OUTintheOPEN Festival Day OUT to Castlemaine Pride Fest 2026

Join GV Pride for a special Out in the Open Day OUT as we travel together to experience Castlemaine Pride, one of regional Victoria's best-known LGBTQIA+ community celebrations. Castlemaine Pride began as a community picnic in 2018 and has grown into a year-round program celebrating queer culture, creativity and community on Djaara Country.  

This community bus trip is all about bringing Pride communities together, creating connections between regional LGBTQIA+ groups, and sharing in the vibrant celebrations that make regional Victoria such a welcoming place to live and visit. 

Our journey begins in Shepparton with pickups in Mooroopna, Stanhope and Elmore before stopping at the famous Elmore Bakery for a coffee break. We'll continue via Bendigo before arriving in Castlemaine to enjoy the festivities, community atmosphere and celebrations hosted by Castlemaine Pride. 

Recent Castlemaine Pride events have featured live music, community activities, performance, art, family-friendly entertainment and opportunities to connect with LGBTQIA+ communities from across Victoria.  

After a wonderful day in Castlemaine, we'll return home via the same route, stopping at the Goornong Hotel for a refreshment before heading back to the Goulburn Valley. 

This event is one of 15 events presented as part of Out in the Open 2026. 

Travel Schedule 

Departures 

• Shepparton Library 

• Mooroopna 

• Stanhope 

• Elmore 

• Coffee stop at Elmore Bakery 

• Travel via Bendigo 

• Arrive Castlemaine Pride 

Return 

• Depart Castlemaine 

• Stop at Goornong Hotel for refreshments 

• Elmore 

• Stanhope 

• Mooroopna 

• Shepparton 

Ticket Price 

🎟 $10 per person 

What's Included 

✅ Return coach travel
✅ Coffee stop at Elmore Bakery
✅ Time to explore Castlemaine Pride
✅ Community connection and Pride celebration 

Ages 

All ages welcome. Participants under 18 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

Acknowledgements 

Out in the Open is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through the Pride Events and Festivals Fund.