Mornington Peninsula & Bellarine Peninsula
Victoria Australia

Victoria accommodation on Melbourne's Mornington & Bellarine Peninsulas

Mornington Peninsula MarketsMornington & Bellarine Peninsula Tourism & Visitor Information
Calendar of Events -- updated Monday, December 01, 2008

If you know of an event occurring on the Mornington Peninsula or Bellarine Peninsula we are happy to list the event details free of charge. Please contact Liz with your event details.

For information on Peninsula Markets please visit our Markets page here

December 2008

Mt Eliza Village Christmas Twilight Fair
Date Friday 5th December 3.00pm - 8.30pm
Location Mt Eliza Village
Contact Lucinda Bakhach (03) 5978 74832
An annual Christmas event for all the family. Festivities include children's entertainment, market stalls, wine tasting, culminating in the Community Christmas Carols on the Village Green, hosted by the Mt. Eliza Inter Churches Council.
Balnarring Picnic Races
Date Saturday 6th December 2008
Location Coolart Road, Balnarring
Contact Website: www.balnarringraces.com
Cost Adults: $10.00
Children (under 18): Free Admission
Concession: $8.00
Gates open at 10am and the first race commences at 1pm each meeting. Set in a scenic rural environment, the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club provides the opportunity for all to experience 'the fun of the races'.
Family Christmas Show
Date Sunday, 7th December 2008
Location Morning Star Estate, 1 Sunnyside Rd Mt Eliza
Contact Bookings (03) 9787 7760
Cost Adults $33, children 5 -16yrs $11
Family $75 (2 adults, 2 kids) or Reserved seating $55 pp
Download brochure
Gates open at 2:30pm Show starts at 4pm
100% Kylie Show AND Robbie Williams Experience. Live Music by The Party Boys, Professional Dancers, Kids Entertainment, Santa and kids giveaways. Gourmet food, fine wine and entertainment for the entire family in the gardens of Morning Star Estate. Feel free to pack a picnic & rug.
Hastings Community Carols by Candlelight
Date Friday 12th December
Location Hastings Foreshore 6.00pm
Contact Nikki Driscoll 0401 022 050
Christmas family celebration Fun stuff for the kids, free sausage sizzle and entertainment. Children's Parade down High street at 7.30 p.m.. Join the carol singing from 8 p.m.
Carols on the Park - Rye
Date Saturday 13th December
Location Rye Foreshore
Contact Elaine Bakker (03) 5985 4462
Community singing with local performers, candles, novelties, BBQ, drinks and ice creams for sale. Santa visit and spectacular fireworks display.
Carols at Flinders
Date Sunday 21st December
Location Flinders Civic Centre
Contact Lee Thorn (03) 5989 0462
Carols on the lawns of the Civic Centre at Flinders for all the family to enjoy.
Combined Churches of Mt. Martha Carols by Candlelight
Date Tuesday 23rd December
Location Mt Martha House
Contact Bill Weston (03) 5974 1961
An evening consisting of carol singing, musical items and guest artists. Also items from local choirs and school groups with music provided by Mornington Citizens Band.
Portsea Hotel Christmas Lunch
Date Christmas Day 2008
Location 3746 Pt Nepean Road, Portsea, 3944
Contact Bookings essential - Phone (03) 5984 2213
Cost Adults: $89.50
Children (5-12 years) $29.50
Christmas Buffet Lunch includes all your traditional Christmas favourites such as home made soups, salads, pastas, roasted carved meats, tasty casseroles and delicious fresh seafood, but make sure you leave room for dessert.

Accommodation is available at Portsea Hotel ...
Click here for further details...

