40th Annual Picnic at Hanging Rock Car Show 2027

The countdown is on for our biggest celebration yet! The 40th Annual Picnic at Hanging Rock Car Show is back, and since this year's mega show falls right on Valentine's Day weekend, we are celebrating automotive passion and the people we share it with!

They say you never forget your first love—especially if it has four wheels. Whether you are rolling in with your romantic sweetheart, your ultimate garage partner, or your favourite copilot, we want to celebrate your shared love for the drive.

We have only one simple rule for entry: your car must arrive under its own power! We love all makes, models, and eras. Whether it is a concours classic, a work-in-progress, or your daily driver, if it is your pride and joy and you can drive it through the gates, it belongs here. Please leave the trailers at home—this day is for the drivers!

Grab your prepaid tickets early, pack your camp chairs, and bring your love along for an unforgettable day packed with 1,500+ incredible vehicles, great food, and pure automotive passion.

The Quick Details

* When: Sunday, 14 February 2027
* Time: Gates open at 8:00am. Event runs until 3:00pm.
* Where: Hanging Rock Reserve, Woodend (approx. 80km from Melbourne CBD via the Calder Highway).

Critical Ticket & Internet Information

* Ticket Release: Tickets go on sale on Monday 4th January 2027 via [TryBooking](https://www.trybooking.com).

* Pricing: Cars are $30 (+ booking and processing fee) per vehicle (including all passengers). Motorbikes are $15 (+ booking and processing fee) per bike. Display cars and the general public pay the same price.

* Buy Before You Leave Home: This is primarily a pre-purchased ticket event. Internet reception around the Rock is incredibly patchy! Please buy and download your ticket to your phone (or print it) before hitting the road.

* Gate Sales Warning: Gate sales slow down entry significantly and rely on unpredictable internet reception. Having a pre-purchased ticket ready to scan remains the winning move for seamless entry.

* Parking: There is no local offsite parking available. Access is via country roads, and revised VicRoads traffic conditions will be in force.

How to Get There & Where to Enter

Please follow all traffic directions and marshals as you approach the venue. Your entry gate depends on your vehicle type:

* Display Cars: Enter via the South Rock Road entrance (Gates open at 8:00am).

* General Public: Enter via the gate on Straws Lane (Gates open at 8:00am).

* Sponsors, Vendors, Staff, & Volunteers: Enter through the North Gate on Colwells Road.

Exiting the Event:

* Display cars inside the reserve MUST exit via the North Gate Only (no exiting via the South Gate).

* Cars parked in the racetrack/centre of the track must exit via the Straws Lane Exit Gate Only.

* Please follow attendants' instructions carefully, as some older parking areas are now closed for environmental revegetation.

Trophies & Club Groups

* No Pre-Registration: Just rock up and scan your ticket. This is a massive 'show and shine' style event showcasing vehicles across the eras.

* Roaming Judges: Our judges will roam the grounds to pick vehicles worthy of recognition. Winners will find a notification left on their windscreen with instructions on how to collect their prize.

* Club Groups Welcome: To park together, please meet up beforehand offsite (Woodend is a great designated meeting point) and arrive all together in a single line. Advise the gate marshals how many cars are in your group, and they will do their best to keep you together. Don't forget to display an A4 club logo on your windscreen—MRADMC is offering a prize for Best Club Display!

♿ Disability Parking Facilities
A dedicated parking bay is reserved next to the main arena for vehicles displaying a valid Disability Parking ticket. Please ensure your ticket is clearly visible. Traffic controllers will direct you to enter via the North Gate (Colwells Road). Alternatively, you can park in general public parking on Straws Lane and ride the Rotary Club 'train' drop-off shuttle service to the main arena.

Food, Drinks & Fire Restrictions

* Picnics: Pack a basket and settle onto the grass! Free council gas BBQs are available onsite (bring your own utensils and cleaning wipes).

* BYO BBQs Banned: Personal BBQs of any kind are not permitted because the event takes place during the Victorian fire danger period. CFA personnel will be onsite monitoring the grounds.

* Food Vendors: Commercial food trucks and local community stalls will be selling delicious options around the Reserve.

* Alcohol: This is a family-friendly day. No alcohol is sold in the reserve, though patrons may bring personal refreshments for responsible consumption. The Hanging Rock Cafe is also licensed.

Family & Pet Friendly!

* For the Kids: Enjoy free miniature train rides and a popular animal farm!

* Market Stalls: Check out a wide variety of vendors in the Main Arena.

* Dogs Allowed: Furry friends are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times. Please note there is no drinking water onsite for dogs, so ensure you pack your own and always clean up after them.

We can't wait to share this landmark 40th anniversary day with you—get ready for an amazing time!

A massive thank you to our sponsors Shannons Insurance, Burns & Co, Bowdens Own, AutoOne Sunbury, and Repco for their enduring commitment to this unique community event.