Hop Fest

Overview

Even if you've never been, Healesville Sanctuary is probably your happy place — it's full of adorable fluffy creatures, protects some of our important native Australian species and is located in a very peaceful part of the world.

In news to make your heart swell even more, the sanctuary is hosting its very first Hop Fest on the Melbourne Cup long weekend of November 3–6. The festival will celebrate the standout craft beers and ciders being brewed int the Yarra Valley, with local brewers pouring tastings of their best drops. The whole thing will take place amongst the native flora and fauna with live music happening throughout the weekend. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to meet some of the animals — like hip-clinging koalas — which will be out and about with their keepers.

There'll be a menu of street food-style snacks like sticky ribs and pulled pork tacos to help keep you going throughout the day. And, if you've outbeered yourself, head to the Chandon bar where a new classic Champagne cocktail will be poured each day.

The zoo opens at 9am and drinks will flow from 11am right through to 4pm. One-day tickets are going for $49, and include all your beer and cider tastings and unlimited pats of the sanctuary's cute creatures. All proceeds will go towards Zoos Victoria's efforts to save the nearly-extinct brush-tailed rock wallaby. Drinking for four days straight has never been for such a good cause.