Events

Seppelt Great Western Cup – Race Day in the Grampians Wine Region

The Grampians Region is home to the renowned Great Western Cup.

As one of the most-admired racing events in the nation, the Great Western Cup welcomes many international and local visitors to its quaint and picturesque township next to the majestic Grampian Ranges.

Experience world-class racing at this fun-filled event and enjoy an array of other fun-filled activities that the region has to offer. The race is held on the Saturday of the Australia Day weekend and welcomes a huge number of visitors from all over the world.

Indulge yourself with a Mini Marquee or an Entertainer Marquee Race Day Package or kick back under the shade of your Umbrella Package with full track views for you and your friends.

Alternatively, experience gourmet dining in the newly created Bird Cage in the Devlin Pavilion and treat yourself to a race day package that includes regional produce and fabulous Seppelt wines. Enjoy live entertainment from Reece Mastin and get your groove on after the last race!

Seppelt Great Western Cup – Race Day in the Grampians Wine Region

Set in the charming wine-town of Great Western (just northwest of the Grampians National Park), the Seppelt Great Western Cup is one of Australia’s most-admired regional racing events. Held on the Saturday of the Australia Day long weekend, the race day combines world-class thoroughbred racing, regional charm, gourmet food, fine wine and live entertainment.

2026: Saturday 24 January 2026

You’ll find a full day of racing at the Great Western Racing Club, located at 1098 Great Western-Moyston Road, Great Western, VIC.

The event features high-quality country racing in a relaxed, beautiful setting — tree-lined tracks, hillside vines and a welcoming community atmosphere.

It offers a variety of hospitality options: from General Admission, to Marquee Packages, to premium Bird Cage Corporate Dining — many of which include gourmet food and local wines.

There’s a full range of entertainment: fashion on the field, live music, kids’ activities, free camping and courtesy buses from nearby towns (including Halls Gap).

Great Western is a small township — if you’re arriving from Melbourne or interstate, consider booking your stay well in advance and allow travel time.

Grampians Ride to Remember – A Motorcycle Tribute Ride Through the Grampians

The Grampians Ride to Remember brings the community together each year to ride their motorcycles through the Grampians region to raise money for the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, with more than 300 people joining the ride each year to raise money for this worthy cause.

Commencing in Barkly St, Ararat at 9am sharp, the ride travels on all sealed roads through the rural countryside within the Ararat Rural City and Pyrenees Shire Council municipalities, taking in the roads along the edges of the magnificent Grampians National Park and traveling through the towns of Willaura, Wickliffe, and with a stop at Lake Bolac for a 45 minute Morning Tea.

This then continues onto Streatham and Eurambeen Rd, and then turns onto the Western Highway through to Buangor, before heading back via Warrak to Ararat for a relaxing BBQ in the Alexandra Gardens.

The Ride features an opportunity to take in some spectacular scenery; including both the Challicum Hills and Ararat Wind Farms.

Your registration includes BBQ Lunch, show-bag with commemorative badge plus complimentary bottled water at the finish of the Ride.

The event acknowledges and pays respect to Victorian Police officers who are killed in active duty and money raised will be donated to the Blue Ribbon Foundation to fund medical equipment at Ararat Hospital.

So if you have a registered motorbike and are fully licenced, come and enjoy this event and an opportunity to explore the Grampians region.

Grampians Ride to Remember – A Motorcycle Tribute Ride Through the Grampians

Each year the community comes together in the majestic Grampians National Park region for this special ride: motorcycles, the open road and a meaningful cause. The event raises funds for the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation (Ararat Branch) and honours Victorian police officers who have died in the line of duty.

Riders assemble in Ararat from around 9 am, then head out on a scenic sealed-road route through the rural countryside, taking in places like Lake Bolac, Willaura and the edge of the Grampians. The ride finishes with a relaxed BBQ lunch in Alexandra Gardens, Ararat. Your registration includes morning tea, a picnic lunch, a commemorative badge and bottled water.

2026: Early February 2026 (precise date to be confirmed) — The 2026 ride is listed as taking place in February 2026, start at 9 am from Ararat.

• It’s more than just a ride: it’s a tribute, a community gathering and an opportunity to enjoy impressive country roads in one of Victoria’s most scenic regions.

• The route showcases the rural countryside around Ararat and the Grampians—perfect for riders who enjoy both the ride and the view.

• Support a good cause: all funds go to the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, supporting medical equipment and services in the region.

• Check the event’s official website or listings for map changes or route updates (especially noting that 2025’s date was changed/rescheduled).

Hot Summer Nights Rod Run – Classic Hot Rods & Customs in the Grampians Region

The Grampians is host to a popular hot rod event called Rod Run (the Old Skool Hot Rod Event).  With hundreds of hot rods yearly, the event is a big hit with locals and visitors alike. View cars that are a pre 1966 car that is customised or pre 1948 hotrod.

