1. Is the Autumn Festival held in one location?
No – and this is the most common misconception. The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival is a region-wide thirty-day celebration spanning nine historic villages across the Macedon Ranges: Gisborne/New Gisborne, Macedon, Mount Macedon, Woodend, Kyneton, Malmsbury, Lancefield, Riddells Creek, Romsey.
Events, Food & Drink Trails, open gardens, markets, workshops, and experiences take place across the entire region, including at family-run vineyards, boutique distilleries, cafés, bakeries, galleries and farm gates.
It is not a single-site festival — it’s designed as a self-guided exploration and celebration of the Macedon Ranges throughout April.
2. What can visitors see and do during the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival?
Throughout 1–30 April 2026, visitors can experience:
- Australia’s biggest Pie & Tart Trail (50+ creations across multiple villages)
- The region-wide Tipple Trail with 37 signature autumn drinks available at cellar doors, breweries, distilleries, and hospitality venues.
- The Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail, including Forest Glade Gardens, Duneira Estate, Viewfield Garden
- Farmers & Artist Markets each weekend
- Foodie events, country pubs, tastings, Edgy Veg Awards, and seasonal menus
- Live music and cultural events such as the Closing Night ‘Harvest’
- Kids workshops, activities, and free entry to Kyneton Museum
- Wellness experiences, mushroom foraging, and forest bathing
- Open studios and art exhibitions
- Guided walks, picnics, Hanging Rock, and a country fair
- Self-guided nature walks and scenic drives, appreciating historic towns, botanic gardens, and autumn leaves throughout the Macedon Ranges
3. How do the Food & Drink Trails work?
The Pie & Tart Trail and Tipple Trail are self-guided seasonal tasting journeys.
- Visit participating venues across the nine villages and regional surrounds
- Order the designated festival item (pie, tart or signature drink).
- Collect a stamp on your festival Food & Drink Passport
- Explore as many locations as you like and at your own pace, across the month.
- For the Tipple Trail, plan ahead with a designated driver if needed, or explore town centres by foot.
- Take a photo of your completed Food & Drink Passport. Enter the Ultimate Autumn Festival Getaway Competition.
4. Where should I stay during the Autumn Festival?
Accommodation is spread across the region and includes boutique hotels and luxury escapes, vineyard and farm stays, country cottages and autumn gardens, motels and B&Bs, pet-friendly options, town-centre stays. Book early — April is peak season due to autumn colour and festival popularity. Accommodation listings are searchable via visitmacedonranges.com
5. How close is the Macedon Ranges to Melbourne?
If using Melbourne CBD as a starting point, most villages within the Macedon Ranges are easily less than an hour’s drive or just on an hour for those a bit further afield.
6. How do I plan my Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival itinerary?
The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival website makes it easy to plan a weekend, midweek escape or day trip from Melbourne.
On the website you can:
- View the full Autumn Festival event calendar
- View all the Pie & Tart Trail menu items, with over 50 to choose from!
- View all the Tipple Trail options, with 37 to choose from
- Download the Festival Food & Drink Trail Map & Passport
- Access the Colouring Competition for kids 12 and under
- Discover where to stay overnight
- Build your own multi-day itinerary, or reasons for repeat visits as every Festival week offers something different
- Find transport and accessibility information
7. Can I explore the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival on foot?
With nine historic villages to be discovered across the Macedon Ranges (Gisborne, Woodend, Riddells Creek, Romsey, Lancefield, Macedon, Mount Macedon, Kyneton, Malmsbury) visitors will find that most are great for walking, and are especially picturesque featuring both family-run businesses, historic building, and many participating venues ready to be discovered during the 2026 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival. View the Festival website to plan your exploration.
However, to explore multiple villages, wineries, distilleries, breweries, and gardens across the region, a car is recommended, along with a designated driver for the Tipple Trail.