Beach Cricket Series
Date Saturday 27th - Wednesday 31st
Location Various locations on the Mornington Peninsula
Contact Rohan O'Neill (03) 9653 1151
A number of cricket and beach related events for all the family to enjoy including classic catches, longest hit, fastest ball and beach sprints.
David Chen Exhibition
Date 27 December 2008 - 11 January 2009
Location Sorrento Fine Art Gallery, 3301 Point Nepean Road (opposite Rotunda), Sorrento.
Contact Craig: Phone (03) 5984 3880
Opening at 6.30pm on 27th December. On opening night we will be auctioning one of David's Seascape Paintings valued at $3,300 (no reserve). All proceeds go to Very Special Kids. If you would like to attend the opening night please email us at the above address. Exhibition paintings will be available to view late-November 2008.
School Holiday Activities
Date Christmas School Holidays December 2008 - January 2009
Location Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard, 490 Stumpy Gully Rd, Bittern.
Contact Phone (03) 5983 1691
Fun for kids, come pet and feed the animals. Take part in story time where the children become part of the show alongside some of their favourite storybook animals.
Moyneyana Festival
Date 24 Dec - 26 Jan Moyneyana Festival Port Fairy
Location Port Fairy
Contact Reg Harry on 0438 681 237 or visit their Webpage
From Christmas Eve to Australia Day each year. Celebrating its 61st Anniversary, this year's Moyneyana Festival will be as big and bright as ever with a free community barbecue featuring Santa, Christmas cheer and an old-fashioned country parade down Sackville Street on New Year's Eve. The streets come alive, for locals and visitors to enjoy. Each day until Australia Day there are different events to suit all ages.
News Years Eve @ Rosebud Country Club
Date 31st December 2008
Location Rosebud Country Club, 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud
Contact  (03) 5950 2111
Cost $70.00 per person
Looking for accommodation? Then book online here...
Dance the night away at Rosebud Country Club with entertainment by 'Top Shelf' 4-piece band with a 5 course meal included.
Celebrate New Years Eve 2008
Date 31st December 2008
Location Morning Star Estate, 1 Sunnyside Rd Mt Eliza
Contact Bookings (03) 9787 7760
Cost Price inclusive of 5 courses, canapés, sparkling on arrival, entertainment & fireworks.
$145 per guest • Table Bookings of 8 OR MORE receive 10% discount
Download brochure
Tickets will be strictly limited. Party from 7:30pm till 1am
Fabulous 5 Course Menu with canapés & drinks on arrival, then dine in the rose garden,
watching the sun set over the bay for the last time in 2008. First Class Entertainment - Internationaly acclaimed performance with comedy, music, dancing and fireworks Display at midnight.

January 2009

Balnarring Picnic Races
Date Sunday 4th January 2009
Location Coolart Road, Balnarring
Contact Website: www.balnarringraces.com
Cost Adults: $10.00
Children (under 18): Free Admission
Concession: $8.00
Gates open at 10am and the first race commences at 1pm each meeting. Set in a scenic rural environment, the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club provides the opportunity for all to experience 'the fun of the races'.
Coolart Jazz Festival 2009
Date Sat. 10th & Sun. 11th January 2009 Coolart Jazz Festival
Location Coolart Homestead & Wetlands, Lord Somers Rd, Somers
Saturday 10th: 1.00pm - 11.15pm
Sunday Gospel 12.00 Midday: Jazz 1.30pm - 6.45pm
Contact For bookings phone 1300 727 321 or online http://coolartjazz.eventix.com.au/ 
Cost All Tickets at the following door prices available at the Gate on the day:
  • Saturday 1.0 – 11.15 pm Trad & Mainstream $35.00
  • Sunday 12.0 – 7.0 pm Gospel Service, Swing, Dance & Blues $30.00
  • Weekend Pass $55.00
  • Children under 16 years FREE
  • Orders for ten or more: two FREE tickets.
Proudly presented by The Rotary Club of Hastings Western Port the Family Friendly Jazz Festival - a feast of Jazz Swing and Blues.
Portarlington's Mussel Festival
Date Saturday January 10th
Location Portarlington Foreshore and surrounding parklands, including the community hall (Mel Ref. 239 E2).
Contact Phone 0432 547 007 Email: portarts@yahoo.com.au
Get a taste of mussels, one of the towns’ main industries, cooked in many different ways and available at a range of outlets including fresh off the boats along the pier. It will include outdoor entertainment, sailing in the Enterprise, trips to the mussel farms and local produce.

