january
january
february
march
april
THE MOYNEYANA FESTIVAL, PORT FAIRY December 24 - January 26, 2018
GRAND ANNUAL SPRINTCAR CLASSIC, WARRNAMBOOL January 19, 20 & 21, 2018
OTWAY ODYSSEY, FORREST February 24 - 25, 2018
PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL March 9 - 12, 2018
KOROIT IRISH FESTIVAL, KOROIT April, 2018
The Otway Odyssey is the ultimate mountain bike marathon in Australia with challenging, scenic, fun and flowing mountain bike courses in and around Forrest. A number of distances, courses and race types including the Great Ocean Gravel Grind.
Since its inception the festival will have presented around 3,500 acts including over 500 Internationals and over 12,000 musicians to an audience of beyond 1,000,000 attendances to the village of Port Fairy. The Festival will again be an immersive celebration and showcase of music and culture which consumes the magnificent township of Port Fairy every Labour Day weekend.
Celebrating great Irish music, Koroit and its proud Irish heritage for over 21 years.
The Moyneyana Festival is known for its enduring tribute to 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. | moyneyana.port-fairy.com
Come and see Australia and the World’s best drivers tackle the most exhilarating form of motorsport known to man at the home of Sprintcar Racing – Sungold Stadium, Premier Speedway.
| rapidascent.com.au/OtwayOdyssey/
| premierspeedway.com.au
| portfairyfolkfestival.com
| koroitirishfestival.com.au
MARCH LONG WEEKEND
CELEBRATING 21 YEARS
january
february
march
may
may
GMHBA LORNE PIER TO PUB January 13, 2018
THE GELLIBRAND RIVER BLUES & BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL February 23 - 25, 2018
AIREYS INLET OPEN MIC FESTIVAL, AIREYS INLET March, 2018
WARRNAMBOOL MAY RACING CARNIVAL May 2 - 4, 2017
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.
The village of Gellibrand in the heart of the Otways celebrates Blues & Blueberries. A great weekend for the whole family with local arts & crafts, food & entertainment - of course with the focus on Blues and blueberries.
3 Days 9 Stages 140 Performances - Come along and meet with music lovers from all genres on the coast. A free event showcasing local talent with special guest acts each year featuring renowned Australian performers.
| bluesandblueberryfestival.com.au
| aireysinlet.com.au
Horse racing holds a very special place in the hearts of Victorians and the Western District in particular, as the number of people in Warrnambool double during the world renowned Tabcorp May Racing Carnival. Held on the same dates in May each year.
CAMPERDOWN ROBERT BURNS SCOTTISH FESTIVAL, CAMPERDOWN May, 2018
| lornesurfclub.com.au/Content/piertopub
A fine weekend of music, dance and poetry celebrating Camperdown’s unique link to Robert Burns. | camperdownburnsfestival.com
| country.racing.com/warrnambool
january
march
april
may
CADEL EVANS GREAT OCEAN ROAD RACE January, 2018
LORNE SCULPTURE BIENNALE March 17 - April 2, 2018
KIDS ADVENTURE OUTDOORS, ANGLESEA April 7 - 8, 2018
The stunning Lorne foreshore will become the picturesque pedestal for the Lorne Sculpture Biennale, a vibrant festival of art and events celebrating the best of Australian and International sculpture.
Kids Adventure Outdoors (KAOS) Anglesea is THE weekend adventure festival designed for families with kids aged from 3 to 13 years to explore and take part in an exciting range of outdoor and nature activities.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD RUNNING FESTIVAL, LORNE - APOLLO BAY May, 2018
| lornesculpture.com
| kidsadventureoutdoors.org.au/anglesea/
Classified as a UCI World Tour Event, this is an opportunity to see the world’s elite men & women cycling teams compete. A Family Ride & People’s Ride provide opportunities for everyone to take part.
Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is home to one of the world’s most visually spectacular marathons, The Great Ocean Road Running Festival features a range of different distances and courses so there’s something for everyone.
| cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au
| greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au
JUNE LONG WEEKEND
february
march
april
june
june
APOLLO BAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL February, 2018
TERANG COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL, TERANG March 16 - 18, 2018
THE RIP CURL PRO April, 2018
CASTERTON KELPIE FESTIVAL June 10 & 11, 2017
RUN FORREST & OTWAY SOUPFEST, FORREST June 11, 2017
The Rip Curl Pro is the longest running professional surfing contest in the world, and this year will be the 55th running of the event. Held over Easter/School holidays.
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.
In its 11th year the Soupfest is an annual festival featuring homemade soups. Enter competitions for home made soups, jams, conserves, pickles, chutneys, wine and beer. There will be a prize for the biggest/most unusual vegetable.
