As autumn paints Victoria crimson, Sovereign Hill invites you to a weekend where the past meets the present.
The Heritage Harvest Weekend on Saturday, 25 May and Sunday, 26 May is a journey back in time – celebrating rustic food and traditions brought to the goldfields from around the globe.
With a vibrant blend of history, gastronomy and community spirit, this festival is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience Australia’s rich culinary heritage. Here’s how you can make the most out of your visit.
Culinary stars take the stage
Prepare to be dazzled by some of the brightest Australian chefs – Julie Goodwin, Darren Purchese and Tim Bone. Exclusive meet-and-greets aside, these kitchen virtuosos will grace the festival across the weekend in several engaging events.
Ballarat local and host of Good Chef/Bad Chef Tim Bone will be cooking up a hearty dish inspired by the Gold Rush era. Using simple yet flavourful ingredients, Tim’s cooking is a modern twist on the rugged gold miner grub in the Heritage Market Village.
The Great Bake Off’s Darren Purchese will share his handy tips and insights into creating delicious, sweet treats this autumn. And Julie Goodwin, the inaugural winner of MasterChef Australia, will lift the lid on preparing the ultimate family feast in a live demonstration.
‘I’m delighted to be doing cooking demos at Sovereign Hill’s Heritage Harvest Weekend, sharing my passion for delicious, seasonal dishes,’ says Goodwin. ‘Our food traditions are such an important part of who we are and where we come from.’
Plus, under the moderation of Kara Monseen, Herald Sun’s food and wine editor, you’re in for a treat as these chefs share their passion for delicious, seasonal dishes and sweet treats in an interactive Q&A session.
A community of flavours
The festival proudly showcases over 30 producers and artisans, turning Sovereign Hill into a paradise for food lovers.
Wander through the village market to find quality locally made wares, watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts and cooking along Main Street, and let the kids explore their culinary creativity with special activities.
Highlights include Sweet Sage Farm – full of traditional homemade condiments, gourmet salts and natural herbal balms; Mrs Brown Bakes, selling delicious treats like cookies and their famous Brownie Boys; and The Cottage Herbalist will bring a selection of award-winning tea and herbal tisanes to the Heritage Harvest Market.
And don’t miss the cooking and craft sessions hosted by the esteemed Country Women’s Association, celebrating the essence of community and shared knowledge.
More than just taste
Heritage Harvest Weekend offers more than just a taste of the past. You can join in various rare trade activities that celebrate the goldfields’ cultural diversity and rich history.
From gold panning, coach rides and candle dipping to butter-churning and damper-making, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Just ensure you wear comfortable clothes to make the most of the fun!
And if you’re ready to stock up on handcrafted wares? Stop by the Botanical Bar, where longstanding potter Tony Barnes will be throwing clay at the wheel and selling his fine porcelain stoneware in copper red, cobalt blue, rutile and celadon glazes.
Another must-see for lovers of old-fashioned gems is the Basketmakers of Victoria stand. Weavers will be on hand to sell their sustainable, natural handmade baskets – and demonstrate their handiwork, skills and materials.
To keep the weekend’s activities buzzing, local bands The Valentines and Morrigan & Wilding will provide a jazzy, folk-filled backdrop.
And for the little explorers
In true Sovereign Hill style, the Heritage Harvest Weekend has plenty for the little ones.
Kids can get up close, say hello, and learn more about their favourite animals at the Fun Farm2U petting station. Or get their hands dirty in the Little Green Thumbs garden – where they can plant seedlings to take home. Plus, lawn games, face-painting and other interactive activities are guided throughout the day.
The Little Explorers Refreshment Hub offers the perfect break for families. While the kids navigate the straw maze, parents can relax with a Gilded Grog cocktail and a famous chicken sandwich, enjoying a pause in your day of festival exploration.
This hub is located at the Hotel Parade Ground, ensuring that kids and adults alike can recharge with some delicious food and drink.
Tickets and timing
The festival is accessible with the standard Sovereign Hill ticket, ensuring you can experience the entire immersive weekend.
Running from 10 am to 5 pm on both the 25 and 26 May, make sure to book your tickets in advance to secure your spot in this celebration of heritage, harvest and community.
Planning your visit
Before you head out, check the event program online to plan your day. With activities and sessions throughout the weekend, a little planning can go a long way in ensuring you don’t miss out on your favourite parts of the festival.
Remember, some experiences require separate bookings, so it’s best to look into these details beforehand.
Doused in history and oozing with character and flair, the hamlet of Heathcote is a central Victorian goldfields town that has all the things going for it.
A mesmerising and colourful phenomenon, the Pink Cliffs were brought to light by the region’s early gold-mining activities. The site of major sluicing works until the early 1880s, the colourful, hill-like terrain of the cliffs provides not only an interesting stroll itself but is perfect for bird-watching and spotting wildflowers too.
As the name suggests, this natural wonder will have you immersed in a sea of amber and other autumn tones as you appreciate the true beauty that autumn-time provides. Located close to the centre of town just adjacent to McIvor Creek, you can pack a picnic lunch and relish in the superb colours and splendid views.
Take in the entire township of Heathcote as you power up the incline through the forest and to the rock for a panoramic view of the town and surrounding area. Close to the top of the Viewing Rock, you’ll be able to visit Devil’s Cave – a place used as shelter for the First Nations Peoples and, later, gold miners during their travels. An easy to moderate 90-minute climbing walk, it’s a sure way to get your holiday exercise in while enjoying some solitude.
This historic journey from Heathcote to Bendigo has been travelled on since the late 1800s when the railway line first linked the two towns. Today, the recreational trail beside the old railway line allows users to journey the full 50 kilometres – albeit at a slightly slower pace. One of Victoria’s most family-friendly journeys, you’ll travel past some spectacular natural bushland, waterways and recreation reserves. Pack a picnic, spot some wondrous wildflowers, and maybe even chat with a platypus or two.
Take a self-guided tour of Heathcote’s most iconic landmarks as you travel back in time and admire some of the most beautiful architecture from the Victorian era. The town’s Historic Walk contains 20 sites, each with a rich story to tell, and some which can be entered if visited at the right time. Download your own map 
Constructed in the 1960s as a water catchment for irrigation, this iconic lake now acts as one of the major spaces for recreation of all sorts in the region – whether it’s a spot of fishing, waterskiing, boating, swimming or even bird-watching. Located on the Campaspe River and with some impressive scenery to boot – this is the place to be during your autumn escape.
Heathcote’s location makes for some rather impressive natural wonders. Surrounded by reserves and national parks, your visit is bound to be riddled with adventure and its link to the gold rush past means you’ll likely come across some relics from the gold rush during your outdoor travels. Heathcote-Graytown National Park, Argyle and Spring Plains State Forest and One Eye State Forest are just some of the parklands to explore during your visit – just ensure you steer clear of any uncovered mine shafts still standing from the days of yore.
