This region is a very busy area for markets and events.

Loch Village Summer Market is held 7 times each year, between October and April (we have long hot summers here in South Gippsland!), run by Strzelecki Lions. Stallholders ply a range of goods – from all sorts of craft to home processed condiments, garden produce, plants and bric-a-brac. The markets are major fund-raisers for our Landscape Country community. Second Sunday of the month (Oct-Apr) from 8:00am to 1pm. Gold coin entry.

Loch Winter Village Market is held 5 times each year. It is held indoors between May to September, when the winter weather is a bit dodgey for outdoor markets. It’s a fund-raiser for the Loch Public Hall. Sunday of the month (May-Sep) from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Gold coin entry.

Loch Food and Wine Festival in June each year – Sunday Kings Birthday weekend. It’s simply a Foodies Heaven, with cool climate wine, beer tastings and award winning cheeses among other outstanding foodie delights. Over 70 stalls makes a real impact on the taste buds of seasoned gourmets and curious foodies. Live music entertains under busy tents right alongside the Rail Trail at Loch. Talk with the winemakers, enjoy the tastings, and wallow in the ambience while you swallow a local beverage. There’s also an alcohol-free area – a childrens’ fun zone – for families. Spend the day – drive through the rolling hills, walk part of the Rail Trail and then go and enjoy the Festival (Info at FB Loch Wine and Food Festival).

Lunches of Loch @Loch Village. A new event, replacing the popular Loch Long Lunch. Choose your own menu from one of the boutique eateries at Loch from a four course degustation to a family feed. Bookings are done through each of the host venues.

Garden Festival Loch Village and Poowong Garden Clubs combine in the first weekend of November each year to provide a marvellous weekend Garden and Flower Festival. On the Saturday, it’s Open Gardens at both villages, with one entry fee ($10 adults, children free) covering both. Map purchases at Loch PO and Poowong Public Hall on the day. The Loch Garden Festival also has plant sales at the new Loch Hub (in the Post Office building) on the Saturday (10.00am to 4.00pm). The Poowong Flower and Photo Show runs over two days (Saturday and Sunday, 10.00am to 3.00pm) in the Poowong Public Hall, with floral show, bumper plant sale, old relics display and a photo competition open to children and members of the public.

Creative Arts Exhibition. A wonderful, annual event held at the Loch Public Hall. It’s held every April and for details follow the FB at CWA Bass group Creative Arts Exhibition.

Loch Village Xmas (evening) Market was run so successfully for the first time on 1 December 2023, that it’s now an annual pre-Xmas event. Lively and relaxing with the family — with Street stalls, open shops, food, Xmas lighting and entertainment. And an evening trip to Poowong where some houses are brilliantly lit up with Xmas themes.

Poowong Little Market. Two major events each year, in February and November. It’s a Sunday event held at the Poowong Recreation Reserve between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Huge variety of stalls from candles, Danish bakes, right through the alphabet to scrap metal creations and soaps. Even Wild Woman Dreaming (whatever that may be!). Gold coin entry. You’ll notice the signs everywhere along the region’s roads one month before the event. (Or check their FB – Poowong Little Market).

Nyora Raceway. The Excitement machines, from Monster trucks to mini sprints and Open Standards. The yearly calendar goes between November and June, with up to ten family friendly events squeezed in between. They’re all are held at the Raceway in the Nyora Recreation Reserve. Colour, fireworks, a little noise and lots of laughs. Examples are:

    • Fathers Day Swap Meet and Car Show (1st Sunday September, Fathers Day). Lots of cars and family fun and games

    • Monster Truck Meet (generally Australia Day weekend).

Dairy Expo (South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo), a Strzelecki Lions event. The Expo showcases the latest in dairy innovation and technology. It’s a one-stop-shop for local farmers and an eye-opener for the curious public. Huge prizes, including classic Gumboot racing. Launched in 2000, the Dairy Expo outgrew its original home in Poowong, and is held at the bigger Korumburra showground. Strzelecki Lions has so far raised $600,000 for the community through the event. Over two days Wednesday and Thursday in early September each year. Contact dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au or via phone.

Bass CWA Creative Arts Exhibition, held in April at the Loch Public Hall. Hosted and arranged by the CWA Bass Group. An annual exhibition (2025 will be their 70th), displaying cooking, preserves, needlework, knitting, crochet, flora, horticulture and photography. Contact President Susan Hawker .

Gippsland Hills Group CWA Exhibition every April over two days at the Poowong Pubic Hall. Exhibits and sales of member-made handcrafts, home industries, art and horticulture. 2025 will be the 70th such annual event. Contact is Thelma or email cwavicmeeniyanbranch@gmail.com

And many other minor events too numerous to mention! Check out the Loch Express, the three tri-village community Facebooks or your local Post Office noticeboards for information about smaller, regular events, such as Trivia nights at local halls and Poowong Hotel or barefoot bowls at Loch Bowls Club.