* At Glasshouse Regional Gallery on Clarence Street there are four exhibits on show until then end of the month when Ironman installations take over.

A selection of artwork from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council collection explores themes of the natural environment, abstraction and contemporary expression in the New Acquisitions exhibit.

Wabi-Sabi and other influences by Multi-media artist Marion Borgelt showcases her striking work as inspired by language, optics and phenomena.

There are paintings, sculptures, and installation pieces among the collection.

Seasons by Gail English features the artist's abstract paintings that echo her rural upbringing and her more recent city dwellings.

Northern Exposure Three showcases the vibrant creativity of the Mid-North Coast's artistic community.

The regional gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm, weekends and public holidays until 4pm, and it's free to enter.

*Grand jetes will ave the Glasshouse audience in raptures as The Russian Ballet performs Don Quixote on Friday.

There are two chances to see this flamboyant production with its colourful costumes and the exquisite balletic prowess of this talented company.

Tickets to the 2pm and 8pm shows are $87.90 for adults, $77.90 for Glasshouse members and concessions, $67.90 for child/youth and $300 for a family of four.

*  Outdoor lovers have loads of choice to enjoy while our spectacular autumn weather bathes the Hastings in sunshine.

Apart from the beach and water sports, the family will love the Koala Hospital, Timbertown Heritage Park, Billabong Zoo Koala and Wildlife Park, Sea Acres Nature Reserve and Rainforest Centre, Hydro Golf and Putt Putt, a game of tennis, or a cruise on the Hastings River.

* Have fun indoors at go-karting, ten-pin bowling, indoor climbing, and the movies.

* Those who love fresh produce straight from the farm can grab the best the region has to offer at Hastings Farmers' Market on Saturday at its temporary home at Bain Park, Wauchope from 8am until noon.

You can also bag a bargain on Sunday at Westport High School on Findlay Avenue, Port Macquarie from 8am until 1pm or Port Macquarie Art Society Market and Bazaar at Hamilton Green on Hastings River Drive on Sunday from 8am until 1pm.

* If you want to sample some of the region's wines and see some beautiful handcrafted items from talented locals head to Cassegrain Winery for The Artists Markets in the Vines from 9am until 3pm on Sunday.

Other wineries in the area are Long Point Vineyard Lake Cathie, which has its own art gallery; Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard on Oxley Highway; Bago Vineyard and Maze Wauchope; Rose's Vineyard at Innes View; Sherwood Estate & Vineyard Kempsey.

* The Lost Plot community garden is the site for a free family picnic today from 10am until 2pm.

There will be lots of activities for children including face painting, story telling, gardening and creative workshops.

For the children

* See the Disney animated characters from the Cars and Planes films bring colour and fun to Settlement City Shopping Centre.

Meet and greets with a roaming fairy today and tomorrow at 10am will cause excitement, as will Abby Caddaby on Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be a balloon modeller there today and a face painter on Saturday at 10am, while the Disney interactive zone provides lots of fun tomorrow and Sunday from 11am until 2pm.

For the creative types there is card making and recycle craft at 2.30pm on these days, too.

* Panthers Port Macquarie has sand art fun at 9.30am and kite making at 10.45am today, for children aged from five to 12.

The sessions are just $5 per child and parents get to lend a hand.

* At the Glasshouse today youngsters from age six to 12 can explore how to create landscapes using a range of mixed media and textures in a two hour session from 10am.

The same age group can also learn how to make wall hangings from fabric they paint themselves in a workshop from 1.30pm.

Tomorrow ages nine to 13 will be introduced to the process of stenciling at a three hour workshop from 10am. Each of these workshops costs $30 per child including all materials.