Proudly presented by the Volkswagen Club of Victoria Inc and Ballarat Volkswagens Club Inc.

2018 NATIONAL VW BUG-IN
30 March 2018 to 2 April 2018

the Event
Details
The 2018 National Bug-In will be held over Easter 2018 in the historic and picturesque Victorian regional city of Ballarat.  This four day event will be co-hosted by the Volkswagen Club of Victoria Inc and the Ballarat Volkswagens Club Inc.  The event commences on the afternoon of Good Friday 30 March 2018 and concludes on Monday 2 April 2018 at around lunchtime. 
During those four days there will be a range of activities that will provide all participants, and their VWs, an opportunity to mix with members from local and interstate VW clubs, participate in a welcome event, a choice of a cruise to Bendigo to be involved in the Bendigo  VW Club’s Easter car show,  a local Goldfields Cruise or a local wine or beer tasting experience, a car show and sausage sizzle on the shore of Lake Wendouree, a dinner with professional floor entertainment and a pancake breakfast held at the home of two local VW identities. An outline of the proposed events are listed below and more details will be made available as soon as possible.
Getting ready
Suggested accommodation venues are listed below. The Mercure Hotel is where the dinner and floor show will be held and it is offering reduced accommodation prices to event participants.  The Big 4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park and the Ballarat Suites are within walking distance to the Mercure Hotel.

If you intend to participate in what will be a great VW Bug In event it is very important that you make accommodation bookings as soon as possible.  As this event is held over Easter any accommodation vacancies in and around Ballarat will be filling fast.  The registration fee for the event, or any part, will be $15 per head. For planning purposes if you are attending the Bug-In please let the Volkswagen Club Victoria Inc know numbers etc by sending a short email with details to 2018vwBugIn@vwclub.com.au,  Bookings and payments for the Bug-In will be taken from 1 November 2017, arrangements and details will be advised as soon as possible.
After the Bug In concludes a five day VW tour around Victoria is planned and details are in this notice.  The tour is limited to 20 VWs, and their occupants, and entry is available to any member of a Victorian or interstate VW club.  Given the limited numbers that can attend this event bookings should be directed to the organiser, John Stevens, on john.stevens@justice.vic.gov.au as soon as possible.  Accommodation in the regional towns where the tour will overnight should be made once you have a confirmed place on the tour.  General enquiries regarding the tour should be forwarded to john.stevens@justice.vic.gov.au.
 
Suggested Bug-In accommodation in Ballarat

Daily event plan
Bug-In Events
The Bug In organising committee is currently finalising some details of events that will be conducted.  More detailed information and updates will be made available as soon as possible.

Friday 30 March 2018
Event
Registration and welcome social function - meals and drinks available at normal hotel bar prices.
Food and drinks at own cost.
Location
Seymour’s cnr Lydiard St Nth and Seymour Streets, Ballarat
Timing 
Anytime between 2 and 9pm

Saturday 31 March 2018
Event
Chose from either:-
  • Cruise to Bendigo VW Club’s Car Show.
  • Join a mystery cruise through Ballarat region stopping off at various points of interest.
  • Choose to visit some of the attractions of Ballarat including Sovereign Hill.
Participants meet their own expenses on the day.
Free evening.
Location
Depending on option chosen.  To be advised
Timing 
To be advised
 
Sunday 1 April 2018, Morning
Event
Car show and sausage sizzle on the shores of Lake Wendouree, or, if you wish, bring a picnic lunch.  People’s choice trophies will be awarded 
Car show entry will be available only to Bug In participants who will not pay an entry fee or the cost of the sausage sizzle.
Location
Lake Wendouree in central Ballarat
Timing
9am to 2pm

Sunday 1 April 2018,Evening
Event
Evening dinner, music and live floor show entertainment will be held at Mercure Hotel.  Entry fee $55 for meal and entertainment.  Drinks at own cost.
Location
Mercure Hotel
Timing
7 for 7-30
 
