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The White Hat Guide to

Heritage & History Festivals in Melbourne & Victoria 

Heritage & History Festivals

Heritage & History Festivals

Festivals

Heritage & History Festivals

Melbourne & Victoria


Some forthcoming Heritage & History Festivals in Melbourne and Victoria:

The Melbourne Regatta and Blessing of the Fleet

Melbourne is one of the few cities that can pin-point the time, date and the people who first founded it. The Melbourne Regatta was first held on 30 August 1838, making it the first in Australia. In 2016 the Melbourne Passenger Boating Association will deliver a magnificent waterside spectacle to celebrate the connection between Melbourne and the sea.

Born out of a river settlement, developed through trade and immigration, stabilised by gold and farming, the city owes much to the ships who made that connection. The rivers and the great bay have been bountiful, providing food, leisure, relaxation and a highway to the rest of the world. Discover too, the land before it became Melbourne. Learn about the people and the natural landscape that existed long before, and why this made Melbourne a perfect place to build a village.

See a spectacle of cruising boats, dressed especially for the occasion. Hop aboard free ferry cruises around Victoria Harbour, be part of a Welcome to Country ceremony, and hear Father Bob bless the fleet.

You can also enjoy live entertainment with Normie Rowe, along with reggae, calypso, and blues bands. Plus there'll be walking tours, story-telling, roving entertainers, a mass choir and the Sunday market with many food stalls and local cafes. Everyone is invited to join in the fun and excitement and celebrate Melbourne's maritime and indigenous history.



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Enterprize Day (Melbourne Day)

An annual event to mark the European settlement of the area that was to become the City of Melbourne.

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Parliament House Open Day

Apart from its regular free daily tours, Melbourne's Parliament House has an annual open day. On this day not only are the interior spaces of Parliament House open to the public, the grounds and gardens are also accessible. More details at Parliament House Open Day >>

Our rating - 4 Hats

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Australia Day Picnic & Historic Vehicles Display

The popular historic vehicle display, with more than 500 veteran and vintage vehicles, entertainment, free activities and food stalls.

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Echuca Steam, Horse and Vintage Rally

A White Hat favourite, this magnificent display of steam traction engines and wagons, portable steam engines, early farm machinery, vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. Also a variety of family entertainment. More information about this festival.

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Government House Open Day

As part of Australia Day, citizens and visitors are invited to visit Government House, inspect many rooms not normally open to the public and enjoy a picnic on the lawns. Music and entertainment throughout the day. Last entry to the house will be at 4pm. Last entry to the gardens will be at 4:30pm.
 

Our rating - 5 Hats

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Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally
This years theme is Transport. All the usual attractions: steam and oil engines, operational 90 ton steam shovel, steam fired powerhouse, blacksmith, Furphy tank rebarrelling, tractors, motorcycles, cars and trucks. Grand parade 2:15pm daily. Wood bending, radio controlled model boats, steam ploughing, chaff cutting, threshing and straw baling, regular dragline, farm machinery & dairy demo's. Attractions for ladies and children. Mothers' facilities, stalls, crafts and food available. Free non powered camping for exhibitors.

Lake Goldsmith is unique on the Australian Rally scene in that it has permanent sheds owned by club members which house their magnificent toys. There is a large collection of

  • restored steam engines
  • traction engines
  • steam rollers
  • internal combustion engines
  • farm tractors
  • a restored farm cottage displaying old wares.

See the working 90 tonne steam shovel and working steam powered 'power' generating display. Coach parties welcome. Parking for Coaches onsite Food and refreshments available all weekend Grand parade 2:15pm daily on our all weather arena Australia’s largest, (90 tons) fully operational steam shovel Vintage cars and Motorcycles A great family outing just kilometres from Ballarat Historic Machinery Camping facilities Large display of oil engines and tractors Site opens at 10 am Pioneer cottage and crafts . Full details at Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally ..

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