Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

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Food & DrinkMelbourne
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration10 daysListed event span
CrowdLargeAbout 225,840 people
Best forRegional food & drinkThe World's Longest Lunch is a genuinely
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: AUD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in Melbourne

Founded in 1993 by advertising executive Peter Clemenger, Melbourne's flagship food event runs throughout March with tastings, masterclasses and long-table dining across the city and wine regions. Its centrepiece, the World's Longest Lunch, has grown from 400 diners at the MCG in 1993 to more than 1,500 guests seated along a 600-metre table in the Kings Domain gardens each year.

Advertising executive Peter Clemenger established the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 1993 as a deliberate act of civic optimism, launched partly in response to the economic downturn that followed Melbourne's unsuccessful bid for the 1996 Olympic Games and the broader recession of the early 1990s.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The World's Longest Lunch is a genuinely singular event: a single continuous outdoor table stretching roughly 600 metres, seating well over a thousand diners at once under a menu designed by a different high-profile chef every year

02

The mystery stays covered

Few food festivals anywhere attempt logistics at that scale for a single sit-down meal

03

The city starts moving

The festival's origin as a response to economic hardship rather than pure tourism promotion gives it a civic-pride dimension that distinguishes it from purely commercial food events, and its month-long spread across both the city and Victoria's wine regions lets visitors combine an urban festival experience with a regional wine touring trip

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The World's Longest Lunch

Water and renewal

Living ritual

seating well over a thousand guests along a single outdoor table with a menu designed by a different chef each year

The sacred route

Living ritual

is the festival's signature recurring tradition and its most photographed event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Melbourne you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Dress smart-casual for ticketed dining events like the World's Longest Lunch, and bring a light layer for outdoor evening events as March temperatures cool after sunset.

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Melbourne Food and Wine Festival does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

AUD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.81 S, 144.96 EOpen in Google Maps

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Nearest airportMEL — Melbourne
TransportStay close enough to the part of Melbourne you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Melbourne Food and Wine Festival does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Melbourne via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Melbourne, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearDress smart-casual for ticketed dining events like the World's Longest Lunch, and bring a light layer for outdoor evening events as March temperatures cool after sunset.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Australia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Melbourne Food and Wine Festival?

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is listed for Past edition: 20–29 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Melbourne Food and Wine Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Melbourne, Australia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

10 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

How big is it?

Large: 225840

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmelbournefoodandwine.com.au
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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