Visit the Macedon Ranges

Wildlife Shows at Hanging Rock – Spring School Holidays! Take a walk on the wild side with TV personality and Zoologist Chris Humfrey and the Wild Action Zoo team, during the Spring school holidays at Hanging Rock in the Macedon Ranges. Join us on 1 & 2 October, for the ultimate wildlife experience in the most magnificent setting. Two family-friendly interactive shows will take place at 10.00AM and 12.30PM each day. Guests will come face-to-face with a HUGE array of the cool climate wildlife who call this beautiful region home! Pre-booked tickets are $25 per person, with kids under 2 free. More in FAQs below. Please note Hanging Rock parking fees still apply on the day, and guests to the Show are encouraged to make the most of their visit to Hanging Rock Reserve before and after the Show. Meet some incredible Macedon Ranges locals up close and personal be they furry, feathered, or scaley! Plus a few additional special animal guests! Koala Kangaroo joey Sugar gliders Short beaked echidna Wombat Southern boobook owl Grey headed flying fox Southern brown bandicoot Barn owl Gang gang cockatoo Blotched blue tongued lizard Eastern long necked turtle Lace Monitor Banjo frog Critically endangered mountain pygmy possum ........ and many more. Chris Humfrey has been a local to this region for 23 years, and his knowledge, and enthusiastic approach to conversation and education will have guests enthralled. Learn about each animal’s classification, adaptations, habitats, diet, threats and ecological niche. Chris will discuss ways in which we can all make a positive difference to protecting biodiversity. Show Duration / Photo opportunities After the 45min live interactive show, there will be even more live animal action with up to 30 min extra following the show for photo opportunities with native animals, and a chance to chat with Chris and the Wild Action team.  Before or after the show And remember, you’re at Hanging Rock, so make the most of your visit and spend the day with us – go for a hike on the Summit Walking Trail, bring a picnic and kick the footy around, go fishing, or head into the Hanging Rock Café where you can get one free kids meal with every adult meal over $20 purchased (upon presentation of your wildlife show ticket). FAQ’S Can I buy tickets on the day? Yes you can, but they’re $30 per person when purchased on the day. Ticket sales will be via card payment only and subject to availability. Do I have to buy a ticket for my toddler?  Children 2 and under can attend free of charge. What’s the cancellation policy? Cancellations received more than 72 hours from the live shows will receive a full refund. Cancellations received within 72 hours of the live shows are not refundable. Do parents/guardians need to stay for the show or can I drop my children off? Children 12 years of age and younger must be supervised and accompanied by a paying adult for the duration of the show. What if the weather is bad? Our shows will be held in an undercover marquee, but you should still dress appropriately for the weather conditions because the marquee won’t be entirely enclosed – we’re in the Australian bush after all! What is the weather like at Hanging Rock? Weather in the Macedon Ranges can be unpredictable this time of year so we suggest you bring a warm jacket and dress appropriately for the forecast weather. Will there be seats in the marquee? The shows are interactive, so while we will have a limited number of chairs available, kids will be encouraged to sit on the ground so they can get up close and personal with the wildlife and presenters. Is there parking nearby? Yes, there is loads of onsite parking. Do the usual entry fees to Hanging Rock still apply if I have bought a ticket to the wildlife show? Yes. The usual entry fees to visit Hanging Rock Reserve still apply eg $10 per car, $20 per mini bus etc. We’d love you to make a day of your visit to see us, so before or after the wildlife show, make sure you stay a while. You will have access to the facilities in the park from 9:00am to 5:00pm – we’re talking picnic areas, barbeques, walking trails, children’s playground, our dam for fishing….the whole park is yours to enjoy and explore. Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not permitted to the wildlife show. Dogs on leash are welcome in the park before/afterwards, however please note that dogs are not permitted on the Summit Walking Trail. What amenities are available? Our toilets are wheelchair and ambulant accessible and have baby change facilities. What food and drink options are available? Visit Hanging Rock Café while you’re with us. They have a special offer for guests attending the wildlife show – receive one free kids meal with every adult meal over $20 purchased (upon presentation of your show ticket). Speak with Hanging Rock Café for more information. Dine in or take-away. And of course we’re the perfect location for a picnic, so feel free to bring your own. Need more information? Please call 5422 0387 or 0457 605 462 if you have any further questions, we’re more than happy to help. .

