Published on: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Image: A mother and child enjoying a ride at the Avon Descent Festival 2025
Get ready for a splashing time at the City of Swan’s Avon Descent Festival!
Cheer on race competitors at this great family-focused event on the banks of the Swan River at Lilac Hill Park, Caversham, to watch a portion of the incredible two-day 124km adventure challenge.
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Lilac Hill Park, 850 West Swan Road, Caversham
Entry is FREE and dogs on leads are welcome
Renowned for its great variety of vantage points, Lilac Hill Park will be packed with stacks of exciting activities including free amusement rides, roaming entertainment, food trucks, community activations, artisan markets and more.
A major attraction at the Festival will be a river-themed Interactive Sensory Zone – a hands-on experience where children and adults alike can explore a variety of textures, colours, sounds and scents in a safe, playful environment.
There are six different experiences to explore, including an underwater ocean adventure, a magical winter wonderland, a nature-inspired forest, a mini construction zone and a sparkling fairy world.
Tanya Richardson, City of Swan Mayor, said the iconic event is an outstanding opportunity to combine sporting thrills with a great family day out.
“The Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience that highlights the excitement of the Avon Descent while bringing our community together in a unique setting,” she said.
Festival-goers can put the pedal to the metal with the dodgem cars, while the Kids Zone offers plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
The City of Swan is proud to be single-use plastic-free, so bring your refillable water bottles, a picnic rug, and settle in for the action.
First held in 1973 with just 49 competitors, no rules, no officials, no checkpoints and very few spectators, the Avon Descent has since welcomed more than 35,000 participants from novices and families to world champion racers and Olympic competitors.
Alternatively, festival-goers can catch the train to Guildford Station and enjoy a short walk to the event.
The Avon Descent Festival is proudly presented by the City of Swan and Perth Airport with support from Lotterywest and the Plastic Free River Park Program.
Cheer on race competitors at this great family-focused event on the banks of the Swan River at Lilac Hill Park, Caversham, to watch a portion of the incredible two-day 124km adventure challenge.
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Lilac Hill Park, 850 West Swan Road, Caversham
Entry is FREE and dogs on leads are welcome
Renowned for its great variety of vantage points, Lilac Hill Park will be packed with stacks of exciting activities including free amusement rides, roaming entertainment, food trucks, community activations, artisan markets and more.
A major attraction at the Festival will be a river-themed Interactive Sensory Zone – a hands-on experience where children and adults alike can explore a variety of textures, colours, sounds and scents in a safe, playful environment.
There are six different experiences to explore, including an underwater ocean adventure, a magical winter wonderland, a nature-inspired forest, a mini construction zone and a sparkling fairy world.
Tanya Richardson, City of Swan Mayor, said the iconic event is an outstanding opportunity to combine sporting thrills with a great family day out.
“The Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience that highlights the excitement of the Avon Descent while bringing our community together in a unique setting,” she said.
Festival-goers can put the pedal to the metal with the dodgem cars, while the Kids Zone offers plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
The City of Swan is proud to be single-use plastic-free, so bring your refillable water bottles, a picnic rug, and settle in for the action.
First held in 1973 with just 49 competitors, no rules, no officials, no checkpoints and very few spectators, the Avon Descent has since welcomed more than 35,000 participants from novices and families to world champion racers and Olympic competitors.
Parking and traffic information
Traffic management measures and parking marshals will be in place to help attendees. For everyone's safety and to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, please follow all directions provided by traffic controllers and parking marshals.Alternatively, festival-goers can catch the train to Guildford Station and enjoy a short walk to the event.
The Avon Descent Festival is proudly presented by the City of Swan and Perth Airport with support from Lotterywest and the Plastic Free River Park Program.