Events in the Great Ocean Road
From world-class surfing and ocean swims to folk music and wine, the Great Ocean Road region hosts a diverse range of festivals and events.
In Geelong see stunning aerobatics at the Australian International Airshow or watch colourful spinnakers fly on Corio Bay in Geelong during the Skandia Geelong Week – Australia’s largest regatta. On the Bellarine Peninsula take in the best in Australian blues, rock, pop, funk and jazz music at the Queenscliff Music Festival in November.
Bells Beach is home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world's longest running professional surfing event and one of the most sought after titles on the World Championship Tour. If you’re not content being a spectator, get amongst the 4,000 people taking part in the Lorne Pier to Pub, the world’s largest open water swim.
Get musical in March and attend the Port Fairy Folk Festival with international and national artists performing in a four-day celebration of folk, blues, jazz and country music, alternatively check out the smaller, more intimate Apollo Bay Music Festival.
January
- Skandia Geelong Week (formerly the Festival of Sail and Waterfront Festival
- Geelong Vintage Rally
- Danger 1000 Swim – Torquay
- Mountain to Surf Run – Lorne
- Pier to Pub Swim – Lorne
- Apollo Bay Show and Food and Wine Festival – Apollo Bay
- Custom Car and Bike Show – Colac
- Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic – Warrnambool
- Moyneyana Festival – Port Fairy
- Tyrendarra Rodeo – Portland
February
- 12th Australian Masters Games, Geelong
- Pako Festa – Pakington Street, Geelong
- Australian International Airshow – Avalon Airport near Geelong (biennial)
- Rock to Ramp Ocean Swim – Anglesea
- Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Event and Forrest Festival – Apollo Bay
- Great Ocean Sports Festival – Apollo Bay
- Otway Idol – Beech Forest
- Sungold Field Days – Warrnambool
- Wood, Wine & Roses Festival – Heywood
March
- Victorian Surf Life-Saving Championships – Apollo Bay
- Port Fairy Folk Festival
April
- Rip Curl Pro World Surfing Titles – Bells Beach, Torquay
- Apollo Bay Music Festival – Apollo Bay
May
- Great Ocean Road Marathon – Lorne to Apollo Bay
- Warrnambool Racing Carnival and Graded Annual Steeplechase
June
- National Celtic Festival – Portarlington
- Australian Kelpie Muster – Casterton
July
- Fun4Kids Festival – Warrnambool
August
- Festival of One Act Plays – Anglesea
- Shipwreck Coast Golf Classic – Warrnambool
September
- Angair Wildflower and Art Show – Anglesea
October
- Birregurra Weekend Festival
- Melbourne – Warrnambool Cycling Classic
- Spring Music festival – Port Fairy
- Glenelg River Fishing Competition – Nelson
November
- Queenscliff Music Festival – Queenscliff
- Toast to the Coast - Geelong
- Australian Woolsports Championships – Winchelsea
- Portland Bay Festival – Portland
December
- High Tide Festival – Torquay
- Falls Music Festival – Lorne
