Kangaroo Valley Craft Beer & BBQ Festival

• www.kvbbq.com.au
• 13 Sep 2026 - 14 Sep 2026
• 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

At a Glance: The Event Snapshot

The Kangaroo Valley Craft Beer & BBQ Festival is the ultimate spring celebration on the South Coast, bringing together the region’s finest pitmasters, craft brewers, and live entertainment in a breathtaking valley setting. Base yourself with Experience Jervis Bay to enjoy the ultimate “surf and turf” weekend—waking up to white sand beaches before heading inland for a legendary day of smoky BBQ and ice-cold ales.

Introduction

There is a specific magic that settles over the South Coast of New South Wales when spring arrives. The crisp winter air gives way to sunshine that warms your shoulders, and the region comes alive with energy. Imagine waking up in your Experience Jervis Bay holiday rental, the smell of the salt air drifting through the windows, and the impossibly turquoise water of the bay glistening just a short stroll away. You spend your morning sinking your toes into the world-renowned white sands of Hyams Beach, letting the coastal tranquility wash over you.

But as the morning rolls on, a different kind of sensory experience calls. Just a stunning 45-minute scenic drive inland, navigating through lush rainforest canopies and sweeping escarpment views, lies the iconic Kangaroo Valley Craft Beer & BBQ Festival.

This isn’t just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for flavor seekers. It’s the perfect excuse for Sydney-siders, Canberrans, and regional NSW locals to pack the car and escape the city grind. By blending the unmatched coastal serenity of Jervis Bay with the vibrant, mouth-watering festivities of Kangaroo Valley, you curate a weekend getaway that hits every single note. After a day of cheering on competitive eaters, sipping small-batch brews, and soaking up the valley vibes, you get to retreat back to the peaceful shores of Jervis Bay. It is the ultimate South Coast weekend itinerary.

The Deep Dive: Kangaroo Valley Craft Beer & BBQ Festival

History & Heart

Set against the towering, dramatic backdrop of the Kangaroo Valley escarpment, this festival is hosted on the expansive grounds of The Friendly Inn—one of the oldest and most beloved pubs in the region. Born out of a love for community, authentic low-and-slow cooking, and the booming independent Australian craft beer scene, the festival has grown from a local secret into a hallmark regional event. It is a celebration of craftsmanship, whether that craft is tending a smoker for 14 hours to achieve the perfect brisket bark, or brewing a perfectly balanced, hazy IPA.

What to Expect: A Sensory Experience

From the moment you step onto the festival grounds, your senses are hijacked in the best possible way. The air is thick with the sweet, savory, and unmistakably intoxicating aroma of hickory, ironbark, and sizzling meats. Giant custom-built offset smokers billow fragrant smoke into the spring sky.

The energy is absolutely infectious. As you wander past the bustling food stalls, you’ll hear the rhythmic chopping of brisket, the hiss of grills, and the upbeat tempo of live rock and blues echoing from the main stage. Take a look at the roaring crowd and you might just witness one of the festival’s legendary eating competitions. Picture this: rows of eager participants, sunglasses on to block the spring glare, enthusiastically tearing into massive, meter-long artisanal sausages while the crowd cheers them on. It’s hilariously competitive, slightly messy, and perfectly encapsulates the casual, joyous spirit of the weekend. You’ll find yourself laughing, cheering, and inevitably getting in line to buy a snag of your own.

Who It’s For

• For Families: This isn’t just an adult playground. The festival is incredibly family-friendly, offering sprawling grassy areas where kids can run free. Expect face painting, lawn games, and even kid-friendly entertainment between the main stage acts. The relaxed, open-air vibe means parents can enjoy a tasting paddle while the little ones are safely entertained.

• For Couples: Looking for a fun, lively date day? Share a massive BBQ platter for two—loaded with pulled pork, ribs, and slaw—while sampling tasting paddles from boutique breweries. Grab a picnic blanket, find a spot under the shade of a gum tree, and enjoy the live music with the stunning escarpment as your romantic backdrop.

• For Solo Adventurers & Groups: If you’re rolling solo or with a crew of mates, this is paradise. The communal tables and laid-back pub atmosphere make it incredibly easy to strike up a conversation with local brewers, passionate pitmasters, and fellow travelers.

