YouTube storyteller, author and self-described “odd, offbeat and authentic” adventurer Beau Miles will headline the 2026 Living Smart Festival at Speers Point Park on Saturday 19 September.
Now in its 15th year, the free, family-friendly festival will run from 9am to 3pm, bringing together talks, workshops, demonstrations, live entertainment and market stalls focused on sustainability, innovation and cultural connection.
Miles has built an international online following through unconventional adventures and resourceful projects, including turning discarded materials into paddles, desks and chicken coops. His appearance will include a main-stage keynote, a hands-on discussion about his favourite tools and upcycled creations, and judging duties for the festival’s School Garden Bed Competition.
Living Smart Festival: Finding value in the discarded
Miles’ work is grounded in the belief that modest, everyday actions can say something important about the way people care for their surroundings.
“I remember seeing a friend of mine pick up rubbish once when she had no idea anyone was watching,” Miles said.
“I will forever think of that moment and that human action as a brilliant moral foundation, and I know that my best storytelling often shows moments that register this kind of genuine truth.”
His keynote is scheduled for the main stage from 10am, where he will discuss some of the unusual adventures behind his efforts to protect and improve the natural environment.
Miles is also scheduled to appear in the Wild Ideas zone at noon to share stories about his tools and the useful objects he has created from unwanted materials and “junk”.
At 2pm, he will help announce the winners of the School Garden Bed Competition. The annual challenge invites Lake Macquarie schools to create imaginative garden beds reflecting the festival’s sustainability and inclusion themes, with festivalgoers able to vote for their favourite.
Fifteen years of thinking globally and acting locally
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the festival had spent 15 years encouraging residents to protect the planet by thinking globally and acting locally.
“Everyday sustainable choices can make a big difference,” Cr Shultz said.
“Beau Miles is a shining example of that principle and I’m looking forward to him sharing his thoughts and life experiences with the Living Smart crowd.”
Described by organisers as one of Australia’s largest sustainability events, the festival aims to give visitors practical ideas they can carry into their homes, gardens and communities.
Ten areas of sustainable ideas and activities
The main stage program will begin with lakeside yoga, followed by a Welcome to Country and the festival’s official opening by Cr Shultz.
Along with Miles’ keynote, the stage will host performances from Junkyard Beats and an environmental education show for children featuring the King and Queen of Green.
The Wild Ideas zone will offer flower-crown making with Acacia Play, a Youth Advisory Committee panel and a session from Blue Minds about helping people realise their environmental potential. A separate panel will feature Lottie Dalziel from Banish alongside representatives of Repair It Lake Mac and ReNewy Living.
First Nations activities will include gum-leaf art, weaving workshops and Indigenous crafts, while the Upcycle zone will invite visitors to make floor cushions, dog-pull toys, no-sew T-shirt bags and upcycled pens.
From backyard produce to local wildlife
The Harvest zone will begin with a morning Crop Swap before presenting sessions on backyard food growing, reducing household food waste, fermentation, keeping chickens and natural pest control.
In the Nature zone, visitors can explore the world of insects through the all-day Min Beasts activation and learn about sniffer-dog teams working to locate local koala populations. Other sessions will focus on protecting seahorse habitat and Australia’s native bats.
The Energy zone will feature home-solar information, electric-vehicle demonstrations and free children’s activities. Displays in the Resilience zone will include an SES vehicle, a garbage truck and a bus, together with activities and a live children’s show about waste.
A new Greater Bank Community Zone will bring together community services and family activities, including Newcastle Toy Library, nature and sensory play, a nursing pit-stop offering free health checks, Lake Macquarie Neighbourhood Centres and a Netball NSW activation.
Free plants, entertainment and sustainable transport
Other attractions will include roving performers, market stalls, food vendors and a native-plant giveaway for Lake Macquarie residents.
Free shuttle buses will operate for the festival, while cyclists will be able to leave their bikes at a free, all-day bike-valet service.
Applications are open for stallholders and food vendors. Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Community Partnerships Matt Holloway said applicants were encouraged to demonstrate sustainable practices in their own operations.
“We’re keen to partner with stallholders and food vendors who source local products and services, avoid waste and single-use items, use recyclable materials and/or tap into our circular economy,” Mr Holloway said.
Living Smart Festival will run from 9am to 3pm on Saturday 19 September 2026 at Speers Point Park. Entry is free. Visit livingsmartfestival.com.au for further information.
