EVENTS ALL YEAR ROUND

DISCOVER A FULL LIST OF EVENTS IN THE REGION

January

THE MOYNYANA FESTIVAL

The Moyneyana Festival is known for its enduring tribute to Port Fairy's community spirit. The festival runs over five weeks from Christmas Eve through to Australia Day each year. Initiated in 1947, the festival helps to raise funds for the local hospital, and attracts crowds of 15,000 visitors each year.

GMHBA LORNE PIER TO PUB

The GMHBA Lorne Pier to Pub is the largest open water swim in the world and is organised and run by volunteers from Lorne Surf Life Saving Club. The course is 1.2km from the Lorne Pier to the foreshore in front of the LSLS clubhouse.

January

CADEL EVANS GREAT OCEAN ROAD RACE

Australia will once again host its own version of the famous European 'Spring Classics' with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

APOLLO BAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Delivering everything you would expect from a town famous for seafood, the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival and Local Produce Festival is an aquatic smorgasbord serving up all the deliciousness supplied in abundance from the local waters.

February

OTWAY ODYSSEY

The Otway Odyssey is the ultimate mountain bike marathon in Australia with challenging, scenic, fun and flowing mountain bike courses.

PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL

An immersive celebration and showcase of music and culture which consumes the magnificent township of Port Fairy every Labour Day weekend.

56Lorne Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia

March and April

LORNE SCULPTURE BIENNALE

The Biennale takes place every two years and is Victoria's largest free public outdoor sculpture event.
Vibrant sculptural art enriches and transforms the stunning Lorne foreshore and surrounds on the Great Ocean Road.

THE RIP CURL PRO

The Rip Curl Pro is the longest running professional surfing contest in the world and Torquay's iconic Bells Beach is one of the most renowned surf breaks in the world.

rip curl pro image visit victoria website

May

WARRNAMBOOL MAY RACE CARNIVAL

Horse racing holds a very special place in the hearts of Victoria’s and the Western District in particular, as the number of people in Warrnambool double during the world renowned Tabcorp May Racing Carnival.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD RUNNING FESTIVAL

Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is home to one of the world’s most visually spectacular marathons, The Great Ocean Road Running Festival. Lorne and Apollo Bay and the road that connects them play host to this weekend festival of running.

June

CASTERON KELPIE FESTIVAL

The start of the Long Weekend in June is the Street Parade, followed by various novelty events, Kelpie High Jump, Kelpie Dash, animal nursery, Kelpie Pinball, Stockman's Challenge, Kelpie Hill Climb to mention a few of Saturdays highlights.

July

FUN FOR KIDS FESTIVAL, WARRNAMBOOL
(dates to be confirmed)

Fun4Kids Festival is Australia’s BEST children’s festival made up of 17 incredible fun zones full of kids’ entertainment and activities. With so many things to do in one location, you can choose your own adventure and enjoy the festival at your own pace.

August

WINTERWILD

A winter celebration of Apollo Bay and the Otways held in various venues both indoor and out, celebrating the wilder side of this stretch of coast with art and culture.

August

INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND

International Lighthouse Weekend celebrates lighthouses and the people that worked in them. It’s held every year on the 3rd weekend in August and involves lighthouses & lightships from all around the world.

September

AMY'S GRAN FONDO

Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo is Australia’s best cycling event. Catering to cyclists of all abilities, the event is held on fully closed roads in one of the most picturesque destinations on the planet – the Great Ocean Road.

October

BIRREGURRA FESTIVAL & ART SHOW

An event synonymous with quality farm produce, agricultural displays, craft and live local music and held on the second weekend of October annually.

November

UPWELLING FESTIVAL

A celebration of the natural wonders brought to the town of Portland by the Bonney Upwelling. A free, one-day event in Portland, Victoria which offers a fantastic and vibrant way for the community and visitors to celebrate the unique features of our beautiful coastal town.

November

TOAST TO THE COAST

Take the opportunity to explore one of Australia’s truly iconic wine regions and taste your way across The Bellarine, Moorabool Valley and Surf Coast, as our region’s producers showcase the best Geelong winery experience on offer while you relax and enjoy our acclaimed wines.

December

FALLS FESTIVAL

The Falls Festival not only attracts some of Australia’s best bands but also a huge crowd for the New Years Eve celebration. The magical location near Erskine Falls in Lorne adds to the spectacle!