With warm weather in the air, the Victorian Goldfields gear up for an action-packed calendar of outdoor events popular amongst locals and visitors. Celebrating the produce of this region are events such as Ballarat by the Glass, the Bendigo Food & Wine Festival, and the ever-popular Ballarat Beer Festival, while the Ballarat Cup rounds up Victoria's favourite Spring Racing season. High-spirited festivities abound with Inglewood Alive, the Maryborough Highland Festival and Newstead Live! Music Festival, bringing together the local communities with great music, dancing and celebrations. Many are anticipated to gather for the RACV Energy Breakthrough, when schools descend on Maryborough to put into action their carefully constructed vehicles and machines over the year. And finally, treasure hunters and collectors of pretty things will enjoy the Fryerstown Antique Fair and The Square - Bendigo's Handmade Market, the latter being a carefully curated market of locally designed gifts and crafts.

BALLARAT BY THE GLASS, UNTIL 30 NOVEMBER 2013

November is a celebration of local food and wine in Ballarat with a month long calendar of sumptuous events. Locals and visitors will love the huge range of cuisines, music and wines with highlights including the Ballarat Wine Expo on Sunday 3rd November, a Meet the Winemaker Dinner on 4th November and a Duck and Pinot Diner on 16th November.  

What: A month long calendar of food
and wine events in and around Ballarat
When: Saturday 2nd until Saturday 30th November 2013

Where: Wineries, restaurants and venues in and around Ballarat
How: For more information visit www.ballaratwineries.com

RACV ENERGY BREAKTHROUGH, 21 - 24 NOVEMBER 2013

One of Australia's premier science, technology and education events, the RACV Energy Breakthrough was established in 1991 as a joint initiative of the Country Education Project, the Central Goldfields Shire Council and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). The annual event features an exciting program designed to provide opportunities for students, teachers, parents and local industry to work together to design and construct a vehicle, a machine or
innovation in technology that will represent an 'energy breakthrough'. Many school groups work collaboratively throughout the year to design, build and test their vehicles or machines within strict specifications, and then bring
these to Maryborough in November to show them in action.

What: An annual event in which students showcase and race their 'energy breakthrough' contraptions
When: Thursday 21st - Sunday 24th November 2013

Where: Princes Park, Lake Victoria Precinct, Park Road, Maryborough

How: For more information visit www.racvenergybreakthrough.net

BENDIGO FOOD & WINE EXPO, 22 - 24 NOVEMBER 2013

Bendigo's top food and wine producers will showcase their wares at this three day expo. Gourmands can discover the sumptuous offerings of over 100 local producers, uncover endless tips and ideas for sensational home cooking and enjoy the live celebrity chef demonstrations with an exciting line up including local, Emma Dean, who recently won the 2013 Masterchef title.

What: A showcase of Bendigo's top food and wine producers and exciting culinary events
When: Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th November 2013

Where: Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road, North Bendigo

How: For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.foodandwineexpo.com.au/bendigo   

BALLARAT CUP, 24 NOVEMBER 2013

A day shaped by racing tradition; the Ballarat Cup is the perfect way to celebrate the end of an always-spectacular Spring Racing Carnival. Racegoers can soak up the colourful atmosphere and enjoy the roar of the crowd as the
thoroughbreds battle it out down the straight. With a ten-race card and the greatest prize money in its history up for grabs, Ballarat's premier racetrack will feature both the running of the $200,000 Ballarat Cup and the inaugural
$200,000 Magic Millions Victorian Clockwise Classic; the first Victorian flat race conducted in a clockwise direction in over 60 years. Complementing the on-track action will be an exciting line up of live music, delicious food and
wine and all the glamour of the Myer Fashions on the Field.

What: A spectacular race day at Ballarat's premier racetrack
When: Sunday 24th November 2013

Where: Ballarat Turf Club - 240 Kennedy's Road, Miners Rest    

How: Visit www.countryracing.com.au or call 03 5334 6273

THE SQUARE - BENDIGO'S HANDMADE MARKET, 30 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2013

The Square is Bendigo's boutique, handmade market held quarterly at the Bendigo Town Hall in the heart of town. Launched in December 2010, the market has grown into a much anticipated event which attracts locals and tourists alike. Each market showcases the fabulous crafters, designers and makers from the region and across the state and is carefully curated by the organisers to ensure a good mix of retailers and high quality products. Shoppers will be sure to find many Christmas gifts here!

What: A boutique and completely handmade quarterly market
When: Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December 2013, 9am to 4pm

Where: Bendigo Town Hall, Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo

How: For more information visit www.thesquarebendigo.typepad.com

INGLEWOOD ALIVE, 7 DECEMBER 2013

Kicking off with a town-wide garage sale at 8am, Inglewood Alive is an annual celebration of all that this Goldfields town has to offer. Highlights of the day include tastings of local food and wine, a classic car and motorcycle showcase, live music, dance demonstrations, wood chopping, a photography display, collectable stores, a magic show and more.

What: A vibrant celebration in the Goldfields town of Inglewood
When: Saturday 7th December 2013

Where: Brooke Street Traders, Calder Highway, Inglewood

How: Entry to the event is free. For more information phone 03 5438 3008.

