The Events In Regional Victoria We’re Locking In For Autumn
Days might be getting cooler and shorter, but in Victoria, the Autumn festival calendar is heating up.
Learn ‘lost trades’, drink the freshest beer of your life, see art come to life all through town, celebrate queer joy, dive into the food bowl and honour the humble spud. Whatever your festival flavour, there’s something in Vic worth locking in. And while you’re there, we have pointers to keep you in town longer, from the best boutique stays to eats and activities for the itinerary.
Autumn’s no time to fall into a funk—so we’ve teamed up with Visit Victoria to get you out of the house and into the country.
Swan Hill Food and Wine Festival
The Murray | 6–8 March
Eat and drink your way through “Australia’s Food Bowl” over three flavour-packed days at Swan Hill Food and Wine Festival. Jump on the Twilight Cruise along the Murray River on Friday, watching the sunset with local wines. Saturday festivities at Swan Hill’s Pioneer Settlement offer everything from momo to hot dogs and smoked meats, local wines and beers, with entertainment headlined by Killing Heidi. On Sunday, it’s the Produce and Design market with local growers and artisans, and Dine & Find, a day-to-night culinary crawl between Swan Hill’s best venues.
Stay in Lake Boga’s Olive Grove Retreat, sleek “tiny house” accommodation amidst olive trees. Wake up in your grove getaway, then head for brunch at One28 Doors or Spoons Riverside.
ChillOut
Daylesford/Hepburn | 5–9 March
ChillOut Festival has been a brilliant splash of queer joy in Daylesford’s calendar for almost 30 years. This regional pride festival is drawing in global sensations The Huxleys, Reuben Kaye and Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Kita Mean. But it's more than stars and sequins. There’s a pet show, Lesbian Long Lunch, drag story time, Lakeside Beach Party and the epic Carnival in Victoria Park.
You’ll want to stay close, and the refurbished Daylesford Hotel and Royal Daylesford Hotel both offer accommodation with those quintessential heritage touches. Hit Wombat Hill House for daytime dining in the Botanic Gardens, have a wine-matched lunch at Passing Clouds cellar door, or splurge at Lake House restaurant before unwinding at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa.
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Port Fairy | 6-9 March
Now in its 49th year, Port Fairy packs a lot of folk into a historic seaside town. The four-day festival has a massive lineup including Iron & Wine, Emily Wurramara, Darren Hanlon, Kasey Chambers, Beoga and superstar Emma Donovan. Celebrate Blak excellence at the Marrang hub, young artists at Future Folk, wander the market and food stalls and see free gigs scattered throughout town.
The quirky Wandering Whale guesthouse is the perfect base for exploration, while Merrijig Inn holds the title for the oldest inn in Australia. Or for somewhere extra special, book one of six beautifully appointed suites in Drift House. Local faves Coffin Sally pizzeria and the Oak and Anchor are your dinner go-tos, and when it comes to activities, well, you're at the beach! Good for a walk (and picnic).
The High Country Hop Harvest Festival
Beechworth | 27–29 March
Gather on the green for Beechworth’s High Country Hop Harvest Festival and drink special ales made from the harvest, with high country brewers like Bridge Road, Bright and Crank Handle, special guests like Blackman’s and Stomping Ground, and even an out-of-country visitor, California's Stone. There’s a killer music lineup featuring Floodlights, Joey Lightbulb and Public Figures, plus food trucks, local distilleries and nice bottles from Beechworth Wine Bar.
Sleep beside a vineyard at StoneTryst Spa Villas, complete with fireplace, terrace and spa bath. Stop in at Tiny coffee nook for breakfast, stroll around or take a tour of the Asylum, hit Tanswell’s for lunch or Bridge Road Brewers for a craft beer and wood-fired pizza. Finish off with a trip to Pennyweight biodynamic winery with BYO picnic provisions from Project 49.
Lost Trades Fair
Bendigo | 28–29 March
Wondering about woodwork? Pondering pottery? Get inspired at Hanging Rock with the Lost Trades Fair. See live demos of crafts you’ve probably never seen and talk to the people keeping lost arts alive: blacksmiths, wheelwrights, bookbinders, stonemasons, illuminators, puppet-makers and more. Cheer on the annual "World Spoon Carving Championship Race" and try your hand at scissor-making, chair-making and tin-type photography. Enjoy a feast of produce from local growers and makers, or BYO picnic.
