Getting To Newstead Racecourse
Newstead is a thriving town in Central Victoria.
It is about 1.5 hours north-west of Melbourne, 15 minutes from Castlemaine and close to Maldon, Maryborough, Daylesford and 45 minutes from Bendigo.
By Bicycle:
Arrive at the Village Winter Festival by bicycle and get a free drink. Plus you’ll get the best park!
By Car or Motorbike:
The festival site is easily accessible by private transport. Parking is free and plentiful, but please car pool. If you are looking for a lift, or can offer one, please complete this carpooling form.
By public transport:
Vline do operate a coach to Newstead, but not very often. Your best bet is to get to Castlemaine Railway Station, from where The Village Festival will operate shuttle buses (see below). Trains run from Southern Cross in Melbourne at least hourly all through the day and evening. It’s a very pleasant journey of less than 1.5 hours and you can use your Myki card. The last train back to Melbourne leaves Castlemaine at 9.49pm, meaning you can see the full Fire Spectacular before heading back, or stay the night and catch a Sunday train back (about one every hour). Use the PTV Journey Planner
Trains from Bendigo leave approximately hourly to Castlemaine and take 22 minutes.
Shuttle Buses:
The Village Festival will be running shuttle buses from Castlemaine Railway Station. We will meet every Vline train arriving in Castlemaine (at least up until 7pm). We will provide transport according to demand, so be sure to let us know when you would like to travel when booking online
Staying Overnight
We encourage you to stay overnight. After all, the festival will be going until midnight. There is plenty of room for camping and caravans. Cost of unpowered camping is $10 per site (up to 4 people per site). There are toilets and showers on site and a sewage dump point. No powered sites.
There will be yummy breakfast in the morning too!