Heritage Trades Trail child learning Credit: David Roma
There’s hands-on fun for all ages as Bathurst celebrates over 200 years of rich history by paying homage to rare and lost trades that helped pioneer the area with artisans from across Australia, on Saturday, 15 and Sunday, 16 April.
Seven iconic venues. 100 Artisans
Over 100 craftsmen will demonstrate their skills over two days at the main event at Bathurst’s historic showground. Wander, meet and chat with them while they work, or join a workshop for spoon carving, upholstery, candle-wicking and more in this exciting expanded program.
Then away from the showground there’s a visitor trail to iconic heritage venues around the area including Abercrombie House, the Railway Museum, Chifley Home and Education Centre, the Historical Society, Miss Trail’s house and Old Government Cottage.
Boiled lollies and wine stomping
Old-fashioned sweets, live music and rides on an authentic Cobb & Co. coach will ensure this weekend is memorable as children under 16 can also attend the main event for free and try hands-on activities like whip cracking and wine stomping, and for the first time there’s demonstrations of Aboriginal culture and traditional tool and weapon making.
Self-drive or take the bus
Mums and dads can self-drive to the selection of iconic historic venues on the trail or take the free hop-on hop-off shuttle bus, where Heritage Trades Trail ticket holders will enjoy 50% off entry fees – great value!
Bathurst’s rich history, from Wiradjuri occupation to European settlement after the journeys of Evans and Governor Macquarie; the wild years of the gold rush; its son, Prime Minister Ben Chifley (1945-49), and the growth of the ‘City of the Plains’ is on full display and is so much more than just the facades of its historic buildings.
Front row seats and entertainment
Families have been enjoying the Autumn Colours Heritage Festival in Bathurst for 25 years, where it’s become a signature event throughout the Bathurst region, on Wiradjuri Country, following the strong trend to buy hand-made and buy local.
It’s an educational event, too where you take a front row seat to watch glass artists, stone masons, leather workers, textile makers and blacksmiths at work and learn how things were made before mass production and electricity.
Watch the unique talents of the local and guest artists demonstrating cigar-box guitar making, saddlery, violin making, lace making, carpentry and joinery and even dry stone walling – all at the amazing heritage venue of Bathurst Showground where this year record numbers of people are expected to attend.
Bathurst Regional Council’s Mayor Robert Taylor says this is a celebration everyone will enjoy. “This is a great chance to appreciate the skills that built the Bathurst region live and in person; to see how things were done in times before all the modern comforts we enjoy today.”
Tickets, maps and information:
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