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West Gippsland hosts SnowFest 2024 featuring snow activities, markets, feasts and mountain events

West Gippsland hosts SnowFest, featuring snow activities, winter markets, and lavish feasts. Walhalla offers light trains and ghost tours, while Mt Baw Baw hosts on-mountain events.

By news@gippsland - 10th July 2024 - Back to News

West Gippsland, right on Melbourne's doorstep, will host SnowFest, a day of snow activities (in places you wouldn't normally expect to see snow!), lavish feasts and cosy winter markets. There will be light trains and ghost tours running in the mountainous village of Walhalla, and on-mountain events at Mt Baw Baw. Below is a round-up of some of the program highlights. Be sure to check the SnowFest website for the full program. New events are being added every day!

Bundle up for real snow play, husky meet-and-greets, snowboarding demos, marshmallow toasting, live entertainment, and family-friendly fireworks at this must-attend winter event

SnowFest

The streets of Warragul will be converted into a winter playground, covered in real snow. At an altitude of 143m above sea level, it's an unexpected sight in Victoria. How does it happen? A convoy of local trucks and drivers make the trip up to Mt Baw Baw to collect snow, then bring that lovely fluffy stuff to the town centre of Warragul.

There's free entry to the snow play area, meet huskies, watch snowboarder demonstrations, roving live entertainment, food stalls and a family-friendly fireworks display at 8pm. There's paid entry to the carnival area with rides, rock climbing, laser tag and bouncy castles aplenty.

SnowFest Dinners

In celebration of SnowFest, some of West Gippsland's most esteemed restaurants are putting on midwinter feasts:

• Hogget Kitchen SnowFest Charity Dinner & Auction: Sat 20 Jul, Warragul | A very special long table 4-course feast of West Gippsland's best seasonal winter produce alongside fabulous local wines, live music and a charity auction for West Gippsland Hospital
• Messmates Dining SnowFest Dinner: Sat 3 Aug, Warragul | Enjoy a 3-course set menu, flowing wine and cocktails to the backdrop of a live jazz band and candlelight
• Five Aces Brewery SnowFest Dinner: Sat 10 Aug, Neerim South
• Toolshed SnowFest Lunch: Sun 11 Aug, Noojee

All events are ticketed and numbers are limited. Bookings are essential and must be purchased directly with the venues.

Winter in Walhalla

Winter is a spectacular time to visit the very romantic and very cosy village of Walhalla. The Walhalla Goldfields Railway will be running special evening Light Trains each Saturday across August (6pm and 8pm), which includes a trip to Thomson Station through Stringers Gorge lit up by flood lights, and a hot chocolate on the platform before returning to Walhalla.

This unique gold-mining town is full of remarkable stories and quirky histories. You can find out more on the Walhalla Ghost Tours running each Saturday night at 7.30pm.

Markets

Warragul Farmers Market

Sat 20 Jul, Civic Park, Warragul | One of the region's foremost farmers markets with fresh produce, sourdough breads, local wines, live music and fantastic coffee

Yarragon Craft & Produce Market

Sat 27 Jul, Community Hall, Campbell St, Yarragon | Enjoy the buzz of the market as you wander through stalls slinging fresh bread, baked treats, bags, jewellery, plants and fresh produce.

Winter Market Neerim South

Sat 10 Aug, Algie Hall, Neerim South | Stay cosy inside the heated hall with stalls featuring goods that are grown, baked or made.

Drouin Rotary Club Craft & Produce Market

Sat 17 Aug, Civic Park, Drouin | Fossick through jewellery, clothing, baked goods, homewares, plants and fresh produce.

Pictures from Visit Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com