Port Fairy Winter Weekends 2019

Overview

Forget the idea that Port Fairy is a purely summery destination. The small town on the Princes Highway may be best known for its beach, but thanks to its annual winter festivities there's still plenty to do when it gets chilly. From art installations and photography exhibitions to markets and toy-making workshops — plus the feverishly anticipated Dachshund Dash that attracts more than 2000 spectators — Port Fairy Winter Weekends are well worth the drive down the coast.

Taking place every second weekend throughout June and July, Winter Weekends will showcase a mix of food, wine, art, culture… and sausage dogs. Did we mention the sausage dogs? They'll be pumping their tiny, adorable legs on Sunday, June 9 — although not before a dog's breakfast and the grand doggo parade.

Other standout events include bathing more than 15 colonial cottages and 19th-century villas in light as part of an illuminated installation, a country pub crawl, a mad hatter's tea party, gin and whisky tastings, a Labyrinth screening complete with a dress-up shindig, hot wine paired with cool jazz, and ghost tales in a cemetery. Anyone willing to brave the early morning cold can also take part in the Winter Solstice Dawn Swim first thing on Sunday, June 23.

Port Fairy Winter Weekends will run on June 7–9, June 21–23, July 5–7 and July 19–21.