The Local Insider’s Edge

To make the most of your festival day, you need the inside scoop. Here is how the locals do it:

Pro-Tips:

1. The “Early Bird” Strategy: Don’t wait until 1:00 PM to arrive. The best BBQ cuts (especially the legendary burnt ends and specialty ribs) sell out fast. Arrive by 11:00 AM to secure your prime meat and a good parking spot.

2. Divide and Conquer: If you are traveling with a group, don’t all stand in the same line. Send half the group to the craft beer tents to secure tasting paddles, while the other half lines up for the major BBQ stalls. Meet in the middle!

3. Hydrate and Pace: Craft beer and sunshine are a potent mix. Bring a reusable water bottle—there are plenty of stations to fill up, ensuring you can go the distance from lunch to the evening bands.

Weather & Packing:

September on the South Coast is beautiful but transitional. You can expect warm, sunny days in the valley (mid-20s Celsius) but the temperature can drop sharply when the sun dips behind the escarpment. Pack in layers: a t-shirt or singlet for the midday sun, paired with a warm flannel, denim jacket, or hoodie for the late afternoon. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must, as you’ll be walking on grass and uneven ground all day.

Photography Spots:

For that perfect Instagram shot, head to the western edge of the beer garden just as the sun starts to lower—the golden hour light hitting the Kangaroo Valley escarpment is breathtaking. Alternatively, get a high-energy action shot right near the main stage during the eating competitions, capturing the joyous mid-bite expressions of the competitors!

Stay with Experience Jervis Bay

Why stay in Jervis Bay for an event in Kangaroo Valley? Because it elevates your trip from a simple festival visit to a comprehensive coastal holiday. By making Experience Jervis Bay your accommodation matchmaker, you get the absolute best of both worlds: the vibrant, smoky thrill of the valley by day, and the soothing, rhythmic crash of the ocean by night.

After a day of heavy BBQ and craft beer, there is nothing quite like escaping the valley crowds and retreating to the pristine, quiet shores of the bay.

The “Perfect Match” Recommendations:

• For Families: Look for our spacious, pet-friendly homes in Vincentia or Huskisson. These properties feature large, fully fenced backyards—perfect for the dog and the kids to burn off any remaining energy—and massive chef’s kitchens. You can wake up, make a big family breakfast, and easily hit the road for the valley.

• For Couples: We offer an array of intimate, beachfront studios and cozy coastal cottages in Hyams Beach and Callala Bay. Imagine leaving the festival in the late afternoon, arriving back at your private retreat, and pouring a glass of local wine on a sunset-view balcony overlooking the water. It is the ultimate romantic wind-down.

• For Groups & Foodies: Traveling with a crew of mates? You need space to spread out. Choose one of our large, multi-story holiday rentals featuring expansive outdoor entertaining decks, BBQ facilities (in case the festival inspired you to cook!), multiple bathrooms, and plenty of secure storage for surfboards, bikes, and beach gear.

Beyond the Event: The “Long Weekend” Itinerary

Don’t just come for the Saturday; make a true long weekend out of it to truly experience the South Coast.

Pre/Post Event Ideas:

• Friday: Arrive in Jervis Bay, check into your Experience Jervis Bay rental, and stretch your legs with a sunset walk along the White Sands Walk from Greenfield Beach to Hyams Beach.

• Sunday: Shake off the BBQ food coma with some fresh ocean air! Book a morning Dolphin Watch Cruise out of Huskisson to see our resident pods playing in the bay. Alternatively, head into Booderee National Park for a swim at the astonishingly clear Murrays Beach, followed by a walk through the ruined lighthouse at Cape St George.

The Pitch:

Beat the notorious Sunday afternoon Sydney and Canberra traffic by extending your stay! Book three nights with Experience Jervis Bay. Wake up slow on Monday morning, enjoy a coffee at a local Huskisson cafe, and drive home relaxed, refreshed, and completely blissed out.

Practical & Technical Info

• Getting There: * From Sydney: A scenic 2-hour drive via the Princes Highway.

  • From Canberra: Roughly 2.5 hours via the Federal and Kings Highways.

  • From Jervis Bay: An easy, gorgeous 45-minute drive via Tourist Road and Moss Vale Road.

• Parking & Accessibility: Parking is available in designated paddocks near The Friendly Inn (follow the signs and traffic wardens). Get there early. The venue is predominantly flat and grassy, making it reasonably accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, though terrain can be uneven.

• Tickets & Information: Grab your passes and view the official lineup directly from the event organizers.

  • Ticket Link: Official Kangaroo Valley BBQ Festival Website