Celebrate inclusivity at ChillOut Festival, indulge in the pie and tipple trails at the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, or take on the challenge of Run the Rock. Immerse yourself in storytelling at Clunes Booktown, soak up live music at CresFest and the Macedon Ranges Music Festival, or experience the creativity of the Castlemaine Fringe Festival. And make sure you don’t miss The Great Trentham Spudfest, which celebrates all things potato, and more.

AUTUMN EVENTS

ChillOut Festival, Daylesford

From humble beginnings in 1997, ChillOut Festival has grown to become Australia’s largest and longest-running Queer Country Pride festival. The theme this year is “Rainbow Circus Spectacular.” Expect four days of performances, music, theatre, drag, community events, and local food and wine over the Labour Day long weekend in the LGBTQIA+ capital of regional Victoria. The star-studded lineup features Marcia Hines, Spankie Jackzon, the Rogue Traders Duo, Milo Hartill, Rhys Nicholson, Joel Creasey, Geraldine Hickey, Gabriella Labucci, Joanne, Jawbreakers, Bec Sandridge, Brenda Bressed, Ziegfeld Boy, Mama Alto, DJ Du Jour, Rosie Rai and more.

When: Friday 6 – Monday 10 March 2025 (Labour Day long weekend)
Where: Multiple venues throughout Daylesford and surrounds
Tickets: ChillOut includes a range of free and ticketed events, view the full program at chilloutfestival.com.au

Hanging Rock Craft Market, Hanging Rock Reserve

Head along to the iconic Hanging Rock this March for this fabulous craft and produce market, which will feature 200 stalls. Whether you’re after a unique handmade gift, stylish home décor, or fresh gourmet treats, this market has something for everyone. After shopping, enjoy a picnic with delicious treats on offer from food stall, then explore Hanging Rock itself. The views from the summit are well worth the short, yet steep, walk.

When: Saturday 15 March, 2025
Where: Hanging Rock Reserve (South Rock Road, Woodend)
Park entry: $10 per car
craftmarkets.com.au/hanging-rock

Clunes Booktown

The Clunes Booktown Festival will return this March, marking its 19th year as one of Australia’s most cherished regional literary events. The festival will transform the picturesque main street of Clunes into a bustling haven of activity, promising a rich and immersive experience for book lovers and rookie readers of all ages. This year’s vibrant program explores the art of storytelling in all its diverse forms, with author talks on the power of the media, writing about music, sustainability, and the breakout genres of cosy crime and romantasy. Speakers include literary icons Helen Garner and Kate Grenville, gardening expert Costa Georgiadis, Back Roads Heather Ewart and more.

When: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March 2025
Where: Multiple venues throughout Clunes
Tickets: A range of festival passes are available, starting from $10. View the full program at ticketing options at clunesbooktown.org.au

Run the Rock, Hanging Rock Reserve

Experience the thrill of Run the Rock, challenge yourself to the Half Marathon (22K), 13.5K, 5K or inspire the next generation of runners with the Kids 2K. Push your limits and chase your goals surrounded by beautiful nature. Enjoy the fun family activities and live entertainment in the event village post-race – then spend the rest of the day exploring the Macedon Ranges.

When: Saturday 22 March 2025
Where: Hanging Rock Reserve, Woodend
solemotive.com/pages/run-the-rock-home

Castlemaine Fringe Festival

For over 30 years, Castlemaine Fringe has been a platform for independent artists, musicians, performers, and creatives, offering a space for innovation and artistic expression outside the mainstream. Fringe is rooted in inclusion, accessibility, and community participation, ensuring that local talent is supported while keeping the arts accessible to all audiences. The 2025 program features more than 160 events, spanning music, theatre, visual arts, literature, film, comedy, and workshops, with a mix of ticketed and free performances

When: 22 March – 6 April 2025
Where: Various venues throughout Castlemaine
Tickets: on sale now at castlemainefringe.org.au

Macedon Ranges Music Festival, Hanging Rock

The Macedon Ranges Music Festival (MRMF) 2025 returns with an incredible line up of live music at the iconic Hanging Rock. As one of Victoria’s premier community-driven events, MRMF promises an unforgettable day of outstanding performances, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere—all while raising funds for the Cambodian Kids Foundation. Headline acts include Emma Donovan, Steph Strings,

Hot Potato Band, Fools, Son Quba, and Joshua Balten.