8. Which Macedon Ranges towns have train stations?
Several villages are accessible via V/Line services from Melbourne (Southern Cross Station):
- Riddells Creek
- New Gisborne (Gisborne Train station) – approx. 4km walk to Gisborne town centre
- Macedon
- Woodend
- Kyneton
- Malmsbury
9. When Are Farmers & Artists Markets Taking Place?
Farmers and artist markets are generally taking place every weekend in the Macedon Ranges during the Autumn Festival, however this can vary, so check the What’s On calendar for details.
10. Do I need tickets to the Autumn Festival?
Many Autumn Festival activities and Food & Drink Trails are self-guided and don’t require tickets. You may need to book ahead at hospitality venues participating in Food & Drink Trails, along with the Edgy Veg Awards. However:
- Open gardens require entry fees
- Special dining events, activities, and workshops require bookings.
- Whilst not an actual ticket, you do need a Festival Passport & Map to be able to collect Food & Drink Trail stamps at Pie & Tart, or Tipple Trail venues. Four stamps make it possible to enter the Ultimate Autumn Festival Competition
Always check the individual event listing on the Autumn Festival website to help plan ahead.
11. Are businesses open on public holidays?
Trading hours vary, particularly on public holidays during April (including Easter and ANZAC Day). It is best to check individual business websites, social media, or call ahead, especially if:
- Travelling midweek
- Planning multiple stops in one day
- Travelling in a large group
- Visiting on public holidays
The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival spans many towns and independently-operated businesses. A bit of planning ahead goes a long way. Pre-purchasing tickets always helps, where applicable.
12. Is the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival family-friendly?
Families can enjoy:
- Outdoor gardens, events, markets, and picnics
- Scenic walks
- Casual dining options
- Autumn photography and nature exploration
- Kids workshops
- Free entry to Kyneton Museum
- Kids Colouring Competition
Most villages offer family-friendly cafés, playgrounds, and spaces.
13. Can I experience the Autumn Festival in one day?
You can certainly enjoy the Festival for a day — but to fully experience the gardens, trails, markets and villages, a weekend, multi-day stay, or repeat visit is recommended.
Because the festival is region-wide, spreading your visit across multiple days allows you to explore more villages and reduce travel time between stops.
14. Is there a central festival hub?
Your hub is the entire Macedon Ranges region. You really are choosing your own adventure throughout April, across nine historic villages and the surrounding countryside. The Woodend Visitor Information Centre serves as an Information Hub, and a location where you can collect Festival Maps, and seek travel advice. The Woodend Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days from 10am until 4pm including public holidays during the Autumn Festival 1-30 April.
15. Why is the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival held in April each year?
April delivers the best autumn experience inclusive of:
- Peak autumn leaf foliage and golden-leafed vineyards
- Cool, crisp weather ideal for walking
- Harvest season produce features at markets and within menus
- Open private gardens filled with autumn colour
- Fire-lit pubs and cellar doors
The combination of colour, food, wine and village charm makes the Macedon Ranges one of Australia’s most immersive autumn destinations.
16. Where Are the Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in the Macedon Ranges during the Autumn Festival?
Autumn colour can be found throughout the Macedon Ranges, particularly in established gardens, regional parks and village streetscapes. Here are some of the most rewarding public spaces to enjoy seasonal foliage, keeping in mind that although the Autumn Festival takes place 1-30 April, nature will decide when leaves change colour.
Kyneton
-Kyneton Botanical Gardens – Established European trees with dramatic seasonal colour.
-Piper Street heritage streetscape
-Campaspe River walking track
Malmsbury
-Malmsbury Botanic Gardens – Picturesque lake and mature deciduous trees.
-Historic bluestone viaduct surrounds
Mount Macedon
-Forest Glade Gardens – Iconic layered garden landscapes with intense reds and golds.
-Duneira Estate – Heritage plantings and curated vistas.
-Viewfield Open Garden – open April weekends/public holidays
-On weekends and public holidays in April, you can experience the Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail (Duneira, Forest Glade, Viewfield) which includes a complimentary shuttle with your pre-purchased ticket to any one of the gardens.
-Sanatorium Lake – Peaceful walking loop framed by autumn reflections.
-Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Reserve (note the cross itself is not currently accessible due to works)
Macedon
-Tree-lined village centre
-Scenic, winding country roads leading toward Macedon Regional Park and Mount Macedon
Woodend
-Woodend Avenue of Honour
-Five Mile Creek walking tracks
-High Street village precinct
Gisborne & New Gisborne
-Gisborne Botanic Gardens
-Jacksons Creek walking trails
-Tree-lined Aitken Street precinct
Lancefield, Romsey & Riddells Creek
-Lancefield Park and creek walks
-Romsey town centre
-Romsey Ecotherapy Park
-Lake Park & Viaduct Riddells Creek
-Surrounding rural drives with vineyard backdrops
17. Is there parking available for the Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail during the Autumn Festival? Can I get there by public transport?
Parking is extremely limited on Mount Macedon during this time, and parking restrictions are strictly enforced. To make your visit easier, a Complimentary Shuttle Bus is available with your garden entry ticket to either of Duneira Estate, Forest Glade, and Viewfield Gardens. The shuttle is available only on public holidays and weekends during April. Use of the provided shuttle is highly recommended, to ensure ease of access to the three participating Autumn Gardens along Mt Macedon Road. Children are free to all gardens and on the shuttle bus when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
In addition, and only on weekends and public holidays during April 2026, the complimentary garden shuttle buses will meet every train arriving at Macedon station from Melbourne or Bendigo from 10am until 5pm. Passengers are then taken to the bus hub at Centennial Park for the trip up Mt Macedon to the open gardens. At the end of their visit, the shuttles return people to Macedon train station.
Note – If you are planning to visit Duneira or Forest Glade on a regular mid-week open day during April (ie not a public holiday or weekend), then you do not need to pre-purchase your tickets, and on these days the complimentary shuttle is not available.
18. Where to park before using the Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail Shuttle Bus?
Park your car in the dedicated privately-run car park, located at the rear of the Macedon Church of Resurrection. Enter the car park off Mount Macedon Road (approximately 100 metres past the Honour Avenue intersection). Please note that parking fees apply.
18. Is Honour Avenue in Macedon part of the Autumn Festival?
No, Honour Avenue in Macedon is not part of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival program. Honour Avenue is a residential street and a recognised Memorial Avenue of Honour, established to commemorate service personnel. It is a place of remembrance and community significance. Those who still choose to proceed with a visit, are asked to:
- Respect its memorial status
- Show consideration towards residents, their driveway access, and their properties
- Not to photograph, video, or access private properties
- Avoid unsafe stopping or parking
- Follow all road rules
- Pedestrians must always give way to oncoming traffic
- Throughout April, on weekends and public holidays changed traffic conditions will be in place, please always follow the instructions of traffic management personnel and follow the road rules
- Instead, consider visiting designated public gardens, parks, and town centres for seasonal autumn leaf colour across the nine villages of the Macedon Ranges. The Mount Macedon Autumn Garden Trail offers excellent autumn leaves within three enchanting private gardens.
The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival celebrates the entire region, and there are many appropriate public spaces to enjoy autumn colour without impacting residential streets or memorial sites.
19. How Do I Plan My Visit to the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival
Use the Autumn Festival website https://www.visitmacedonranges.com/autumn-festival/ to:
- View the full event calendar
- Shortlist your favourite Food & Drink Trail menu items
- Discover accommodation
- Design your own multi-day itinerary
- Check transport details
The website is your central planning tool for navigating this region-wide celebration.
Lastly, and before travelling to the 2026 Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival:
✔ Check the visitmacedonranges.com/autumn-festival/ What’s On calendar and hospitality venue trading times for Food & Drink Trails
✔ Book accommodation early
✔ Plan transport between villages and a designated driver along the Tipple Trail
✔ Allow time to wander. The magic of autumn is often unplanned and found between scheduled stops
The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival 2026 is not just an event — it’s a 30-day invitation to explore nine villages, dozens of family-run businesses, and one of Australia’s most breathtaking autumn landscapes.
