Last month, the town of Harcourt in Central Victoria was tragically affected by bushfires. This weekend, the community is ready to welcome visitors back, with plenty of fun things to see and do for the whole family. So if you’d like to show your support, take a day trip and visit Harcourt for the fundraiser on Saturday February 21 and Sunday February 22. You’ll find it about 30 minutes away from Ballarat, or less than ten minutes away from Castlemaine.
Harcourt fundraiser events
Victorian Miniature Railway
Visit the Victorian Miniature Railway, and go for a ride on 2.7km of track. Hop aboard for $10 per person (normally $5), with all funds supporting the local community. There will also be a sausage sizzle, run by the Harcourt Lions Club. The railway will open from 8am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. After the fundraising weekend, it will open every Sunday.
📍3643 Harmony Way, Harcourt VIC 3453
Woop Woop Sculpture Gardens & Mini Golf
Woop Woop Sculpture Gardens & Mini Golf will host a ‘Helping Harcourt Heal’ fundraiser on Saturday February 21. On this day, visitors can explore for acres of gardens and sculptures, then check out the new mini golf course. There will be free entry all day, as well as a free sausage sizzle.
On Saturday, there will also be a live and silent auction. Over 70 local businesses have donated goods and services, such as toys, tools, retreats, facials, escape room tickets and a wedding service from a local celebrant. If you’re looking for something really interesting, bid for a visit from the Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire, Toby Heydon, who will come to your home and play the guitar, while you and five of your friends enjoy a free meal.
After the fundraiser, Woop Woop will open as usual on Sunday, and will continue to open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Learn more about the fundraiser here.
📍171 Blackjack Rd, Harcourt VIC 3453
Food and drink
After taking part in the fundraisers, explore the area and visit some local businesses. Many wineries around the region will be open throughout the weekend, and you can also sample local produce, and try the town’s famous apples.
Phoenix: Harcourt Rising
Try the Phoenix: Harcourt Rising pale ale. Created by ten Central Victorian breweries, this limited-edition beer was made from donated ingredients, cans and packaging. Brewed at Holgate Brewhouse in Woodend, this collaborative beer was made from Brewers Collective, Bendigo Brewing, Cornella Brewery, Holgate Beer, Hepburn Springs Brewing Co, Lost Watering Hole, Rock and Ranges Brewing, Palling Bros Brewery, Shedshaker Brewing and Tooborac Beer. You’ll find it sold at all ten participating breweries and venues.
Harcourt Produce & General Store
Feeling hungry? Swing by Harcourt Produce & General Store for their Danish-inspired, house-made treats, like Danishes, pasties, pies and more. Pair it with a cup of coffee, or a local beer, wine or cider. Try the 2024 Harcourt Valley Winery cabernet shiraz. Donated by Harcourt Valley Vinyards, 100% of proceeds from this drink will go back into the Harcourt community.
📍115 Harmony Way, Harcourt VIC 3453
Harcourt Valley Vineyards
Their Cellar Door will be open from 11am to 5pm on Sunday February 22 for their weekly Sunday Summer Sessions. Relax with wine tastings, try Mexican bites, listen to chill beats and play games on the lawn. Keep an eye on the Harcourt Valley Vineyards social media for more details.
📍3339 Harmony Way, Harcourt VIC 3453
Sutton Grange Winery
Sutton Grange Winery will be open on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Visit their Cellar Door, enjoy a personalised wine tasting and graze on share plates like a cheese board or pizza.
📍44 Carnochans Rd, Sutton Grange VIC 3448
Blackjack Wines
Open every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm, Blackjack Wines offers free wine tastings at their cellar door.
📍3379 Harmony Way, Harcourt VIC 3453
The Little Red Apple
Harcourt is known for their apples, and if you’d like to try some for yourself, swing by The Little Red Apple. Open daily from 8am to 6pm, this little shop has plenty of apples, fruit and veg for you to try, as well as a range of cider, juice, vinegar, spirits and liqueurs from Harcourt Apples.
📍8795 Midland Hwy, Barkers Creek VIC 3451
To plan your visit to Harcourt, or find more ways to help, click here.