Father’s Day in Australia falls on Sunday, 6 September 2026, a good opportunity to spend proper time with Dad on a short regional getaway. For families that prefer a long lunch to an extended weekend trip far from the city, travelling to rural Victoria – particularly in Gippsland, would be a better idea to spend the holiday with your loved ones.
If Dad does not want another crowded city lunch, Gippsland gives the day more space: a long regional meal, cellar door tasting, rainforest walk, fishing town stop or overnight stay. This guide helps you walk through some common options to celebrate the special day, starting with favourite family-friendly destinations in Gippsland, then moving into Melbourne events for a short, half-day itinerary, helping you turn Father’s Day into a weekend getaway with your beloved family.
Best Regional Father’s Day Ideas in Gippsland
Known for its pristine scenery and outdoor sports activities suitable for families and dads, Gippsland has become a bustling weekend destination, especially around Father’s Day as it combines long lunches, cellar doors, rainforest walk, and coastal towns in one majestic rural landscape.
From the stunning scenic drives of Wilsons Prom in the South of Gippsland to famous winery restaurants for long lunches, you can turn a special anniversary day into a short weekend getaway, spending quality time with loved ones while enjoying the fresh air of Gippsland, Victoria.
Enjoy Father’s Day Lunch at a Gippsland Winery Restaurant
One of the things that makes dining in Gippsland special is how closely the menus are tied to the region itself, as many restaurants in Gippsland build their dishes around what’s available locally and in season.
To elevate the experience, winery restaurants in Gippsland also offer tasting sessions after dining, so looking for restaurants that offer wine-tasting sessions can make the experience more convenient, tasting delicious wine while enjoying scrumptious weekly-rotating menus that celebrate Gippsland produce.
A long lunch at Carrajung Estate can be a lovely centrepiece for Father’s Day, with a menu that showcases seasonal food and Gippsland produce, including locally grown vegetables, pasture-raised meats and artisanal desserts. The property is located in Willung South, just over two hours from Melbourne.
For families turning Father’s Day into a weekend, it’s worth it to check the Friday Steak Night before travelling, and enjoy the delicious 100-day aged O’Connors Sirloin in the BBQ style.
- Father’s Day 2026: Sunday, 6 September
- Special offer: Steak nights on Friday, with $35 100-day aged O’Connors Sirloin and a weekend of relaxed lunch for Father’s Day on September 4-6.
Treat Wine-loving Dads to a Cellar Door Wine Tasting
Wine tasting has long been one of the popular activities in Gippsland, thanks to the variety of wine regions shaped by different climates. A highlight of wine tasting in Gippsland is the opportunity to learn about the detailed process, from grape growing and harvesting to aging — carried out by skilled local winemakers using artisanal methods.
At Carrajung Estate, the experience can be enjoyed alongside dining, with a wide selection of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other cool-climate wines that can appeal to wine-loving dads, while cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks suit younger guests and non-drinkers.
To enjoy the tasting session, it’s recommended to book before arrival to secure a seat, then schedule it after lunch, or through customer service during a stay at the boutique cottage accommodations at Carrajung Estate to taste the original flavour of estate-grown wines.
Walk to Corrigan Suspension Bridge in Tarra Bulga National Park
- Location: 1885 Grand Ridge Rd, Balook VIC 3971, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday (24 hours)
Tarra Bulga National Park serves as a half-day break, before continuing towards Yarram, Port Albert, Woodside or Carrajung Estate. The park protects some of the remaining cool temperate rainforest, with Mountain Ash and tree ferns lining the walking tracks, suitable for group travel that want to spend a leisure weekend exploring the scenic Gippsland.
This location stands out if your dad wants to engage in outdoor activities, instead of spending time in one estate tasting wine only. When you do not have enough time for a full-day visit, aim for Corrigan Suspension Bridge. The walk from the visitor centre is about 1.2 kilometres and 25 minutes each way.
You can finish the walk in the morning, then continue towards Port Albert or Woodside rather than driving back towards Melbourne. This way, Port Albert could be an interesting place to visit, immersing yourself in the fresh air of the rainforest.
