When you think of Apollo Bay, you might picture bright summer days on the beach. But, this town has a different side during the off season. Embrace the dark beauty of winter in the Otways, and enjoy a festival of fiery feasts, masterclasses, performances and more at WinterWild. Surrounded by rainforest and ocean, this festival is all about celebrating the winter elements. Head to Gadubanud Country in Apollo Bay on the last weekend of winter, and enjoy three days of art, music, food and fire. WinterWild will run from Friday August 25 to Sunday August 27.
What can you expect at WinterWild?
Friday
The festival will kick off with a Welcome to Country from Eastern Marr Aboriginal Corporation, followed by free performances from contemporary First Nations artists, like Wemba-Wemba rapper RidzyRay.
For more music, head to the Apollo Bay Mechanics Institute Hall, and listen to rock performer and songwriter Jen Cloher, disco-infused space-pop from Zoë Fox and the Rocket Clocks, Apollo Bay’s singer songwriter Sid O’Neil and indie-jazz five-piece band Outtatime.
Meanwhile, the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse will have a night of free music with 80s legends Inked Factor, who will play their blend of post-punk and prog-surf rock.
If food is what you’re looking for, head to Graze and take part in a six-course degustation. Feast your way through the best produce of the region, including free-range venison, Otway Pork, Warrnambool lamb and local wine.
For something more mystical, pop into The Project Space for an evening of tarot and tapas. Join a tarot beginner class, sip on mulled wine, experience an individual tarot evening and more.
Saturday
Rug up and share a meal around blazing fire pits at The Wild Feast on the Apollo Bay Foreshore. Next to the ocean, you’ll heat up with hearty dishes like paella, smoked meats, pasta, local seafood and more. There’s mulled wine to sip on, as well as craft beer and cocktails. During the evening, there will be live music from Leslie D. King and the Trembling Shakes.
After sunset, stick around for The DogWatch. This large-scale outdoor performance features local artists, performers, dancers and musicians. Watch them perform around the Festival Brazier, and feel amazed by fire, pyrotechnics, movement and song.
Take part in a Low and Slow BBQ Masterclass at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse. Learn all about BBQ cooking methods, meat trimming and fire and temperature management. Feast on brisket, lamb shoulder, pork ribs, reverse-seared steak and more.
Plunge into the winter chill with ice bathing and breath workshops. Find the fire within and reconnect with yourself in this immersive experience, led by Mark Kluwer.
Head to the Apollo Bay Sailing Club and say farewell to winter at Moongarden. Dance under the stars and listen to alternative electronic artists.
Sunday
Join The Midnight Horrors and start your day with a surreal tour of the birds of Apollo Bay. This arcane bird walk covers the creatures that are living, dead, mythological and extinct.
Take part in a coffee making masterclass at Apollo Bay Distillery. Learn about the origins of the coffee beans, the art of roasting, and the process of creating blends. During the class, you’ll try treats from the oven and sample a variety of coffees.
Listen to concert pianist Estelle Shircore Barker perform on the grand piano in an intimate house setting before she jets off to Europe.
And finally, go on a two-hour journey and discover the layers of Apollo Bay’s past, present and future in Heart Maps: Down the Line, an ambulatory audio adventure.
For more details about the WinterWild program, including times, dates and ticket prices, click here.