Join thePilgrimage

Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th October 2025

register for the pilgrimage

Each October, hundreds of pilgrims from across Australia and beyond gather at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat to begin a three-day, 90km journey on foot to the steps of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo. The Christus Rex Pilgrimage is not a retreat or a tour—it is a sacred act of devotion in the Catholic tradition. Pilgrims walk in prayer and penance, singing hymns, attending daily Mass (1962 Missal), and offering the physical, spiritual and communal effort of the journey for the greater glory of Christ the King.

The pilgrimage honours the Feast of Christ the King as instituted by Pope Pius XI in Quas Primas (1925), and seeks to make reparation and public witness to the Kingship of Our Lord over individuals, families, nations, and all of society.

From experienced pilgrims to first-time walkers, young families to seasoned clergy, the Pilgrimage draws together a broad and growing community each year. While physically demanding, many pilgrims describe the Christus Rex Pilgrimage as one of the most spiritually fruitful experiences of their lives.

If you are seeking a way to deepen your faith, challenge yourself physically and spiritually, and walk alongside hundreds of others who love Our Lord and His Church, then we invite you to join us.

General Registration

All pilgrims—including families, students, and full-time volunteers—must register online. Registration includes:

  • Meals and refreshments throughout the weekend
  • Transport of luggage between overnight stops
  • Camping and limited hall accommodation (first come, first served)
  • Access to support vehicles and first aid
  • Use of pilgrim facilities along the route
  • Spiritual resources and preparation materials

Children under 18 must be registered by a parent or guardian and supervised by an adult at all times.

Family Discount: Parents walking with children are eligible for a discount—details provided during registration.

Visit the registration portal

Information for Registered Pilgrims

Once registered, you will receive the Pilgrim’s Handbook by email closer to the event. This will contain important information on:

  • Packing and preparation
  • Travel and arrival instructions
  • Accommodation and meals
  • The full Pilgrimage program and Mass schedule
  • Safety, conduct, and what to expect

General advice—including spiritual and physical preparation tips—is available year-round on our website.

Clergy Registration

  • Clergy who wish to walk or assist with liturgical roles should register through our dedicated clergy registration portal.
  • Register Now – Clergy Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The registration fee covers much more than accommodation. It includes meals, hired vehicles, first aid, permits and application fees, insurance, and many other logistics. The site and venue fees are a minor part of our overall operational budget. All participants—regardless of whether they camp, stay in community halls, or arrange their own accommodation—must register and pay the full registration fee.
If financial difficulties would prevent you from attending, please reach out to us privately.

No. As with accommodation, the registration fee covers a wide range of services that make the Pilgrimage possible. Our meals are provided by volunteers and included as part of the broader infrastructure required to support pilgrims safely and efficiently. All pilgrims must register and pay the full fee.

No. For safety reasons, private vehicles are not permitted to follow the pilgrimage route. Our volunteer drivers are briefed on permit conditions and logistics, including where vehicles may park. Private vehicles can disrupt access for food delivery, toilet and hydration services, emergency vehicles, and other critical infrastructure.
If you need to bring your car for support or accessibility reasons, contact the team in advance for guidance. Driving in convoy with pilgrims is strictly prohibited under our road permits.

Yes, we accept both card and cash at the registration desk. However, you must still register in advance using the TryBooking form. Please email the registration team, who will provide you with a special link if you are paying on the night.

Cancellations are accepted until 30 September (minus a $15 administration fee). After this date, we are unable to offer refunds as we will have already committed to expenses such as catering and services. Please contact us if there are exceptional circumstances.

Registrations are non-transferable. However, we can cancel your registration and apply the payment toward a new registration for a friend or family member, who must complete their own registration form. Please contact the registration team to arrange this.

All our volunteers are pilgrims too—they’re simply walking their pilgrimage in a different way. A special volunteer rate is available for a small number of key volunteers who have been appointed in advance. If you believe this applies to you, please reach out to the registration team.

You’ve registered to attend the Pilgrimage? what’s next

attend an information session

what to pack

information on travel