Spend Part of the Day at Port Albert Town with Fishing Dads
- Location: Port Albert town
Port Albert gives families another fun coastal fishing option besides Woodside Beach, a coastal add-on if your dad enjoys fishing or waterfront lunches. While Woodside Beach is better suited to families looking for a traditional surf-fishing experience on a wide stretch of sand, Port Albert offers a calmer side around the waterfront.
If Dad fishes, you do not necessarily need to organise a boat trip. Port Albert has three jetties available for land-based fishing. Near the waterfront, you can get fish and chips near the wharf and find parking, shops, and public toilets nearby. The complete coastal trail runs for about 5.7 kilometres one way and takes around 1.5 hours, so you can simply do a shorter waterfront section if lunch or another stop is already planned.
Simple Activities in Melbourne and Nearby Regions to Do on Father’s Day
Spend Sunday Morning at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne
- Location: Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Sunday opening hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Allow: Around 2 to 3 hours
If you’re staying near the Melbourne CBD, Queen Victoria Market is a practical place to start. This is still a market Melburnians actually use, rather than a sightseeing stop built only for visitors.
Sunday is one of the market’s main trading days, so you can arrive in the morning and walk through the fresh food halls and spend some time browsing the specialty stalls before the city gets busier.
See the Father’s Day Cars, Bikes and Culture Show in St Kilda
- Location: Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Visit time:
- 5 September 2026 (5.30pm – 10pm): Pre-Party celebration with live music and classic car displays
- 6 September 2026 (10am – 6pm): Main car show
- Entry: Free
- Nearby attractions: St Kilda Pier, Luna Park
If your fathers are into cars or bikes, you should spend the middle of the day at this exhibition. On Father’s Day, this is an event held on Acland Street as a car exhibition with free entry. The event will be separated into two parts, a pre-party celebration and car show showcasing different vehicles in its vibrant colours, making it a fun weekend out with your loved ones.
While staying at the car show, St Kilda Pier, the foreshore, and Luna Park are all in the same area, convenient to visit and get back in the car to add another activity.
Make a Full Day Trip to Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley
- Location: Glen Eadie Avenue, Healesville VIC 3777
- Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily
- Drive from Melbourne CBD: About 1 hour
- Current weekend tickets: Adult entry from $58; children aged 4 to 15 are free on weekends and holidays
On a one-day alternative to rural Victoria, this is where you could start, orienting the trip around one destination. Healesville Sanctuary is a bushland haven for wildlife, just around a one-hour drive from Melbourne CBD, making this one of the favourite destinations to travel with family and friends.
While coming to the zoo, explore the 70 acre bushland haven to experience close-up encounters with some of Australia’s unique and endearing wildlife, including platypuses, kangaroos, birds of prey, dingoes, wombats and emus in their natural habitat.
If you don’t want to travel far from Melbourne, plan your trip around Yarra Valley and choose the zoo as a heart of the trip, as you might enjoy the Wine and Wildlife held on Saturday and Sunday, August 30, 2026. While tasting delicious wine, you also have the opportunity to visit Australian wildlife living in the zoo, making this a family-friendly experience in Yarra Valley.
Celebrate Your Father’s Day at Carrajung Estate
A Father’s Day weekend at Carrajung Estate can be built around a relaxed Gippsland lunch, cellar door tasting and overnight stay. Families can start the day with a rainforest walk at Tarra-Bulga, a coastal stop at Port Albert, or a slow drive through South Gippsland before arriving for lunch. After dining, wine-loving dads can enjoy a tasting at our cellar door, while families who want a slower weekend can stay onsite instead of driving back to Melbourne the same day.
Every small batch of cool-climate wines reflect the temperate climate of Gippsland, which Carrajung Estate pairs with creative seasonal menus that emphasise on what Gippsland produces best. This creates a holistic experience, not only for wine-lovers but for family-oriented trips, bringing an all-in-one experience for every celebration purpose, drinking estate-grown wines while unwinding in the expansive 100-acre countryside landscape.
For more details, browse the accommodation options at Carrajung Estate and choose a stay that suits the family.
