Victoria’s biggest celebration of heritage returns on Friday, April 18, with the launch of the Australian Heritage Festival (Victoria) – presented by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and proudly supported by the Heritage Council Victoria and the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.
Running until Sunday, May 18, the festival features more than 300 free and ticketed events across Victoria and invites visitors to explore the people, places and cultures that have shaped the state’s rich story.
This year’s theme, Unearthed, brings to light hidden histories and untold stories – highlighting the contributions of migrant and queer communities, as well as the lasting legacy of women who helped build and shape our cities and towns.
The month-long program offers something for everyone, with walking tours, exhibitions, workshops, and family-friendly experiences spanning urban centres and regional towns. Visitors can step inside historic homes, board vintage trains, or uncover the secrets of Victoria’s gold rush past.
Highlights
Festival highlights include The Alchemy of Gold forum in Campbells Creek from May 16 to 18, which will examine how the 1850s gold rush transformed Victoria. Historians, experts, and community members will explore the profound and lasting impact of this era on the state’s identity.
In Geelong, The Heights Heritage Skills & Traditions Autumn Fair on, April 26 offers visitors a chance to step back in time with heritage gardens, traditional crafts, and hands-on demonstrations that showcase skills passed down through generations.
In Bendigo, families can enjoy The Heritage Fiesta on May 17, with free entry to iconic sites including the Central Deborah Gold Mine, Bendigo Tramways, and the Bendigo Joss House Temple.
At Melbourne’s Trades Hall, special heritage tours on April 21 and 28, and May 5 and 12, invite visitors to walk in the footsteps of labour movement icons such as John Curtin, Zelda D’Aprano and Bob Hawke, while learning about more than 150 years of workers’ rights history.
Visitors can also gain exclusive access to behind-the-scenes Tours of the See Yup Temple in South Melbourne on May 4. Historian and curator Dr. Sophie Couchman will guide guests through the fire-damaged temple, sharing insights to its restoration and showcasing rare heritage objects up close.
Gold rush legacy
The 2025 Festival also comes at a significant moment for Victoria, following the addition of the Victorian Goldfields to Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List – a major milestone in recognising the global significance of the state’s gold rush legacy.
The Australian Heritage Festival runs from Friday April 18, to Sunday May 18, 2025. Full program details are available at: www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf/vic.
The festival is proudly presented by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in partnership with the Heritage Council Victoria and the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.
About National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) (NTAV) is the state’s premier community-based heritage advocacy organisation. It actively works to protect and conserve places of heritage significance for future generations to enjoy.
The NTAV opens some of Australia’s most culturally significant places to the public. With regular tours, events and exhibitions at iconic sites including the Old Melbourne Gaol, Rippon Lea Estate, Como House, Polly Woodside, Barwon Park, and Gulf Station. The NTAV brings history to life through vivid storytelling and immersive visitor experiences.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 15 April 2025.
