Australians all let us rejoice for it’s a long weekend.
With the festive season a distant memory and the Christmas hangover still lingering, the Australia Day long weekend is an opportunity to recharge and find your happy space in our land abounds in nature’s gifts.
From the sea to the country and adrenaline to rejuvenation, there’s something for everyone this long weekend.
VEGEMITE Family Ride
Friday 25 January 2019
Ride into the three-day weekend with the family along Geelong’s waterfront for a safe and fun twilight edition of the iconic VEGEMITE Family Ride. Join Cadel Evans, elite riders and local celebrities from 4.30pm – 6.00pm for the 1.6-kilometre ride. Closed to traffic, the Family Ride course is perfect for young riders of all abilities. Pass under the official Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race finish line gantry – just like the pros. After achieving the ride, enjoy the festival at the Steampacket Gardens Event Village including family activities, giveaways and food stalls.
Vinyasa Yoga in the Vines at Ringer Reef Winery
Saturday 26 January 2019
Spend Australia Day amongst the vines with a day of yoga, wine and produce at Ringer Reef Winery. Use the long weekend to head up to High Country to enjoy a 90-minute vinyasa yoga class followed by Ringer Reef wine and local produce platters on the terrace overlooking the vineyard and glorious Mt Buffalo at dusk. Find balance at Ringer Reef with a combination of relaxation and indulgence. Open to all experiences, yoga mats and props are provided, along with a glass of wine and share platters to enjoy. After yoga, nama-stay is the beautiful town of Bright to explore the outdoor summer playground.
Australian Open 2019 Finals
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 January 2019
The highlight of Melbourne’s summer of sport will culminate across the Australia Day weekend with the crowning of the Australian Open champions for 2019. While tickets to Rod Laver Arena for finals are sold out, visitors can still experience the tournament atmosphere at the AO Festival with a ground pass. Along with watching the finals on the big screen, ground pass ticket holders can rock out to Australia’s biggest music acts at the AO Live Stage and enjoy the festivities on Grand Slam Oval.
Falls Creek Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 January 2019
As the highest dragon boat event in Australia (approximately 1,600 metres above sea level), the Falls Creek Dragon Boat Regatta has been held at Rocky Valley lake for over a decade now, bringing together visitors, residents and dragon boat enthusiasts from all over to compete and join in the festivities. Paddling novices don’t need to worry with a range of safety and skills training sessions will ensure competitors are ready to race. The Victorian Dragon Boat Association provide experienced helms and instructors, along with paddles, boats and buoyancy vests. Practice will take place on Saturday followed by racing and an after party on Sunday.
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 January 2019
After the VEGEMITE Family Ride and Swisse People’s Ride, the world’s best riders will take to the Great Ocean Road for the Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race on Saturday followed by the UCI WorldTour Elite Men’s Road Race on Sunday. Geelong and the Surf Coast will provide the backdrop to the world’s best riders as they pass Barwon Heads, the hometown of Cadel Evans, Torquay and Bells Beach before tackling the gruelling Challambra Climb and finishing on the waterfront. The event is free to watch, with more information at cadelroadrace.com.
Festival of Sails
Saturday 26 – Monday 28 January 2018
The annual Festival of Sails in Geelong sees 3,000 competitors and 300 boats compete in Australia’s oldest sporting event and the largest regatta in the southern hemisphere. World-class sailing action combines with fantastic free waterfront entertainment for a long weekend of family fun. Stay dry and enjoy the carnival atmosphere, with live music, kids entertainers, spectacular waterski and flyboard shows, family-friendly activities, rides, a ‘discover sailing’ program, food trucks, market stalls, plus the iconic Australia Day fireworks display.
Seppelt Salinger Great Western Cup 2019
Sunday 27 January
Regional racing takes centre stage with the running of the annual Great Western Cup in the picturesque township at the foot of the Grampians Ranges on Sunday. Enjoy all country racing has to offer at one of Victoria’s premier race tracks located in the heartland of Victoria’s Thoroughbred Country in an intimate setting, with sweeping views of the course. Experience world-class racing at this fun-filled event and enjoy an array of other fun-filled activities that the region has to offer.
Kilcunda Lobster Festival
Sunday 27 January 2019
Celebrate the popular crustacean at the annual lobster festival on the foreshore overlooking the beautiful Bass Strait at Kilcunda. The fundraising event for the for the local Kilcunda Community will see the seaside location turn into a carnival atmosphere with amusements, an animal nursery, market stalls, food & drinks available including lobster lunches, prawn rolls and other seafood options plus a live music all day. The famous lobster spinning wheel returns with lucky ticket holders to win a huge freshly cooked lobster.
The Atlantic x Hotel Sorrento Pop Up
Sunday 27 January 2019
Melbourne’s premium seafood restaurant, The Atlantic, will collaborate with the iconic Hotel Sorrento for a one-day only Seafood ‘n’ Spritz Sunday Sesh. Executive Chef Nick Mahlook will highlight The Atlantic’s ocean-to-plate philosophy with an interactive experience, including seafood stations and roving canapes, professionally paired with premium alcohol and exquisite waterfront views. Guests will enjoy live oyster shucking, charcoal barbequed octopus, the famous Atlantic cray rolls and local calamari served with a zesty green mango and chilli salad. Guests can also feast on the raw tastes of the ocean to include tuna with ponzu, salmon tartare crackers and kingfish rolls.
Edible Flower Experience at Acre of Roses
Sunday 27 January 2019
Trentham’s new micro-flower farm, luxury wellness accommodation, and event venue, Acre of Roses, is opening its gates to lovers of slow flowers, horticulture, and good old-fashioned country afternoons, for a flower farm experience like no other. Each Sunday throughout January and February, the Farmgate will open its gates to the property’s 1500 organically and sustainably grown heritage roses. The spectacular gardens will host an edible flower experience on Australia Day.
Live Music at Terindah Estate
Sunday 27 – Monday 28 January 2019
Enjoy the Australia Day Long Weekend on the Bellarine with live music from local artists, Lucas Phelps and Andy Forster. Book a table in Terindah’s signature restaurant, The Shed or relax on The Deck or The Lawn with estate-made wine and French-style share plates, overlooking the vines and Port Phillip Bay. The live music will be from 12pm to 4pm with Lucas Phelps on Sunday and Andy Forster on Monday. After enjoying a day of local festivities, visitors can stay overnight at Terdinah Estate with glamping still available for the long weekend.
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