There’s a new festival on the block in Gippsland, and it’s set to celebrate everything this vibrant region does best.
Celebrating all that the region has to offer, the inaugural Eat Drink Play Gippsland is coming to Leongatha this spring on Saturday, October 18, transforming the historic Railway Precinct into a buzzing hub of flavour, music, and community spirit.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the inaugural Eat Drink Play Gippsland festival come to life,” South Gippsland Shire Council mayor, John Schelling said.
“This event is a celebration of our region’s talented producers, makers and creatives, and a really great opportunity to showcase everything we have to offer.
“From world-class wine and food, music and culture, it’s a chance for locals and visitors alike to experience Gippsland’s offerings and hospitality in one unforgettable weekend. South Gippsland Shire Council is proud to support an event that shines a spotlight on our region and brings our community together in such a vibrant celebration at the terrific Leongatha Railway precinct.”
Supported by the Victorian Government through its Regional Events Fund, this full-day celebration will spotlight Gippsland’s exceptional food, drink and creative culture through a dynamic two-part program.
A true community effort, it’s driven by local organisations including South Gippsland Shire Council, Destination Gippsland, and Wine Gippsland, while being brought to life by Dan Sims, the brains behind Pinot Palooza and Mould, as well as The Hills Are Alive Group, run by lifelong locals Aidan and Rhett McLaren.
By day, Eat Drink brings the beloved Eat Drink Gippsland guide to life with a vibrant celebration of the region’s top producers.
Guests will receive a festival tote, tasting glass and event guide on arrival before sipping, sampling, and shopping their way through Gippsland’s best wines, cheeses, spirits, ciders and seasonal fare.
Expect delicious bites from local favourites like Trulli, Hogget Kitchen and Messmates, plus pours from standout winemakers including Fleet, The Wine Farm, Dirty Three, Patrick Sullivan, Xavier Wine and Lightfoot Wines.
Gurneys Cider, Loch Distillery, and Sailors Grave Brewing will also feature, alongside dairy delights from Gippsland Jersey, Prom Country Cheese, and Loch Cheese Merchant.
With live music from Misty Harlowe, Janie Gordon, Jungle Jim Smith and more, plus food pairings and meet-the-maker chats, it’s a full-day taste of the region.
As the sun sets, the precinct transforms into a vibrant evening festival with Play, an open-air music celebration featuring two major Australian acts including the inimitable Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Emma Donovan performing Take Me To The River, a tribute to timeless soul classics, alongside Gippsland’s own rising star, Steph Strings. Get ready to dance under the stars as local flavours keep flowing from on-site bars and food stalls.
To round out the weekend for visitors, festivities will kick off on Friday night with Ella Hooper performing her spellbinding Linda Ronstadt tribute show at Meeniyan Town Hall hosted by Lyrebird Arts Council which will set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Then on Sunday, visitors can explore even more of the region with a line-up of bonus events across neighbouring towns, including porchetta and pinot back at Trulli, banh mi and beats at Fleet Wines, and cider-fuelled fun at Gurneys.
Alistair Hicks, president of Wine Gippsland, said the region’s producers were excited to co-develop this new festival.
“It’s a rare opportunity to bring in everyone from across this huge region, to share our wine and food stories collectively with visitors. We’re looking forward to showing why Gippsland has gained a reputation as Australia’s most exciting wine region,” he said.With thousands expected to attend from across Victoria and beyond, Eat Drink Play Gippsland will deliver a meaningful boost for small businesses, accommodation providers, and tourism operators throughout the region.