The town’s many restaurants have all been invited to participate to provide a range of fine foods, particularly mussels, in a carnival atmosphere. Local wines, olive oils and cheeses will also be available for tasting and purchasing. Mussel cooking demonstrations will take place in the Bayview Room throughout the day.

A charter boat will take visitors out to view the mussel beds while providing tastings on board. The historic sailing ship, ‘Enterprise’ will also be in port to provide short sailing tours.

As well as all the food, wine and oils, there will be a number of quality market stalls in the park, busker's to entertain the crowds and activities for children.

At 11 am, behind the Port Pier restaurant near the pier, there will be the ‘Portarlington Dry Boat Race’ similar to the ‘Henley on Todd’ in Alice Springs. Groups of 5 are invited to construct a rigid “boat’ structure within which they run around a defined course against other competitors.

Another great activity for kids and adults is the kite flying. This will be along the Esplanade towards the east (at the bottom end of Gellibrand St) and there will be some wonderful and colourful kite flying demonstrations. Kites will be available to purchase or people may like to bring their own.

Portarlington Bowling Club is joining in the fun with ‘barefoot bowls’, so if you have always wanted to have a go, here is the opportunity. They will be providing beverages, cakes and a sausage sizzle. Displays and activities, tea and coffee will be available in the Senior Citizens Hall in the park along with a huge art show and concert in Parks Hall with some well-known performers.

Running in conjunction with the Festival is a short story competition.
Portsea Swim Classic
Date Saturday January 17th, 2009 Portsea Swim Classic
Location Portsea Front Beach, Nepean Highway, Portsea (Melways Ref 156 E2).
Contact www.portseasurf.com.au 
One of the largest open water swims held in Australia. The L-shaped course covers 1.2Km. Registration is on the lawn adjacent to the Portsea Pier from 8:30am until 30 minutes prior to race start time. The event attracts up to 2,000 swimmers in age groups from 12-17 right through to 60+ with past winners including some of the greats of Australian swimming. Each competitor receives a souvenir 100% cotton BLAZER t-shirt, swim cap, certificate and products from event sponsors including Splitrock and Bulla.
Australia Day 2009
Date 26th January 2009
Location Peninsula Wide
Contact 1300 850 600
A Peninsula Wide program of fun and festivities for all the family. A celebration of Australia, it's achievements and it's people. This year's theme is 'Celebrating Families.'
Balnarring Picnic Races
Date Monday 26th January 2009
Location Coolart Road, Balnarring
Contact Website: www.balnarringraces.com
Cost Adults: $10.00
Children (under 18): Free Admission
Concession: $8.00
Gates open at 10am and the first race commences at 1pm each meeting. Set in a scenic rural environment, the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club provides the opportunity for all to experience 'the fun of the races'.
The Bloody Big Swim
Date Saturday January 31st, 2009
Location Frankston to Mornington
Contact Website: www.thebloodybigswim.com
Cost

