Queenscliff, Victoria — One of Australia’s most loved seaside music events is back. The Queenscliff Music Festival 2025 will light up the Bellarine coast from Friday 28 November to Sunday 30 November 2025, transforming the quiet Victorian town into a three-day carnival of live music, coastal culture and community spirit.
Held at Princess Park and spilling into venues across the historic streets, the festival blends major headline acts with emerging musicians, ocean air with late-night performances, and families with festival-goers looking for something a little different from the big-city circuit.
For a sense of how quickly a quiet stretch of Australian coastline can suddenly become the focus of national attention, you can also read our coverage of Crowdy Bay shark attack and the beaches that were closed for safety. Queenscliff offers a very different coastal story — one built around music, community and celebration.
Key Details at a Glance
- Event: Queenscliff Music Festival 2025 (QMF)
- Dates: Friday 28 November – Sunday 30 November 2025
- Main Venue: Princess Park, Queenscliff, Victoria
- Location: Bellarine Peninsula, about 90 minutes from Melbourne (by road)
- Format: Multi-stage, multi-venue coastal music festival
- Vibe: Family-friendly by day, energetic festival atmosphere by night
Where Is Queenscliff Music Festival 2025 Held?
The heart of the festival is Princess Park, a grassy foreshore space just a short walk from Queenscliff’s main street and historic buildings. From there, the event extends into a network of nearby venues — indoor stages, community halls and local spots that turn into temporary performance spaces for the weekend.
Queenscliff itself is a compact seaside town on the Bellarine Peninsula, known for its Victorian-era architecture, lighthouse views and ferry connections. During festival weekend, that calm postcard setting is layered with light, sound and crowds moving between stages.
For more official visitor information about the region, including what else to do before or after the festival, check the tourism pages on Visit Victoria.
What to Expect in 2025
While each year’s lineup brings its own mix of artists, the core Queenscliff experience rarely changes: it’s about discovering new music as much as it is about seeing familiar names. Expect a blend of:
- Australian acts across indie, rock, folk, roots, pop and more.
- Emerging artists playing earlier sets and smaller stages.
- Special collaborations and surprise performances that often become the quiet highlights of the weekend.
- Local food and drink from Bellarine producers, food trucks and cafés.
- Street performances and pop-up sets around town between the main program.
Rather than just one enormous main stage, Queenscliff leans into its town layout. That means shorter walks, more intimate crowds and the sense that you are exploring a coastal festival precinct rather than being fenced into one large arena.
Tickets, Passes and Entry
Queenscliff Music Festival typically offers a choice of three-day passes, single-day tickets and special options for families or youth. Exact pricing for 2025 will be confirmed via the festival’s official channels, but in recent years the structure has included:
- Three-day festival passes for full weekend access.
- Individual day tickets for Friday, Saturday or Sunday only.
- Discounted rates for children or teens, usually when accompanied by a paying adult.
- Local and regional offers depending on availability and demand.
For the latest details on tickets and release dates, always refer to the official site at qmf.net.au, where you’ll also find the final 2025 lineup and timetable once announced.
Is Queenscliff Music Festival Family-Friendly?
Yes. QMF has built a strong reputation as a family-friendly event. The open spaces at Princess Park, early-evening sets and relaxed coastal surroundings make it easier for parents to bring kids, especially during daytime sessions.
Typical family-friendly touches include:
- Open air spaces where younger children can move around freely.
- Daytime performances with a more laid-back atmosphere.
- Cafés, playgrounds and the beach just a short walk away.
As always, guardians should check the latest festival policies on entry conditions, age requirements and any designated kids’ areas for the 2025 edition.
Getting There: Travel and Transport
Queenscliff sits at the end of the Bellarine Peninsula, making the journey part of the experience.
By Car
From Melbourne, the drive to Queenscliff usually takes around 90 minutes via Geelong and the Bellarine Highway. Parking in town can be limited during the festival, so arriving early or staying nearby is recommended.
By Ferry
Many festival-goers choose the scenic route: the Searoad Ferries service between Sorrento and Queenscliff. You can travel as a walk-on passenger or bring your vehicle across the bay, turning the commute into a short, photo-worthy crossing with views of Port Phillip Heads.
Public Transport and Shuttles
Regional buses from Geelong and other Bellarine towns may operate additional services around the festival weekend. In past years, shuttle options and extra services have been listed via local operators and the festival website closer to the event date.
Where to Stay for Queenscliff Music Festival 2025
Accommodation sells out quickly once festival tickets go on sale, so planning ahead is essential. Options in and around Queenscliff include:
- Hotels and motels in town for those who want to walk to the venue.
- Holiday homes and apartments across Queenscliff and nearby Point Lonsdale.
- Caravan parks and camping around the Bellarine Peninsula for a more budget-friendly base.
Plenty of visitors also choose to stay in Geelong, Ocean Grove or Barwon Heads and travel in each day, balancing the festival with a broader coastal escape.
Daily Rhythm: What Each Day Feels Like
Although the exact program will be confirmed closer to November, the rough rhythm of Queenscliff weekend tends to look like this:
- Friday (28 November): Afternoon and evening sets to open the festival, with crowds building as workers arrive from Melbourne and regional Victoria.
- Saturday (29 November): The busiest day, with music spilling across multiple stages, food stalls in full swing and late-night performances.
- Sunday (30 November): A more relaxed finale, often featuring special collaborations, laid-back afternoon sets and sun-drenched closing shows.
Because the town is compact, it’s easy to step away from the music for a coffee, walk to the pier, or simply sit by the water before heading back to the next set.
Safety, Weather and Coastal Conditions
Late November in Victoria usually means mild to warm weather, but being on the coast can bring cooler evenings and sudden wind shifts. Pack layers, sun protection and something warm for after dark.
Across Australia, coastal safety has been in sharper focus due to recent incidents, including those that led to temporary beach closures such as the Crowdy Bay shark attack case in New South Wales. While Queenscliff’s festival footprint is on land, it’s still wise to follow local advice if you plan to swim or explore nearby beaches during the weekend.
Why Queenscliff Music Festival 2025 Is Worth the Trip
Queenscliff is not just another date on the festival calendar. It’s an invitation to slow down, walk between stages under old trees, watch the light change over the water and discover artists you might otherwise never see.
For those planning an Australian coastal getaway at the end of November 2025, combining a Bellarine Peninsula stay with Queenscliff Music Festival could be the perfect way to close out spring and step into summer.
