From Food to Finish Lines: Don’t Miss Carnarvon’s Prawns & Pimms Race Day

The racing season in Carnarvon kicks off this weekend – and this year, it’s bringing something deliciously new to the track.

Mark your calendars for Friday 1 August and be part of a standout addition to the Gascoyne Food Festival: the Prawns & Pimms Race Day at the Massey Bay Race Club. This unmissable event perfectly captures the spirit of the Gascoyne – where vibrant local flavour meets country charm and high-octane excitement.

It’s the kind of day made for dressing up and indulging.

Picture this: a cool glass of Pimm’s in hand, a plate of sweet, juicy Carnarvon prawns, and the sound of hooves pounding down the track. Set against the relaxed backdrop of the iconic race club, this stylish race day is your chance to soak up the sunshine, the food, and the fun – all in true Carnarvon style.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there.

Just days before, on Saturday 26 July, the Gascoyne Food Festival’s signature culinary event – the Carnarvon Long Table Lunch – will set the stage for a spectacular month of festivities. Hosted in a lush banana plantation, this long, laughter-filled lunch is a masterclass in seasonal dining, created by none other than celebrity chef Ben Ing.

Ben's menu is an ode to Gascoyne’s land and sea – every dish tells a story.

It’ll start with a shimmering seafood plate: juicy king prawns, delicate scallop ceviche nestled atop golden potato hashbrowns with a pop of caviar, and silky kelp-cured pink snapper paired with creamy avocado.A celebration of freshness and finesse.

The main course brings bold, rustic flavours to the table – a slow-cooked BBQ’d beef from Bullara Station , meltingly tender and infused with smoky richness, served with a vibrant roasted vegetable salsa verde crafted from sun-ripened tomatillos, eggplant, capsicum, and pickled peppers, all freshly grown in the region.

And for racing enthusiasts, there’s an extra twist:

An exclusive auction will be held at the Long Table Lunch, offering the chance to win a VIP raceday experience at Ascot Racecourse in Perth this October. The winning bidder will enjoy an insider’s look at the action – from watching a live race start at the barriers to visiting the race caller’s box, meeting the jockeys and horses, and enjoying a decadent raceday lunch. It’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime prize, packed with unforgettable moments.

The Prawns & Pimms Race Day is more than just a new event – it’s the grand finale of the Carnarvon chapter of the Gascoyne Food Festival, which also includes the colourful Great Carnarvon Feast & Groove community celebration and the intimate storytelling dining experience Around the Firepit. From Carnarvon, the festival will wind its way north to Bullara Station and Exmouth, before looping south through the Upper Gascoyne and Shark Bay, and culminating with Australia’s last sunset on Dirk Hartog Island.

Over  a month of flavour-filled festivities, the Gascoyne Food Festival proudly claims its place as Australia’s largest regional gastronomic food experience.

So whether you come for the racing, the feasting, or the unforgettable atmosphere – make Carnarvon your destination this July.

Gather your friends, book your tickets and prepare to toast to the taste of the outback.

For more information about the Gascoyne Food Festival, visit here.