EASTER HIGHLIGHTS

RING THE BELL
Easter is shaping up as a major event bonanza with surfing, music and sport all combining for a big long weekend.

Bells Beach’s annual international drawcard, The Rip Curl Pro, will have the world best wave-carvers descending on Torquay’s rugged, iconic coast.

Over the past 50-plus years, Bells have proven a magnet for the planet’s best, with names like Richards, Slater, Curren, Anderson, Irons, Gilmore, Beachley, Menczer and Mearig ringing the classic’s brass bell multiple times. This year will see Aussie superstar Mick Fanning make his last outing in competitive surfing at Bells before calling it quits. With four Bells titles to his name, it will be a bittersweet kind of homecoming/departure.

Don’t miss it. It’s on from now until April 8.

THE DROP
Here’s something different: a national touring festival that follows the waves, celebrates local music, endorses the quintessential Aussie road trip and encourages a lifestyle of good food, beautiful natural surrounds, art and culture.

Enjoy all of this with your favourite people and musical acts including Safia, Dune Rats, San Cisco, Holy Holy and Ruby Fields.

It’s all on at The Drop, Saturday, March 31 at the Torquay Common, Bell Street and Surf Beach Drive, Torquay.

Gates will open at 4pm with the first band kicking off at 4.30pm and the final band playing until 10pm.

SHEEPWASH CLASSIC
More than 600 competitors will tackle the Barwon Coast Sheepwash Classic on Easter Saturday, March 31, in Barwon Heads.

Staged over a stunning route, the Classic brings serious competitors and fun runners together over either the 8km or 4km courses along the spectacular coastline of the Bellarine Peninsula.

The Sheepwash Classic is the major fundraiser for Barwon Heads Primary School and is run by a dedicated group of parent volunteers and staff from the school. It is a family fun run with many parents and children building memories together with kids of all ages participating.

The start gun is set to fire at 8am from ‘At the Heads’ restaurant. Runners then cross the footbridge and head down to the beach towards Ocean Grove, returning along the walking track. The 8km track then takes in the scenic beauty of the Barwon Heads bluff before returning to the finish line next to the rotunda in Lahey Square, Barwon Heads.

CATS v HAWKS
Footy’s back and the Cats are clashing with traditional rivals Hawthorn on April 2. The game will be a Cats home game but staged at the MCG, making for a great day out. Bounce will be at 3.20pm.