As the first signs of spring begin to emerge, it is time to fuel the curiosity and discover what Ballarat is made of. From truffle hunting to Wadawurrung weaving workshops, there are plenty of new opportunities to taste, make and create alongside the region’s expert producers and artisans.
Launching this spring is a raft of new workshops and masterclasses appealing to foodies and lifelong learners.
Those looking to know more about what is made and grown in the region can explore a new series of artisan producer experiences. The Made of: Ballarat Experiences spring-summer series features ten local producers, with experiences ranging from 1 – 3 hours. Churn butter with Inglenook Dairy, perfect your roasting skills with Karon Farm Coffee, forage and fish in the scenic surrounds of Tuki Trout Farm, or suit up to harvest honey fresh from the hive with Backyard Beekeeping Ballarat. You can even hunt under the oaks for a unique variety of summer truffle, assisted by specially-trained dogs from Black Cat Truffles. In the quaint village of Buninyong, Saltbush Kitchen will showcase the flavours of Australia exploring bushfood herbs and spices. Plus, there’s a chance to go behind-the-scenes with craft brewers, gin distillers and winemakers, including Aunty Jacks, Mrs Baker’s Still House, Eastern Peake and Kilderkin Distillery.
With its historic entrepreneurial spirit, Ballarat continues to reinvent itself each season. These diverse new openings and experiences are created to wrap a daytrip from Melbourne around, or equally serve as the centrepiece of a weekend escape. Add a restorative stroll around the botanic gardens at Lake Wendouree or a bushwalk to Lal Lal Falls, and one finds an enriching spring getaway, only 90 minutes from Melbourne.
Here’s a snapshot of the new offerings this spring:
MADE OF: BALLARAT EXPERIENCES
A new series of experiences led by artisan producers, growers and makers from Ballarat and surrounds.
A Summer Truffle Immersion, with Black Cat Truffles
Saturdays | December 2022 to February 2023 | 11am and 2pm $125 for 2 hour experience
Find yourself amidst the beautiful truffiere that is Black Cat Truffles as you forage and extract a basket of summer truffles with the help of specially-trained dogs, Winston and Lottie. Enrich your knowledge of both winter and summer truffles and the science and magic of truffle farming as you stroll through the rows of leafy English Oaks overlooking the Creswick State Forest before settling in for your own delicious truffle experience.
The Secret Life of Bees, with Backyard Beekeeping Ballarat
Selected dates | October 2022 to February 2023 | $65.00 + booking fee for 90 minute experience
Find yourself as a bee on the wall as you immerse yourself in a curious experience held at an urban apiary in the centre of Ballarat. Designed to provide insights into the secret life of bees, this urban farm is owned by local beekeepers Amanda Collins and Scott Denno who will take you on a hands-on journey through a working honey bee hive providing expert commentary on the machinations of a honey bee colony.
From Bean to Warming Brew, with Karon Farm Coffee
Selected dates | September 2022 to February 2023 | $65 for 90 minute experience
Coffee enthusiasts are in for a real treat as part of this experience conducted by Ballarat’s own Karon Farm Coffee. Hosted by owner and founder Luke McPherson, the experience will explore different methods of coffee brewing – from plunger to batch brew to espresso – and take guests on a journey that will delight all the senses while enhancing understanding of the roasting process.
Taste the Australian Bush, with Saltbush Kitchen
Saturdays | September 2022 to February 2023 | $49 for 90 minute experience
Ready yourself for an Australian culinary adventure as you experience Australian bushfoods with Saltbush Kitchen. Located in in Buninyong on Wadawurrung Country, this experience will showcase the flavours of Australia exploring bushfood herbs & spices. Dive into your own bushfood tasting plate, browse the Saltbush product range, and expand your knowledge of Australian food.
A Pond to Plate Experience, with Tuki Trout Farm
Saturdays | September 2022 to February 2023 | $80 adult, $40 children for 3 hour experience
Join in an early evening farm experience complete with all the trimmings among the tranquil surrounds of Tuki Trout Farm. Tour the vegetable garden, harvest some organic veggies, catch your own trout and dine in the charming on-site restaurant as you delight in your gathered and caught produce.
A Story of Fervour and Success, with Inglenook Dairy
Sundays | October 2022 to February 2023 | $90 + booking fee for 60 minute experience
Discover the workings of a historic dairy farm and learn about its profound evolution amidst a struggling industry as part of this unique experience at Inglenook Dairy. As well as learning about the farm’s fascinating history, you’ll discover how milk is processed, try your own hand at churning cream into butter, watch state-of-the-art factory equipment in action, sample award-winning dairy products, and mix up your own butter flavours to take home.
A Journey to Gin Through the Ages, with Kilderkin Distillery
Saturdays | September 2022 to February 2023 | $175 for 3 hour experience
Develop a deep appreciation for the flavours and stages of the distilling and explore the range of available international and Australian botanicals be guided by the Kilderkin experts as you experience the different flavours, taste the spirit at the various stages of the distillation, and immerse yourself in an educational experience that explores four centuries of gin history.
A Botanist’s Journey to Gin, with Mrs Baker’s Still House
Selected Sundays | September 2022 to February 2023 | $180 for 3 hour experience
Discover the flavourful botanicals used to make gin at this unassuming rural distillery nestled in the hills of the Pyrenees Ranges. Discover the components harnessed by distillation and tour the micro distillery before tasting up to 15 individual distillations and deciding upon your own signature gin. Guests will have the chance to build on the traditional blend of botanicals and harness the scientist within as they blend their own gin and bottle into one of Mrs Baker’s stylish apothecary-style bottles.
Beer – Our Liquid Bread, with Aunty Jacks
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays | September 2022 to February 2023 | $45 for 60 minute experience
Immerse yourself in a beer experience like no other as you familiarise yourself with a range of craft and accessible beers from Aunty Jacks. This premier brewpub is fashioned of upcycled materials and curiosity, with guests able to tour the brewery’s niceties before sitting back as the staff guides them through the tasting paddle – providing unique insights into the tales behind the ales.
Keep It Natural, with Eastern Peake + Latta Vino
Fridays and Saturdays | October 2022 to February 2023 | $180 for 2 hour experience
Join Owen Latta along a guided winery tour of Eastern Peake as he shares the farming and winemaking philosophy behind the production of his highly regarded range of Eastern Peake and Latta wines. Driven by the trust he holds for his family vineyard and the growers he works with, Owen’s somewhat magical hands-off approach to his craft will ignite your curiosity.
Further booking information at: madeofballarat.com
Spring is synonymous with renewal – the perfect time to learn a new (old) skill with the Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades. Opening later in the spring season, this new world-class education facility will offer hands-on workshops and masterclasses with leading rare trades practitioners. The first program release is now open for bookings and includes everything from woodcarving and locksmithing to armoury and leatherwork.
Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades
Part of Sovereign Hill Museums Association, located in the former Gold Museum
First release workshop program now open for bookings at https://raretradescentre.com.au
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