Riverside Opening Weekend: 3-4 March 2012

During the Festival's Riverside Opening Weekend, 3 - 4 March, the Yarra River will transform into a food and wine lovers' playground of bustling celebrations, with more than 30 events from morning to night.

The Festival Hub at Queensbridge Square is the perfect place to meet friends and family to plan your riverside promenading journey.

While on your journey, be sure to stop by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Greenhouse by Joost, here for a fleeting 20 days only during the Festival. A living, breathing building, the restaurant will offer a “no-reservations” breakfast, lunch and dinner menu daily. Miss it and you’ll miss it forever!

Highlight Events

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Greenhouse by Joost

For a fleeting 20 days only, a living, breathing building has ‘popped up’ on the banks of the Yarra.
The Festival Hub

Meet friends at the Festival’s Riverside Hub to plan your promenading journey and enjoy free on-stage entertainment.
MasterClass in Portrait

A world-first photographic project featuring 22 global gastronomic stars from the Festival’s vibrant 20-year history.
Cellar Door and Farm Gate

Sip and forage your way around Victoria's regions in the heart of Melbourne, including top wineries, leading producers and ultimate breweries.
Food Trucks Unite

All of your favourite food on wheels - including Beat Box, Dhaba and Gumbo Kitchen - come together in the one spot for two days only.
Family Foodie Weekend

Gather the troops and join in for a weekend celebration of family food traditions, led by some of Melbourne’s best chefs and festival friends.

Riverside Opening Weekend Events

Map View List View

Foodie Films

When 2 - 9 March, 1:30PM - 12:00AM

Where: Federation Square, Cnr Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne

Cost: Free

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Stranded

When 3 - 4 March, 12:00AM - 12:00AM

Where: Ponyfish Island, Southgate Pedestrian Bridge, Melbourne

Cost: Prices from $12.00

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A Spanish Twist

When 3 - 4 March, 12:00AM - 12:00PM

Where: Sotano Wine and Tapas, Hilton Melbourne, South Wharf

Cost: $5.00 Frozen Sangria, $10.00 Paella & Grill items

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Year of the Farmer

When 3 - 4 March, 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Where: Batman Park, Batman Park, Melbourne

Cost: Free

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Fed Square Favourites

When 3 - 4 March, 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Where: Federation Square, Cnr Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne

Cost: Free

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Southgate Tasting Plates

When 3 - 4 March, 10:00AM - 10:00PM

Where: Southgate, On the banks of the Yarra River, Southbank

Cost: Free Riverside entertainment. Tasting plates prices vary.

Bookings: 03 9686 1000, No bookings are necessary. Simply collect your Southgate Tasting Plates Passport at the information desk on the mid level and visit the participating restaurants and cafes on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March.

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The Ludlow Butchers Stall & Grill

When 3 March, 10:00AM - 9:00PM and 4 March, 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Where: The Ludlow Formation, 6 Riverside Quay, Southbank

Cost: Prices from $8.00

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Sweet Festivities

When 3 March, 10:00AM - 9:00PM and 4 March, 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Where: Crown Riverside, Yarra Promenade, Southbank

Cost: Free entry, sweet treats from $2.00

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Mapping Victoria's Hunger

When 3 - 4 March, 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Where: Batman Park, Batman Park, Melbourne

Cost: Free - please bring a can of food

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Festival Free River Shuttle Service

When 3 - 4 March, 10:00AM - 7:00PM

Where: Various Venues

Cost: Free upon presentation of your River Promenading Passport

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Family Foodie Weekend at ArtPlay

When 3, 4 March, 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Where: Artplay, Art Play building, Melbourne

Cost: Free

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Yarra's Edge Dockland Seafood BBQ Fest

When 3 - 4 March, 11:00AM - 6:00PM

Where: NewQuay Waterfront, 92 River Esplanade, Docklands

Cost: Prices from $5.00

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NewQuayCelebration

When 3 - 4 March, 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Where: NewQuay & Waterfront, Docklands Drive, Docklands

Cost: Free entertainment

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Fancy Fish Along South Wharf Promenade

When 3 March, 12:00PM - 8:00PM and 4 March, 12:00PM - 3:00PM

Where: South Wharf Boardwalk, South Wharf, South Wharf

Cost: Free

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Urban Picnic

When 3 - 4 March, 12:00PM - 6:00PM

Where: World Trade Centre Pier, World Trade Centre, Docklands

Cost: $10.00 per picnic voucher

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Docklands Gourmet Sails

When 3 - 4 March, 12:00PM - 3:00PM, 3 - 4 March, 3:00PM - 6:00PM and 3 - 4 March, 7:00PM - 10:00PM

Where: Adventure Sails, on the Yarra River, Waterfront City Marina

Cost: $90.00 includes cruise, glass of champagne & canapes

Bookings: 0418 374 912

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Nautical Progressive Dining

When 3 - 4 March, 12:00PM - 8:00PM

Where: Victorian Yacht Charters, on the Yarra River, Southbank

Cost: $150.00 includes food, wine and cruise

Bookings: 1300 304 992

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Yarra River Progressive Luncheon Cruise

