The best events and things to do in West Vic this August
Head underground at a historic winery or eat 15 unique pies.
Darcie Humphreys & Zara Cuthbertson
June 24, 2026
Across West Vic this August, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative with your calendar, including a high-tea-on-the-move, a literary festival in a gold rush town and a convention centred on all things sheep.
Got an event for us? Email [email protected].
High Tea on Cuthbert’s 939 Vintage Tram
Indulge in a high tea afternoon aboard a historic 1940s tram, travelling alongside Lake Wendouree with scone in hand atop velvet seats.
The trip includes a three-tier high tea tower, decorated with sweet and savoury treats prepared in-house.
Where: Ballarat Tramway Museum
When: August 9 and August 23
Cost: $190 - $360
Otways Winter Festival
Includes local produce, markets and live entertainment, raising funds for the Colac Area Health Foundation.
Where: Colac Showgrounds
When: August 9
Cost: Gold coin donation
Underground Tours at Seppelt Wines
The underground cellars at Seppelt Wines have the capacity to hold 3 million bottles of wine.
The winery is where sparkling shiraz was first grown and served in Victoria. Daily tours available.
Where: Seppelt Wines
When: Throughout August
Cost: Adults $25, Concession $20, Kids over five $10
Sip and Scent Dinner with Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances
In Macarthur, this sip and scent dinner serves three courses alongside cocktails from local distillery Suffoir and perfume from Aysha Hansen.
Where: Suffoir Winery, Brewery and Distillery
When: August 21
Cost: $129 - $137
Ballarat’s Best Pie Trail
Throughout August 30 venues across the ‘Rat are developing specialised and unique pies to go in the running for Ballarat’s Best Pie.
There’s Korean Galbi-jjim pies, duck curry pies, yuzu and wasabi pies - the options are extensive.
Where: Ballarat cafes and restaurants
When: August 1 - August 31
Cost: Varies
Trentham Words in Winter Festival
Trentham celebrates the craft of storytelling. The festival includes a range of author talks, writing competitions, trivia and community dinners.
Where: Multiple venues within Trentham
When: August 1 - 30
Cost: Free to $36, depending on event
Sheepvention
Sheepvention has celebrated working and living in rural West Vic since 1979.
Where: Hamilton Showgrounds
When: August 2 - August 3
Cost: Adult $24, Children $20
Reading this in July? Scroll down for the best events on during the month.
The arrival of winter usually means fewer reasons to leave the house, but July's schedule suggests otherwise.
Community festivals, workshops and seasonal celebrations are bringing people together despite the shorter days and colder nights.
Got an event for us? Email [email protected]
Ted's Winter Party
Before closing for a winter break, Ted's Cafe is throwing one last party with food, cocktails, beer and live music from Liam Van De Laak, Tap Dog and DJ Carly.
When: July 3, 4pm-11pm
Cost: Free entry
Where: 20 Macs Street, Peterborough
GLOW Halls Gap
GLOW transforms the town into a winter festival hub over eight weeks. The program includes hundreds of events ranging from live performances and workshops to exhibitions, food experiences and wellbeing activities, with illuminated streets and public spaces forming the centrepiece.
When: 26 June to 31 August
Cost: Free, some ticketed events
Where: Various locations across Halls Gap
Sovereign Hill
Sovereign Hill's winter program combines two of Ballarat's best-known after-dark attractions. Winter Wonderlights features large-scale projections, light displays and faux snow, while the Aura show uses sound, projection and special effects to tell the story of the Eureka Rebellion in an immersive outdoor experience.
When: Selected evenings throughout July, 7:30pm and 8:30pm sessions for Aura, 10am, 5pm and 8pm sessions for Winter Wonderlights
Cost: From $45 to $199
Where: Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
Ballarat Winter Festival
Running across three weeks, the Ballarat Winter Festival brings together ice skating, pop-up events, live entertainment, food experiences and the popular Hot Choc Showdown.
When: June 27 to July 19
Cost: Free to attend, some ticketed events
Where: Ballarat CBD and surrounding venues
Warrnambool Storytelling Festival
Featuring author talks, live music, workshops, panel discussions and storytelling events across ten days, events range from family-friendly sessions to evenings focused on writing, local history and personal stories.
When: July 3-12
Cost: Free to $65 depending on event
Where: Multiple venues across Warrnambool
DIY Dairy: Butter, Yoghurt and Labneh
Learn the basics of homemade dairy production with Therés from Drakes Fresh Produce. Participants will be guided through making butter, yoghurt and labneh while learning practical techniques that can be replicated at home.
When: July 20, 5:30-7:30pm
Cost: $95
Where: Warrnambool Community Garden
Flagstaff Hill Wool Weekend
This two-day event explores the history and ongoing importance of the wool industry through live demonstrations, sheep displays, fibre crafts and hands-on activities. Visitors can see traditional techniques including blade shearing, spinning, knitting and dyeing.
When: July 11-12, 11am-3pm
Cost: $9.50 to $20.50
Where: Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
Mosaic Lamp Workshop
Guided by instructors from Art Masterclass, attendees will create their own Turkish candle holder or lamp while learning pattern design, tiling techniques and colour composition. Turkish tea and Turkish delight are included.
When: July 11, sessions at 2pm and 6pm
Cost: $89-$189 depending on the item selected
Where: Colac Bowling Club
Reading this in June? Keep scrolling for our recommendations!
Ballarat Winter Festival
Image: Tourism Midwest Victoria
Ballarat comes alive in the winter. It’s the season the city is famous for, so it’s accordingly transformed with an ice-skating rink in the CBD and a huge range of frosty activities. There’s also a city-wide hot chocolate competition that could warm anyone’s spirits.
When: June 27 - July 29
Where: Ballarat
SENSE-ational Aireys
This event has a bit of everything: wellness seminars, documentary screenings, panels, art workshops, local markets, and many more. It’s a celebration of life and culture in a coastal town that is set to be a feast for the senses.
When: May 29 - June 28
Where: Aireys Inlet
The Covent Daylesford Art Gallery
Image: The Convent
The Convent Daylesford is a delightful obscurity. The former nunnery is surrounded by lush gardens, a gourmet cafe and is now a weaving maze of artwork as a multi-level gallery.
Current exhibitions include the Young at Art Gippsland Collective and Brian Nash, displayed alongside hilltop views of spa country.
When: Until the end of June
Where: Daylesford
Cost: $10 donation
Faulty Towers: The Original Dining Experience
This critically-acclaimed West End production is bringing the shenanigans of Sybil, Basil and Manuel to the West Vic coast this June. About three quarters of the show is improvised, so get ready for a barrel of belly laughs. Bonus: The show comes alongside a three-course dinner.
When: June 6
Where: Mantra Lorne, Mountjoy Parade, Lorne
Cost: $85 - $99
Luke Kidgell - Good Intentions Tour
Viral comedian Luke Kidgell is hitting the Grampians to unleash some of his famous crowd-work and signature comedy. He’s returning from a world tour that saw him perform in Europe, North America and New Zealand.
When: June 6
Where: Hamilton Performing Arts Centre
Cost: $55
Warrnambool Yoga Festival
If you want to dedicate a winter weekend to meditation and a small dose of inner peace, this is the perfect event. Set in an idyllic tourist town, this festival will celebrate all things yoga and good for the soul.
When: June 13 - 14
Where: Emmanuel Centre, 140 Botanic Rd, Warrnambool
Cost: $58 - $120