Ring in the New Year in regional Victoria

New Years Eve raises many questions: where to go, what to wear and most importantly, who to kiss when the clock strikes 12. Choose one of these regional Victorian spots to ring in the New Year and the rest will fall into place.

Music Festivals

Falls Festival, Lorne (28 December 2015 – 1 January 2016)Set high amongst the ancient mountains of the Otway Rainforest, with the beaches of Lorne just a short drive away, Falls Festival merges music with nature and art to create the perfect setting to bring in the new year with a group of friends.  This year’s line up includes Bloc Party, Birds of Tokyo and Fleetwood Mac as well as Australian favourites Hilltop Hoops, Courtney Barnett, Django Django and Foals.

Beyond the Valley, Lardner Parklands (29 December – 1 January)Returning for its second year, Beyond the Valley will be held at Gippsland’s Lardner Park, 90 minutes from Melbourne and just outside the regional hub of Warragul. The site is a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by rolling hills and a large lake with ample camp sites available for festival goers. Headline acts including Jamie XX, Flight Facilities, Pusha T and Tkay Maidza,will be accompanied by many others, such as The Jungle Giants, Miami Horror, The Rubens and Joy.

NYE on the Hill, near Wonthaggi (30 December 2015 – 1 January 2015)NYE on the Hill takes place on “the Farm”, located 10 minutes from Loch Village, 20 minutes from Wonthaggi, and 95 minutes from Melbourne. With the tagline, ’48 hours of Freedom’, NYE on the Hill aims to provide New Years revellers the opportunity to ‘hang out with great people, in an amazing location, listening to awesome live-music’. The line-up includes established and up and coming artists, and numbers are capped at 2,500.

Evening events

NYE at Skyhigh Mount DandenongNestled high in the Dandenong Ranges, Skyhigh, Mount Dandenong offers spectacular views of the region and beyond. This New Years Eve, a gala dinner dance with a six course degustation menu will keep patrons entertained with dinner, drinks and dancing all night long. For an overnight stay, visitors can book in at one of the Dandenong Ranges boutique accommodation offers such as Candlelight Mountain Retreats. 26 Observatory Road, Mount Dandenong, +61 3 9751 0443

The Time Travellers Ball, Mornington Guests will be transported back in time at the Brooklands of Mornington Time Travellers’ Ball. The Swingland Dance Orchestra will invite ball-goers back to the roaring 20s with big band music made for dancing. As the night progresses, so too will the music and guests can enjoy hit tunes from a range of eras. Tickets are $130 and include canapes on arrival, a three course dinner and beverages. Best Western Brooklands of Mornington, 99 Tanti Avenue, Mornington, +61 3 5973 9200

Limbo Up Close at the Spiegel Zelt, Sorrento The record breaking, award winning show LIMBO, will be performed at Sorrento’s Spiegel Zelt (8 December 2015 – 25 January 2016), adjacent to the Three Palms Bar. Limbo Up Close is an intoxicating mix of cabaret, circus and acrobatics. The New Years Eve performance will commence at 8.30pm. 154 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

70s Spectacular at Vue Grand, QueenscliffOn Queenscliff’s main street, Vue Grand’s in-house 70s DJ and Compare Extraordinaire will set the scene for a five courses meal and 70s-inspired cocktails. Party-goers are encouraged don a 70s costume, and prizes for the best dressed will be on offer. Tickets are $189 and include five courses, beverages and entertainment. 46 Hesse Street, Queenscliff, +61 3 5258 1544 

Bonnie & Clyde themed dinner at Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant will present a ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ themed dinner party to ring in the new year. Chef Marty will host a six course degustation dinner showcasing some of Australia’s finest produce. Each course will be served with Oakdene wines along with some carefully selected back cellar vintages. Featuring Ben Calderazzo and The Hot Club Swing Quintet, festivities will begin at 8pm and conclude with a glass of French Champagne at midnight. Tickets are $195. 255 Grubb Road, Wallington, +61 3 5255 1255

Hop Temple’s New Years Eve Speakeasy party, Ballarat Hop Temple’s New Years Eve Speakeasy party will offer a night of 1920s inspired celebrations. Located down a Ballarat laneway, Hop Temple serves one of the largest range of beer in regional Victoria, including from local brewers and international innovators. 22 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat, +61 3 5317 7158

New Years Eve at the Royal Mail HotelNew Years Eve at the Grampians’ Royal Mail Hotel will be all about the food.  Executive Chef Robin Wickens has designed an eight course celebration menu using fresh, organic summer ingredients sourced straight from the Royal Mail’s kitchen garden. Guests will kick off the evening with a glass of French champagne and can enjoy matched wines throughout the meal. Prices start at $170. The Royal Mail Hotel, 98 Parker Street, Dunkeld, +61 3 5577 2241.

Black & White Party Night at Warrenmang Winery Warrenmang Winery, located in Victoria’s Pyrenees Wine Region, two hours north west of Melbourne, is hosting a Black & White party night to celebrate the dawn of a new year. With pre dinner cocktails and canapés, a four course black and white dinner and great music, the event has all the trimmings for a perfect party in the Pyrenees. Tickets are $130, and guests have the opportunity to stay on-site. +61 3 5333 2121. Warrenmang, +61 3 5467 2233

Family affairs

New Years Eve Street Party and Fireworks, Grampians The Grampians’ Gray Street in Hamilton is set to host a family friendly event to welcome 2016, with a New Years Eve Street Party and Fireworks. Organised by the Rotary Club of Hamilton North, there will be jumping castles, train rides, a magician and other entertainment for all ages as well as fireworks. Gray Street, Hamilton, +61 407 975 630  

Cobden New Years Eve Family Fireworks ExtravaganzaThis family friendly New Years eve celebration will be held at Cobden Miniature Railway Park. The Extravaganza is popular for its family friendly atmosphere and range of activities including mini golf, miniature train rides, vintage farm machinery exhibitions and live music. Visitors can continue the celebrations on New Years Day with the Terang country races. Graylands Rd, Cobden, +61 3 5593 2362. For more information contact Neil Podger +61 408 527 634 or Frank Martin +61 428 363 375

NYE on the Portland ForeshoreThe biggest and most spectacular fireworks display in state’s South West will take place on the Portland Foreshore. Headline act, Fiction, will bring in the new year and fireworks will kick off at 10pm and Midnight over the harbour. Family friendly live entertainment will be on offer from 6pm including Ron the Clown, Kayla Dwyer and The Dads. Bentnick Street Lawn, Portland Foreshore.

New Years Eve on the Hill, WarrnamboolFlagstaff Hill Maritime Village will celebrate the New Year with activities on offer from 6pm. There will be two fireworks displays, music, kids rides and a guest appearance by celebrity Maremma dog, Oddball along with other family-friendly activities. 89 Merri Street,  Warrnambool, +61 3 5559 4600 

Family New Fireworks at Kryal Castle A fantasy land for families, this Ballarat attraction is open from 10am-10pm on New Years eve, allowing plenty of time for kids to get their dose of princesses, knights and medieval adventures. From 5pm Kryal Castle will host a three course, medieval themed feast, and at 9.30pm there will be fireworks in the Castle arena (pending CFA approval based on weather conditions). 121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek, +61 3 5334 8500

Central Geelong New Year Fireworks DisplayA free public fireworks display will take place on the Geelong Waterfront at midnight to celebrate the start of 2016. There will also be a earlier fireworks display at dusk for kids and families between 9-9.30pm. Those looking for a more glamorous affair can attend an all inclusive event at The Pier Geelong ($99 before Christmas) or the City Quarter ($139 before 19 December). Geelong Foreshore, +61 35272 5272