One of Mildura's biggest weekends for car lovers is just around the corner, with the Goanna Run returning from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026.
Hosted by the Desert City Rodders, the annual event brings hot rods, customs and classic cars from across Australia to Sunraysia, but over the years it has grown into much more than just a car show.
Rock 'n' roll, rockabilly culture, live music, food and plenty of chrome are all part of a weekend that draws visitors and locals out for a look.
And if last year's numbers are anything to go by, there should be plenty to see. Desert City Rodders says more than 250 cars entered the 2025 Goanna Run, with around 10,000 people attending the Saturday night Feast Street display and Sunday's Show 'n' Shine.
Saturday night brings the cars into town
For many locals, Saturday evening is the part of the Goanna Run they know best.
From 5pm on Saturday 24 October, Goanna Run entrants will cruise into the Mildura City Heart before parking their cars throughout the closed section of Langtree Avenue and Langtree Mall.
The cars remain on display until 9.30pm, effectively turning the centre of Mildura into one big open-air car display.
Locals can wander through the rows of hot rods and customs while the restaurants and traders around Feast Street remain open for what is traditionally a very busy Saturday evening.
Organisers are advising anyone planning to eat at one of the Feast Street restaurants to book ahead.
Remember what it looked like?
Out & About Sunraysia headed down to the street display during the 2023 Goanna Run, when Langtree Avenue was packed with cars and people.
If you've never been along – or just want a reminder of what Feast Street looks like during Goanna Run – our video from that night gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect when the cars roll back into the CBD this October.
The Saturday night display is one of the easiest parts of the weekend for locals to get along to. You don't need to be a dedicated car enthusiast either – there's plenty happening around the City Heart while the cars are parked throughout the street.
There's plenty happening before Saturday night
The weekend actually gets underway on Friday 23 October, with entrants gathering at the Gateway lawns from 5pm for registration, dinner and live music.
Saturday morning starts from 8.30am before the Kate'z Cruise observation run heads off at 10am.
Entrants then have the afternoon to explore Mildura before regrouping for the Saturday night display in the CBD.
Show 'n' Shine on the riverfront
On Sunday 25 October, attention moves to Nowingi Place on the Mildura riverfront.
Cars begin assembling from 8.30am for the Show 'n' Shine, accompanied by breakfast, food vans, children's activities and live music.
Show 'n' Shine presentations are scheduled for 12.30pm.
It gives anyone who couldn't make Saturday night's street display another opportunity to get up close to the cars in a very different setting beside the Murray.
More than a local car meet
Desert City Rodders was formed in Mildura in 1974, meaning the club itself has now been part of Sunraysia's motoring community for more than half a century.
The Goanna Run has become its signature event and attracts entrants from well beyond the region.
The club describes the weekend as not only a celebration of hot rods and custom cars, but also the lifestyle surrounding them – including rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, fashion and art.
With entrants coming from around Australia and thousands of people heading out to see the cars, it's also one of those weekends that brings visitors into Mildura's accommodation venues, restaurants, cafes and other local businesses.
When: Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October 2026
Feast Street
Saturday 24 October
5pm – 9.30pm
Langtree Avenue and Langtree Mall
Show 'n' Shine
Sunday 25 October
From 8.30am
Nowingi Place, Mildura Riverfront