Entries open October 1

11.2km open water swim from Frankston Life Saving Club to Mills Beach Mornington.
Categories of entrant: solo, duo and teams of 4. The Bloody Big Swim is an annual event conducted by the Australian Marathon Swimming Association with the aim "to promote interest in open water swimming for fun and fitness." As it is not reserved for the swimming elite, competitors can choose to swim as individuals, duos or in teams of four. Duos and teams swim as a relay, choosing to change in times of their own choosing.
Dromana Strawberry Festival
Date Saturday January,2009 8am-1pm Dromana Strawberry Festival
Location Dromana Recreation Reserve, Pier Street, Dromana
Contact Lion Harry on (03) 5987 2862
Cost Admission is free
Presented by the Lions & lioness Clubs of Dromana this festival offers something for the whole family, a day of fun is guaranteed with a guest appearance from Ronald McDonald at 11am, not forgetting fun rides, animal farm, variety stalls, strawberries & cream, Devonshire teas, plants and produce along with much more on offer.
Skandia Geelong Week
Date Australia Day Weekend - Jan 23rd-26th Skandia Geelong Week
Location Geelong Waterfront
Contact Contact (03) 5229 9101 (Rhumbline Marketing) or
website: www.geelongweek.com.au
Cost FREE
Skandia Geelong Week is a non-stop, four-day festival commencing with racing in Melbourne, before the massive fleet, joined by visiting tall ships, heads for Corio Bay in the traditional Williamstown to Geelong race on Saturday. The sailing program is infused with non-stop live entertainment, performances and outdoor dining along the Geelong Waterfront. The festival, which includes aerobatic displays, live music and a fireworks spectacular, will continue throughout the Australia Day long weekend.

February 2009

12th Australian Masters Games
Date 20th February - 1st March Australian Masters Games Geelong
Location Geelong
Contact http://www.australianmastersgames.com/
 
Schnapper Point Regatta
Date February 2009 (Sat & Sun)
Location Mornington Pier & Mornington Park
Volvo around the world challenge which sees the yachts pass within 200m off the end Mornington pier plus music, children's activities, rides, food and boat show at Mornington Park.
MatchWorks Pako Festa
Date Saturday 28th February
Location Pakington Street, Geelong
Contact http://www.pakofesta.com.au/
Cost Free event
Pako Festa showcases cultural diversity - via a smorgasbord of cultural food, folk dancing, the famous Pako Parade, workshops, art exhibitions, multicultural craft displays and entertainment. The Festa presents entertainment on four world music stages, a dedicated Youth Stage, as well as West Town Hall and Channel 7 stages. Crowds also enjoy a host of roving street performers, a smorgasbord of ethnic and local foods, and there is a big range of free activities for children. The signature highlight of the day is the Pako Parade comprising a colourful stream of cultural and community floats, groups, entertainers and brass bands that flows through the 1 kilometer festival precinct.

March 2009

Balnarring Picnic Races
Date Monday 9th March 2009
Location Coolart Road, Balnarring
Contact Website: www.balnarringraces.com
Cost Adults: $10.00
Children (under 18): Free Admission
Concession: $8.00
Gates open at 10am and the first race commences at 1pm each meeting. Set in a scenic rural environment, the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club provides the opportunity for all to experience 'the fun of the races'.
Australian International Air Show 2009
Date Friday 13th - Sunday, 15th March
Location Avalon Airport, Geelong, Victoria.
Contact (03) 5282 0500 Website: http://www.airshow.net.au/
Cost Ticketing and pricing info available here:
http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2009/ticketing/public-visitors.html
Friday 13th Afternoon Air Show & Night Alight
  • Gates open at 2pm
  • Flying Displays from 3pm to 9pm (approx.)
  • Ground exhibits from 2pm
  • International Aerospace and Defence Expo to the public from 2pm to 5pm

