Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail returns bigger and better in 2025
Published on 04 April 2025
Over 100 skilled artisans will display their talents in practicing traditional trades and crafts when the award-winning Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail returns to the Bathurst Showground over the weekend of 12-13 April 2025.
This is a signature event of the Bathurst Region’s annual Autumn Colours Heritage Festival, celebrating the cultural significance of Bathurst’s rich heritage, and the splendour of autumnal colour across the town and surrounding villages.
Many of the trades and traditions that (literally) shaped the Bathurst Region such as blacksmithing, dry-stone walling and furniture making will be on display for the public in a huge two-day program, along with finer crafts such as embroidery and lace making and a very special display of traditional Aboriginal tool and weapon making.
There will be local live music, stalls, demonstrations, food by the CWA, coffee carts, and lawn games for kids. And, for patrons of the Trail, overnight camping at the Showground is available for an added fee during the weekend, with full amenities and powered or unpowered sites.
All accompanied school age children are offered free entry, so it’s a great value school holiday activity.
Mayor of Bathurst, Cr Robert Taylor, said that the event has grown to become the signature heritage-focussed event in the NSW Central West.
“The Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail has been recognised at both the NSW Tourism Awards and National Trust Heritage Awards and is a wonderful fusion between Council, our community groups and a passionate core of volunteer organisers. It is a superb showcase of heritage trades with something for all ages and all interests.
“Rare and lost trades are making a big comeback as people are drawn to the beauty, passion and health benefits of learning a craft. There’s also a trend toward sustainability and hand-made items and toys that are made or mended, not discarded,” said Mayor Taylor.
• Tickets: Tickets $25 online or at the gate for unlimited entry over both days. All accompanied school age children are free. Tickets are valid for entry to both days of the Trail.
• Date and time: 10am-4pm on Sat 12 and Sun 13 April 2025
• Venue: Bathurst Showground. A free shuttle bus departs from here to partner heritage attractions around the region.
Must-Dos for Families in 2025 include:
• Meet a bodger - learn about rare and lost trades, including a bodger, who was a traditional craftsman that lived in forests and made chairs and furniture from timber.
• Ride an authentic Cobb & Co coach – also crack a whip, learn to crochet, sew and watch a professional sand sculptor at work.
• Meet the makers and learn their craft – there will be potters, toymakers, photographers, cobblers, candle-makers, Aboriginal tool makers, violin makers, spinners, weavers and more.
• Explore the ‘Heritage Trail’ – ticket holders receive 50% off entry to iconic heritage venues including 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 operating both days.
As Australia’s first inland European settlement and just 2.5hrs drive from Sydney, Bathurst, located on Wiradjuri Country, is the ideal location for this annual celebration.
The Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail will be launched at a media event at the Bathurst Showground next week, with local media invited to attend. Details below:
Location: Bathurst Showground, Lot 1/28 Kendall Ave, Bathurst
The event is supported by the NSW Government through the Destination NSW Regional Event Fund.
Media contact: Genevieve Green Media and Communications Officer