GENERAL
What are the festival dates and times?
Saturday 4 May, 2019 10:00am – 5:30pm (all pre-paid tickets can enter from 9:30am)
Sunday 5 May, 2019 10:00am – 4:30pm
Where is the festival located?
Halls Gap Recreation Reserve | Cnr of Grampians & Mount Victory Roads, Halls Gap VIC 3381
TICKETS
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Maybe. We urge all patrons to pre-purchase their tickets online for the following reasons:
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- Ticket sold like “hot cakes” in 2018 (forgive the food pun) and Saturday was at capacity, Sunday proving very popular as well, so it is likely that Saturday and Weekend ticket allocations will be mostly pre-paid.
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- Only patrons with pre-paid tasting tickets can be guaranteed a polycarbonate stemless tumbler
- Pre-purchasing tickets helps any event (including ours) remain sustainable, so we can plan and deliver the best event possible
- There could be long queues for walk up ticket sales, especially in the morning
- If you pre-purchase, you can even collect your wristband, bag, tumbler and program on the Friday from the Halls Gap Information Centre, avoiding queues all together!!! (scroll down below for more)
- Space is limited and we’d really hate for you to ever have to miss out
- Pre-paying gets you into our database and access to early bird specials, competitions, festival news and more
What is the difference between the General Admission and Tasting Tickets?
All Tasting Tickets include a souvenir polycarbonate stemless tumbler and free wine, beer & cider tastings until 3:30pm daily. Think 40 cellar door experiences in one festival! Yikes.
Tasting Ticket holders also get free access to the Cloakroom and Winestore service.
General Admission tickets do not receive free wine tastings and are ideal for designated drivers or people that know what type of wine, beer or cider they’d like to buy by the glass or bottle. We find many patrons who purchase a General Admission ticket upgrade at the gate to a Tasting Ticket, and that is also possible.
Can I upgrade at the gate to a Tasting Ticket or Weekend Pass?
Absolutely. Please head to the Pre-Paid Ticket line and our amazingly good looking volunteers will arrange that for you. If you are a weekend tasting ticket holder, don’t forget to bring back your tumbler on the Sunday to continue to enjoy tastings as these will not be replaced.
Can I collect my Wristband (and stuff) on Friday for quicker festival access on Saturday?
Yes You Can! …on Friday 3rd May from 4:00pm – 5:30pm from the Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre (located at the top end of the shops opposite the Main Playground in town). You will need to bring your ticket for scanning and a GGE G-Force Member will be there to answer any questions.
Don’t forget to bring your tumbler to the festival as you will need it for tastings, and your wristband must stay on for the duration of your festival visit.
Can I get a refund?
GGE does not offer refunds or exchanges because you have changed your mind (but why would one ever want to do that hey!) or as a result of a change in your personal circumstances.
GGE is an all weather event and will only offer a refund, partial refund or exchange if the event is cancelled, rescheduled or significantly relocated or to the extent otherwise required by law (including the Australian Consumer Law). Please click here for our ticket refund & ticket cancellation policy / conditions of entry.
What about kids tickets?
Kids under five are FREE. Kids aged 6 to 17 are $15.00 for the weekend. #cheapas
What happens if I loose my wristband / tumbler?
Now, now…don’t go doing that will you 😉
Your wristband is water / tamper proof and needs to stay on for the duration of your time at the festival. Lost wristbands and tumblers are like cash, but will be treated on a case-by-case basis at the Information Marquee.
Will I need an age verification wristband?
Depends on how many years young you might look. Most would find this flattering and Age Verification wristbands will be available from Security/Information Desk where required.
Remember to bring your tickets (printed or digital) and bring plenty of cash to stock up on wonderful wine and produce for the year (there is also an ATM onsite).
WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO THAT WEEKEND?
There are many things to do while you are in town for the festival. Stay tuned for more details on weekend events or follow our facebook page.
AT THE FESTIVAL
ATM Facilities
Yes, we do have ATM facilities but we also suggest that you bring a little cash with you. Small transaction fees will apply.
