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The 10 Aussie towns every festival lover should visit

Credit: Lisa Hatz

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
Get to know the towns that host some of Australia’s best festivals and events.

From foodie fiestas and cultural celebrations to art exhibitions and major music festivals, some Aussie destinations are best experienced through the annual events they offer. So, if you like to plan your holidays around what’s on, our expert panel for Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit agrees: these are the top Aussie towns worth marking on your calendar for events and festivals.

1. Port Fairy, Vic

Overall rank: 4/100

Maar Country

crowds at the Port Fairy Folk Festival
Port Fairy Folk Festival, aka ‘the Folkie, celebrates creativity and togetherness. (Credit: Lucinda Goodwin)

Expect the ratio of bushranger beards and pixie haircuts to spike during the annual Port Fairy Folk Festival, which is a highlight on Victoria’s cultural calendar. From its 1977 beginnings, the folk festival now fills the Labour Day weekend in March with music, markets and roving performances. The town at the western end of the Great Ocean Road also hosts the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and has year-round appeal. As panellist Catriona Rowntree says, Port Fairy is “secretly everyone’s favourite town on the Great Ocean Road."

Don’t miss: Lunch at Pippies by the Bay and a stay at the newly opened Basalt Retreat.

2. Bellingen, NSW

Overall rank: 16/100

Gumbaynggirr Country

the River Sounds Festival Festival in Bellingen, NSW
Enjoy live music and drinks in a relaxed setting at River Sounds Festival. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Look at Bellingen on Google Earth and you’ll see it tucked within an emerald-green pocket of hinterland near Byron Bay. Once a dairy town, Bello now beats to the sound of its own drum, especially if that drum is a djembe being played at the River Sounds Festival in May. The calendar of events here runs from writers’ festivals to farmers’ markets and an agricultural show that reflects the area’s vibrant community.

Don’t miss: “One of the highlights is the main street – filled with stores featuring work from local artisans… knitters, leatherworkers, woodworkers," says panellist Rae Johnston.

3. Geelong, Vic

Overall rank: 34/100

Wadawurrung Country

lifeguard bollards in Geelong
Lifeguard bollards, part of the iconic Bollard Trail in Geelong. (Credit: Visit Victoria/Robert Blackburn)

Geelong’s events calendar spans the southern hemisphere’s largest keelboat regatta, a national cycling race and steady run of exhibitions and festivals. Curled around Corio Bay, the city is home to Geelong Football Club, founded in 1859. During AFL season – March to September – Geelong has a match-day energy that feels like a festival. As panellist Adrian Williams puts it, Geelong is “the only regional AFL team in the country that was part of the birth of football."

Don’t miss: Trace the waterfront lined with galleries, restaurants and shops as it twists around Corio Bay, said to have inspired the navy-and-white Geelong Cats guernsey.

4. Bridport, Tas

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Overall rank: 39/100

Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal Country

the Bridestowe Lavender Estate in Bridport, Tas
Wander through the fragrant purple fields at Bridestowe Lavender Estate. (Credit: Luke Tscharke)

This tranquil town on Tassie’s north-east coast is known for swimming and sailing as much as its fairways and farmland. But it’s winter we’ve set our sights on when the much-loved Tassie Scallop Fiesta rolls into town. Celebrate the region’s seafood bounty with a couple of curried scallop pies along with local mussels and just-shucked oysters pulled from nearby waters.

Don’t miss: A wander through Bridestowe Lavender Estate when the fields are in bloom come summer, “a perfect spot to roam through rows of vivid purple," says panellist Ben Hall.

5. Airlie Beach, Qld

Overall rank: 48/100

Ngaro Country

the Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach, Qld
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. (Credit: Tourism Whitsundays)

Panellist Rae Johnston, who lived in Airlie Beach in her 20s, says the palm-lined Queensland town nails the brief for an idyllic tropical escape “with sand so white it squeaks when you walk on it, and stunning blue, calm water." As the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, the town is a lively hub for backpackers and boaties. The calendar centres on Airlie Beach Race Week and the Great Barrier Reef Festival, but the vibes stretch year-round.

the Migration of the Mantas underwater art
Migration of the Mantas by Indigenous artist Brian Robinson. (Credit: Riptide Creative)

Don’t miss: Snorkel the Ngaro Underwater Marine Sculpture Trail, where works such as Migration of the Mantas sit within coral gardens, doubling as reef habitat.

6. McLaren Vale, SA

Overall rank: 49/100

Kaurna Country

an outdoor gourmet lunch at Vale Restaurant and Bar
A gourmet two-course lunch at Vale Restaurant and Bar.