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. Held on the Apollo Bay Foreshore. | apollobayseafoodfestival.com
Held over three days. Non-stop music under the shade of the Elm trees, in the Grandstand, or just lie around on the grassy banks of the Racecourse listening to the best Country music. | terangcountrymusic.com.au
| r ipcurl.com.au/events/international/ rip-curl-pro-bells-beach.html
| castertonkelpieassociation.com.au
| runforest.com.au
/ForrestSoupfest
july FUN4KIDS FESTIVAL, WARRNAMBOOL July 5 - 9, 2017 Fun4Kids Festival is Australia’s BEST children’s festival made up of 17 incredible fun zones full of kids’ entertainment and activities. Choose your own adventure and enjoy the festival at your own pace. 2.5 acres of indoor adventure. | fun4kids.com.au
september
november
november
SURF COAST CENTURY, ANGLESEA September 9, 2017
3 BAYS MARATHON, PORTLAND November 5, 2017
TIMBOON ARTISAN FESTIVAL, TIMBOON November 25, 2017
A spectacular 50km and 100km ultramarathon takes runners on an extraordinary journey below towering sea cliffs, along remote beaches and through the captivating wildflower hinterland on twisting single track where no two footsteps are the same.
Featuring Full & Half Marathon Runs, Marathon Achievement Walk, Half Marathon Walk, 5km Run Relay and 10km Run and Walk Relay. Held every Melbourne Cup Weekend. | portlandrunnersclub.com.au
| rapidascent.com.au/SurfcoastCentury/
Boutique food artisan festival to be held on the lawn area at the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery. Live entertainment - it’s sure to be a day of great food and fun. | 12apostlesfoodartisans.com.au/events
2017/18 EVENTS GUIDE
august
july/august
october
october
december
INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND August 19 & 20 2017
WINTERWILD APOLLO BAY, APOLLO BAY July 1, 2017 - water July 15, 2017 - earth July 29, 2017 - air August 12, 2017 - fire
BIRREGURRA FESTIVAL & ART SHOW October 7 & 8, 2017
COPRICE COBDEN SPRING FESTIVAL, COBDEN October 13,14 & 15, 2017
FALLS FESTIVAL, LORNE December, 2017
An event synonymous with quality farm produce, agricultural displays, craft and live local music and held on the second weekend of October annually.
| cobdenspringfestival.com.au
| winterwildapollobay.com
| birregurrafestival.com
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 from all around the world. In the Great Ocean Road region you’ll find the Cape Otway Lightstation, Split Point Lighthouse, Port Fairy Lighthouse & Cape Nelson Lighthouse. | lightstation.com/international-lighthouse-weekend/
The Falls Festival not only attracts some of Australia’s best bands alongside top international artists for the New Years Eve celebration. The event sells out each year so make sure you get in early.
The festival is a celebration of our community of Cobden and district in a fun event for all age groups.
| fallsfestival.com
september
october/november
november
january
FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS, LORNE September, 2017
OTWAY SHAKESPEARE TRILOGY, OTWAYS Midsummer Nights Dream
UPWELLING FESTIVAL, PORTLAND November 4, 2017
ROO RUN AND GOURMET GALLOP, ANGLESEA December 27, 2017 (Roo Run) December 28, 2017 (Gourmet Gallop)
From breathtaking cabaret, junkyard theatre and comedic genius to powerhouse harmonies, heartbreaking ballads and howling late night jazz, head to Lorne a weekend of intoxicating shows.
Otway Fly: October 21, 2017
| fopa.com.au
Otway Estate: November 18, 2017
A free, one-day event celebrating the natural wonders brought to the town of Portland by the Bonney Upwelling - the richest marine feeding area in Australia.
@shakespeareintheotways
| upwellingfestival.com.au
The Tempest
Cape Otway Lightstation: November 4, 2017
Romeo & Juliet
september
november
AMY’S GRAN FONDO September 16 & 17, 2017
TOAST TO THE COAST November 4 & 5, 2017
Amy’s Grand Fondo caters for 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.
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.
| amysgranfondo.org.au
| toastthecoast.com.au
MELBOURNE CUP LONG WEEKEND
PLAN YOUR GREAT ESCAPE.
Whether you’re a seasoned campaigner, a weekend jogger, social walker or just starting out your running career, the Roo Run and Grommet Gallop offers something for everyone in one of the most scenic locations you could imagine. | www.roorun.com.au
Keep up-to-date visit: visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/iconic-events
For all 2017/18 events and information. /VisitGreatOceanRoad 2017/18 EVENTS GUIDE EVENT DETAILS ARE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING
/VisitGreatOceanRoad /vstgreatoceanrd #visitgreatoceanroad
GSDM 12891
2.5 ACRES OF INDOOR ADVENTURE
VISITGREATOCEANROAD.ORG.AU