2025 Midstate Mopars
Words and Photos: Mike Ryan
The second-largest all-Chrysler show in Australia, Midstate Mopars has become a popular instalment on the calendar for the Mopar faithful. Wet weather challenged that faith this year, but Midstate Mopars still went ahead, while those who organised and attended made sure it went well.
Held in Bendigo over the King’s Birthday long weekend, Midstate Mopars marked its 18th edition in 2025, with the Central Victorian Chrysler Club Inc. running the event to a well-established formula that combines a regional cruise on one day and a show ‘n’ shine in Bendigo’s Town Hall precinct on the following day.
Both elements welcome the broader Chrysler family, so Aussie Valiant Chargers can be seen alongside US Dodge Chargers, and Valiant Regals share space with Plymouth Belvederes and Chrysler New Yorkers. The modern RAM truck range has been embraced by Midstate Mopars, too, while marques with a Mopar connection, like AMC/Rambler, Simca and cars from the Rootes Group are welcome, as are Chryslers based on Japanese models.
Cruise to Castlemaine
Midstate Mopars 2025 kicked off on Saturday, 7 June, with the cruise sponsored by Clark Metal Roofing. Around 60 cars braved wet but mild conditions to travel in convoy to ‘The Mill’ at Castlemaine. This former woollen mill, with history dating back to the 1870s, is now home to more than 40 makers and specialty small businesses.
An incredible range of artisans now occupy The Mill, from furniture and bath soaks to perfume, comfy underwear, mosaics and an ethical florist, while a wool-centric clothing provider taps into the site’s history.
The Mill’s food precinct fuelled hungry drivers and their passengers, with winemakers, a sourdough bakery, craft brewery, smallgoods maker, cheese and dairy producer, chocolatier and ice cream maker on site, too. In the wintry conditions, the Viennese coffee house and coffee roastery proved particularly popular!
Cruisers also explored the vintage precinct, home to the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar, which is a treasure trove of market-style spaces offering vintage, re-purposed, handmade and second-hand goods.
The run back to Bendigo was followed by an evening at the All Seasons Bendigo hotel, with dinner and a raffle of prizes donated by local businesses.
Show Time
As already touched on, the Show ‘n’ Shine on Sunday, 8 June, was impacted by the weather. Speaking from personal experience, the Midstate Mopars Show ‘n’ Shine is always cool (it is in June, after all), but usually dry, so what turned out to be the coldest and wettest conditions in the event’s 18-year history affected entry numbers. The total of 156 display cars was around half of what the Show ‘n’ Shine normally attracts, but still an impressive number, given the conditions.
Credit must go to the President of the Central Victorian Chrysler Club Inc., Damian, and the event’s main organiser, Brendan, for making sure the Show ‘n’ Shine went ahead, despite the weather. That professionalism paid off as a crew from the TV program Rides Down Under were in attendance, filming a segment that’s due to air on 7mate sometime in November (check your local guides). The presence of Rides Down Under will provide fantastic exposure for the event, the club and the City of Greater Bendigo, ensuring other car clubs put Bendigo on their location shortlist for future events.
The planned Chinese Dragon display didn’t go ahead because of the weather, but the club were still able to donate $2,700 to the Bendigo Chinese Association. Funds from entry fees saw a further $1,500 go to the Marong SES and $1,000 to Fresh FM 101.5 - two important community organisations that provide essential services and local connection in the broader Bendigo region.
Back for 2026
Overall, the 18th edition of Midstate Mopars highlighted the passion of the Chrysler community. Yes, the weather was far from ideal, but the spirit of Midstate was strong.
At time of writing, plans for the 19th Midstate Mopars were well in advance, with the Chinese Dragons pencilled in - hopefully under clear skies that should ensure attendance numbers in 2026 are on par with previous years.
Follow the Central Victorian Chrysler Club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/centralvictorianchryslerclub) for more details on the 19th Midstate Mopars as the event draws nearer.
Thanks to the Central Victorian Chrysler Club Inc. for information used in the compilation of this article.
