The Living Smart Festival in Lake Macquarie, Australia, is a yearly event that brings together people from all walks of life to learn, engage, and celebrate sustainable living. The 2025 edition promises to be an even bigger celebration of environmental awareness, sustainability, and community engagement. This dynamic festival, set against the beautiful backdrop of Speers Point Park, will take place on a Saturday, from 9 am to 3 pm, offering a variety of free activities, presentations, and workshops for people of all ages and interests.
From the Grow Zone, dedicated to garden bed displays and permaculture workshops, to the Upcycle Zone, which promotes sustainable fashion and recycling, the festival has something for everyone. Whether you're passionate about reducing your carbon footprint, curious about local wildlife, or seeking ways to live a more eco-friendly life, this event offers plenty of opportunities to learn and get involved.
One of the festival's key highlights is the appearance of Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a renowned science commentator, author, and academic. He will take the stage for a 45-minute discussion on climate change, emissions, and other sustainability-related issues, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. Dr Karl's ability to make complex scientific topics accessible to the general public makes him a perfect fit for the event, as he'll be sharing his insights on how individuals and communities can take action to mitigate environmental challenges.
The Living Smart Festival is divided into various themed zones, each focusing on a different aspect of sustainable living. These zones not only provide valuable educational content but also feature interactive activities that allow festival-goers to get hands-on with sustainability concepts. Here's a closer look at some of the event's most exciting features:
The Grow Zone is dedicated to showcasing gardening techniques that encourage sustainable food production. Visitors can explore school garden bed displays, learn about permaculture, and gain valuable insights into growing their own food. This area is designed to inspire attendees to consider local, sustainable food sources and to understand the environmental benefits of home gardening.
For travelers looking to incorporate sustainable practices into their everyday life, the Grow Zone offers practical tips that can be applied whether you're at home or on the road. Whether it's growing your own herbs or understanding the benefits of sustainable farming practices, the Grow Zone provides hands-on experience that can be taken back home.
The Optus Nature Zone brings nature and conservation to the forefront with landscape displays, native wildlife shows, and hands-on workshops like pot painting and insect hotel building. For nature enthusiasts, the opportunity to learn about local wildlife, including ways to support native ecosystems through small actions like creating insect hotels, is a valuable addition to the festival. These efforts reflect the growing interest in protecting natural habitats and supporting biodiversity.
Travelers interested in eco-tourism and responsible travel can learn about the importance of preserving wildlife and native plants while traveling. Engaging with these initiatives helps raise awareness about the local environment and promotes sustainable travel practices, such as respecting natural habitats and supporting conservation efforts.
The First Nations Zone provides festival-goers with a deeper understanding of traditional ecological knowledge. Through tool and weaving workshops, and an exploration of the Awabakal seasonal calendar, this zone celebrates the cultural and environmental wisdom of the indigenous people of Australia. It's a fantastic opportunity for attendees to learn about sustainable practices that have been passed down for generations and how these practices can be applied to contemporary sustainability efforts.
Travelers seeking a more immersive experience in the local culture and environment can benefit from learning about the intersection of indigenous practices and modern sustainability. The First Nations Zone encourages respect for the land and highlights how we can all contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect the environment.
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water sponsors the Energy Zone, which highlights sustainable energy solutions such as electric vehicles (EVs), solar energy, and battery technologies. The zone also features a kids' mini EV challenge, which allows young visitors to interact with cutting-edge technology and learn about sustainable transportation options.
This is a key zone for travelers interested in reducing their carbon footprint. By learning about the latest energy-efficient technologies, festival-goers can gain valuable insights into how energy consumption can be minimized in travel and tourism. Embracing sustainable transport options like electric vehicles or opting for solar-powered accommodations can help reduce environmental impact when exploring new destinations.
The Greater Bank Kids Zone provides young festival attendees with the chance to learn about sustainability through interactive play. This zone features nature play activities, storytime sessions, and Curious Legends performances, which bring environmental education to life in a fun and engaging way. This area is perfect for families traveling with children, as it offers activities that teach kids about the environment while encouraging them to think critically about sustainability.
Incorporating eco-friendly travel experiences into family vacations is becoming increasingly popular. By engaging children with sustainability-themed activities, parents can help shape the next generation of eco-conscious travelers who will prioritize the planet's well-being in the future.
The Upcycle Zone is where festival-goers can explore sustainable fashion markets and participate in hands-on activities like clothing repairs and re-purposing items. This zone promotes the idea of reducing waste by reusing and upcycling materials, rather than contributing to the fast fashion industry's environmental damage. Visitors can also take part in a repair café, where volunteers offer free repairs for various items, from electronics to furniture.
Eco-conscious travelers can benefit from the Upcycle Zone by learning about sustainable shopping practices and how to pack smarter when traveling. Opting for upcycled or sustainable fashion choices reduces the need for new products, making a meaningful impact on reducing waste in the travel industry.
The Eat Zone is dedicated to teaching festival-goers about low-waste cooking, fermenting, and using local and seasonal produce. This area highlights the benefits of eating sustainably, focusing on minimizing food waste and supporting local farmers. Cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients reduces the environmental cost of transportation and helps foster healthier, more sustainable eating habits.
Travelers can take away valuable tips from this zone, such as how to eat sustainably while on the road. Whether you're cooking in a campervan or exploring local cuisine, choosing seasonal produce and reducing food waste is a simple yet impactful way to support eco-friendly travel.
The Resilience Zone showcases emergency services and focuses on recycling and green waste management. Attendees can explore recycling trucks, green waste displays, and learn about how communities can better prepare for environmental challenges such as waste management and disaster response.
For tourists looking to travel responsibly, understanding the local community's resilience strategies provides a more meaningful connection to the destination. Supporting destinations that prioritize waste reduction, sustainability, and climate resilience contributes to the broader effort to protect the environment.
Lake Macquarie City Council encourages attendees to support the festival's sustainability themes by opting for public transportation, walking, or cycling to the event. To make this easier, free shuttle buses run throughout the day from various locations, and a free bike valet service is available, where bikes can be parked and even serviced during the festival.
For eco-tourists, this commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the festival aligns perfectly with sustainable travel practices. Visitors are encouraged to minimize their environmental impact by utilizing sustainable transport options while attending the event.
The Living Smart Festival in Lake Macquarie is a unique event that blends community engagement, sustainability, and environmental education in a fun and accessible way. As more travelers seek to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their vacations, this festival offers valuable insights and opportunities to make a positive impact on the planet.
For those passionate about sustainable tourism and environmental conservation, the festival offers a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experts, and gain practical knowledge about living a more eco-conscious life. Whether you're visiting Lake Macquarie for the festival or simply passing through, the event serves as a model for how local communities can take action against climate change and foster a sustainable future.