PROUD AS PUNCH: Amy Hetherington Takes on Massive 50-Date Tour
There’s something uniquely contagious about Amy Hetherington’s laughter. Hailing from Darwin in the Northern Territory, the award-winning comedian has captured hearts with her warm stage presence, razor-sharp wit, and uncanny knack for turning life’s chaotic moments into comedic gold. In 2025, she’s taking that energy on the road for her biggest tour yet—a 50-show odyssey covering Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria, with encore stops at PERTH FRINGE, ADELAIDE FRINGE, and the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL. Aptly titled PROUD AS PUNCH, the new show promises even more of the candid stories, over-the-top hilarity, and heartwarming glimpses into modern-day parenthood that have made Amy Hetherington a standout name on Australia’s comedy circuit.
A DETERMINED DARWINIAN HITS THE ROAD
The Northern Territory might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of stand-up comedy, but Amy Hetherington has embraced her Darwin roots wholeheartedly. Her routines weave in tales of life in the tropics—a place known as much for its scorching heat and crocodiles as for its laid-back charm. Since bursting onto the scene, Hetherington has earned accolades (including the 2023 Fringe World Best Comedy Award) and shared stages with luminaries like Dave Hughes, Glenn Robbins, and Fiona O’Loughlin. She even rubbed shoulders with Steve-O from MTV’s Jackass, proving that her comedic sensibilities easily transcend city and genre boundaries.
But Hetherington is not just Darwin’s comedy hero; she’s also a dedicated mum. Juggling parenthood with the unconventional hours of stand-up might sound daunting, yet her new show PROUD AS PUNCH delves right into these everyday dilemmas. From the cringe-inducing mistakes we’d rather forget to the joys of teaching a toddler life lessons, she takes real experiences from her life and catapults them into hilarious territory. It’s a format that resonates with audience members across age groups—after all, who can’t relate to the occasional parenting fail, or at least laugh in sympathy?
THE STORY BEHIND ‘PROUD AS PUNCH’
So what can fans expect from this all-new hour of comedy? PROUD AS PUNCH unpacks the concept of pride in our achievements, the small wins we celebrate, and the many ways life can catch us off guard. Amy Hetherington has made a career out of balancing gentle jests with a fair share of self-deprecating humour—something she attributes to her upbringing in the laid-back, unpretentious environment of the Northern Territory. Yet the show also goes deeper, questioning why we hold onto certain social norms and how social media influences (and sometimes complicates) modern parenting.
According to Hetherington, the new material sees her grappling with “gentle parenting,” dissecting the bizarre incidents that seem to multiply in the Darwin heat, and revealing some of her most embarrassing personal moments. This open-book style of storytelling brings immediacy to her performances, making every show feel like you’re catching up with a dear friend who can’t wait to tell you the latest—and often ridiculous—anecdote from her life.
WHEN BIG TOURS GO REALLY BIG
If you followed Hetherington’s 22-date tour in 2023, you might recall the buzz it generated, with many towns across regional Australia delighting in the chance to see a top-tier act without travelling to a capital city. But the 2025 tour is blowing that out of the water: 50 shows covering more than 30 towns and an estimated 20,000km of travel. That’s enough to make the most seasoned touring artist pause for breath. For Hetherington, however, it’s all part of the plan—she thrives on meeting local communities, exploring out-of-the-way venues, and immersing herself in each region’s unique vibe.
Travelling with her own PA and lighting equipment, she and her team are prepared for anything. It’s a no-frills approach: cheap roadside snacks, long drives between destinations, and a hefty dose of Aussie grit. In a world where slick big-city comedy festivals often dominate the headlines, the genuineness of hitting the open road—and playing pubs, breweries, and community spaces—offers a refreshing alternative. Of course, the bigger festivals haven’t been neglected either; Hetherington is returning to PERTH FRINGE, ADELAIDE FRINGE, and the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL, three mainstays that draw huge crowds every year. Expect the Darwin comic to shine as brightly in these bustling festival environments as she does in quiet country halls.
PERTH FRINGE: A RETURN TO THE SCENE OF HER BIG WIN
One particularly special stop on the itinerary is PERTH FRINGE, where Hetherington clinched the Best Comedy Award in 2023. Winning the top prize at a festival that hosts hundreds of comedians from across the globe is no mean feat. The accomplishment showcased her ability to hold her own (and then some) in a competitive arena. She’s spoken openly about her affection for Perth audiences, describing them as supportive yet keen to embrace inventive acts. Returning now with a brand-new show, she aims to prove that her comedic chops have not only stood the test of time but also matured—a comedic voice that’s sharper, more nuanced, and still capable of producing side-splitting results.
ADELAIDE FRINGE: HOME AWAY FROM HOME
ADELAIDE FRINGE, the largest fringe festival in the Southern Hemisphere, has also become something of a home away from home for Amy Hetherington. In 2019, 2022, and 2024, she walked away with weekly awards, evidence of her consistent ability to delight critics and audiences alike. This time around, she’s thrilled to be returning to the Rhino Room, a legendary Adelaide venue for stand-up comedy. Expect raucous crowds, spontaneous audience participation, and the sort of big-laugh energy that becomes contagious from the moment she steps on stage.
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL: A LONG-AWAITED RETURN
Perhaps the biggest highlight for Hetherington is her much-anticipated return to the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL. Not since 2019 has she performed her solo show there, partly due to the challenges of long-distance travel from Darwin and the added complexities of raising her baby. Now that her daughter is older, Hetheringtoncan’t wait to bring PROUD AS PUNCH to Melbourne’s discerning (but ever-supportive) comedy crowd. Melbourne’s festival is known for launching and cementing the careers of many Australian comedians, and the buzz around Hetherington suggests she could be on the verge of another big career leap.