GGE Program
The program will be available so you can prepare yourself for a Grape Escape and map out the masterclasses, workshops and activities you’d like to experience, which artists you want to hear, which wine you’d like to taste and more. You will receive one of these in your festival enviro bag and it will be available online a couple of weeks out from the event.
Lost Property
Any lost property handed in will be available to collect from the Festival Information Marquee until 11am on Monday morning.
Mothers Day
Mother’s Day is the weekend after GGE and what better place to shop up than at Grampians Grape Escape! Look for the red heart for Mother’s Day gift ideas and packs and then make a card in the Little Foodies Tent. Sorted! #cheerstomum #cheerstofun
No Smoking
We want to smell the delights of food, wine and produce so GGE is again a smoke-free event. Pass outs are available to the designated smoking area.
Parents Room / Family Facilities
Mums and dads, take advantage of the parents room set with change facilities, microwave, high chairs and family toilets next to the Little Foodies Tent. For those small cuts and bruises, we also have first aid onsite.
TAC Festival Survival Space
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) will be on site throughout the weekend with plenty of cool stuff to do in their ‘Towards Zero Festival Survival Space’, including free breath tests so you can plan your way home. Legends!
Can I bring my dog / pet?
Whilst we love our furry friends, we ask that you leave your pooch or any animals at home. There are special considerations only for assistance dogs.
Can I bring in food / water?
Nah, sorry…we’d love you to buy breakfast, lunch and/or dinner with our foodies so these yummy businesses come back next year…but you can bring a bottle of sealed water!
Free drinking water is available onsite / bags may be checked by security upon arrival.
What can / can’t I bring to the event?
While some festival seating is available, patrons are encourage bring their own Table (nothing bigger than a card table); Folding Chair and Picnic Blanket. Patrons cannot bring a tent, market umbrella or marquee to the festival.
This is also a No BYO event.
What To Wear
As much as we’ve tried to get her to join the GGE crew, we have no command over Mother Nature. We celebrate rain, hail or shine, so layer up, party shoes and all, as wine is to be enjoyed in all weather!
Will there be Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free options?
Yup. Many of our exhibitors offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Should you have a more specific dietary requirements and have concerns, please contact hello@grampiansgrapeescape.com.au.
Workshops
Experience our all-new TICKETED WORKSHOPS! Whether you’ve booked a festival ticket already or haven’t, these are open to purchase and have been carefully designed so there is something for everyone. Upgrade here when on sale.
#trythenbuy #stopandshop
Grampians Grape Escape is a not-for-profit community festival created to drive tourism to the region and support local producers and businesses. The impact of your ticket is far reaching as is a shop up at the festival so be sure to #trythenbuy and #stopandshop!
We’d love these hashtags to become part of your #vocab for the greater good of all locally owned businesses, no matter where the location.
Wine Store / Cloak Room
Keep your hands free for grazing and store your festival purchases at our Winestore. Tasting Ticket holders have free access to this service, otherwise it is just $5. Best of all, purchases can be kept there until Monday morning (don’t worry, we won’t drink them).
You can event Cloak your jacket, camping chair, card table overnight too with us for $5! That way you don’t have to bring them to the Halls Gap Hotel for their LIVE Sessions! The kids on the other hand, you’ve got to take with you 😉
ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT
Accommodation
Looking for accommodation close by – check out availability here. Otherwise, the Grampians region boasts over 5000 beds in the region and Christians have buses going from surrounding regional centres. See below for more details.
Parking
Limited parking is available at the Recreation Reserve and we encourage you to enjoy responsibly and take advantage of the bus and shuttle services.
Disabled parking is available in close proximity to the Festival entrance.
Halls Gap Shuttle Bus
A shuttle bus service will be available around Halls Gap. Click here for details.
Regional Bus Transfers (outside of Halls Gap)
Christians Bus Co are running bus services from the surrounding towns. Click here for details.
Visit the Grampians
Plan your getaway and spend a few more days in the region. Discover what’s on and where to stay here.
2020 FESTIVAL DATES
Start planning for 2020 and secure your accommodation for 2nd-3rd May 2020.
Enjoy your 2019 GRAMPIANS GRAPE ESCAPE and stay connected on our Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter and get involved using #ggefest #trythenbuy #stopandshop