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th Weekend Air Show

  • Gates open from 8am to 6pm daily
  • Flying displays from 10am to 4pm (approx.)
  • International Aerospace and Defence Expo is open to the public from 9am to 5pm daily
Point Nepean Music Festival
Date  
Location Point Nepean Quarantine Station,End of Point Nepean Rd, Portsea.
Contact General Enquiries 1300 788 161 (10-5/Mon-Fri) or www.pointnepeanmusic.com
This Music Festival is held over the Easter Weekend and is the sister event to the Byron Bay Bluesfest.  Point Nepean, A Music Experience is being held on the exclusive site of the Point Nepean Quarantine Station, which commands breathtaking views and will showcase some of the worlds most talented performers. This is a Licensed 18+ Event - Attendees under the age of 18 will only be granted entry when accompanied by a parent or Legal Guardian.
Wallington Strawberry Fair
Date Sunday, 25th March , 2009 Wallington Strawberry Fair
Location Wallington Primary School, 610 Wallington Rd, Wallington VIC 3221
Contact Glenda Dixon (03) 5258 2219
Held annually the fair is a feast of strawberries - chocolate dipped, between pancakes, with cream, on pavlova, in punnets or hot in donuts. Over 160 stalls offering a wide range of fresh produce and hand crafted goods.
Greek Independence Day
Date March 10.30am - 4.00pm
Location Rye Foreshore
Contact Koula Tsakanias (03) 5985 5449 or 0403 427 213
To commemorate Greek Independence Day from Ottoman Rule. Raising of flags and laying of wreath before the monument of the Unknown Soldier, followed by speeches, Greek folk dancing and music.
Bellarine Peninsula Agricultural Show
Date  Sunday March 2009: 10am-4pm
Location Portarlington Recreation Reserve, Sproat Street
Contact (03) 5259 2680 Prospective competitors can contact Bob de Vries on 5259 3292 or email bellarineagshow@hotmail.com to enter.
Cost
Children will have plenty to keep them amused with Novelty Pet Sections, Dog Jumping, Gumboot Toss and free entry to the Schools Section which includes Pre-school, Primary and Secondary sections. The ever popular Animal Nursery will offer children a wonderful hands-on experience and the Junior Miss Showgirl and Master Show Boy Competition always draws a crowd. There's also a Guess the Weight of the Steer competition and Cowlotto for the more avid punters among us.
School Holiday Activities
Date Easter School Holidays
Location Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard, 490 Stumpy Gully Rd, Balnarring.
Contact Contact (03) 5983 1691
Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard provides “hands on” experiences with a large variety of friendly farm animals to feed and cuddle. You will be amazed at the variety and quantity of animals residing on the farm. Come and feel the sheep’s wool, discover how big a baby calf is and just how large a pig can grow. Listen to the noisy donkeys, meet Lizzie and Smokey the two wonderful ponies who love giving rides to the children and Sandy the cheeky goat who loves to nibble your clothes while towing a cart full of happy children.
Geelong Highland Gathering 1857-2009
Date Sunday 8th March 9.30am - 5pm Geelong Highland Gathering
Location Queens Park, Geelong
Contact Further info available at their website
Phone
: Daryl McLure  AH(03) 5221 7224
Cost
  • Adults: $12.00
  • Concession: $10.00
  • Children: under 5 (free of charge)
  • Children 5 - 16 years: $6.00
  • Family ticket: $30.00 (2 adults and children)
  • Programs: $3.00 each
Facilities: Disabled access, catering, parking, first aid, toilets
The Geelong Highland Gathering is now one of the most popular and comprehensive interactive displays of Scottish culture, heavy games, livestock, merchandise and musical folklore and as such forms part of the late summer Victorian circuit of Highland festivals. The Highland Gathering brings together people from all over the British Isles to celebrate a day of sport, music and culture. Look out for traditional Celtic festivities, Foods and dancing and try your hand at caber or haggis tossing!

Arthur's Seat Maize Maze Festival
Date Open 10.00am-6.00pm daily. Arthur's Seat Maize Maze Festival
Location Arthur's Seat Maze, Purves Road, Arthur's Seat.
Contact Phone (03) 5981 8449
Cost Admission charges.
Set on a 15-acre property that features four acres of formal gardens from the Hedge maze, Turf maze, Children's maze, to the three interactive puzzle mazes. There are over 20 themed gardens in all. The maize for the annual festival event is planted on a 2.5-hectare paddock during November.