FROM DARWIN TO EVERYWHERE
Besides the major festival cities, Hetherington’s extensive itinerary includes smaller regional stops—an approach she calls a labour of love. She’s determined to share laughs with towns and communities that often miss out on big touring acts. This ethos has already proven a recipe for success, as locals turn up in droves for a shot of top-tier comedy in otherwise off-the-tour-map locations. Australian theatre and comedy fans in these areas appreciate the chance to see national talents up close, and Hetherington relishes the more intimate, community-driven atmosphere. For references to Australian theatre, these regional gigs embody the spirit of community engagement that has long defined live performance in the country. Whether you’re in Karratha, Whyalla, or Mildura, live entertainment in these towns fosters a sense of belonging and celebration—something Aussie theatre has championed for decades.
MAKING WAVES ON TV AND RADIO
When not touring, Amy Hetherington has been known to pop up on national television and radio, from triple j’s Hack program to shows like Sunrise and Today. She’s even appeared on ABC News Breakfast and engaged in a debate about baby-friendly comedy on ABC Darwin—no surprise for someone who has built her comedic persona around the sweet chaos of motherhood. This media exposure has helped her cultivate a devoted fan base that stretches far beyond the Top End, driving interest in every new project she announces.
A CAREER PACKED WITH ACCOLADES
It’s not just the fans who have noticed her ability to mix whimsical observations with tight comedic craft. Over the years, Hetherington has racked up a string of awards and professional milestones. She was a finalist in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival RAW competition back in 2020, an event widely considered a launching pad for rising comedic talent. On top of that, she’s performed as a supporting act for Aussie stand-up titans like Dave O’Neil and Akmal, as well as international names such as Greg Fleet. Her sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was another feather in her cap—an achievement that shows her humour resonates well beyond Australia’s shores.
WHAT AUDIENCES CAN EXPECT
Attend a PROUD AS PUNCH show, and you’re likely to see a lot of joyous chaos combined with heartfelt reflection. Amy Hetherington doesn’t shy away from oversharing; in fact, her comedic vantage point thrives on it. From toddler tantrums and pram logistics to startling tales of the Top End, she draws on her own life in a way that feels inclusive rather than alienating. The pacing is dynamic, lurching from punchline to punchline, peppered with occasional asides that underscore her genuine warmth.
She’s also unafraid of mixing light-hearted banter with bigger questions—like how the digital age puts extra pressure on parents, or why so many Australians are drawn to the wide-open spaces of the Northern Territory. The show’s overarching theme is pride: pride in small victories, in forging your own path, and in acknowledging that no parent (or person) has it all sorted. It’s the perfect recipe for 60 minutes of laughter that might also leave you thinking about how to appreciate life’s quirkier moments.
SEE IT WHILE YOU CAN
Between raising a three-year-old, planning a logistically ambitious tour, and writing new material, it’s astounding how much Amy Hetherington continues to achieve. Her career trajectory points ever upward, so it’s no stretch to imagine that PROUD AS PUNCH might be the show that firmly cements her in the upper echelons of Australian comedy. If you’re lucky enough to live near one of the 30 towns or three major festivals she’s hitting, consider yourself warned: tickets are likely to vanish quickly.
For those reading this in Australia’s major cultural hubs—or even if you’re tuning in from overseas, intrigued by Aussie humour—this is a prime example of what happens when an artist pairs authenticity with boundless energy. Amy Hetherington is living proof that sometimes all you need is a microphone, a bumpy road trip, and the willingness to laugh at life’s wrinkles to forge an unforgettable comedy experience. PROUD AS PUNCH sums it up best: a show about taking pride in who you are and finding the comedy in every twist and turn along the way. So go on—book your seat, settle in, and let this Darwin comic make you giggle, snort, and possibly reconsider your approach to toddler tantrums. And if the hype is anything to go by, do it quickly before she’s in such high demand that we can only say, “We told you so.”
AMY HETHERINGTON ‘PROUD AS PUNCH’ TOUR
For tickets to all shows listed below, CLICK HERE
January 16 Beer Garden Brewing Port Lincoln SA
January 17 Streaky Bay Institute Hall Streaky Bay SA
January 18 Ceduna Sailing Club Ceduna SA
January 21Wilson’s Brew House Albany WA
January 24 Hopetoun Community Centre Hopetoun WA
January 25 Gatsby Skyline Manjimup WA
January 28Bar Tarifa Denmark WA
January 29 The River Margaret River WA
January 30 + 31 Bunbury Fringe Bunbury WA
January 31 Shelton Brewing Busselton WA
February 5-9 Fringe World Perth WA
February 12 Carnarvon Yacht Club Carnarvon WA
February 13 Batavia Brewing Geraldton WA
February 14 New Cornwall Hotel Narrogin WA
February 15 Overland Motel Kalgoorlie WA
February 16 33 Degrees Esperance WA
February 17 Bremer Bay Brewing Bremer Bay WA
February 20 Watsacowie Brewery Minlaton SA
February 21 Di Giorgio Family Wines Coonawarra SA
February 22–March 1 Adelaide Fringe Adelaide SA
March 2 Hewitson Theatre Gawler SA
March 5 Six Twelve Brewery St Agnes SA
March 6 Lobethal Bierhaus Lobethal SA
March 7 Seaford Beach Hotel Seaford SA
March 8 Auchendarroch Mt Barker SA
March 9 – Shapeshifter Brewery Findon SA
March 13 Wudinna Community Club Wudinna SA
March 14 Hedonbar Brewing Kadina SA
March 15 Woolshed Brewery Murtho SA
April 8-20 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Melbourne VIC
