As summer fades to a close, what better way to relish in the last of the warm weather than with a day of music, food and fine wine with friends. A Day on the Green has become somewhat of an Australian icon and has been graced by both international and local stars in its 15 year tenure. The upcoming Victorian leg of A Day on the Green takes place in the beautiful Rochford Wines, situated in the stunning Yarra Valley. About an hour’s drive from central Melbourne, Rochford Wines is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy the first weekend of autumn.
This Saturday the 5th of March, A Day on the Green will see Matchbox 20 front man, and successful solo artist, Rob Thomas take to the stage for an energetic performance of his new album The Great Unknown. Joining Thomas on the stellar line-up are home-grown talents Pete Murray, Darren Middleton and Shaun Black.
Melbourne on the Move are offering coach transfers, from a variety of pick up points to and from the winery, allowing you to enjoy your day on the green without worrying about how to get home. To find out more about this weekend’s entertainment, venue and transport options, read on.
The Music
Rob Thomas has come back with his first solo musical offering in six years – his much anticipated third album The Great Unknown. This coincides with the 20th anniversary of Matchbox 20’s debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, which saw the American singer skyrocket to fame. Fans can expect to hear highlights from the new album, as well as Thomas’ classic hits, in an energetic and charismatic performance with plenty of sing-along moments.
Supporting Thomas is special guest Pete Murray, Australia’s home grown folk-pop hero. The singer-songwriter is renowned for his intimate, soul-filled performances and fans can expect stripped back renditions of crowd favourites like “So Beautiful” and “Seen Better Days”.
Earlier in the day, you can catch chilled out performances from the multi-talented Darren Middleton (of Powderfinger fame) and breakthrough artist Shaun Black.
The Venue
Rochford Wines is a stunning venue, with lush plains and sweeping views of the Great Dividing Ranges. This world class winery in the heart of the Yarra Valley transforms into a bustling concert venue for A Day on the Green – its natural amphitheatre is decked out with a huge stage and intimate tiered seating is set up for diamond, platinum, gold and silver ticket holders. General Admission ticket holders are encouraged to spread out on the grass with their own picnic rugs or deckchairs and spend the day eating, drinking and relaxing with friends whilst soaking up the festival vibes. All guests are able to bring a picnic basket full of their favourite snacks and there will be an extensive selection of wines available for purchase at the bar.
Handy Tips
A Day on the Green is an incredibly unique experience, and has been described in the past as “the Big Day Out for grown-ups”. Unlike many festivals and winery concerts, punters are able to bring their own food and relax on the grassy plains with self-supplied blankets and chairs. To fully enjoy this immersive celebration of music, food and wine, make sure you pack essential items like sunscreen, a hat, warm clothing for when the sun sets and a torch. It’s also a good idea to label your esky and other items. Please be advised that BYO alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages (apart from sealed bottled water under 700mls) are not permitted. You cannot bring glass, metal cutlery, video recording equipment, tables, tents or umbrellas into the festival. Also, be sure to bring plenty of cash as there are no ATMs of EFTPOS facilities available.
Book Your Seats on the Coach
For the ultimate A Day on the Green experience, leave your car at home and book a coach transfer with Melbourne on the Move. Traveling by coach will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the festival experience, while avoiding the stress of the carpark queue and the drive home. Coach transfers must be pre-booked, however we also provide a shuttle service from Lilydale railway station which can be paid for on the day.
Book your seats on the coach transfer via our website today and view a full list of pick-up points.