When 3 - 4 March, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

Where: M.V Yarra Countess, on the Yarra River, Federation Square

Cost: $98.00 per head, includes river cruise, food & wine

Bookings: 03 8610 2600

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Seafood and Sailors

When 4 March, 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Where: Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street, Docklands

Cost: Prices from $10.00 for food and beverages. Free entry

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Pirate Day

When 4 March, 11:00AM - 4:00PM

Where: South Wharf, 20 Convention Centre Place, Melbourne

Cost: $15.00 Per Adult, $12.00 Concession, $8.00 per Child, $42.00 Family Ticket ( 2 Adults, up to 4 children)

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Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Greenhouse by Joost

When 2 - 21 March, 8:00AM - 10:00PM

Where: Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Greenhouse by Joost, Queensbridge Square, Southbank

Cost: Prices from $15.00 Breakfast, lunch and dinner menu available

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The Festival Information Hub

When 2 - 21 March, 8:00AM - 10:00PM

Where: The Festival Information Hub, 3 Freshwater Place, Southbank

Cost: Free

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MasterClass in Portrait

When 2 - 21 March, 8:00PM - 10:00PM

Where: MasterClass in Portrait, Queensbridge Square, Southbank

Cost: Free

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Breakfast At Tiffany's

When 3 March, 10:30AM - 12:30PM

Where: Showtime Events Centre, 61 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf

Cost: $150.00 five course brunch accompanied by French champagne

Bookings: 03 9696 3867

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Seafood, Boats & bbq

When 3 March, 11:00AM - 2:00PM

Where: The Wharf Hotel, World Trade Centre, Docklands

Cost: $125.00 cooking demonstration, boat ride, lunch with matched beverage

Bookings: 03 8680 6000, Online at: www.wharfhotel.com.au

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A Taste of Mornington In Melbourne

When 3 March, 12:00PM - 4:00PM

Where: River's Edge Events, World Trade Centre, Docklands

Cost: $135.00 four courses with matched wines and Red Hill cheeses

Bookings: 03 8680 6080, Online at: www.riversedgeevents.com.au, events@riversedgeevents.com.au

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Food Trucks Unite

When 3 - 4 March, 12:00PM - 9:00PM

Where: Signal Youth Space, 12 Banana Alley, Melbourne

Cost: Prices from $4.00 Dishes available for purchase.

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High Tea in the Sky

When 3, 4 March, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Where: Eureka 89, Level 89, Eureka Tower, Southbank

Cost: $85.00 all inclusive

Bookings: 03 9693 8889

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Little Piggy Goes To Market

When 3 March, 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Where: Meat Market, 53 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf

Cost: $70.00 four courses matched with local ciders

Bookings: 03 9008 8955

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Black Velvet

When 3 March, 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Where: Left Bank Melbourne, 1 Southbank Blvd, Southbank

Cost: $130.00 champagne, stout and canapés. Black Velvet cocktail on arrival

Bookings: 03 9682 4500

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Farmers' Delights & City Nights

When 3 March, 7:30PM - 9:30PM

Where: Eureka 89, Level 89, Eureka Tower, Southbank

Cost: $95.00 all inclusive

Bookings: 03 9693 8889

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Vegetable Puppet Workshop

When 4 March, 11:00AM - 12:00PM and 4 March, 12:30PM - 1:30PM

Where: The Arts Centre, Famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne

Cost: $18.00 per child (accompanying adult free)

Bookings: 1300 182 183

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Rare Spirits & Vintage Cocktails

When 4, 11, 17, 18 March, 12:00PM - 11:45PM

Where: Byblos Bar and Restaurant, World Trade Centre, Docklands

Cost: $55.00 cocktails and tasting notes (45 minute session)

Bookings: 03 9614 6400, Online at: www.byblosbar.com.au

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Barbie School by the Yarra

When 4, 11 March, 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Where: The Wharf Hotel, World Trade Centre, Docklands

Cost: $135.00 three-course seafood BBQ and all beverages

Bookings: 03 8680 6000

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Celebrating 20 Years with 20 days of eating and drinking - March 2-21

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2012 River Promenading Passport

Download a copy of the River Promenading Passport – your guide to more than 30 free and ticketed events taking place along - and on - the length of the Yarra River.

Download now.

Free Festival River Shuttle Service

Hop on, hop off the free boat shuttle service to get to each of the Riverside Opening Weekend events – for two Festival days only!

Free upon presentation of your River Promenading Passport.

Learn more.

Festival Bird's Eye @ EUREKA SKYDECK

Watch all the action of Riverside Opening Weekend – and far beyond – from the sky. Present your Riverside Promenading Passport for a 10% discount on admission to Skydeck. Offer valid 3 & 4 March, 10:00am – 10:00pm. No bookings required.