The event promises to be a highlight of Chiltern’s annual celebration of its unique historical and natural treasures, the Ironbark Festival, this year with a special focus on good old-fashioned country fun. 

Organisers have planned a great family day of activities, displays, stalls and guided tours for all ages in and around the beautifully preserved gold era town and its magnificent surrounding national park in Victoria’s North East. 

Highlights of this year’s Ironbark Festival include:

• Judging of the Best Scarecrow competition
• An open-entry talent quest
• Best colonial dress competition
• The great CFA-SES versus the Rest Tug ‘o War
• Market stalls featuring local produce and handcrafts such as jewellery, hat, woodcrafts and clothing

·         Great practical information from Landcare and Parks Victoria

·         Live music from the Murray Valley Brass Band and the Chiltern Singers  

Back by popular demand this year will be tours led by three local experts:

·         At  11am, a bicycle tour of the Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park with local Ranger, John McDonald

• Also setting off at 11am, a wildflower tour of the Park with local expert, Eileen Collins. The Spring rain has ensured a fantastic array of flowers will be in bloom this for this year’s event
• One for the history buffs, a bus tour of the Chiltern Valley Gold Mine sites with Bill Hotson at 12:30pm. 

One of Australia’s best-preserved Gold Era towns, Chiltern is crammed with historic buildings of which 22 are listed or owned by the National Trust as are the amazing Dow’s Pharmacy, Henry Handel Richardson’s one-time childhood home, Lake View House and the Federal Standard Printing Works. All three of the Trust properties will be open for the Ironbark Festival.

Full program details available at the Chiltern Visitor Information Centre:
phone (03) 5726 1611 or go to www.chilternvic.com