No matter what time of year you visit you’ll always find some event or festival taking place on
The Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road Events and Festivals.
Your month by month guide to what’s happening this year along the Great Ocean Road.
Music festivals, food festivals, sporting festivals – you’ll find information on them here. Please find is a list below of events and festivals which will be taking place along the Great Ocean Road this year.
January
Pier to Pub ocean swim in Lorne.
This is Australia’s most well known ocean swim. The Lorne Pier to Pub is the largest open water swim in the world and attracts both international and domestic entrants. The course is 1.2km from the Lorne Pier to the foreshore. You will always find soneone famous doing this swim.
February
Apollo Bay Seafood Festival.
The Apollo Bay Seafood Festival is just that – a celebration of all things salty. Cooking demonstrations, exotic tastes from a wide range of local producers, live music & a some of the best local wines, beer and cider from Otway Estate. The crayfish caught off the coast of Apollo Bay are hard to beat!
Gellibrand Blues & Blueberry Festival.
The Gellibrand River Blues and Blueberry Festival has been going for a few years now and just keeps on getting better and better. This festival has rapidly developed a strong following with more attendees each year. Great blues music in a great, rural setting.
March
Rip Curl Pro Surf Event at Bells Beach.
The Rip Curl Pro Surf Event at Bells Beach in Torquay is one of the biggest events of the year on the ASP world tour. The event begins in March and finishesin April around Easter which is when the ocean can produce enormous surf. Bells Beach is known for its big, powerful surf so don’t miss this if you are here at Easter.
Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride.
The RACV Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride is one of this country’s most well known and spectacular rides. The 145 kilometre race features over 80 kilometres of road closures through quaint farmlands of the Otways to Lorne and then back along the coastal Great Ocean Road to Torquay.
Port Fairy Folk Festival.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival is loved by everyone. The independent, community run, “folk, roots & beyond” music festival showcases prominent international & domestic artists over a massive four day festival. Twenty venues in & around the enclosure are host to concerts, jams, workshops, classes, talks, dancing, comedy & so much more.
May
Great Ocean Road International Marathon.
The Great Ocean Road International Marathon from Lorne to Apollo Bay is a most picturesque race. This event literally suits everyone. Competitors are able to choose from a kid’s gallop, a 6km run, wheelchairs or a run for 14 km, a half marathon or the full marathon for 45 kilometres. Why not give it a go?
August
International Lighthouse Weekend at Cape Otway.
The International Lighthouse Weekend takes place every year at the Cape Otway Lightstation. It’s a merry celebration of lighthouses all around the country and the people who have worked in them. Ghost tours and dinners, kids activities, theatre restaurant with historical characters and a host of living history is revealed. Over 3 days.
International Lighthouse Weekend at Aireys Inlet.
Aireys Inlet is home to the famous Split Point Lighthouse. Known to locals as the ‘White Queen’ you can find out the fascinating story of the “Round the Twist” lighthouse, enjoy scenic views and try your hand at being a lighthouse keeper. Who doesn’t love a lighthouse?
Lorne Arts Festival.
The Lorne Arts Festival is just getting better and better. Cabaret, dance, circus, comedy, theatre, street performances, spoken word, kids shows, food and much, much more!
September
Festival of Words at Port Fairy.
If you are a poet of sorts you will love this festival. Speakers from across Australia are invited to attend a literary weekend in the magical seaside village of Port Fairy. If you love books you will find it thrilling that so many writers visit Port Fairy, encouraging locals and visitors alike to learn more about writing. Who doesn’t like a good read?
October
Anglesea Music Festival.
The Anglesea Music Festival is not just another music festival on the Great Ocean Road. It is very, very different. It is an yearly gathering of friendly music fans, performers, travelers, locals – people who love to listen to good tunes. The festival transforms Anglesea into a sizzling, buzzing, exciting town celebrating the art of live music.
December
Falls Festival in Lorne.
The Falls Festival is a multi day camping event starting near the end of December in Lorne, Victoria. Songs from around the world to while away the New Year. Bands that will make you dance. Art that will get you involved, with friends that will make you smile. This is one of the largest New Year’s Eve festivals in Australia!
Lorne Adventure Fest.
For one weekend every year adventure seekers flock to Lorne to take part in off-road adventure courses that make the most of this area’s awesome ocean & hinterland, offroad areas. Trail running, mountain biking, ocean kayaking & swimming. Is it time you tested yourself?
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