Hot Summer Nights Rod Run – Classic Hot Rods & Customs in the Grampians Region

Revving into the scenic landscapes of the Grampians region, the “Hot Summer Nights Rod Run” (formerly known as the “Old Skool Hot Rod Event” or the “Grampians Rod Run”) is a major gathering of hot-rod and custom-car enthusiasts. Held in and around Horsham (just on the edge of the Grampians region), the event showcases hundreds of pre-1966 cars (and pre-1948 hot rods) and draws visitors and car lovers from across Victoria and beyond.

2026: Friday 20 February to Sunday 22 February 2026.

Pitch Music & Arts Festival – A Weekend of Music, Nature & Community

Pitch Music & Arts Festival – A Weekend of Music, Nature & Community

Set against the stunning backdrop of Halls Gap, the Grampians Music Festival, and now known as Pitch Music & Arts Festival is an annual celebration of live music, community, and the natural beauty of the Grampians region. This much-loved event brings together a vibrant mix of local and interstate artists for a weekend of great tunes, good food, and relaxed festival vibes.

Held right in the heart of Halls Gap, the festival features a single main stage, so you won’t have to worry about missing any of your favourite acts. Simply find a spot on the grass, settle in with friends or family, and enjoy an unforgettable weekend of live performances.

Picnics are welcome, but please note that BYO alcohol is not permitted. A variety of food trucks and drink stalls will be available throughout the event, offering delicious local fare and refreshing beverages.

This is a family-friendly festival, and children are more than welcome to join the fun — kids under 12 can enter for free.

To keep the event intimate and environmentally sustainable, the Pitch Music & Arts Festival is capped at just 2,500 tickets. It’s the perfect size for a relaxed, community feel — but it also means tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to book yours early to avoid missing out.

Grampians Brushes – An Inspiring Creative Retreat in the Heart of the Grampians

Grampians Brushes – An Inspiring Creative Retreat in the Heart of the Grampians

Set amidst the stunning natural beauty of Halls Gap and Pomonal (within the heart of the Grampians National Park, Western Victoria), Grampians Brushes is the flagship workshop programme for painters, print-makers and creatives of all levels. From relaxed beginners to seasoned artists, this annual event gives you the chance to learn, explore and create in one of Australia’s most beautiful settings.

Each year brings back many beloved tutors, while also welcoming fresh new instructors who offer workshops in different media, techniques and creative processes. Whether you’re drawn to printmaking, plein-air painting, mixed media, or contemporary approaches — there’s something here to both challenge and inspire you.

Dunkeld Festival of Music — Fine Wine, Chamber Music & the Grampians

TBA- April 2024

The Dunkeld Festival of Music is where those interested in fine wine and chamber music can come together to enjoy both in the beautiful Grampians region. The festival is held over three days in Dunkeld, a small town located south of the Grampians

At the Dunkeld Festival of Music, you will hear from leading Australian chamber musicians playing some of the most beautiful music in many of Dunkeld’s charming venues; including the Mt Sturgeon Woolshed and Myer’s Gallery.

During the festival, you will be able to enjoy three days of chamber music, fine wines and delicious cuisines from the Grampian’s finest chefs.

Dunkeld Festival of Music — Fine Wine, Chamber Music & the Grampians

Set amidst the stunning backdrop of the Southern Grampians (in the charming town of Dunkeld, Victoria), the Dunkeld Festival of Music is a boutique three-day celebration of world-class chamber music, fine wine and regional cuisine. Leading Australian musicians present performances in intimate venues around the town—such as the historic woolshed at Mt Sturgeon and the elegant library of the Royal Mail Hotel—all complemented by indulgent food and wine experiences.

2026: Wednesday 25 March – Friday 27 March 2026 (also listed as Fri 27 – Sun 29 March 2026).

Serra Terror – Two-Day Team Endurance Challenge in the Grampians

The Serra Terror is an 80km endurance event held in the Grampians National Park every June long weekend. Over two days teams will battle the terrain and the elements as they hike, run or scramble the 80km course. Both days cover a rough marathon distance, and both days will be spectacular. Teams may enter as a four person Endurance Team which will attempt to complete the course in its entirety , or as a Relay Team of five to eight members who are interchangeable at checkpoints. The  course changes yearly to maximise the breathtaking scenery on offer and to ensure that every year is a new challenge for our many return teams.

Serra Terror – Two-Day Team Endurance Challenge in the Grampians

Set in the dramatic landscapes of the Grampians National Park (southern Victoria), Serra Terror is a rugged two-day team event where participants hike, run or scramble an approximately 80 km course across varying terrain.
Teams cover rough marathon-length distances on both days, and the course changes each year to maximise the epic scenery and keep the challenge fresh.

(Check the event’s official website for registration, rules, entry fees, course maps and updates (especially for 2026))

Wonderland Run Grampians – Trail Running at Its Wildest

Wonderland Run Grampians – Trail Running at Its Wildest

Set in and around Halls Gap in the stunning Grampians National Park, the Wonderland Run Grampians is a weekend trail-running adventure that offers something for everyone — from a fun 2 km for kids or beginners, through to ultra-endurance distances for seasoned runners.

As for the terrain? Think rock canyons, cliff-tops, cloud-kissing ridges and bush-valley runs — it’s intense, immersive and unforgettable.