April 2009

Balnarring Picnic Races
Date Monday 13th April 2009
Location Coolart Road, Balnarring
Contact Website: www.balnarringraces.com
Cost Adults: $10.00
Children (under 18): Free Admission
Concession: $8.00
Gates open at 10am and the first race commences at 1pm each meeting. Set in a scenic rural environment, the Balnarring Picnic Racing Club provides the opportunity for all to experience 'the fun of the races'.

May 2009

International Cool Climate Wine Show Symposium
Date May
Location  
Contact Dr Mary Cole: agpath@dcscomp.com.au Phone: (03) 5629 2238
Steve Robbin: sr@asnevents.net.au Phone: (03) 5983 2400.
Cost Full Day: Includes Lunch $
Half Day: No Lunch $
Student Rate for whole program $
Tafe Students $
Saturday morning: Free to wine show entrants.
The symposium is practical assistance to agricultural business operators and will highlight the effect of weather on agricultural and vitacultural practices.

June 2009

Winter Wine Weekend 2009
Date Queen's Birthday Weekend 11am-4pm
Location Red Hill Recreation Reserve, Arthur's Seat Rd, Red Hill and at various Wineries on the Mornington Peninsula.
Contact (03) 5989 2377
An exhibition and tasting of more than 200 Mornington Peninsula premium wines from 48 wineries. The Winter Wine Fest is an opportunity to sample a wide variety of Mornington Peninsula wines, compare wine styles from different vineyards, talk to the winemakers and discover new wines. There are free seminars for attendees on Mornington Peninsula wine varieties covering key varieties grown in the region and hosted by key winemakers - pinot noir, chardonnay and others - running throughout the day and for food lovers there is delicious regional produce and meals available to eat in or take away.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION FOR THE WINTER WINE WEEKEND NOW !

National Celtic Festival
Date Queens Birthday Weekend.
Location Portarlington
Australia's largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic culture. Showcasing overseas and Australian musicians, dancers and artists. The festival embraces all aspects of Celtic culture including: drama, poetry, story-telling, ceili, literature, Celtic film festival, re-enactment groups, displays, exhibitions, workshops, competitions, fair and market and much, much more. 

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009

National Greek Day
Date October
Location Rye Foreshore 10.30a.m.
Contact Koula Tsakanias: Phone: (03) 5985 5449
There will be a Church Service at the Greek Orthodox Church, then a flag raising ceremony at the Rosebud Shire Office, followed by lunch on the Rye foreshore.

November 2009

Red Hill Consolidated School Country Fair
Date Sunday  November 2009 10.00am -4.00pm  
Location Cnr. Arthurs Seat & Mornington-Flinders Roads, Red Hill
Contact (03) 5989 2321
NB: This is a major fundraiser for the school - all welcome.
Opening of the Strawberry Season
Date Saturday & Sunday November
Location Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, 244 Shands Road Main Ridge 3928.  
Contact Joanne Petrillo (03) 5989 4500
Email: joanne@sunnyridge.com.au 
Sunny Ridge is kicking off the 2009/2010 Strawberry season with a weekend dedicated to affordable family fun.
  • u-pick strawberries
  • chocolate fountain with fresh berries
  • farm made ice creams
  • new summer menu
  • seasonal farm gate produce
  • Farm tours 11am, 1pm & 3pm daily
Remembrance Day
Date 11th November 2008  
Location Remembrance Day services will be held at RSL clubs throughout Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula
.The poppies worn as a tribute on Remembrance Day recall the Flanders poppies that bloomed among the battlefields of the Western Front. They also signal a resilience among the horrors of war; they were the first plants to grow after the fields were devastated by fighting.

November 2009

Pet & Pony Expo
Date Sunday November 10am to 4pm Peninsula Pet and Pony Expo
Location Olympic Park, Besgrove Street, Rosebud
Contact Andrea Fos (03) 5950 1764
Cost Free
Come and enjoy the FREE family events at this years Pet & Pony Expo. Be sure to bring your family pet and join in all the activities and family fun over the day. There will be face-painting, exhibits, entertainment, to name just a few.
 

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