Sat + Sun at Jubilee Hall - Presented by Melbourne Airport

Does not include events outside this venue, such as the Ash Wednesday Play - please book separately.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November

Does not include events outside this venue, such as the Ash Wednesday Play, or events on the Sunday - please book separately.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Sunday 24 November

SUNDAY DAY PASS

Does not include events outside this venue, such as the Ash Wednesday Play, or events on the Saturday - please book separately.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November, 10am - 11am

Gina Chick (We Are the Stars) triumphed on Alone Australia, surviving two months in the Tasmania wilderness to become its inaugural winner. In conversation with Jacinta Parsons, Gina Chick will share her journey into the wild; her unconventional childhood, the nightlife of the 90s, and the grief and chaos that led her to discover the innate wisdom of the body and the healing power of nature.

Presented in partnership with the Wheeler Centre

at Mountview Theatre

Saturday 23 November, 10am - 11am

Waanyi writer Alexis Wright (Praiseworthy) is the only person to have won the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Stella Prize twice. With Evelyn Araluen (Drop Bear) she will unpack her latest novel, Praiseworthy, discussing allegory and epics, Indigenous forms of storytelling and climate catastrophe. 

Sponsored by Duneira Estate

at Duneira Estate

Saturday 23 November, 10am - 1pm

Learn how to draw, sketch and paint beautiful botanical art with Sarah Hankinson (Art Class: Flowers and Foliage). Using an array of botanicals as inspiration, you will be guided through simple foliage exercises and more structured botanical art projects. Sarah’s practice blends traditional and non-traditional approaches to still life drawing—no experience in drawing or illustration is required. Suitable for beginners who want a taster in drawing, and intermediates who want a different take on their creative processes. Includes a break.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November, 11.30am - 12.30pm

From human’s best friend, to our companions for life, why do so many humans have strong relationships with animals? How do they engage with their environment in a way human beings can learn from? Hear from Georgia Angus (Birds with Personality), Robbie Arnott (Dusk) and Tanya Loos (Living with Wildlife) as they chat living alongside and loving animals, with chicken fanatic Fiona Scott-Norman (This Chicken Life).

at Mountview Theatre

Saturday 23 November, 11.30 - 12.30pm

From the land-rights movement, to Treaty borne from the ashes of an unsuccessful referendum, Clare Wright (Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions) and Inala Cooper (Marrul) discuss the long, powerful history of First Nations sovereignty and activism. With Tom Griffiths they will discuss the Yirrkala Bark Petitions and what this founding document can teach us about Australian democracy as we journey towards Treaty. 

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November, 1.30pm - 2.30pm

Australia is in peril. Do we truly grasp the impact of a warming planet–in particular, what it will mean for our sunburnt country? Leading climate scientist, Dr Joëlle Gergis (Highway to Hell) discusses her searing Quarterly Essay with Lesley Head and Australia’s fossil fuel reliance and the consequences on Australia’s future.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November, 3pm - 4pm

Renowned environmental activist Bob Brown discusses dedicating his life to advocacy, Australia’s biggest environmental moments, and the politics of place with Jeff Sparrow (12 Rules for Strife).

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November, 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Bruce Pascoe (Dark Emu) and partner Lyn Harwood walk us through Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra, where they are disrupting the way we think about food production and agriculture in this country. They invite us to imagine a different future for Australia, one where we can honour and improve our relationship with nature. 

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Saturday 23 November, 7.30pm - 9pm

Join us for a screening of Bob Brown’s documentary The Giants which explores the intertwined fates of trees and humans. Followed by a Q&A with Bob Brown, co-directors Laurence Billiet and Rachael Antony with Clare Wright.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Sunday 24th November, 10am - 11am

Renowned novelist Robbie Arnott (Dusk), joins Astrid Edwards to discuss his latest novel Dusk, wild and haunted landscapes, and how his landscape informs his writing and creative practice.

at Mountview Theatre

Sunday 24th November, 10 - 11am

Lynne Kelly (The Knowledge Gene) talks to Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell about uncovering the source of human creativity; a gene that mutated 500,000 years ago and transformed humanity into musical, artistic and storytelling beings. With special guests Jane Rusden and Hilary Blackshaw the panel will discuss art and the cognitive strengths of neurodivergent people.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Sunday 24th November, 11.30am - 12.30pm

Paul Bangay (Big Garden Design) is no stranger to working at scale, and throughout his career has created huge gardens to wander and explore. He joins horticulturalist Stephen Ryan to discuss his grandest plans from a career in garden design. 

at Mountview Theatre

Sunday 24th November, 11.30 - 12.30pm

The trees around us–some we may walk past every day–tell a story. The mallee box by the twelfth hole of North Adelaide Golf Course evokes a time when Adelaide was clothed in mallee scrub and desert senna. Brisbane’s remnant blue gum, growing by the botanic gardens, indicates a time when the city was once jungle. The river red gums of Melbourne bear the scars of Aboriginal craftmanship. Mangroves, Leichhardt trees, acacias, eucalypts, foxtails. Ramble through a millennia of Australian natural history with experts Dave Witty (What the Trees See) and Sophie Cunningham (City of Trees).