It’s an easy 40-minute car zip from festival capital Adelaide to McLaren Vale, which hosts its own happenings. The calendar of events centred in and around this hub includes the Grenache & Gourmet Festival and Fleurieu Film Festival, where wine, food and storytelling intersect. As panellist Paul Hamra puts it, McLaren Vale is a “magnificent backdrop for a wine region", pairing innovative dining with a coastline that ranks among Australia’s best.

Don’t miss: The events woven into the Tasting Australia program when chefs, winemakers and producers converge on McLaren Vale as part of its regional line-up.

7. Winton, Qld

Overall rank: 55/100

Koa Country

the Winton Outback Festival, Qld
The Winton Outback Festival is a biennial celebration that holds stage shows, parades and other forms of live entertainment. (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland/Leeroy Todd)

Surrounded by plains whiskered in Mitchell grass, Winton wears its outback identity on its Hard Yakka sleeve. It’s a place where bush poetry, live music and big-sky gatherings feel distinctly, and unapologetically, Aussie.

Best known as the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda, the small Queensland town draws a crowd for events such as the Winton Outback Festival, where five days of celebrations culminate in the gloriously irreverent Dunny Derby.

Don’t miss: A cold one at the North Gregory Hotel front bar after a day exploring. “It doesn’t get more Australian," says panellist Quentin Long.

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8. Cairns, Qld

Overall rank: 56/100

Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country

Tasting the Tropics in Cairns
Tasting the Tropics features unique flavours of the region. (Credit: Tourism Tropical North Queensland/Mexicairns)

Cairns celebrates 150 years in 2026 with a special Grand Parade during the annual Cairns Festival from 28 August to 6 September. Cairns Italian Festival (from 23 July to 2 August) is another opportunity to contextualise the city within the broader migrant stories of Tropical North Queensland. The Australian Festival of Chamber Music will also be held in Cairns for the first time this winter, following the debut of new events series Tasting the Tropics, which showcases the flavours of the region’s food and drinks scene.

Don’t miss: “Fitzroy Island is a must. Cairns is also the gateway to the great Daintree," says panellist Brad Farmer.

9. Alice Springs, NT

Overall rank: 77/100

Arrernte Country

Parrtjima festival in Alice Springs
The only Aboriginal festival of its kind, Parrtjima. (Credit: Lisa Hatz)

Alice Springs/Mparntwe draws on its desert setting as the backdrop for its distinctive festival calendar. Culture is lived and shared here, from the glow of Parrtjima – A Festival in Light to the offbeat charm of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, which is in its final year in current format. Events such as DesFest and Desert Mob round out a program celebrating creativity and Aboriginal art. “Alice Springs is the gateway to the outback, a perfect base to explore beyond," says panellist Sally Cope.

Don’t miss: The “incredible [surrounding] landscapes including the MacDonnell Ranges," says panellist and Parrtjima cultural advisor Paul Ah Chee.

10. Bathurst, NSW

Overall rank: 98/100

Wiradjuri Country

the Bathurst 1000 car racing event
Bathurst 1000 – aka the ‘Great Race’. (Credit: Supercars Repco Bathurst 12 Hour)

“More than just a racetrack, but a pretty impressive racetrack nonetheless," says panellist Adrian Williams. Bathurst may be synonymous with the Bathurst 1000, but it’s worth doing a few laps of the town beyond the Mount Panorama circuit. The main street keeps things modest – bakeries, pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants pulling in the region’s best – while spots such as Bootleg Dining and Norma Joan offer a window into a burgeoning culinary scene. Come winter, the surrounding countryside shifts into crisp Fuji tones.

Don’t miss:  A stay at Littlebourne Guesthouse and a day trip to The Rockley Pub, owned by chef Matt Moran.

This article is part of Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, well-known Aussies and travel insiders. See our full list of 100 best Aussie towns here and visit the special 100 best Aussie towns hub here.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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Your guide to feeling rested and reconnected after your holiday

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

    Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

    Destinations like The Grampians: surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

    Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

    1. Practice mindfulness

    Hamilton Gallery, the grampians
    Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

    Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

    If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

    2. Indulge in self-care

    two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains
    Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

    Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

    Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

    For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

    3. Embrace nature

    Boroka Lookout, the grampians
    Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

    Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

    To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

    Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

    4. Prioritise Rest

    outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill
    Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

    Try Wanderlust Glamping, where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

    For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

    For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

    5. Engage Your Senses

    Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down
    Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

    For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

    If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

    6. Connect and reconnect

    The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria
    Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

    Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

    Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

    Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

    For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium. Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

    Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.