What’s on in Hepburn Springs – La Primavera & Swiss Italian Festival

The Swiss Italian Festa in Hepburn Springs and Daylesford arrives annually, bursting with excitement and a celebration of music, food and the the Swiss Italian heritage. The festival runs from October 19th to the 23rd and is an opportunity to feel the sun on your skin and experience a diverse program over five days. Events cater to everyone, from traditional italian food and wine at local hotels and restaurants, to guided history tours, family days, a kids circus and a street parade.

La Primavera At Lavandula

A not to be missed day for enjoying the festival is at Lavandula on Sunday 23rd of October. La Primavera Festival is a full day of activities, including Italian singing and dancing, a local growers and makers market, and tours of the property. Traditional Italian fare from the gardens and pizza (baked onsite in the wood fired oven,) will keep families entertained on the lawns outside La Trattoria cafe.

Learn To Cook With Rosa Mitchell At The Lakehouse, Daylesford

The beautiful Lakehouse in Daylesford is hosting a three hour cooking demonstration with Rosa Mitchell (of Rosa’s Cafe and Rosa’s Canteen, Melbourne) and Johnny Di Francesco (400 Gradi, Melbourne) sharing their recipes. A must for passionate cooks, the demonstration is being held on Sunday the 23rd.

Italian Food, Song & Stories

Lavandula is also hosting Aquilino and Maria on Friday the 21st of October. Enjoy an evening of storytelling, recounting the history of the family at Lavandula. Interspersed with Italian song, the evening concludes with a four course meal in La Trattoria.

Other activities scheduled over the five days, include a traditional Italian dinner at the Grange, Bellinzona in Hepburn Springs, with trio Bela Ciao, playing traditional music from 1940s to the 1960s. The Grande Hotel in Hepburn Springs is serving snacks with all drinks on Saturdays and Sundays between 5pm and 6pm. This is followed by an Italian inspired dinner in the Grande dining room, and an Italian breakfast.

Kavisha Mazzella

Music highlights include Kavisha Mazzella, singing songs echoing the influences of Celtic, Gypsy and Fado at the Hepburn Hotel on Friday October 21st.

Spring bulbs on show at Lavandula

Find Out More

A full program of events is available online.

Hepburn Springs Luxury Accommodation during Swiss Italian Festival

There are a number of choices for accommodation in Hepburn Springs and Daylesford catering to different needs.

Saffron or Horizon at Hepburn Spa Pavilions offer luxury Hepburn Springs accommodation, perched above the mineral springs and Bathhouse.  Kookaburra Ridge, a luxury farmhouse, with a rustic, Italian-style garden is a perfect backdrop to enjoy the Swiss Italian Festa.

More information about events and booking information is available at Lavandula and  swissitalianfesta.com .