Take a trip to Porpoise Spit!

After a great turnout for our first film night of 2026, we’re delighted to bring back another much-loved Australian classic. Join us for a special screening of Muriel’s Wedding on Thursday 29 January.

Come in from 5.30pm for dinner, cocktails and popcorn, then settle into our comfy chairs for a visit to Porpoise Spit when the movie starts at 7.30pm. A relaxed night out, great food and a film that never gets old.

Acclaimed folk ensemble Loosely Woven performing on Saturday 31 January - 7.30pm, in a free concert. Loosely Woven consists of around 20 instrumentalists and singers, with music ranging from folk to pop to grand opera - something for everybody.

JOSEPH TAWADROS (AM) born in Cairo, raised in Australia, tours the world and returns to Dungog on 7 February!

Joseph Tawadros AM is a leading Oud virtuoso, composer and 8 time ARIA-award winner. His chosen instrument, the Oud is an Arabic lute, the ancestor of the lute and modern guitar.

A virtuoso of diversity and sensitivity, Joseph performs in concert halls worldwide and is known for his brilliant technique, deep musicianship, storytelling and joyous style of performance. Joseph’s drive to push musical boundaries has inspired collaborations with diverse performers and a solid repertoire of innovative, original music.

He performs live as a soloist, in duo with his brother James on Egyptian percussion, with his jazz quartet or with chamber orchestras and symphony orchestras all over the world.

“One of the most impressive musicians to emerge in Australia ... with a dazzling technique dispensing hair-raising tempos ... His writing displays a real depth of emotion ... revelling in a zest for life and celebration.” - THE AUSTRALIAN

Tickets: $40 + booking fee

Masters in the art of connection, this rare union of original musical minds reach right into your soul by playing straight from theirs.

You could call them contemp-folk, alt-country or chamber-pop, but no words describe the wonderful way they connect with their audiences.

This duo of duos bring worldly originals that pack a punch: Songstress Victoria Vigenser gives meaning to cliches with her phenomenal voice and driving guitar, while violin/mandolin maestro Lindsay Martin pulls hundreds of emotions from one set of strings. With depth and feeling, internationally renowned cellist Rachel Johnston will bring a tear to your eye with stunning skill, as musical mastermind Trent Arkleysmith adds complex and sensitive layers to every track with cello, mandolin and banjo. Oh, and did we mention - they all sing!?!

Currently touring new album “Heart of Silver” to worldwide acclaim, they have received rave reviews across the UK, Europe and Australia. Having already amassed a multitude of accolades including nominations as 'Best Folk Artist' in both the Aotearoa Music Awards and the Australian Folk Music Awards, it’s no wonder they are becoming international festival favourites.

"Discovery of the festival" Rock n Reel Magazine, UK

“An undoubted masterclass in music delivery and songwriting” Fatea Records, UK

“An impressive dynamic” Sounds of South, Germany

"Heavenly harmonies, sublime strings" Libel Music, NZ

“Simply wow!” Die Rheinpfalz, Germany

Tickets: $25 + booking fee

Save the Date

We’re marking Burns Night 2026 at the Royal on Saturday 21 February (we know that's not the usual date!).

Join us for an evening of poetry, a few songs and a tasting of fine whisky as we celebrate Scotland’s national poet, Robbie Burns. All welcome, whether you have Scottish roots or just enjoy a good story and a good dram.

More details coming soon but mark your calendars now.

Andrew Swift is bringing his Lucky Stars Tour to the Royal Hotel.

Join Andrew for an evening of storytelling, humour, and the heartfelt reflection that Andrew is known for. Audiences can expect a journey through love, nostalgia and tales from the road. Whether you come for the volume or the vulnerability, these will be shows not to miss.

With 4 x ARIA #1 albums and 3 x CMAA Golden GuitarAwards to his name – most recently Male Artist of the Year 2023. Accolades have come thick and fast for loveable troubadour, Andrew Swift, since his foray into Country music some years ago.A year after his appearance as a top ten finalist in the renowned Toyota Star Maker competition, his ARIA #1 debut album, ‘Call Out For The Cavalry’, cemented him as one of Australia’s most discerning storytellers and earned him a whopping 4 Golden Guitar nominations in 2019 – not bad for an upstart – from which he took home gongs for Alt Country Album of the Year and New Talent of the Year.

Described as “... an Australian songwriting heavyweight - with a powerfully evocative voice to match” by Country Update, Swift is undoubtedly a force to reckoned with. Both a wayward vagabond and a sweetheart, his songs brood on gut-wrenching heartache and revel in limitless joy. He’s a master performer and one hell of a guy.

Tickets: $35 + booking fee.

Meg Washington is a platinum-selling, award-winning, and genre-defying singer-songwriter who fluently weaves the worlds of jazz, pop, folk and musical theatre together. 

At the heart of Meg’s latest album “GEM”, is this tour's namesake  “Natural Beauty” - a concept that stemmed from challenging the role of an artist in society, and bringing her own world of truth and beauty to the surface.

“It took a long time to write. It’s the only piano song on the album, and is written as a sort of list of various complaints I have about being an artist inside a capitalistic world. I never imagined I would use ‘superannuation’ as a lyric, but the songs always find a way to startle me”. 

On her Natural Beauty Tour, Meg brings her unforgettable show to an extensive list of some of Australia’s most beautiful and remote locations.

Solo, Meg’s shows are an intimate, captivating spell. Alone at the piano, the soaring melodies and lyrical poetry of her songwriting are laid bare, as Meg makes her way through a selection of songs from her impressive five-album catalog. Each night is truly unique, with a setlist often chosen according to the special, connected moment that is shared between artist and audience.

“I grew up singing in jazz clubs, so these intimate solo shows feel so right to me. I love to improvise, and these shows are the perfect chance.” 


A rare opportunity to hear Meg’s electrifying voice up close and to experience one of Australia’s best musicians in a never-to-be repeated live performance.

Tickets: $50 + booking fee

Save the date

Tickets on sale soon.

Craft Music Presents

BEN LEE: On Tour Always

After reminding fans and media nationwide why they fell in love with his songs and antics on his widely successful Awake Is The New Sleep 20th Anniversary Tour, Ben Lee is back with a string of 50 regional dates in 2026.

“Being out on the road just for the sake of it is what it’s all about” he says “anniversaries are nice, but the road is where it happens. Night after night, sweaty, a little chaotic, unpredictable. Hand to hand combat”. He winks.

See you out on the road!

Tickets: $50 + booking fee

Save the date

Tickets on sale soon.