Traditionally, the middle of autumn is the end of the harvest, when people return home for a reunion, gathering with friends and family. In Australia, 'mid autumn' happens to be early spring and it gives the festival a new meaning -  "the first full moon of the new season is a nostalgic time: Winter is behind us and the energy of summer is on the horizon".

Every year, over 600,000 people of Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean descent celebrate the Moon Festival across Australia. The most visual element among the festival activities is the sale of moon cakes. At Asian supermarkets, grocery stores, cake shops and restaurants, you will see at prominent places piles of moon cakes and colour posters.

2005 Darebin Moon Festival
The North Eastern Melbourne Chinese Association (NEMCA)墨爾本東北區華人協is organising a 2005 Darebin Moon Festival, in partnership with 3CW Chinese Radio, for Sunday 18 September 2005, at the Preston City Hall and Shire Hall. This festival is an umbrella event of the Darebin Music Feast. The Moon Festival is also known as the Mid Autumn Festival. It is a traditional celebration of the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese Lunar calendar, marked with moon gazing, displays and eating moon cakes. It is an occasion for family reunions. The Festival will feature multicultural community performers, music, cooking demonstrations and food stalls, Asian food products, healthy food and diets, children”¦s games, moon cakes making, Chinese noodles making and Chinese lantern making workshops at the halls. The Organising Committee intends this festival will involve participation by a wide cross section of the community, reflecting the cultural diversity of the City of Darebin and engendering a sense of unity amongst all of our citizens.