Arts & Culture
Lights & Music
Arts & Culture
Sips, Bites & Sights
Calling all bookworms, art aficionados and culture vultures—regional Victoria is calling, and it’s bringing the heat in all the right ways. From multi-sensory exhibitions and avant-garde performances to thought-provoking talks and creative workshops, the state’s arts calendar is packed with Australia’s best and brightest. Read on for all the event details, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
There’s something special about regional Victoria—it’s where creativity, community and culture collide in the most unexpected ways. The events scene out here is thriving, and every trip feels like a new story waiting to unfold. It’s the best kind of getaway—one that feeds your soul.
Lights & Music
Festival season is officially here. Find your new favourite international artist or catch a live set from a local favourite, or dance the night away under soaring coastal skies. With a stacked calendar of light and music festivals lighting up regional Victoria, the season’s never looked (or sounded) so good. Read on for all the event details, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
Sips, Bites & Sights
Ready to kick back with a crisp vino, graze on seasonal eats, and grab a front-row seats to the sunny season’s most iconic moments? Read on for all the event details to get around in regional Victoria, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
Coby Renkin
Melbourne Editor
Koroit Irish Festival
Koroit
1-3 MAY
Held just outside Port Fairy in the rural village of Koroit, this annual Irish festival is a full-scale celebration of the best of Gaelic culture. Lock in a spot on the sidelines at a Gaelic footy clash, master the art of soda bread, tear up the floor at a trad session and uncover Australia's most Irish name. There's also good craic to be found at local brewery Noodledoof, and a comfy bed on offer at the historic Koroit Convent. Sláinte!
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Upcoming Events
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The Great Trentham Spudfest
trentham
2-3 may
Celebrate the humble spud at The Great Trentham Spudfest, a two-day ode to local producers with market precincts, live music, historic tours and a Spud Feast. Join The Great Peel Off, tackle the Spud Olympics, play Name That Spud or hunt for hidden treasures. Beyond potatoes, wander to nearby waterfalls, browse local shops or hike the trails. Stay at Hotel Trentham or Acre of Roses, dine at du Fermier if you can snag a table, or settle in at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
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Bendigo Writers Festival
BENDIGO
14–17 August 2025
Bookworms, word nerds and story lovers—Bendigo Writers Festival is back to warm your winter with conversation, creativity and inspiration. Since 2012, this lit-loving weekend has transformed Bendigo into a buzzing hub of ideas, tales and lively debate.
Across three days, the city fills with authors, poets, and curious minds, ready to dive into panels, performances, readings and workshops. Book a stay at the historic Hotel Shamrock so you don’t miss a moment.
Between sessions, ride a vintage Bendigo tram, sip wine or a cocktail at Ms Batterhams, or sample a local brew at Bendigo Brewing. From fiery talks to quiet reflections, it’s a celebration of storytelling in all its glorious forms. Whether you’re after your next great read or just love a good yarn, this festival is your winter happy place.
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Island Whale Festival
Phillip Island
11–13 july 2025
From July 11-13, Phillip Island is rolling out the welcome mat for the whale-watching event of the year. As the majestic humpbacks, southern rights, and maybe even a killer whale or two make their annual journey north, it’s the perfect time to grab a front-row seat to nature’s most epic show.
For a front-row seat to all the action, stay a few days at the charming Genesta House Bed and Breakfast in July. From May to September, these giants grace our waters, but July? That’s when the island goes into full celebration mode—because nothing says “community spirit” like whale love. In between sightings, explore a piece of history on the Kitty Miller Bay Walk, and sample fresh seafood and grain-fed steaks at The Westernport Hotel.
Score A Cosy Escape To The Grampians, Worth $2.8K
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Rip Curl Pro
bells beach
1-11 april
Thousands of spectators will gather on the surf coast to watch the world's greatest let rip at Bell's Beach this Easter. The first stop of the world's most prestigious surf comp, catch the likes of Molly Picklum, Jack Robinson and 5x World Champion Carissa Moore tear it up. Make a weekend of it and stay at the '70s-inspired motel The Monty in Anglesea, bliss out at Airey's Inlet's Indie Spa, and fuel up for the day with brekkie at Jan Juc's Swell Cafe.
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Graze The Day
Timboon Amphitheatre, Eastern Maar Country
22 November 2025
Graze The Day is set to return for its second year in the Timboon Amphitheatre on beautiful Eastern Maar Country this summer. A celebration of artisan makers and creators from the Great Ocean Road region, you’ll have the chance to sample wine, beer and gin from the surrounding area, as well as indulge in a few scoops from local heroes Timboon Fine Ice Cream. Make a weekend of it with a stay at one of three unique Timboon Tiny Homes, nestled among native bushland overlooking Power Creek. Drop into Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe for lunch on Sunday. One of their toasties or cheese platters pair perfectly with a glass of fresh full cream milk straight from the dairy. Doesn’t get much fresher than that.
