Returning to Heathcote in April, Stars & Bars Music Festival is part country music festival, part mystery bus tour
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09.03.2023

Returning to Heathcote in April, Stars & Bars Music Festival is part country music festival, part mystery bus tour

Stars & Bars Festival 2022. Heathcote Palling Bros Brewery

The Trail Blazin', Star Gazin', Hell Raisin' Countrified Music Festival Concept returns to Heathcote on Saturday 22nd April, 2023.

Off the back of its trail-blazing inaugural outing in 2022, Stars & Bars Festival will be returning to Heathcote in 2023, bringing together a combination of amazingly talented artists, an exploration of Heathcote’s finest wine, beer, spirits, food and hospitality and some truly unique locales as the backdrop for this experiential festival event.

Essentially a hybrid of a country music festival, food and wine festival and regional bus tour, Stars & Bars Festival Heathcote will see punters take part in a whistle-stop tour of Heathcote and its surrounds featuring some of Victoria’s Biggest and Brightest stars on Saturday, April 22 2023.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Created by Lincon Boyd, the brains behind the beloved past NaranaFest, and offering a concept that stands out dramatically, this year’s newly minted edition returns with some fresh new locales, familiar favourites and a stellar handpicked lineup including the likes of The Seven Ups, Karl S. Williams, Leslie D. King & The Trembling Shakes, Jungle Jim Smith, Nathan Seeckts, Riley Catherall, Rhianna Fibbins & Pete Daly, representing everything from Alt-Country, Americana, Heavy Groove, Funk & Soul, Blues & Roots and Electric Jungle Boogaloo to soundtrack your sonic sojourn in Central Victoria.

As for where you’ll be heading, stops range from a 150-year-old pub Tooborac Hotel & Brewery to boutique small-batch wineries like Domain Asmara, Wren Estate and Condie Estate, with the final destination being Palling Bros Brewery, where you’ll enjoy an evening session in their recently expanded Beer Garden.

Building on from last year’s event, there are two ticket options up for grabs.

The first is the luxury bus tour, which will showcase all eight acts across five beautiful locales over 12 hours, from 10:30am to 10:30pm, with three free wine tastings sessions, afternoon tea and access to the evening session. Bus tour tickets are limited, and go for $100.

For those that can’t spend the whole day, there’s a secondary option to join the Festival at Palling Bros Brewery in the Beer Garden from 6pm – 11pm where you’ll witness four of the acts: The Seven Ups, Karl S. Williams, Leslie D. King & The Trembling Shakes, and Jungle Jim Smith. Enjoy a pre-show meal, sample some handcrafted beers or grab a Moon Dog Fizzer Seltzer from the Pop Up Bar. Evening tickets are just $40 with limited tickets available on the door on the night.

What better way could you spend the (almost) Anzac Day Long weekend than to leave the city behind and hit the road with an extended Stay-Cation? Relax with friends old and new, take some time to tune in, drop out and breathe in some of that rarefied country air.

With local accommodation options available in Heathcote, Stars & Bars have this year teamed up with Serenity of Heathcote, who offer outstanding glamping options allowing you to Unplug & Unwind on 65 secluded acres just minutes from the festival happenings. The nearby Heathcote Queen Meadow Caravan Park is also conveniently located right in the centre of town, a short walk to the Bus Tour pick up point and Palling Bros Brewery’s Evening Session.

Tickets for this Trail Blazin’, Star Gazin’, Hell Raisin’ Countrified Music Festival Concept are strictly limited so get in quick.

Find out more here