Monday 2 April 2018
Event
Farewell morning pancake breakfast
Location
Venue and details to be advised.
Timing
To be advised

2018 BUG IN TOUR
3 April to 7 April 2018

TOur overview
  • A total distance of around 1350 kms will be travelled on this tour. A mixture of goldfields, high country, mountain, rural and seaside perspectives of Victoria.
  • It will be conducted at a leisurely pace with plenty of time for you, your passengers and your VW to enjoy the cruise and take in the sights.
  • Notable places of interest that will be visited include the Tank Museum at Puckapunyal Army Base, King Valley and its wineries, the high country scenery into Bright, the Bright Micro-Brewery, the ascent and descent of Mount Hotham, Lakes Entrance, its fishing fleet and its seafood, Tarra Bulga National Park, Port Albert Maritime Museum and the Vietnam Veterans Museum at Newhaven on Phillip Island.
  • You will need to be a member of the Volkswagen Club of Victoria Inc, one of the other Victorian VW clubs or one of the interstate VW clubs to participate.  Once you book on the tour we suggest that you book your accommodation as soon as possible as it will be school holidays and some venues may have limited accommodation availability. Tell them you will be with the Volkswagen group.
  • You are advised to get in early or you may miss out.  The tour is limited to a maximum of 20 VWs. 
  • You will need to contact the organiser (see details below) and make arrangements to lodge the tour fee of $15 per person to secure your participation and help cover tour merchandise, giveaways and a few surprises that will be distributed at the start and during the tour.
  • Tour organiser:
John Stevens
03 8684 6203 BH
03 9890 2548AH
0458 678 965M
john.stevens@justice.vic.gov.au
 
itinerary
Day 1
3 April             Ballarat to Mansfield via Daylesford, Tooborac, Puckapunyal (Tank Museum)                   Seymour, Bonnie Doon (ah!…….the serenity) and Mansfield.  277 kms.
                        Mansfield accommodation options
  • Cabins, powered sites etc. contact:-
  • High Country Holiday Park  -  (03) 5775 2705.
  • Mansfield Holiday Park  -  (03) 5775 1383
  • For information on other accommodation including motels, B&Bs etc. please use Google search.
Day 2
4 April             Mansfield to Bright via Acheron, Whitfield, King Valley, Moyhu, Oxley,                               Milewa, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Tangambalanga, Kiewa Valley                                   Highway to Monagans Bridge, Tawonga and Bright.  295 kms.
                        Bright accommodation options
  • Cabins, powered sites etc. contact:-
  • Bright Pine Valley Tourist Park  -  1800 069 091
  • Bright Holiday Park  -  1800 706 685
  • For information on other accommodation including motels, B&Bs etc. please use Google search.
Day 3
5 April             Bright to Lakes Entrance via Dinner Plain, Mount Hotham, Omeo, Ensay,                          Tambo Crossing, Bruthen and Lakes Entrance. 228 kms.                

                        Lakes Entrance accommodation options
  • Contact Lakes Entrance RSL Hotel/Motel  -  (03) 5155 1555
  • For information on other accommodation including motels, B&Bs etc. please use Google search.
 
Day 4
6 April             Lakes Entrance to Foster via Bairnsdale, Bengworden, Perry Bridge, East                         Sale, Traralgon East, Balook, Tarra Bulga National Park, Tarra Valley,                            Yarram, Port Albert and Foster.  284 kms.

                       
                        Foster accommodation options
  • Contact Prom Central Caravan Park  -  5682 2440
  • For information on other accommodation including motels, B&Bs etc. please use Google search.

Day 5             
7 April              Foster to Melbourne via Fish Creek, Venus Bay, Cape Paterson, Wonthaggi,                     Newhaven on Phillip Island (Vietnam Veterans Museum), Lang Lang,                           Tooradin and Melbourne.  223 kms.