Visit the Macedon Ranges

Our 2.5 hour educational-focus workshops are led by professional Mushroom foragers. Using an easily accessible style, guests can learn how to forage, where to forage and most importantly, the safest way to enjoy this unique Autumn activity. Our workshops are suitable for anyone interested to learn how to recognise and safely collect edible mushrooms and further their fungi knowledge. This event focuses on identifying and collecting edible pine mushrooms and slippery jacks. Note: the workshops are aimed at Adults and depending on their interests, may not be suitable for children. Pricing: $98 per person. Children’s pricing on request. Group pricing is available. The mushrooms we forage are reliant on specific weather conditions. Tickets are now on sale with our Workshop dates from after Easter, 11th April 2026. Once we know the likelihood of mushrooms being found (May/June), we may be able to list more workshop dates. GIFT CERTIFICATES for any available date in 2026 are an option if you don't yet know which date suits you. Please refer to T's & C's on booking link for refund conditions. We recommend booking early, as workshops usually sell out. Foraging dates are subject to change, and we will notify you if it is unlikely we will find mushrooms on your booked date, so you can request a refund or choose to transfer to another scheduled date. Change-of-mind refunds are not available. ALL PARTICIPANTS AGREE TO HAVE ALL FORAGED MUSHROOMS CHECKED BY OUR WORKSHOP LEADERS. We do not allow toxic mushrooms to be taken from the workshop. Please note: These events are a very different style and format to our events pre 2021. VENUE: Meeting Point: Smith St, Macedon. From the meeting point, you need to drive your own vehicle to our foraging spot. 4-wheel drive is not necessary. More details and meeting instructions will be forwarded two weeks before your event. CONTACT DETAILS, and for inquiries about other potential dates: C the Market, Jan Claire, 0430 507 019 cthemarket@live.com.au www.cthemarket.com.au

Do you absolutely LOVE Australian wildlife? Weekend of Wildlife is a 'pop-up' activation, show-casing live iconic Australian wildlife. There is simply no other wildlife experience like this! Presented by tertiary trained zoologists from Wild Action Zoo. Our wildlife workshops are informative, entertaining and engaging. Suitable for adults and children alike. Learn about some amazing facts, the ecological niche and threats many of our animals face in the wild. There will also be plenty of opportunities to interact and photograph our amazing animal family. This truly immersive wildlife experience is capped at 100 people per activation, assuring a quality experience. Meet face-to-face and adorable koala, joey kangaroo, short-beaked echidna, bare-nosed wombat, sugar glider, grey-headed flying fox, owls, tawny frogmouth, colourful parrots, giant lizards, python snakes, crocodile, tropical insects......just to name a few. Imagine holding a critically endangered mountain pygmy possum! With only 2000, left in the wild, your support directly contributes to Wild Action Zoo's captive breeding program of this endemic snow possum. Get in quick. Tickets won't last long.

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is set to light up Woodend once again this June, uniting world‑class musicians, performers and thought‑leaders for four days of music, ideas and creativity. The 2026 program spans classical and contemporary performance, family events, opera, theatre and powerful conversations. This year’s program opens with an electrifying jazz concert from the Chris Johnstone/ Mat Jodrell Quartet, setting the tone for a weekend rich with musical discovery. Attendees can look forward to exceptional performances across classical, contemporary, opera, theatre and family programming, including Coady Green’s dramatic pairing of Liszt and Linda Kouvaras sonatas; one of the first Australian performances of Paul Wiancko’s acclaimed LIFT by Affinity Quartet; and the long‑awaited return of Monteverdi’s monumental 1610 Vespers by Ensemble Gombert and Accademia Arcadia conducted by John O’Donnell, who will also direct a performance of Bach’s Musical Offering. ARIA Award‑winning pianist Tamara‑Anna Cislowska will pair with one of Australia’s most lauded composers Elena Kats‑Chernin, traversing the wondrous catalogue of Kats-Chernin’s music; while also providing a masterclass event for school aged pianists. Families are invited to step into the magical world of 1001 Nights, performed by Inventi Ensemble, while Seraphim Trio will showcase four Australian composer variations on a Schubert waltz alongside Tchaikovsky’s deeply moving Piano Trio in A minor. WWAF’s very own Artistic Director Jacqueline Ogeil will illuminate the neglected genius of 18th‑century composer Sebastián de Albero. Audiences can also enjoy a sweeping recital spanning five centuries from international accordion star James Crabb, and the stylish close‑harmony jazz of the Melbourne Octet. The T-Shirt Opera Company will deliver a playful operatic highlights Opera Unmasked, over dinner at The Victoria Hotel, while Peter’s Rose’s absurdist troupe, The Highly Strung Players will perform three highly amusing short plays. WWAF’s ever-popular Words & Ideas program will once again bring some of the nation’s most respected voices to Woodend. Leading social psychologist Hugh Mackay will lead a discussion on community, belonging and kindness in an age of fragmentation. Former Chief Scientist Alan Finkel confronts the rise of AI‑generated creativity and the importance of protecting human expression; respected writer Anna Goldsworthy will discuss the cultural and existential implications of AI; while author and commentator David Marr will reflect on preserving enduring truths amid the noise of modern discourse. Bestselling author of The Dressmaker fame, Rosalie Ham will lead a fun discussion on the joy of getting older, following the recent launch of her first non-fiction book titled Look After Your Feet. And families will love the joyful, family‑friendly session led by celebrated author Maxine Beneba Clarke, who will share poetry, picture books and the creative power of storytelling for young people. WWAF takes place over the King's Birthday long weekend, from 5-8 June. Tickets are on sale now.  

THE NATIONAL INSECT EXPO is Australias largest insect exhibition showcasing the entire Science of Entomology (Insects) to the general public. The first National Insect Expo was held in July 2022 and over 6000 visitors attended the first event with many travelling from interstate in order to experience this unique event for the first time. The 2023 Expo was again held at the Woodend Buffalo Stadium in September that year and attracted more than 7000 visitors with quite a few arriving from overseas including Madrid, Hong Kong and Berlin. These international visitors were keen to network with Australian breeders and suppliers in order to fascilitate business opportunities at the event. 2025 was a fantastic event with a venue full of exhibitors on show to the public over the 3 days. This event attracted even more international visitors from Singapore and the United States. Now in its fifth year, and to be held on Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October 2026, this spectacular exhibition will continue to provide visitors with a unique and fascinating look into the world of insects and their relatives. Featuring Entomologists, Insect Researchers, Breeders, Spider and Scorpion Keepers, Insect Educators and Specialist Insect Retailers, this amazing event also brings together a large number of static Entomological Collections, 'Live' Insect displays, Spiders, Scorpions and Related Invertebrates, Childrens Workshops, Entomological Merchandise and the ongoing research work of the National Institute of Entomology Over 100 exhibitors from all over Australia and New Zealand will once more provide spectacular displays, many of which are never seen by the public. Featured Insect Pantomime Entertainment is also provided in order to meet and greet all visitors and Quality Food Catering is also available On-Site during the entire 3 day event. Ticketing - the tickets link will be updated closer to the event. Watch this space.

Bolobek Garden Fair Address  370 Mount Macedon Road, Macedon VIC 10am to 4pm each day 3 & 4October 2026