Stars and Bars: The epic part winery/brewery tour, part magical mystery bus ride returns

Going up the country, experience a countrified combo of amazingly talented artists, legendary Locales while exploring the region's finest wine, beer, spirits and food as well as that famous Heathcote hospitality.

THE CONCEPT

Stars & Bars Festival rides again as the epic festival; part winery/brewery tour, part magical mystery musical bus tour, returns to Heathcote this Anzac Day long weekend.

The locales are much more than just pubs and wineries; they’re immersive spaces with stories to tell, ideally suited for musical performances boasting indoor/outdoor stages with stunningly serene vistas.

Explore Heathcote and surrounds and discover the Union Hotel Heathcote, Axedale Tavern, Tellurian Wines, Shiraz Republic, Cornella Brewery and Palling Bros Brewery. 

Soundtrack your sonic sojourn in Central Victoria’s heartland with The Drunken Poachers, Bog Log III, Mightiest Of Guns, Karl S. Williams & Sally Wiggins, Ezra Lee & His Boogie Woogie Band, Annie-Rose Maloney, Paper Jane, Ally Row + special guest DJ Chunky Love. 

With ample time to slow down the pace of this year’s journey, we’re going up the country for a real long weekender this Autumn. Explore Heathcote as you roadtrip the highways, byways and everything in between to and from your favourite annual Central Victorian stay-cation destination.

Heathcote offers a wide variety of accommodation options from motels, country caravan parks, bed & breakfasts, glamping to rustic farmstays taking in the great outdoors. Regardless of your needs and travel style, Heathcote has got you covered! 

Buy the ticket, take the ride…

 

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THE LOCALES

Each of these hand-picked locales offers more than just a backdrop—they bring their own unique stories, flavours and atmosphere to the Stars & Bars Festival experience. So, grab a drink, find a seat, and let the music guide your weekend in Central Victoria’s heartland!

The Union Hotel Heathcote

A true Heathcote institution, The Union Hotel is where history meets hospitality. Known for its hearty counter meals, selection of local beers and wine and warm country charm, this is the perfect spot to kick off Stars & Bars with the Friday Night Family Dinner. The indoor beer garden stage will transform into an alt-country/rockabilly blues bar, setting the tone for a weekend of great music, food, and fun.

Axedale Tavern

Tucked away in the scenic township of Axedale, this rustic gem is the ideal place to settle in for a midday matinee of live music. The menu delivers classic pub fare with a touch of country flair, while the laid-back beer garden provides the perfect setting to soak in the sounds of Stars & Bars. Cold beers, hearty meals, and a warm welcome – Axedale Tavern is the definition of country hospitality.

 

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Tellurian Wines

A must-visit for wine lovers, Tellurian Wines showcases the very best of Heathcote’s renowned Shiraz. Perched on the red Cambrian soils of Mt Camel, this family-run winery pairs stunning vineyard views with award-winning organic wines. The modern cellar door is a perfect escape for a relaxed tasting session, offering a sip of Heathcote’s rich terroir with every glass. Tellurian Cellar Door offers cheese and charcuterie platters sourced from local producers to perfectly pair with wines on tasting for a mid-afternoon session on Tellurian’s deck.

Shiraz Republic & Cornella Brewery

Where fine wine meets craft beer, Shiraz Republic and Cornella Brewery deliver the best of both worlds. This 25-acre vineyard and brewery serves up bold Shiraz, refreshing lagers and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for kicking back with live music as Golden Hour strikes. Whether you’re sipping a glass of red among the vines or cracking open a cold tinnie, this is a must-visit stop on the Stars & Bars trail. Bonus: onsite cabins make it easy to turn any visit to Cornella into a full-blown staycation.

Palling Bros Brewery

A brewery with deep roots in Heathcote’s Goldfields history, Palling Bros brings a legendary brewing tradition back to life. With an on-site brewery pumping out tasty handcrafted ales and a lively beer garden ready for good times, this is a paradise for craft beer lovers. Expect a mix of locally brewed classics, an ever-changing menu of seasonal pours, and a dog-friendly, music-filled atmosphere that makes every visit a celebration. The Evening Session at Palling Brothers is the final stop in your epic whistle-stop tour of Heathcote. 

 

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THE ARTISTS

 

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The Drunken Poachers are a Melbourne-based band known for their high-energy blend of bluegrass, folk, and country return to Heathcote after their crowd-favourite turn at last year’s festival. A reputation for lively performances filled with foot-stomping drinking songs and covers of traditional tunes. 

Bob Log III is an American slide guitar one-man band based in Tucson, Arizona, and Melbourne, whose show has been described as a blues punk guitar dance party.  Equipped with old Silvertone archtop guitars, wearing a full-body human cannonball suit and a helmet wired to a telephone receiver, which allows him to devote his hands and feet to guitar and drums as a one-man blues explosion. 

Mightiest Of Guns are a country band from Melbourne playing a dark, slacker country style infused with themes of desperation and outlaw folklore. Their music explores the dreams and follies of the downtrodden across genre-twisting releases which equal their menacing onstage presence. 

Karl S. Williams and Sally Wiggins make music that is steeped in delta blues, gospel and old-time folk, with poetic sensibilities that call to mind the classic singer-songwriters of yesteryear. With a voice that sounds about a thousand years old, Karl moves between guitar, piano and banjo while Sally holds it down on the kit with mesmerising rhythms drawn from her wealth of jazz and Afro influences. 

Ezra Lee is a dynamic Australian singer, songwriter, and pianist known for his high-energy performances and retro sound. Specializing in rockabilly, boogie-woogie, and blues, Ezra draws inspiration from the classic rock ‘n’ roll era. Having shared stages with icons like Jerry Lee Lewis and Wanda Jackson, Lee’s music blends vintage influences with a contemporary edge. 

Annie-Rose Maloney blends folk and indie elements with raw emotional depth. Her recent single, I Run From Pain, showcases a hauntingly intimate sound, combining delicate guitar melodies with her distinct vocals. Annie-Rose will be joined by longtime collaborator Jess Ellwood performing as a duo. 

Ally Row are a Gunaikurnai/Gippsland-based indie pop-folk rock duo breaking the barriers of genres with toe-tapping yet emotive music. Together, Alice Fitzgerald and Rowan Sizer comprise a two-piece creating a powerful synergy with heartfelt memorable originals that will get you dancing. 

Paper Jane the band are the “succulent Chinese meal” of Melbourne Americana. An original Central Victorian Americana band originating just down the road from Heathcote in Riddells Creek, featuring wooden sonic tones and fragile unprocessed voices. 

DJ Chunky Love Geelong’s Very Own international super star DJ  hails from the Mean Streets known as postcode 3219. The Eastside Massive be playing all your favourite vintage vinyl Classic Rock & Roll Hits & Memories, Powerful Punk & Ballsy Blues as well as a smattering of Guaranteed Dancefloor Fillers.

Tickets are on sale now – head here! Check out all that Heathcote has to offer while you’re at it, all the goodies here!

words by staff writer