 

The Dirty Docker is a proposed multi-day event encompassing cycling and running events, for participants of all levels, designed to showcase the beautiful natural surroundings and outdoor landscapes in the region and to help position the Macedon Ranges as an outdoor lifestyle and cycling destination. As well as the sporting events, the festival will encapsulate a food tourism and entertainment precinct - the festival village. The village is a central festival hub, used for registration and evening course practice, as well as featuring food trucks and live music with a festival atmosphere. The village is the location for visitors and locals to attend events for entertainment, spectating or competing. The Dirty Docker comprises three separate events: 1. a cross-country running event 2. an off-road cyclo-cross event, and 3. a gravel cycling event. These won’t be your average running and cycling races, but rather they will be off-road over challenging terrain including grass, mud, and sand, with obstacles along the way. A fun adventure and challenge for all levels Complete one, or attempt to complete ´The Dirty Hattrick´, which consists of competing in all three events across the weekend.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere while being entertained with local music So Saxy, sample and purchase a glass of wine from Double Oak Estate, or a gin and tonic from Gin distillery Travelling While Standing Still. Indulge in some homemade tasty treats courtesy of Macedon CWA, including their popular scones, jam and cream. Grab a barista coffee from Miss Fleur's Vintage Coffee Van, or grab a sausage from the Rovers Sausage Sizzle. A variety of local stall holders such as Wired for living, Chin Chin Farm, Little Mountain Jewellery, Sarah Caddy Ceramics, Mount Macedon Nursery, and more will be set up on the forecourt to the stables and in the courtyard. Take this opportunity to walk through the Duneira homestead circa 1875 and view Stuart Stoneman's art collection. Guided garden tours will be held in the morning and afternoon. Entry to the house and garden tours are included in the ticket price. The Festival runs from 10am - 3pm on Saturday 2nd and 3rd November. Onsite parking is available. Ticketing Information: KIDS UNDER 16 HAVE FREE ENTRY TO THE FESTIVAL.  ADULTS NEED TO BOOK TICKETS. 

Discover the cool wines and warm hearts of Macedon Ranges winemakers at their annual wine festival, Budburst, taking place each Spring on the third weekend in November! Budburst is a once-a-year opportunity to step behind the vines and meet the family-owned and small-batch makers who shape mainland Australia’s coolest wine region. Across the weekend, more than 25 Macedon Ranges winemakers will open their wineries and cellar doors to wine enthusiasts. From 11am till 5pm Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy wine tastings, curated food menus championing local produce, art shows, sculptor walks and live music. Explore at your own pace or jump on one of the Budburst bus routes. This year Budburst will run smaller buses to more wineries, delivering participants directly to cellar doors around the Macedon Ranges. Additional details will be released soon. Please note that this year buses will only run on the Saturday. Festival and bus tickets are on sale from 1st September (early bird until 31^st September). For more information and to book tickets, visit budburst.com.

Come down and visit some of the finest producers in the state at the Macedon Village Farmers' Market, held below the majestic Mount Macedon on the welcoming grounds of Macedon Primary School. The market will be an extension of the Woodend Community Farmers' Market and you can look forward to shopping with many of the same stallholders, who will be bringing their high quality produce to the Macedon and surrounding communities, 4 times per year on the 5th Saturday. You can expect the same focus on sustainability, authenticity and community as the Woodend Farmers' Market. The Macedon Primary School are involving the school community in this event and will use any funds raised to further their landcare project.