Pour and Explore: A Month-Long Celebration of Local Flavour

Exterior of a restaurant or cafe with large glass windows and outdoor seating, illuminated with string lights, surrounded by landscaped bushes and a tree, with a sign that reads "Casserain".
Woman holding a brown dog wearing a small hat and yellow bandana at an outdoor event.
People socializing at an outdoor bar or restaurant patio with drinks, some standing in line and others seated, during daytime.

Discover the Hastings, One Sip at a Time

There’s a new kind of festival brewing in the Hastings this June — and it’s set to shine a spotlight on everything we love about our vibrant local scene. Pour and Explore is a month-long celebration of our region’s venues, creativity, drinks, and hospitality. Whether you're into bold craft beers, stylish cocktails, or simply discovering new favourite spots with mates, this is your kind of festival.

A Local’s Vision Brought to Life

The brains behind this brilliant initiative is Port Macquarie local Lachie — Licensee and Venue Manager at Finnians Tavern, and a passionate hospitality veteran. Having grown up in the area and worked in the industry for years, Lachie has seen the dedication our venues bring to the table. His vision? To bring the community together and celebrate the people, places, and flavours that make our region tick.

Three smiling men inside a restaurant or bar, with the text 'pour and explore June 2025' overlayed.

A Local’s Vision Brought to Life

The brains behind this brilliant initiative is Port Macquarie local Lachie — Licensee and Venue Manager at Finnians Tavern, and a passionate hospitality veteran. Having grown up in the area and worked in the industry for years, Lachie has seen the dedication our venues bring to the table. His vision? To bring the community together and celebrate the people, places, and flavours that make our region tick.

What’s Pouring in June

From Wauchope to Port Macquarie and Laurieton, venues across the Hastings are jumping in with custom-curated events all month long. Expect:

  • Exclusive tasting dinners

  • Food and drink pairing nights

  • Live music and comedy events

  • Dachshund get-togethers (yes, really!)

Each venue is putting their own spin on things — serving up experiences that are creative, unexpected, and totally local.

Build Your Own “Drink Trail”

This isn’t your average festival. There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule — it’s flexible, DIY, and all about discovering what excites you. Want to bar hop in one night? Go for it. Prefer to spread it out with a weekly date night or Sunday session? That works too. Just head to pourandexplore.au to view the full calendar and plan your own trail through the month’s events.

Expect the Unexpected

Each week brings something new — from themed nights to unique food and drink pairings, surprise performances, and events that you won’t find on any other local calendar. You’ll meet passionate locals, uncover hidden gems, and maybe even discover your new favourite drink.

At Finnian’s Tavern, expect two massive live music nights in the carpark, featuring headline performances from Ball Park Music and Thelma Plum. It’s just one example of how venues are going big to make this festival unforgettable.

More Than a Festival – It’s a Vibe

As Lachie says, “Hospitality is about connection. It’s about creating memories, sharing stories, and enjoying the simple things – like a great drink in great company.” Pour and Explore captures that spirit, turning it into a full month of celebration — not just of local venues, but of the people who bring them to life.

Ready to Explore?

Pour and Explore runs all throughout June 2025.

You can also grab the latest issue of Focus magazine, which features a special Pour and Explore insert packed with highlights and must-see events.

So grab your crew, plan your trail, and get ready to pour, explore, and support local.


We’ll see you at the bar.

Focus Magazine