BBQ & Pitmasters
Authentic barbecue cooked in view of visitors, with pitmasters encouraged to explain their craft and engage directly with the public.
Royal Hotel Bungendore presents
Bungendore Beer & BBQ Festival
Texas Hill Country meets an Australian Heritage Pub Town.
Authentic low-and-slow barbecue, beer, live-fire cooking, music and genuine country hospitality in the heart of Bungendore.
Tickets On Sale Now
Join Us in Bungendore
Saturday 20 March 2027 · Royal Hotel Bungendore
General admission $20 (ages 16+) · Under 16s free · Limited to 750 paid tickets
The Festival
Australia's premier country pub beer and BBQ festival — built around authenticity, not scale.
The Bungendore Beer & BBQ Festival is an annual regional food, beverage and entertainment festival celebrating authentic barbecue, beer, live-fire cooking and country hospitality.
Centred on the Royal Hotel Bungendore, with the Lake George Hotel providing complementary premium experiences, the Festival is designed as a village-based weekend that encourages visitors to stay, explore local businesses and experience Bungendore.
The barbecue is not simply something to eat. It is one of the Festival's principal attractions: the smell of wood smoke, the sight of pitmasters tending fires and the opportunity to see how authentic low-and-slow barbecue is made.
Authentic BarbecueOffset smokers, live fire, pitmasters and low-and-slow cooking.
Country HospitalityTwo historic pubs and a welcoming village atmosphere.
A Bungendore WeekendStay overnight, explore the village and support local businesses.
Quality Before ScaleVisitor experience, safety and authenticity come first.
Festival Day
What's On
Saturday brings Smoker Alley to life with barbecue vendors, regional beverages, music, demonstrations, family-friendly activities and opportunities to meet the pitmasters behind the food.
Fire & Smoke
Wood, charcoal, offset smokers and open-fire cooking create the theatre, smell and atmosphere that define the Festival.
Meet the Pitmasters
See the equipment, watch demonstrations and learn directly from experienced barbecue cooks.
The Centrepiece
Smoker Alley
Smoker Alley is one of the defining features of the Bungendore Beer & BBQ Festival. Rather than hiding cooking equipment behind service areas, smokers and live-fire cooking remain visible throughout the day.
Visitors can watch pitmasters tending fires, smell the wood smoke, ask questions and experience authentic barbecue as part of the entertainment itself.
Festival Weekend
Premium Experiences
Small-group, high-quality experiences give visitors another reason to stay overnight in Bungendore.
Friday
Smoke-Up Friday
The smokers are lit, vendors prepare for Saturday and visitors begin arriving. It is the build-up to the main event, not a second full festival day.
Friday Evening · Lake George Hotel
Fire & Smoke Dinner
The Fire & Smoke Dinner takes place on Friday 19 March 2027 at the Lake George Hotel Bungendore. VIP ticket holders also receive general admission to Saturday’s festival and balcony access.
Saturday · Two Sessions
Pitmaster Masterclasses
Small-group three-hour sessions covering fire management, smoker operation, meat preparation and authentic low-and-slow barbecue techniques.
Come to Bungendore
Plan Your Visit
The Festival is designed to increase visitation to Bungendore, encourage overnight stays and spread economic benefit across the village.
Getting Here
Bungendore is approximately 30–40 minutes from central Canberra by road. Festival-specific transport information will be published as arrangements are confirmed.
Parking & Access
Visitor parking, accessible parking, pedestrian routes and final traffic information will be published before Festival weekend.
Stay in Bungendore
Turn the Festival into a weekend. Accommodation is available at the Royal Hotel and through other providers around Bungendore.
Explore the Village
Visitors are encouraged to walk the village, visit cafés, galleries, retailers and local producers, and experience both historic pubs.
Festival Partners
Built Together
Sponsors are partners in a long-term tourism and hospitality event for Bungendore, not simply advertisers around a one-day festival.
Supporting Sponsor
Supporting sponsor, strategic event partner and host of premium experiences.
Festival Sponsors & Partners
Supporting the fire, smoke and authentic barbecue experience. Additional partners will be listed as confirmed.
Festival Tickets
Secure Your Spot
Join us on Saturday 20 March 2027 at the Royal Hotel Bungendore. Tickets are available now; more festival announcements are coming soon.
Tickets are on sale now
General admission is $20 for ages 16+. Children under 16 enter free. Availability is limited to 750 paid tickets.
Buy Tickets Now
General admission is $20 for ages 16+. Children under 16 enter free. Availability is limited to 750 paid tickets.
Buy Tickets Now
Visitor Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a ticket?
Yes. General admission is $20 for visitors aged 16 and over. Children under 16 enter free. There are 750 paid tickets available. Buy tickets through 123Tix.
Is the Festival family friendly?
Yes. The Festival is intended to remain family friendly and welcoming to visitors of all ages, with the Royal Hotel bistro continuing to provide additional dining choices.
What about fire restrictions?
Wood-fired cooking is central to the event, but safety comes first. Weather and fire conditions will be monitored and operational changes made in consultation with relevant authorities if required.