at Duneira Estate, sponsored by Duneira Estate and Harvest and Soul

Sunday 24th November, 12pm-1pm

In 1982, Bob Brown was the face of the campaign to save the Franklin River. This was just the beginning of a long career of environmental activism, notably the expansion of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and a champion to save takanya (the Tarkine Rainforest). Bob Brown reflects on a life of activism with Mary Gearin, establishing the Bob Brown Foundation in 2012, and the what next? for conservation. Booking this intimate session gives you an exclusive opportunity to explore the grounds of Duneira Estate after scintillating conversation.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Sunday 24th November, 1.30pm - 2.30pm

Dr Kate Luckins (Live More With Less) is a sustainable living researcher and the creator of the global clothes-swapping movement, The Clothing Exchange. She joins futurist Jose Ramos and Billy Griffiths (Deep Time Dreaming) to discuss what a sustainable future looks like, and how we get there by forming habits in the present. 

at Duneira Estate, sponsored by Duneira Estate, Mount Towrong Vineyard & Harvest and Soul

Sunday 24th November, 3 - 4pm

Annie Smithers (Kitchen Sentimental) will take us on a journey through every significant kitchen in her life, both domestic and professional, chatting to Jaclyn Crupi (Pasta Love) about her personal development, her surprisingly complex relationship with food, and the lessons she has learned to find her garden-to-table niche at du Fermier, Trentham.  Be welcomed with a glass of bubbles provided by Mount Towrong Vineyard in the salon of historic Duneira Estate.

at Jubilee Hall, presented by Melbourne Airport

Sunday 24th November, 3 - 4pm

Legendary musos Tim Rogers, Valanga Khoza, Tiana Khasi will chat about the profound influence landscape has on their songwriting. From Kalgoorlie to South Africa, Samoa to Naarm this conversation will span soulful RnB, to rock and roll; lineage to lyrics. Close Mountain Festival weekend with an expansive conversation from three artistic powerhouses.

Moderated by Jacinta Parsons.

at Soccer Pitch

Sunday 24 November, 8am - 9am

Begin your Mountain Festival with a gentle flow hosted by Danae Wellness that will connect you to your body and to the landscape around you. Start your day grounded and with intention with some gentle movement, awakening your senses to the dawn chorus.

This gentle flow will be prop free, and suitable for beginners. Please let Danae know if you have any injuries. If you can, please bring a towel or yoga mat.

at Meeting Place 

Sunday 24 November, 8.30am - 9.30am

Sean Dooley (BirdLife Australia) and Tanya Loos (Living with Wildlife) are deeply embedded in bird conservation and citizen science. Spot native birds in Middle Gully with these expert twitchers and learn the ways you can create habitats for birds in your own backyard. Suitable for beginners, no expertise required.

at Eco Shed

Sunday 24 November, 10am - 11am

Make a magic potion with plants cultivated straight from your veggie patch! Caroline Parker (The Medicinal Garden) will help you pick, forage, mix and make delicious chocolate truffles.

at Eco Shed

Sunday 24 November, 11am - 12md

Let your imagination change the world. Design machines to transform cities into high-tech forests. Imagine self-sufficient food production in cities. Design human powered flying bike networks. Masterplan sustainable futures in a high-energy, creative workshop for 8+ with Steve Mushin (UltraWild).

at Soccer Pitch

Sunday 24 November, 12.45pm - 1pm

A perfect way to re-energise, connect with nature and let the inspiration of the morning sessions land within your mind, body and heart.

This guided meditation suitable for everyone, with no experience necessary. 

Drop into the glade and the moment over lunch.

Free. No bookings necessary.

at Nature’s Chorus Workshop

Sunday 24 November, 1.30pm-2.30pm

Sing nature’s chorus with musician Valanga Khoza. Be introduced to the joyous music of South Africa and sing in harmony to connect with community and the surrounding landscape. Interspersing music with storytelling, Valanga Khoza will take us on a tour through meaning and culture of this music, whilst you move, groove and sing your heart out.  

at Meeting Place

Sunday 24 November, 1.30pm - 2.30pm

Dave Witty (What the Trees See) will illuminate the remarkable insights that Australia’s trees can offer into our past on a tree walk through Middle Gully. Learn what the local acacias, gums and even pines and pin oaks say about Victoria’s history.

at Eco Shed

Sunday 24 November, 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Learn how to grow your garden and herbal first-aid kit with herbs, flowers and foraged weeds with Caroline Parker (The Medicinal Garden). From edible treats to therapeutic remedies, unearth the healing potential of plants both wild and cultivated. You’ll learn easy, natural remedies for your skin, gut, muscles, heart and mind via oils, tinctures, compresses, steams and washes for health and healing.

at Meeting Place

Sunday 24 November, 2.45pm - 4.30pm

Round off a weekend at Mountain Festival with artist Jane Rusden examining the plants, insects and birds found in the Estate's gardens. Jane will run a nature journaling workshop incorporating sketching, deep observation and elements of citizen science. Embedded in Jane Rusden’s passion for wilderness and love of adventure is a strong conservation consciousness. Allow yourself to be, to observe and to document a wonderful weekend spent outdoors.