27 events in Melbourne, Victoria

Sunday 1st March 2026

The date is set for the this season's WOW at the iconic Williamstown Beach.

1.2km | 2.5km | 5km SWIMS

Unfortunately, we are unable to run the 10km swim this year :-(

The Williamstown Open Water Swim– The "WOW” is for everyone – champions, weekend warriors, kids, fast, slow, young and old!

All swimmers are in the [DEL: running :DEL] swimming to win a $600 2XU VOUCHER.

The WOW is swum at Williamstown Beach on our 1.2km and 2.5km courses. This year on the 2.5km course we have a beach start and you will swim in an anti-clockwise direction. Your first turn will take you around the Rock Groyne and over The Crystal Pool (aka "The Crystals"), a much loved local diving and snorkelling site. A left turn close to the boat harbour takes you out into deeper water and after another left turn, you’ll head East onto the legendary WOW Back Straight. With a final left turn, swimmers head back to the beach area, to your well-deserved feeding station or finish arch on the sand.

Event Details

1.2km from 8:30 am Order: Male, Female, Junior; Mass starts

5km from 9:00 am Mixed Gender, all age groups; Rolling starts

2.5km from 10:00 am Mixed Gender, all age groups; Rolling starts

NB. Weather conditions may see the course reversed back into a clockwise direction. We want you to have any wind behind you on the back straight.

Please scroll to the bottom of this page for our Suspension & Cancellation Policy

The event is conducted by the historic Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club. Swimmers of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to choose from a range of swim distances.

The WOW is a highly anticipated Great Victorian Swim Series event has proudly raised funds for not-for-profit organisations each year.

Swimmers who registered before midnight 31st January 2026 could receive a complimentary event t-shirt.

All swimmers may choose to swim in a wetsuit.

No additional buoyancy aids such as pull buoys, hand paddles or fins are permitted.

Gumbuya World Running Festival presented by BFT Warragul

Sunday, 12th April 2026

Join us at Gumbuya World Running Festival presented by BFT Warragul for Victoria's WILDEST RUNNING FESTIVAL. Start with a 10km, 5km, or 2km race along closed roads in Victorian picturesque countryside, and then finish off with unlimited theme park fun as soon as you cross the finish line!

All race entries include full-day access to everything Gumbuya World has to offer—think water slides, roller coasters, wildlife, and live entertainment all in one incredible location. Better still, runners will enjoy exclusive early access before the park opens to the public, giving you more time for rides and zero time in queues.

Your race entry includes:

✅Fully closed roads race;

✅Unlimited day access to Gumbuya World (Usually $73-$78)

✅Early access to the park before the general public can enter at 10:30 am;

✅Free Race Day photographs!

Every participant will receive a themed medal, sponsor giveaways, post-race refreshments, a personalised finisher’s certificate to mark the occasion, and FREE race-day photos. Not to mention full-day access to Gumbuya World post-race.

If you have a Gumbuya World Season Pass, please get in touch with us so we can provide you with a discount code at sign-up.

Proudly presented by BFT Warragul