Explore the wineries of the Macedon Ranges, like Hanging Rock Winery, Mount Towrong and Marnong Estate. The uber-modern Mount Macedon cellar door and restaurants also house boutique accommodation, or Appleyard Cottage next to Hanging Rock Truffle Farm is a must-stay for foodies.
Tesselaar KaBloom
Silvan | 21 March–19 April
A flower festival, but not as you know it. Tesselaar KaBloom is a month-long revelry amongst the blooms—literally millions. It’s all-ages fun and games, with Circus Oz, bubble shows, storytelling, tractor rides, fairy gardens and ferris wheels, plus treasure hunts and craft workshops. Plus, kids 16 and under are free.
If you’re making a weekend of it in the Dandenongs, double down on family fun with Puffing Billy. Olinda Country Cottages are perfect family stays, then check out Olinda Teahouse or Miss Marples’ tea room in Sassafras, explore nature with a walk to Olinda Falls or Silvan Reservoir Park and consider a trip to De Bortoli on the way back, a kid-friendly winery in the Yarra Valley.
Benalla Street Art Festival
Benalla | 17–19 April
For over a decade, folks have travelled from all over to the Benalla Street Art Festival. See live painting as local and international artists make public walls their canvas, and see the incredible works from last year. Wander through exhibitions, catch buskers and DJs and grab street food as you go.
Settle in for the night at Clement House B&B, a charming character property near the botanic gardens and art gallery. Grab eggs and a brew at The Merchant Benalla, smashed avo or pancakes at Zeus, a pub feed at the Northo and a vino at Kooyanga Creek. Benalla is also the starting point for the famous North East Victoria Silo Art Trail, and while you’re in Kelly Country, Glenrowan is a must.
The Great Trentham Spudfest
Trentham | 2–5 May
Give the humble spud the love it deserves at The Great Trentham Spudfest. It’s two potato-packed days celebrating local producers, with mini market precincts throughout the town, live music, historic tours and a Spud Feast. Try your hand at The Great Peel Off, the Spud Olympics, Name That Spud or join the Spud Hunt.
There’s more than taters to Trentham. Take a walk to the waterfalls, do some window shopping, or take a spud-powered hike. Stay in two-storey villas at the refurbished Hotel Trentham or Acre of Roses. If you’re lucky, du Fermier might have space for dinner, one of the finest French farm-to-table restaurants. If not, the Cosmopolitan Hotel has a beautiful seasonal menu.
Grampians Grape Escape
Halls Gap | 1–3 May
Take a unique dive into the makers and flavours of western Victoria at Grampians Grape Escape, smack bang in the National Park, at Halls Gap. Kick off with the Feel-Good Friday Party. Then grab a Tasting Ticket for a tumbler and free beer, wine, and cider tastings, with more than 90 stalls across Saturday and Sunday. There are masterclasses, demos, food, music and lots and lots of wine, plus the Grampians Winemakers Barrique Auction.
Retire somewhere special at DULC designer cabins, a stylish sanctuary of tranquillity and minimalist luxury. Livefast Cafe has you covered for all-day breakfast, Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co for lunch, and while you're here, you’ve got to touch grass in the national park.
La Fiera Italian Festival
Myrtleford | 15–17 May
For almost 20 years, La Fiera Italian Festival has been celebrating the vibrant Italian history of the region. Join in for a weekend of regional food and wines with Italian flair, showcasing local chefs and their mastery of classics like gnocchi, pizza and polenta, and activities like the Italian Movie Night.
Wake up to stunning views of the Ovens Valley at Panoramia Villas or the tranquil peace of Haus + Heim's Echo, a secluded escape with minimalist styling and acres of accompanying bushland. Myrtleford is full of surprises, from the Mosaic Trail (over 100 to find) to the Moroccan-inspired Cafe Fez, with Middle Eastern eats. Head out to Gapsted Estate winery, charming towns like Bright and scenic alpine drives. At night, return for tapas and vino at Reclaim wine bar.
Ready to hit the road? Check out more of what’s going down in our regions here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Visit Victoria and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Supplied