Kiwi numbers to Victoria are climbing, and the state’s tourism board is keen to see this continue, especially into the winter months when it boasts a packed events calendar that offers everything from medieval fairs to diamond exhibitions.
Some 363,000 New Zealanders crossed the Tasman last year for a Victorian getaway, says Visit Victoria, up from the 340,000 seen in 2024.
Visit Victoria ceo Brendan McClements says the tourism board is encouraged by the Kiwi arrivals growth over the past year, adding that it knows many New Zealanders travel for the state’s major events across sports, music and the arts.
“We expect to see continued inter est this year particularly for events such as the NFL, as well as visitors wanting to experience the food and culture on offer every day of the year.”
Alongside highlighting its events calendar, the STO is pushing Kiwi visitation via its Every Bit Different campaign, that McClements says promotes the best bits of Melbourne and Victoria, and he adds Visit Victoria will continue to support Kiwi agents via Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program.
. . . The Line-Up
Victoria’s events line-up includes Melbourne Winter Masterpieces: Cartier, an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria 12 Jun-04 Oct, as well as A Beautiful Noise: The Neal Diamond Musical, opening on 08 Aug at Princess Theatre.
Art, music and performance festival RISING will take place in venues across Melbourne 27 May-08 Jun, with Visit Victoria pointing out this includes showcase Defend the Throne a performance from New Zealand’s The Royal Family Dance Crew.
Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill will host Winter Wonderlights 26 Jun-19 Jul, a winter experience featuring foam snow, light projections across the Main Street, local storytelling, arts and craft sessions, theatre, carols and even a St Nicholas’ Grotto.
Also embracing the chill is the East Gippsland Winter Festival on 20 Jun-20 Jul (pictured) with a program that includes Lakes Lights with larger-than-life lantern sculptures and light installations, and the Bruthen Medieval Winter Fire Festival, where medieval costumes are encouraged. For more on what to do in Victoria this winter, see HERE.
