Event date - 27 March to 28 March 2026.
Lake Bolac, in the Western District of Victoria, Australia, is sacred to the First Nations people of the area.
For tens of thousands of years, it has hosted a large gathering of clans for the eel season.
There, clans met for special and important business, especially the exchange of ceremony and lore, trading of goods, and marriage celebrations.
Today, the Lake Bolac Eel Festival, which recognises this historic gathering, attracts people from all walks of life out on to country to gather by the shores of the lake to share, learn, remember and celebrate.
The festival is held every two years in the autumn and reflects the season when the eels traditionally begin their migration to the open ocean to spawn.
From 2005 to 2014 the festival was held annually and since 2016 biennially. The festival is relaxed and friendly offering plenty to engage people all ages.
Date: 17/07/2026
Come an enjoy the excitement of the 102nd running of the Mildura Cup !
Our racing is that bit more relaxed, more fun, and more connected, with 8 live local races, with all the Racing action on the Big Screens.
Fashions on the Field will again be a highlight of the meeting, with over $4,000 in prizes.
Courtesy Buses will again be available, please see further details below.
Come and support the local community and enjoy the up-close racing action that you'll only get in the country. Whether you are looking for country casual or a catered experience, there are packages to suit everybody!
The Dunne Pavilion will be open to the public!
The festival has grown into an award-winning event in Western Victoria over the years, which is always held on the last Saturday in February.
When first established, the festival sought to bring the past, present and future of the region together. The already well-established timber industry has been a part of the region since the 1860s and continues today. This is represented by the focus on wood. For wine, this highlights the growing number of vineyards on the outskirts of town, with wine now becoming a big part of our local culture.
Roses are also big in the Heywood area, in particular thanks to the world-renowned Treloar’s Rose Farm. In addition, 600 roses have been planted in the main street area by our local garden club. With all three of wood, wine and roses represented, the festival captures a big part of our local community.