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Tesselaar Kabloom
silvan
21 mARCH - 19 april
A flower festival, but not as you know it. Tesselaar KaBloom is a month-long celebration among millions of blooms, packed with Circus Oz, bubble shows, storytelling, tractor rides, fairy gardens and a Ferris wheel. There are treasure hunts and craft workshops, and kids 16 and under go free. Make a weekend of it in the Dandenongs with a ride on Puffing Billy, stay at Olinda Country Cottages, visit Olinda Teahouse or Miss Marples, wander to Olinda Falls or Silvan Reservoir, and stop at De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley.
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Benalla Street Art Festival
Benalla
17-19 APRIL
For over a decade, visitors have flocked to the Benalla Street Art Festival to watch local and international artists transform public walls live. Explore past murals, wander exhibitions, catch buskers and DJs, and snack on street food. Stay at The Dairy at Marangan, fuel up at The Merchant Benalla or Zeus, grab a pub meal at the Northo and a vino at Kooyanga Creek. Benalla also launches the North East Victoria Silo Art Trail—don’t miss nearby Glenrowan in Kelly Country.
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Port Fairy Folk Festival
Port Fairy
5-9 MARCH
Port Fairy Folk Festival is set to celebrate its 49th year with dance workshops and yarning circles, a Sunday singout session and food and craft stalls to fuel both body and soul. There’s a lot to soak up, so a place to rest and reboot those dance moves is highly recommended. Whether you’re travelling with the whole gang or planning a romantic regional getaway, Douglas Riverside is worthy of your attention—we’re talking luxury accommodation complete with river views. All that dancing will leave you thirsty, so stop off for a refreshing pint or two at Noodledoof Taproom, a craft brewery and distillery housed in an old Motor Garage.
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Swan Hill Food & Wine Festival
SWAN HILL
6-8 MARCH
Eat and drink your way through “Australia’s Food Bowl” across three flavour-filled days at the Swan Hill Food and Wine Festival. Start with a sunset Twilight Cruise on the Murray River, local wine in hand. Saturday unfolds at Pioneer Settlement with everything from momo to smoked meats, plus regional wines, beers and a headline set from Killing Heidi. Sunday brings the Produce and Design Market and Dine & Find—a roaming culinary crawl. Stay at Lake Boga’s Olive Grove Retreat, then brunch at One28 Doors or Spoons Riverside.
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Grampians Grape Escape
HALLS GAP
1-3 MAY
Dive into western Victoria’s makers and flavours at Grampians Grape Escape in the heart of the national park at Halls Gap. Start with the Feel-Good Friday Party, then grab a Tasting Ticket for a keepsake tumbler and unlimited beer, wine and cider tastings across 90-plus stalls. Expect masterclasses, demos, food, music and the Grampians Winemakers Barrique Auction. Stay at DULC designer cabins, fuel up at Livefast Cafe, lunch at Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co, and explore the national park trails.
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LaFiera Italian Festival
Myrtleford
15-17 MAY
For almost 20 years, La Fiera Italian Festival has honoured the region’s Italian heritage with a weekend of food, wine and festivities. Expect local chefs serving gnocchi, pizza and polenta, plus events like Italian Movie Night. Stay at Panoramia Villas overlooking the Ovens Valley or Haus + Heim’s Echo bush retreat. Explore Myrtleford’s Mosaic Trail, dine at Cafe Fez, sip at Gapsted Estate, visit nearby Bright and scenic alpine drives, then wind down with tapas and vino at Reclaim Wine Bar.
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Grampians Grape Escape
HALLS GAP
1-3 MAY
Dive into western Victoria’s makers and flavours at Grampians Grape Escape in the heart of the national park at Halls Gap. Start with the Feel-Good Friday Party, then grab a Tasting Ticket for a keepsake tumbler and unlimited beer, wine and cider tastings across 90-plus stalls. Expect masterclasses, demos, food, music and the Grampians Winemakers Barrique Auction. Stay at DULC designer cabins, fuel up at Livefast Cafe, lunch at Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co, and explore the national park trails.
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Lights & Music
Festival season is officially here. Find your new favourite international artist or catch a live set from a local favourite, or dance the night away under soaring coastal skies. With a stacked calendar of light and music festivals lighting up regional Victoria, the season’s never looked (or sounded) so good. Read on for all the event details, and where to eat, stay and play while you're there.
Upcoming Events
BOOK NOW >
Koroit Irish Festival
Koroit
1-5 MAY
Held just outside Port Fairy in the rural village of Koroit, this annual Irish festival is a full-scale celebration of the best of Gaelic culture. Lock in a spot on the sidelines at a Gaelic footy clash, master the art of soda bread, tear up the floor at a trad session and uncover Australia's most Irish name. There's also good craic to be found at local brewery Noodledoof, and a comfy bed on offer at the historic Koroit Convent. Sláinte!
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Competition
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Lights & Music