MARYBOROUGH HIGHLAND GATHERING, 1 JANUARY 2014

Held on New Years Day each year since 1857, the Maryborough Highland Gathering was originally created by gold prospectors, Scottish squatters and businessmen who had arrived in the goldfields and central Victoria from Scotland and wanted an event that was reminiscent of their traditional New Year Highland. The event has become one of the most popular festivities on the local sporting calendar, drawing huge crowds to Maryborough each year for the family activities, food and fun. The highlight is the hotly contested foot race; the 120-metre Maryborough Gift.

What: An annual event, featuring traditional highland activities, food and family fun
When: New Years Day, 1st January 2014

Where: Princes Park, Park Road, Maryborough

How: For more information visit www.maryboroughhighlandsociety.com

BALLARAT BEER FESTIVAL, 18 JANUARY 2014

This one-day showcase of more than 100 of Australia's best craft beers and ciders provides the opportunity for brew enthusiasts to not only taste the liquid gold but to also meet the masterminds behind each brand. And what better
accompaniment to great beer than delicious food? Punters will be spoilt for choice with everything from artisan woodfired pizza, to exotic gourmet bush tucker and Spanish paella on offer. Headlining this year's music offering are Melbourne's Wagons, known for their dynamic 70s inspired boogie outlaw rock, supported by seven-piece Sydney outfit, Little Bastard. Little ones will be kept entertained in the dedicated Kids Zone featuring train rides, a jumping castle, mini farmyard, and more!

What: A day long celebration of beer, with gourmet food, live music and activities for the kids
When: Saturday 18th January 2014, Gates open at 11am

Where: City Oval, Ballarat  

How: www.ballaratbeerfestival.com.au 

NEWSTEAD LIVE! MUSIC FESTIVAL, 24 - 27 JANUARY 2014

Held in the quaint and historic country town of Newstead, just 90 drive minutes from Melbourne, Newstead Live! Music Festival features an impressive line up of world class performers from Australia and abroad. The jam packed programme includes live performances in intimate spaces, large scale concerts, workshops, black board spots, three stages, two village pubs, two cafes, the Troubadour wine bar, a poets breakfast and a festival disco. On site camping is available for music lovers looking to completely immerse themselves into a weekend of toe-tapping fun.

What: An annual festival of live music with local food and wine in an idyllic setting
When: Friday 24th January - Sunday 27th January 2014

Where: Held in the historic town of Newstead, near Castlemaine and just 90 minutes drive from Melbourne

How: For tickets and more information visit www.newsteadlive.com
or phone 03 5476 2360.

FRYERSTOWN ANTIQUE FAIR, 25 - 27 JANUARY

Antique dealers and collectors come from far and wide each year for the Fryerstown Antique Fair, held in the charming village of Fryerstown, just minutes drive from Castlemaine. Since it began in 1975, the Fryerstown Antique Fair has developed a reputation as one of Australia's must-see antique fairs, with a world of Goldfields treasures just waiting to be uncovered.

What: An annual antique fair held in Fryerstown
When: Friday 25th January - Sunday 27th January 2014, 8am - 5pm daily

Where: Burke and Wills Hall, Castlemaine Street, Fryerstown

How: For more information phone 03 5473 4373

MODERN LOVE, UNTIL 2 FEBRUARY 2014

Modern Love is a stunning selection of some of the world's most influential designers from the past 40 years. In curating this exclusive exhibition, Bendigo Art Gallery has drawn on archival fashion objects from the extensive collection of the FIDM Museum at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. Modern Love focuses on approximately 60 works from the post-punk period from the 1980s to the present day and reflects fashion in our contemporary lives with works ranging from haute couture designs such as a museum commissioned gown by Alexander McQueen through to t-shirts and Adidas high top runners. Designers include Thom Browne, Chanel, Comme des Garçons, Dior, Ferragamo, Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, Carolina Herrera, Betsey Johnson, Patrick Kelly, Helmut Lang, Monique Lhuillier, Louboutin, Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Moschino, Thierry Mugler, Hiroaki Ohya, Zac Posen, Prada, Christian Francis Roth, Ralph Rucci, Valentino, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, YSL and more. Bendigo Art Gallery is the exclusive venue for this exhibition in Australia, the first travelling exhibition of its kind from the FIDM Museum, LA.

What: An Australian exclusive exhibition of some of the world's most influential modern designers
When: Showing until 2nd February 2014

Where: Bendigo Art Gallery, 42 View Street, Bendigo

How: For more information and to book tickets and packages visit www.modernlovebendigo.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoldfieldsVictoria
Instagram: @GoldfieldsVictoria #goldfieldsvic

Media Contact (for images and more information):          

CarynNg
Media Moguls Communication
T: 03 9836 2167 ext.6
M: 0488 664 857
E: caryn@mediamoguls.com.au

Zoe Fairweather

Media Moguls Communication
M: 0488 705 252
E: zoe@mediamoguls.com.au

Background Notes:

The Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive (VGTE) is the peak tourism organisation for the Goldfields region established in 2013 with the charter of driving the tourism direction and building on the already robust brands of Ballarat and Bendigo. Working in close partnership with Ballarat Regional Tourism and Bendigo Regional Tourism, VGTE seeks to develop a strong, synergised regional tourism presence between Ballarat and Bendigo and their surrounding villages and shires.