Mountain Festival (formerly Mountain Writer’s Festival) is returning to Wurundjeri Country (Macedon, Victoria).

With an exciting lineup of writers and speakers including Gina Chick, Bruce Pascoe, Bob Brown and Alexis Wright, the festival promises to bring the themes of writing and nature together in a beautiful setting.

There will also be a reading of the play Ash Wednesday, recounting stories by survivors of the 1983 bushfires.

As part of this years National Trust Heritage Festival, our Mother’s Day afternoon tea will be on Sunday 12th May 2024 commencing at 2pm with a talk by Christine Lloyd. A perfect way to spend a pleasurable Sunday afternoon.

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Christine Lloyd will reveal the many links between these amazing women to Castlemaine, the impact of their artistic studies in France and service as VADs (Voluntary Aid Detachment) during World War 1.

Christine is a Buda committee member and Tour Guide. A retired secondary Art and Design teacher, she loves to research the rich trove of information and stories behind the Buda Art Collection.

What you can expect

Sparkling wine on arrival

Savouries and sweets

Leaf tea and brewed coffee

A 3 hour hands on class teaching all the history, tradition and techniques you need to create the tastiest, most authentic pork pies and Cornish pasties, by hand in your own home. Class includes tastings, recipes, lunch and take home goods.

Australian Artist Adam Cusack (Winner – 2016 Jacaranda Drawing Award) will lead a hands on workshop focused on creating realism through the moulding of light and shadow. Adam will share his insights into the mechanisms of drawing and demonstrate techniques on how to accurately render values through the application of materials. Participants will be working using reference to render a three-dimensional object (no photos) to create an interesting drawing. Each session will expand your drawing skill base and provide a foundation of knowledge for the future of your art practice.

Please note, if you are attending the workshop and book a Flophouse we will deduct $50 off the cost of your stay. Please ask Adam for details.

Note Workshops are being run on the following dates

25th & 26th November

2nd & 3rd December

Dames, Drinks and Drawing (Bridget Farmer), and Buda Historic Home and Garden in Castlemaine have joined forces to present this fun monthly event (until the colder months kick in).

Artists have access to normally restricted areas of the beautiful Buda house, where, within the walls and the garden, models in period costume will be found, ready for you to capture with pencil on paper. Artists will be invited to explore the house, and where a stool is free they may sit and sketch a model in situ.

For more information bookings visit the Buda website

The market brings together Local, Victorian Farmers and food producers and includes a “Makers” Market section featuring unique & creative handmade items. Held on the 2nd Saturday of every month at St Paul's Park. 8.30am - 1.00pm.

The Maldon Easter Fair is one of the oldest in Australia, started in 1878.

The Easter Parade is on Easter Monday and is a wide ranging collection of things Maldonian from fire trucks to the Garden Club penny farthing bicycles to occasional political statements.

Afterwards there is much merriment in the shopping areas of the village with an egg tossing competition and all cafes and restaurants are open for business.

Maldon Golf Club hosts a Hole in One competition on Easter Saturday and the Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum will be holding their annual Easter Machinery Rally across the weekend.

Over the weekend there's a torchlight procession, Dancing in the Streets, a billycart race, a scone bake competition, a quilt show and many other things for everyone to enjoy.

There is also a big raffle prize of a wheelbarrow full of goods and that includes the wheelbarrow!

Winner of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year 2023, the Blackwood Woodchop and Easter Carnival offers a fun, action-packed day out for the whole family.

Now in its 122nd year, the event features one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in Victoria, attracting axemen and women from across the State, and incredible music throughout the day, with high energy Australian-Celtic band Austral and old-time bluesman CW Stoneking leading the way.

The Carnival begins with a street parade, followed by a host of activities in addition to the woodchop and music, including tug-o-war, gumboot throwing, pet show, market stalls, delicious eats and licensed bars. Loads of fun stuff for kids – treasure hunt, novelty games and races, face-painting, and more. All set against the beautiful backdrop of Blackwood Recreation Reserve “the prettiest sportsground in Victoria”!

The Taradale Mineral Springs Festival is on again for 2024! Recognised as one of the best family attractions in Central Victoria, the Festival will be held on Sunday 10th March, 2024. In 2023 the Fesival had almost 4,000 visitors through the gates on the day.

