Stars & Bars Heathcote is an excursion of locales and live music

Strap in - Heathcote’s two-day star-gazing winery and brewery pilgrimage soundtracked by the stomping heels is back.

Stars & Bars Heathcote returns to the Central Victorian town across the weekend of Friday 17 April and Saturday 18 April 2026 for a certified, countrified collision of cold brews, uncorked bottles, and untamed trail blazin’ talent. It’s wild western fun with a flavour-filled palette that is world-class. 

Saddle up to explore the humble hospitality stops, the mystical pool of music talent, and the fail-safe concept that keeps Stars & Bars Heathcote rollin’.    

Stars & Bars Heathcote

When: Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April

Where: Various venues across Heathcote

Keep connected to your live music scene here.

 

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Concept

At its heart, Stars & Bars is a magical mystery music tour meets winery and brewery adventure, a celebration of Central Victoria’s Goldfields charm, extraordinary local hospitality, and a deep dive into Australia’s roots and alt-country sounds. With its fifth edition, the festival promises more star-studded lineups, three brand-new venues, and a curated journey that keeps punters moving, tasting, and grooving from morning tastings to the Golden Hour’s last set. Whether it’s the mainstreet Family Dinner, the guided bus tour of vineyards, or the evening session under twinkling lights, the concept is simple: great music, great drinks, and the freedom and accessibility to explore the region in true Stars & Bars style.

Locales

Whilst the stars shine ever so brightly both overhead in the uninterrupted sky and on the stage, Stars & Bars backbone is the Locales that welcome punters with open arms. 2026 has a lineup of venues both old and new to fill the belly. From breweries to wineries, and beer gardens, the Stars & Bars tour takes you into the heart of Heathcote’s hospitality. 

 

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The Watering Hole Heathcote – Friday Night Family Dinner

A welcoming wine and gin bar in the heart of town, The Watering Hole mixes indoor comfort with a sun-drenched courtyard. Known for boutique regional wines and a seasonal menu spotlighting local produce, it is the perfect spot to kick off the festival. Live music on the purpose-built stage transforms the space into a vibrant meeting point for locals and travellers alike.

Redesdale Hotel – Early Lunch & Beergarden Performance

This historic bluestone pub, dating to the 1850s, offers hearty pub fare, independent beers, and an authentic sense of place. Inside, open fireplaces and timber interiors invite relaxation, while the beer garden extends the experience. The Redesdale Hotel has welcomed generations of shearers, farmers, and touring musicians, and lore has it even Ned Kelly, making it a cornerstone of Heathcote’s cultural and culinary life.

Sanguine Estate – Cellar Door & Vineyard Performance

Perched among Heathcote’s famed red soils, Sanguine Estate is a boutique winery producing award-winning Shiraz, Cabernet blends, and whites such as Chardonnay and Fiano. The family-run estate offers relaxed seated tastings with curated cheese and charcuterie, while the rolling vineyard backdrop hosts an intimate, cellar door music session, blending flavour and sight in perfect harmony.

Munari Wines – Golden Hour Afternoon Tea

Munari Wines, a family-owned vineyard at the base of Mt Ida, is celebrated for bold, expressive wines grown on complex Cambrian soils. The Afternoon Tea set paired with live music in the vineyard captures the region’s unique terroir, offering a sensory experience of both taste and sound as the day drifts into evening.

Palling Bros Brewery – Evening Session

Heathcote’s original brewer, Palling Bros, crafts artisan beers and fine dining, all brewed on-site. The large, dog-friendly beer garden hosts the festival’s closing session, complemented by a pop-up cocktail bar from Envy Distilling. It’s a convivial setting for sampling local craft beverages, soaking up live music, and sharing in the camaraderie that defines Stars & Bars.

Artists

Stars & Bars 2026 promises a sonic journey as varied and immersive as the region itself. Over two days, audiences will traverse a musical landscape that stretches from the earthy twang of alt-country to the swirling textures of psych-infused rock, all delivered by a handpicked roster of Australia’s most compelling roots, folk, and bluegrass acts. Each performance feels like an invitation to step into a story, a place, or a fleeting moment under the wide, uninterrupted sky of Central Victoria.

 

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Your eclectic, soul-shaking lineup is:

O.R.B. — Geelong’s psychedelic power trio delivers earthy, fuzzed-out grooves that sprawl freely across the stage.
Immigrant Union — Melbourne’s alt-country folksters offer dreamy, melodic soundscapes, weaving together folk, psychedelia, and Americana.
Bud Rokesky — Queensland-born storyteller, translating life’s introspection into poignant, deeply observed songs.
The High Street Drifters — Victoria’s bluegrass ensemble, with breakneck instrumentals and harmonies rooted in local landscapes.
Acid Arrow — A Naarm/Melbourne duo conjuring outlaw country with a psychedelic edge.
Elly McK & The Unbelievers — Melbourne’s alt-country quartet, combining soulful vocals and dynamic instrumentation.
Grim Fawkner, Alister Turrill, Matt Bourke, Leslie D. King — Stars & Bars favourites reunite for a special in-the-round performance.
DJ Chunky Love — Geelong’s party maestro spins vintage rock, punk, and dancefloor favourites across Friday and Saturday night sessions.

From sunrise tastings to the evening crescendo, each artist adds a unique brushstroke to the festival’s vivid musical landscape.

Ticketing

 

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Stars & Bars Heathcote tickets are designed to suit every festival-goer. Explore your options below:

Ticket One – The Heathcote Express Bus Tour

Saturday 18 April, 2026 | 10:30am – 10:30pm | $145 + bf
Locales: Redesdale Hotel, Sanguine Estate, Munari Wines, Palling Bros Brewery
Inclusions: Guided bus tour to four locales, two wine tastings, complimentary afternoon tea, entry to the Evening Session
Featured Artists: O.R.B., Immigrant Union, Bud Rokesky, The High Street Drifters, Acid Arrow, Elly McK & The Unbelievers, special guest DJ Chunky Love

Ticket Two – Friday Night Family Dinner

Friday 17 April, 2026 | 7:00pm – 10:30pm | $15 + bf (Limited door sales $20)
Locales: The Watering Hole Heathcote
Inclusions: Entry to live music performance; dinner at ticket-holder’s discretion
Featured Artists: Grim Fawkner, Alister Turrill, Matt Bourke, Leslie D. King, special guest DJ Chunky Love

Ticket Three – Evening Session

Saturday 18 April, 2026 | 6:00pm – 11:00pm | $40 + booking fee
Locales: Palling Bros Brewery
Inclusions: Pre-show meal, craft beers and seltzers, cocktails from Envy Distilling Pop-Up Bar
Featured Artists: O.R.B., Immigrant Union, Bud Rokesky, special guest DJ Chunky Love

Tickets are available via Oztix. Early purchase is recommended as spaces are limited.