By ANNA USHER

Forget Netflix this weekend.

The lower north shore has rolled out an 11-event lineup that includes a 90-year-old preschool throwing open its doors, a twilight string trio at May Gibbs’ Nutcote, four 1920s Walter Burley Griffin homes you can wander through, and the only Red Baron talk in Sydney run by a librarian.

It is the kick-off weekend of the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival, and Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby councils have all loaded their calendars.

Some are free. Some sell out fast. Here’s what’s on, in chronological order.

Friday 1 May

Nutcote After Hours: Twilight Tours and Garden Music, Neutral Bay
Gates open at 4.30pm at May Gibbs’ Nutcote, Wallaringa Avenue. A local string trio performs in the garden from 5pm to 6.45pm, with sunset hitting at 5.03pm. Guided twilight tours run through the historic house. Pre-order picnic packs are available, with an upgrade for sparkling wine. $30. Book at maygibbs.com.au.

84 Charing Cross Road, Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli
The true-story play opens at the Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, on 1 May and runs through to 13 May. Co-directed by Mark Kilmurry, who also stars, alongside double Gold Logie winner Georgie Parker. Tickets $46 to $95.

Walking Tour: Walk-up Flats of Kirribilli
Free walking tour with historian Dr Ian Hoskins exploring Kirribilli’s 1920s to 1940s apartment blocks, in the Interwar Georgian and Art Deco styles. Meeting point: eastern side of the Milsons Point Station tunnel. 2.30pm to 4.30pm. A second session runs on Sunday, 10 May, from 10am. Bookings essential. Moderate difficulty, with steep slopes and steps.

Saturday 2 May

Northern Nursery Preschool 90th Birthday Open Day, Mosman
One of Australia’s longest-running community-based preschools turns 90. The Northern Nursery School at 39 Wyong Road opens its doors from 9.30am to 12pm. Tour the school, meet educators and reconnect with old friends. Cake and speeches at 11.30am. Past, present and future families all welcome. Free. Phone 9969 3586.

Easter Encampments at Middle Head: Walk and Film Screening, Mosman
A free event at Building 7 Workshop, 1110 Middle Head Road, exploring the large-scale military training camps held at Middle Head in the late 1800s. Includes a guided walk with military historian Brad Manera, followed by three short films. 11am to 12pm, with the films looping again from 12pm to 2pm for anyone who can’t make the walk. Run by the Harbour Trust.

Social Sailing at Balmoral
The final session of the Balmoral Sailing Club’s social sailing season. Catamaran sailing in groups of four, lifejackets, instructors, plus a post-sail sausage sizzle on the beach. Arrive 8.45am for a 9am briefing; on the water from 9.30am; packing up at 11.30am; finishing 12.30pm. $68. Sign up via balmoralsc.com.au.

Free Comic Book Day Zine Workshop (adults), Mosman Library
Siobhan Coombs, owner of independent comic store Cockatoo Comics, runs a 90-minute workshop on the fundamentals of comic-making, from zine folding to visual storytelling. Every participant takes home their own mini comic. The Creation Space, outside Barry O’Keefe Library, 609 Military Rd. 11am to 12.30pm. Free, bookings essential.

Free Comic Book Day Zine Workshop (youth), Mosman Library
Same workshop, same presenter, but for high school students in years 7-12. The Creation Space, outside Barry O’Keefe Library, 609 Military Rd. 2pm to 3.30pm. Free, bookings essential.

Sunday 3 May

Celebrating Castlecrag: Walter Burley Griffin’s 150th Birthday
The festival’s biggest event is in Willoughby. Four Griffin-designed homes, built in the 1920s and early 30s, throw open their doors for the day. Self-guided walks through the Griffin reserves and walkways link the GSDA No. 1 Dwelling, the Johnson and Moon houses, and the Duncan house. Free short film screenings at 11.30am, 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Starts at 140 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag, 10am to 4pm. Adult: $75; family: $185. Members of the Walter Burley Griffin Society receive a 20 per cent discount.

Monday 4 May

Monday Matters: The Red Baron’s Last Flight, Mosman Library
On 21 April 1918, the Red Baron, Manfred Von Richthofen, crashed behind Allied lines, making global headlines. Local aero historians Des Sheehan, James Oglethorpe and Darragh Christie explore the local connections, including the role of No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. Christie has also curated a multi-media exhibition on local airmen and the Red Baron legend. Barry O’Keefe Library, 605 Military Road. 10.30am to 11.30am. Free, bookings essential.

Got an event we’ve missed? Email [email protected]