Castlemaine Truck Show set to take over the town this weekend

Geoff CrockettNovember 20, 2024, 8:41 amNovember 20, 2024

Campbell's Creek Recreation Reserve at 40 Campbell's Creek - Fryers Rd is the place to be on November 23 and 24 for the 2024 Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show. Image: Prime Creative Media

One of Australia’s most respected regional truck shows will open its gates on November 23 and 24.

Now in its 36th consecutive year, the HHA & Larsen’s Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show attracts entries Australia-wide and is renowned for its family atmosphere.

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While the industry takes the opportunity to show off their magnificent trucks and catch up with colleagues, the general community loves the show for its affordable food, great live music and free kids’ activities.

On centre stage both days will be National Bluegrass champions and five-time Golden Guitar winners, The Davidson Brothers. Joining them on Sunday will be USA-born and now Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Sandee Facy. She can’t wait to come back with a band to sing some of her award-winning songs and latest single that looks poised to do just as well.

Kids under 16 are admitted free to the Show and can enjoy free activities such as Laser Tag, and pony and train rides. The Truckie’s Challenge, a firm favourite, is back giving all ages a chance to drive the big rigs using technology.

The main oval will be packed with 17 sponsor and 12 trade exhibitors including some new faces. Additional features will be the Steering for the Future careers’ truck, and the Defence Force will be demonstrating their versatile HX27 Twin Steer truck with an integrated flat rack tray load.

There’s plenty to do at this event! Image: Diesel Fumes

The oval and outer ground can host up to 300 trucks so plan to spend some time exploring to select who you think is worthy of the People’s Choice Award.

For those who are mobility challenged we recommend taking a complimentary tour in a trishaw powered by humans. You will find it next to the big marquee in front of the main stage.

Thanks to the support of Shamick Transport, a Truckie’s Breakfast at 7.15am on Sunday will fuel the entrants up for the 9am convoy through the town. This is the one day of the year where no-one gets to sleep in with a chorus of truck horns and cheering crowds echoing throughout the town.

At 1pm on Sunday some highly tempting items will be auctioned off including a personal tour of the Kenworth Factory. A range of smaller items will also be offered through a silent auction.

The gates open to spectators at 12 noon on Saturday and 10am on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at Gate 1 or online.

Truck entrants can also rock up and register on either day but make sure you arrive in time to register before the judging cut off time of 2pm on the Saturday and 11am on the Sunday. To save time you can also pre-enter online.

In addition to the trophies awarded across 15 categories, and more awards in recognition of the huge work that goes into preparing these trucks, a $1,000 cash prize is up for grabs for Truck of the Show, and $500 for Best on Ground (Saturday).

This year’s winner will also be invited by the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia to attend a new event for regional winners Australia-wide to be held in conjunction with the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show. Castlemaine is one of six regional shows selected to participate.

Schedule:

Saturday 23 November

7am Truck registration opens

Noon
Show opens to the public

12-8pm
Food trucks available on site

2pm
Registration closes
(for judging)

4.30pm
Best on Ground $500 Presentation — sponsored by HHA & Larsen’s

Sunday 24 November

7am Truck registration opens

7.15am
Truckie’s Breakfast sponsored by Shamick Transport

8.30am
Convoy muster at Myring St

9am Convoy to ground