When: Saturday 29 March 2025
Where: Hanging Rock Reserve
Tickets: $40 for adults, $15 for kids (6-17), kids under 5 are free. On sale now at macedonrangesmusicfestival.org

Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival

Join the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival celebration throughout April. Less than an hour from Melbourne, discover moveable feasts, spectacular vistas, and leafy picnic locations aglow with seasonal colour. Revel in nature’s mindfulness, unearthing delectable farm-fresh food and drink adventures across nine charming regional villages. Savour an authentic autumnal immersion featuring mouth-watering culinary events, destination gardens, artisanal workshops, genuine farmers markets, guided walks, and gallery exhibitions. Collect a Festival Map & Passport and let your palate guide the way along Australia’s biggest Pie & Tart Trail, the Edgy Veg Trail, or the full of spirit Tipple Trail. Gather Passport stamps at participating venues to enter the Ultimate Festival competition.

When: 1-30 April 2025
Where: Across the nine villages of the Macedon Ranges
visitmacedonranges.com/autumn-festival

CresFest, Creswick

CresFest, the amazing roots and folk music festival, brings three days of dance and music in the beautiful heritage town of Creswick. Celebrating its fourth festival in 2025, CresFest is about the joy of live music – playing it, hearing it, watching it, dancing to it, learning it, being inspired by it. More than just concerts, you’ll have the chance to participate through a densely packed program of workshops including singing, dancing and playing. Headline acts include Neil Murray, The Maes, Joe Geia, Chris Stout & Catriona McKay (UK), Grassy Strings (India), plus many more.

When: Friday 4 to Sunday 6 April 2025
Where: Multiple venues around Creswick
Tickets: on sale now at cresfest.com.au

Mt Macedon Anzac Day Dawn Service, Mount Macedon

Each Anzac Day, the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross, a striking 21m high monument near the summit of Mount Macedon, provides a spectacular, evocative setting for one of the largest dawn services in Victoria. This year’s theme is ‘The Unseen Wounds of Conflict’, exploring the many impacts that war has on those who serve, from the physical injuries to the mental effects and the wider repercussions for families. The event shares the stories of local service people.

When: Friday 25 April, 2025
Where: Cameron Drive, Mount Macedon – access to the Dawn Service is via bus only. Attendees must book a seat on one of the free bus services that operates from each township across the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury. Alternatively, a continuous shuttle service operates from Tony Clarke Reserve – Waterfalls Road, Macedon from 4:15am. Bookings are not required for this shuttle service. mtmacedondawnservice.org

Malmsbury Village Fayre

Held in the Botanical Gardens of the historic town of Malmsbury, the 24th Malmsbury Village Fayre promises a fun day out for all. Enjoy a lively music program and plenty of fun for the kids, along with over 50 stalls featuring regionally produced arts, crafts, and products.

When: Sunday 28 April 2025
Where: Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, Malmsbury
malmsburyvillagefayre.org.au

The Great Trentham Spudfest, Trentham

The tiny township of Trentham celebrates its long history of potato growing with The Great Trentham Spudfest, a community-led festival bringing together local potato growers, artisans, music, food vendors, and history to showcase the region’s finest offerings across one weekend. On Saturday, join the festivities at the famous street fair. Visit four precincts packed full of delicious spud food, fresh regional produce, local artisan makers, live music, and loads of activities for kids and adults alike. Sunday is all about food and discovery—explore farm gates, join a historic tour, visit local farms, or enjoy spud-themed dishes throughout Trentham and surrounds.

When: Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 May 2025
Where: Various venues throughout Trentham and surrounds
trenthamspudfest.org.au

The Dirty Pig & Whistle, Creswick

The Dirty Pig & Whistle is a weekend of gravel, grit, and good times in Victoria’s Goldfields. Kick off Saturday with an adrenaline-pumping cyclo-cross, then tackle Sunday’s gravel rides—choose from 40km, 80km, 120km, or 160km of winding, leaf-strewn trails that will test your mettle. When the riding’s done, swap stories and warm up by the village fire pits with fellow adventurers. Based in Creswick, just 90-minutes from Melbourne, this is your chance to embrace the elements, push your limits, and experience gravel riding at its best.