For a $5 entrance fee (over 15’s), visitors can enjoy fine wine, diverse cuisine, arts, crafts, a classic car show, spinning wheel, a huge raffle and entertainment for the whole family.

All proceeds go to Taradale Community projects.

Autumn hits peak picnic perfection here at Zig Zag Rd.

As the weather begins to cool, the vines become vibrant, and nothing is more fun than an afternoon picnic, with a tasty drop, good friends and chilled live music.

We’ve partnered with our friends at Daylesford Gourmet, who always deliver the tastiest of locally made and seasonal goodies our region has to offer.

$15 entry includes live music and a glass of Zig Zag Rd. wine of your choosing.

Pre-order your choice of picnic lunch boxes here: Ploughman’s, Cheese Lovers or Vegan when booking.

BYO Picnic rug and good friends!

Join Daylesford Wine Tours during Australia's premier regional LGBTQIA+ pride event, the ChillOut Festival. Held annually over the Labour Day long weekend in March, this iconic festival in Daylesford is not just a celebration but a revelation of love, diversity, and unity. From its modest inception in 1997, ChillOut has blossomed into Australia's largest and most enduring queer country pride festival, drawing over 30,000 visitors each year.

Looking for a hassle-free way to spend your Christmas Eve with your loved ones, instead of in the kitchen?

Join us at The Kyneton Hotel for a delicious 2-course banquet style menu, with a glass of bubbles or a pot of beer on arrival.

$60pp, bookings essential. Email hello@thekynetonhotel.com.au for further enquiries or to secure your spot.

Menu:

1st Course

-Insalata Caprese.

-Grilled seafood, potato and mint salad.

2nd Course

-Eggplant Parmigiana.

-Porchetta (Italian Pork Roast).

-Mixed leaf salad.

With adequate notice our kitchen team are happy to cater to most dietary requirements. Please note this at the time of your booking enquiry.

Castlemaine Idyll is Castlemaine’s ultimate annual talent contest, and has been running for over 12 years. Featuring hot local talent, a hugely talented professional band, celebrity judges and a community uniting joyously in support, Idyll is first and foremost a ridiculous amount of fun. Castlemaine Idyll is also the annual fundraiser for lot19 arts, an evolving creative space and events venue located in Central Victoria.

A showcase of singalong yuletide carols with a swinging set of nostalgic Christmas cheer at the beloved Palais theatre, Hepburn Springs

A fairytale for grown ups packed with carols, laughs, fun and frivolity!

Join this unlikely group of travellers as they are thrust together by fate on the morning of Christmas Eve. Evacuated from their ship, far from their destination and stranded in the Mediterranean coastal village of Portofino, the story begins as they arrive at Sophia’s Cabaret Restaurant- the last place they thought they would be spending Christmas!!

The Castlemaine Artists Market lights up the centre of Castlemaine with a wide diversity of artist stalls, demonstrations and workshops in the creative and performing arts each month. There are children's activities, live music and food and drink available for purchase.

Support Hepburn Springs Traders and the CFA whilst being entertained by live music. Santa photos optional.

Hanging Rock Llama Treks are hosting their very popular Christmas photo sessions with their llamas on the 18th and 25th November 10 - 2pm. The cost is $230.

Come and celebrate Christmas with Janae at Fleurs de Lyonville by creating your own beautiful and wild Christmas Wreath using scented seasonal foliage, seed pods and other interesting ingredients grown by Janae and Chris. Janae will guide you step by step through the process on creating and decorating your own eco-friendly wreath that is fully compostable while sipping sparkling wine and enjoying light nibbles with plenty of Christmas cheer.

After being a sold-out smashing success in 2021 & 2022, this crowd-favourite event is back again for 2023! Enjoy a great day out in the Harcourt Valley with fresh locally made pastries and coffee on arrival before a leisurely ride through the countryside. Arrive back at the cellar door for a delicious lunch prepared by our friends from FOS Kitchen in Bendigo and superb boutique wines from the Bress & Lome Vineyard. Relax and unwind around the property and enjoy a tasting with friends at the cellar door. All participants receive 15% off wine purchases at the cellar door on the day!