If you’re planning a trip to Victoria in March and need to fill up the itinerary, add Melbourne Food and Wine Festival to the top of your list. This iconic celebration is back in 2026, and it’s bringing all the best things in life, like food and wine.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival turns the city into one huge culinary playground with long lunches, pop-up food stalls, and experiences that you’ll be raving about for years to come. It’s the perfect stopover if you’re flying in for a weekend getaway or road-tripping with friends. This guide covers everything you need to know, including key festival highlights, travel tips, and where to find convenient, affordable accommodation near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
What is the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival?
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is one of Australia’s premier culinary events, attracting food lovers from across the country and overseas. Held annually in March, the festival showcases Victoria’s world-class restaurants, talented chefs, premium wineries, and regional producers.
Events take place across the CBD, inner suburbs, and across regional Victoria, offering everything from:
- Exclusive degustation dinners
- Wine tastings and masterclasses
- Chef-led pop-up events
- Outdoor food markets
- Regional food and wine trails
From intimate dining experiences to large-scale public events, the festival celebrates both fine dining and local favourites, making it one of the most anticipated Melbourne events of the year.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2026 dates and highlights
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival will take place 20th to 29th March 2026, with events scheduled across various venues and dates. Popular sessions often sell out quickly, particularly signature long lunches and exclusive chef-led dinners.
Festival highlights typically include large-scale public food events, intimate degustation experiences, curated wine tastings, and collaborations between renowned local and international chefs. We recommend checking out acclaimed Sydney sushi master, Toshihiko Oe, who brings diners to the heart of Japan, or if you’ve got big appetite, try the World’s Longest Lunch where you will be full to the brim with Greek food. Because demand is high during festival season, it’s wise to secure tickets and accommodation well in advance.
Where Does Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Take Place?
The festival is spread throughout Melbourne and beyond. Key event locations typically include:
- Melbourne CBD
- Southbank
- Docklands
- Federation Square
- Various inner-city restaurants and rooftop venues
Regional events also extend into areas such as the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and other well-known wine-producing regions of Victoria.
Because events are hosted across multiple venues, choosing accommodation with convenient transport access is essential – particularly if you’re flying in via Melbourne Airport.
Getting to the festival from Melbourne Airport
For interstate and international travellers, Melbourne Airport is the main entry point into the city. The CBD is approximately 20–30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic conditions.
Visitors can travel via SkyBus to Southern Cross Station, book a rideshare or taxi, or hire a car for greater flexibility. If you’re attending multiple events across different venues, convenient transport access is essential.
Staying near Melbourne Airport offers added flexibility for early morning departures, late arrivals, or short weekend trips focused on festival events.
Make a weekend of It: explore more of Melbourne
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is the perfect reason to extend your stay and explore more of Victoria.
Beyond festival events, visitors can discover Queen Victoria Market, explore Melbourne’s iconic laneways, enjoy waterfront dining in St Kilda, or venture into the Yarra Valley for world-class wine tasting.
With accommodation near Melbourne Airport, you can zip in and out of the city with ease, while also being closer to some spectacular regional wineries, including Marnong Estate.
Where to Stay for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD often increases in price during major events. For many visitors, staying near the airport offers a more affordable and practical alternative.
Airport Tourist Village Melbourne (ATVM) provides comfortable, self-contained cabin accommodation just minutes from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport. Guests enjoy free on-site parking, spacious cabins, and a super relaxed atmosphere away from the congestion of the city centre.
After a full day of tastings, long lunches, and evening events, return to a quiet and comfortable space to enhance your overall experience. With easy access to major roads and transport links, travelling between the airport and the city is straightforward.
ATVM is ideal for couples, families, interstate travellers, and adventurous road-trippers looking for affordable accommodation near Melbourne Airport. With free parking, self-contained cabins and a peaceful setting, ATVM offers the perfect balance of convenience and comfort during one of Melbourne’s most exciting events.
Book your stay with us now to lock in your trip to the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2026?
The festival takes place from 20 to 29 March 2026, with events scheduled across multiple days and venues.
Where is the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival held?
Events are hosted across Melbourne’s CBD, Southbank, Docklands, and selected regional Victorian locations.
How do I get from Melbourne Airport to the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival?
Travel options include SkyBus, taxi, rideshare, or car hire, with the journey to the CBD typically taking around 20–30 minutes.
Where should I stay for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival?
Staying near Melbourne Airport offers easy access to transport, free parking, and convenient connections to both the city and regional Victoria.
4 Bedroom Deluxe Cabin
Our 4 Bedroom Deluxe Cabins offer spacious and comfortable accommodation, featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a lounge/dining area, and a laundry. The main bedroom includes a queen bed and private bathroom, while bedrooms 2 and 3 offer a king bed (or 2 single beds), and bedroom 4 has a queen bed. The main bathroom is equipped with a spa bath, shower, and toilet, and the laundry offers the convenience of a washing machine and dryer.
The fully equipped kitchen includes an oven, stove, dishwasher, fridge, and freezer, along with all necessary cooking essentials, making meal preparation easy and convenient. This cabin can accommodate up to eight guests.