Meet over 200 artisans from 12-13 April 2025
Shearers, spinners and knitters will work together to go from ‘sheep to sweater’ in record time in a Back-to-Back Challenge, just one of many new and unique events at the annual ‘Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail’ on 12-13 April 2025.
With over 100 exhibitors and 200 artisans attending from across Australia, the event is ideal for anyone seeking creative inspiration and to learn from the makers all in one place. A huge variety of exhibitors includes blacksmiths, bodgers, candle-makers, violin makers, spinners, weavers, upholsterers, furniture makers, brewers, distillers and winemakers.
There are also some great add-ons for visitors seeking to eat, stay and play in Bathurst over the first weekend of the school holidays.
Highlights:
- A huge two-day fair at the historic Bathurst Showground with stalls, demonstrations, workshops, food stalls, live music and entertainment.
- The daily Back-to-Back Challenge, a demonstration of how to produce a wool sweater from scratch, from a sheep’s back to a human’s back, in a race against the clock.
- Must see are John Kitchen’s Penny Farthings, Milan Dhiiyaan’s Indigenous tools and weapons,Pete Storey’s bow and arrows, Sandy Taylors stunning lace and the fantastical organs on display from the Australian Mechanical Organ Society.
- A ‘Heritage Trades Trail Shuttle Tour’ to seven of Bathurst’s best attractions with 50% off at Abercrombie House, Miss Traill’s House and Garden, the Bathurst Rail Museum, Chifley Home, Bathurst District Historical Society Museum and Old Government Cottage. Available as a self-drive, or via the free shuttle buses.
- Hands-on activities include riding an authentic Cobb & Co coach, cracking a whip, learning to crochet, learning to do a greenwood lathe, and operating a vintage printing press to make your own name card.
- Limewashing and repointing workshops, ideal for anyone interested in heritage restoration and building.
The multi award winning event celebrates Bathurst’s history as Australia’s first inland city, and its exciting progressive future as it invests in new technologies and is home to a thriving arts and cultural community.
For more information and tickets to go www.bathurstregion.com.au
Event details:
- Date and time: 10am-4pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April 2025
- Tickets: Tickets are $25 (Early Bird $20 before March 1) or $25 at the gate for entry over both days. All accompanied children u16 are free. Tickets are valid for entry to both days of the Trail.
- Address: Bathurst Showground, 28 Kendall Ave, Bathurst.
- Onsite parking available with gold coin donation to Lions Club parking attendants.
