Grampians BBQ Festival Fires Up Halls Gap This Father’s Day Weekend

Australia’s top pitmasters, regional flavours and live entertainment are coming together for a brand-new Grampians tradition.

The smell of smoke, the sound of live blues and the unmistakable pull of slow-cooked barbecue are set to take over Halls Gap this Father’s Day weekend, with the inaugural Grampians BBQ Festival making its debut from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, the three-day celebration will bring together some of Australia’s leading pitmasters, regional producers and barbecue lovers for a weekend built around live-fire cooking, local flavours, craft drinks, live music and unforgettable experiences.

Grampians BBQ Festival

When: Friday 4 – Sunday 6 September

Where: Grampians National Park

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Created by Grampians locals Adrian Manikas of Absolute Outdoors, Damon Henricksen of Flame Brothers Smokehouse and Kate Kirkpatrick from Grampians Events, the festival is designed to become a new regional tradition — giving families, friends and food lovers another reason to visit, stay longer and discover everything the Grampians has to offer.

“This is about creating a reason for people to visit, stay longer and experience everything our region has to offer. The Grampians BBQ Festival celebrates the things that bring people together — great food, live music, local producers, community connection and unforgettable experiences,” said Mr Manikas.

At the heart of the festival will be the Black Opal Wagyu Pitmaster Challenge, an Australian Barbecue Alliance-sanctioned competition that will see more than 10 teams battle it out across brisket, pork, lamb and ribs for a share of the $10,000 prize pool. The Steak Cookoff Association will also bring the heat, hosting its own competition with teams competing across same-day double steak and dessert categories for a further $3,000 in prize money.

Among the competitors will be Australian pitmaster Jimmy Brisket, who has represented Australia twice at the World Championship Barbecue Cook-Off in Texas and recently qualified for the inaugural BBQ World Cup in Las Vegas. Local favourite Tom Ballinger of Coal Catering will also feature across the weekend, delivering live-fire cooking demonstrations and hands-on sessions celebrating the art of barbecue.

Beyond the competitions, festivalgoers can expect a stacked program of smoky flavours, regional hospitality and entertainment. The event will showcase Australia’s top pitmasters alongside interactive barbecue experiences, while the region’s producers pour craft beer, wine and spirits from some of Western Victoria’s best makers, including Paper Scissors Rock Brewery, Bulls Roar Brewery, Pomonal Estate, Black & Ginger Wines, Itinerant Spirits and Timboon Distillery.

The festival precinct will be filled with local food vendors, artisan stalls and barbecue-inspired dishes, while a soundtrack of blues and roots music rolls across the weekend with performances from Mitch King, Matt Katsis, Mike Elrington and The Mojo Corner. Families will also find plenty to enjoy, with a range of activities and entertainment designed to make the festival a celebration for all ages.

Extending the experience beyond the main event site, the BBQ Trail will invite visitors to explore Halls Gap and Pomonal through a self-guided journey connecting cafés, restaurants, retailers and accommodation providers, each offering their own barbecue-inspired food, drink or retail experience throughout the weekend.

The Grampians BBQ Festival is proudly presented by Absolute Outdoors and Flame Brothers Smokehouse, with support from Visit Victoria, Northern Grampians Shire Council, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism, Grampians Events, Harmony Agriculture, Heat Beads and Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park.

Early Bird tickets, vendor applications and sponsorship opportunities are now available here.