When: Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 May, 2025
Where: In and around Creswick
pigandwhistle.cc

FOOD EVENTS & NEWS

Experience Lake House & nearby Dairy Flat Farm, Daylesford

During autumn, guests booking in for lunch at Lake House on Mondays are invited to make it a real farm to table experience with an optional, complimentary guided tour of Dairy Flat Farm – just minutes away – followed by a multi course a la carte lunch in Lake House’s beautiful dining room. The 45-minute tour commences at 11.30am and comprehensively covers all their regenerative practices. The farm’s vast garden now plays a major role in shaping Lake House menus, supplying a bounty of fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Guests may meet the Dairy Flat Farm baking team or run into our guinea fowl, geese, peacocks, alpacas, and British White cows.

When: every Monday during autumn
Where: Lake House + Dairy Flat Farm, Daylesford
Bookings: are essential, $210 pp for the tour and a multi-course a la carte lunch
lakehouse.com.au/restaurant

Spanish Summer Memories with El Pintxo Melbourne at Lyons Will Estate, Lancefield

Celebrate the best of Spanish bar culture and summer with El Pintxo, at Lyons Will Estate in Lancefield. Iker and Shirin of El Pintxo are passionate about food, culture, and their Spanish heritage. In 2024, they traveled 10,000km across Spain, exploring iconic dishes from Michelin-starred chefs to vibrant street food. Now, they’re bringing those flavors to Lyons Will with a special lunch series. Featuring the finest local and Spanish ingredients, their “menú del día” is a tribute to the bars, chefs, and bites they fell in love with.
When: Sunday 2 March and Sunday 9 March, 2025
Where: Lyons Will Estate, 60 Whalans Track, Lancefield
Cost: $75 pp, bookings available now via Open Table
lyonswillestate.com.au/events.html

Big Tree Distillery – autumn events

This autumn, Big Tree Distillery is turning up the fun with Sunday Sessions on the first Sunday of March and April—think woodfired pizzas, refreshing G&Ts, and live music. Plus, don’t miss the Sunset Cocktail & Canapés event on Saturday, April 26, where guests can sip expertly crafted Big Tree Gin cocktails, enjoy gourmet bites, and soak up live tunes. Tickets are available now via the Big Tree website. Big Tree Distillery is located in Newham in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, a short drive from Woodend, Kyneton or Lancefield.

When: Big Tree Distillery Sunday Sessions – Sunday 2 March and Sunday 6 April | Sunset Cocktail Canapés – Saturday 26 April
Where: Big Tree Distillery, 307 Hennerbergs Road, Newham
More information: bigtreedistillery.com.au/blogs/big-tree-events

Mount Monument – International Reisling Day + Autumn Feast of Toscana

Mount Monument winery is hosting two must-attend events during autumn.

International Reisling Day x MM – join them in the sunshine on the lawns of Mount Monument winery as you enjoy an exclusive tasting of pre-release Mount Monument Estate riesling vintages ’21, ’22, ’23, ’24. Hear about their estate grown cool-climate wines and enjoy the view of the sculpture park from the sun draped lawns while indulging in seafood canapes paired perfectly with Mount Monument wines. Happening on Sunday 16 March from 12pm to 2pm. Tickets are $50pp.

Sangiovese Serata – Autumn Feast of Toscana – celebrate Autumn with Mount Monument’s Sangiovese Serata, paired with an autumnal 3-course Tuscan inspired feast to delight the senses. Think rich and earthy dishes to complement this bold and beautiful, yet refreshingly approachable varietal. Happening on Saturday 12 April from 5pm, tickets are $150pp.

Where: Mount Monument, Romsey Road, Romsey
More information: Bookings are essential, go to mountmonument.com.au/whats-on/events

The Kyneton Hotel X Granite Hills Winery lunch

Head along to Kyneton Hotel on Friday, April 25th, for a special Fancy Friday lunch as they raise a glass to Granite Hills Winery’s 50th vintage. Nestled in the picturesque Macedon Ranges of Victoria, Granite Hills is renowned for its exceptional cool-climate wines and rich winemaking heritage. Enjoy a carefully curated 5-course meal from the Kyneton Hotel kitchen, with optional wine pairings, celebrating this iconic winery.

When: Friday 25 April, from 12:30pm
Where: Kyneton Hotel, Mollison Street, Kyneton
Cost: $80pp for food with optional wine pairings
thekynetonhotel.com.au

Hero Image: Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, photo by Ash + Elm Studios