GREAT EVENTS

The Great Ocean Road hosts a spectacular array of annual events, from seafood to surfing, music and running, major international sporting events to cultural celebrations, there’s always something on. Here’s some to get you started, check our website for more: www.visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/events

CADEL EVANS GREAT OCEAN ROAD RACE

JANUARY cadelevansgreatoceanroad race.com.au

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 and People’s Ride provide opportunities for everyone to take part.

JANUARY www.lornesurfclub.com.au

The 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 (LSLS) Club. The course is 1.2km from the Lorne Pier to the LSLS Clubhouse.

HOOKED ON PORTLAND FESTIVAL

JANUARY visitportland.com.au/hooked-onportland/

The Hooked on Portland Festival features some of Australia’s best up and coming musical performers and celebrity chefs, as well as offering entertainment and activities for all ages.

PREMIER SPEEDWAY 51ST GRAND ANNUAL SPRINTCAR CLASSIC, WARRNAMBOOL

JANUARY premierspeedway.com.au

The 51st Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic is an event not to be missed. Conducted over three huge nights.

PORT FAIRY

JAZZ FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY portfairyjazz.com.au

The Port Fairy Jazz Festival is a not-for-profit festival and organisation run entirely by volunteers, promoting all genres of jazz music in the picturesque surrounds of Port Fairy.

CRAYFEST, PORT CAMPBELL

MARCH crayfest.com.au

Port Campbell Crayfest is where everyone is invited to be part of a Grassroots festival that showcases the local areas exceptional food and beverages, artists, musicians and the beautiful natural environment.

Apollo Bay Seafood

FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY apollobayseafoodfestival.com

For a truly unique and memorable pescatarian experience with perfect sea views, visit the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival – a celebration of the finest seafood Apollo Bay has to offer.

HEYWOOD WOOD WINE AND ROSES FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY woodwineandroses.com.au

Street parade, food and market stalls, live entertainment for all ages, sideshows, truck and ute show and fireworks. We invite you to join us to what promises to be our best festival yet!

LORNE SCULPTURE

BIENNALE

MARCH lornesculpture.com

Lorne Sculpture Biennale is a vibrant festival celebrating the best of Australian and international sculpture. Lorne foreshore becomes the picturesque pedestal for these sculptures, and the venue for a vibrant program of events.

Aireys Inlet Music Festival

MARCH aireysinlet.com.au

The Aireys Inlet Music festival returns to the Surf Coast town in March. The festival, now in its 18th year, draws on the cream of Geelong and Surf Coast bands!

PORT FAIRY

FOLK FESTIVAL

MARCH portfairyfolkfestival.com

Over the Victorian Labour Day weekend in March the beautiful and historic coastal town of Port Fairy attracts thousands of visitors to the Port Fairy Folk Festival, with 100+ acts from across the globe.

RIP CURL PRO, BELLS BEACH

APRIL ripcurl.com.au/events/ international/rip-curl-pro-bellsbeach.html

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.

Koroit Irish Festival

APRIL koroitirishfestival.com.au

Celebrating great Irish music, Koroit and its proud Irish heritage for over 21 years. In 1998 the festival hosted the Australian Danny Boy Championships for the first time, an event which has become a signature of the festival.

WARRNAMBOOL MAY RACING CARNIVAL

MAY country.racing.com/warrnambool/ may-racing-carnival

A celebration of country racing featuring 23 flat races and seven jumps races including the internationally acclaimed Grand Annual Steeplechase.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD RUNNING FESTIVAL, LORNE - APOLLO BAY

MAY greatoceanroadrunfest.com.au

Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is home to the Great Ocean Road Running Festival, featuring a range of different distances and courses so there’s something for everyone.

Casterton Kelpie Festival

JUNE castertonkelpieassociation.com.au

The start of the Long Weekend in June is the Street Parade, followed by various novelty events including Kelpie High Jump, Kelpie Dash, animal nursery, Kelpie Pinball and Stockman’s Challenge.

Run Forrest

JUNE runforest.com.au

Staged in the hinterland township of Forrest, nestled in the heart of the Otway Ranges, Run Forrest will showcase the regions worldclass trails and breathtaking natural beauty – undulating hills, flowing rivers, dense fern gullies and the cool, fresh air of the Otway Ranges.

Winter Weekends

PORT

Fairy

JUNE - JULY portfairywinterweekends.com.au

Port Fairy Winter Weekends festival is a celebration of Port Fairy’s history, culture and community. Festival events and activities fall under four main pillars - community, arts, food & wine and environment.

WINTERWILD, APOLLO BAY

AUGUST winterwild.com.au

Two epic weekends in Apollo Bay of music, performance, feasting and workshops for your body, mind and soul. Can you see what flickers in the darkness?

SURF COAST CENTURY, ANGLESEA

SEPTEMBER surfcoastcentury.rapidascent. com.au

A spectacular 50km and 100km ultra marathon takes runners on an extraordinary journey below towering sea cliffs, along remote beaches and through the captivating hinterland.

AMY'S GRAN FONDO, LORNE

SEPTEMBER amysgranfondo.org.au

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. The event is held in memory of Amy Gillett and conducted by the Amy Gillett Foundation.

WORLD SURF LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS, TORQUAY

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER worldsurfleague.com

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic will be the first stop on the new look WSL World Longboard Tour. This is the only event on the World Longboard Tour to be held in Australia.

UPWELLING FESTIVAL, PORTLAND

NOVEMBER upwellingfestival.com.au

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.

BIRREGURRA FESTIVAL & ART SHOW

NOVEMBER birregurrafestival.com

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

LOCH HART FESTIVAL, PRINCETOWN

NOVEMBER lochhart.com

Loch Hart Music Festival is a music, arts and comedy festival on the Great Ocean Road in Princetown, Kirrae Whurrong Country. Bring your tent, swag or caravan, otherwise Glamping tents are available to hire!