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Oatlands is gearing up once again for its signature celebration of Tasmanian rural life and history — the Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival, returning Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th August 2025. This two-day festival blends old-world charm with hands-on heritage experiences, local crafts, traditional skills, and good old country hospitality. From bullocks and steam engines to colonial art and clay play, there’s something here for every curious wanderer.
When: Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August 2025, 10am – 4pm each day
Where: Oatlands (around a 1 hour drive north from Hobart or a 1.5 hour drive south from Launceston)
Entry: Free
The festival is held throughout the town, including inside various charming heritage buildings. Don’t miss the action in Callington Park, located behind the Main Street next to Lake Dulverton. To truly embrace the festival spirit, dress up in traditional clothing to join in the fun. Keep an eye out for the Town Crier who is sure to be dressed to impress
Make the most of your Heritage & Bullock Festival experience by downloading the 2025 Festival Map and Program. It’s your go-to guide for finding all the action — from live demonstrations and entertainment, to food stalls, market sites, and heritage displays.
With everything happening across Oatlands, the map will help you easily navigate between venues and ensure you don’t miss a single highlight.
Step back in time and celebrate the heritage skills, trades, and artisans Oatlands is famous for. Come and see the Bullock team in action, street parades, vintage machinery, steam engines, fly fishing, leather workers, spinners, weavers, theatrical performances, heritage trades, food stalls, and much more. 10am—4pm each day at Callington Park.
The streets will come alive with the Heritage and Bullock Festival parade. Feel like you’ve been transported back in time with the bullocks, horses, steam engines and heritage vehicles.
Plane and Chisel will be located at Weavers Cottage, 104 High Street, presenting heritage mouldings and trim demonstrations at 11:30 am each day.
Alan Percy will be showcasing his incredible collection of vintage enamel pieces in Callington Park – from rustic bowls to timeless teapots, celebrating the craftsmanship and history of traditional kitchenware.
All ages are welcome to participate in hands-on clay work in the Gay Street Hall all weekend. Visitors can pinch off a bit of clay, make something creative, and either leave it on display or have it fired in the ceramics kiln for a small fee.
Di Stramacchia, a skilled potter, will be demonstrating her craft in the Gay Street Hall on Saturday only, turning simple clay into timeless pieces of art. Her work can also be viewed on Instagram @stramacchiadi.
Discover the art of fibre with passionate makers demonstrating age-old techniques in the Council Chambers both days. Experience the beauty and creativity of handcrafted textiles made from wool, silk, alpaca and more. Whether you’re curious about weaving, spinning, or fascinated by natural dyes, visitors can have a go and be inspired by these traditional crafts
Entries are now open for this exciting competition. SSTAS rules apply and circuit points will be accumulated from this competition. Participants should contact Sam Baker for entry details and must be present from 7am on show day to complete waivers and hear the briefing.
Beautiful displays of tapestries and needlework will be showcased in St Peters Anglican Church on William Street, open between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm both days. This heritage church, celebrating its 187th year since foundation, also features stunning stained-glass windows and memorials telling the story of local families.
There’s nothing quite like bread baked in the wood-fired oven. Each loaf comes out with a crackling golden crust and soft, airy centre, made with simple ingredients and old-world methods. Bread will be ready at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm each day.
In Line with Cindy will be performing in the Barrack Street Carpark on Saturday at 12 noon with classic boot scootin’ moves celebrating country fun. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or first-time shuffler, there’s room to join in or simply enjoy the energy.
The festival continues to celebrate its core heritage elements:
Bullock team demonstrations and street parades
Steam engines and vintage machinery displays
Heritage trades and artisan demonstrations
Food stalls and traditional crafts
Market stalls throughout the town
The Royal Society of Tasmania will be launching a major colonial art exhibition during the festival, featuring rarely seen works from their nationally significant collection. The exhibition, titled “Hidden Treasures,” will be housed in two heritage buildings: the Gaoler’s Residence and the Courthouse.
The exhibition features exceptional Tasmanian heritage paintings by renowned artists including: John Skinner Prout, Louisa Anne Meredith, Charles William Piguenit, Simpkinson De Wesselow.
The hero of the exhibition is the iconic painting “The Midlands From Spring Hill” by Simpkinson De Wesselow. The 900-plus paintings in the collection have been valued at over $8 million, with reproductions of the top forty works being exhibited and limited editions available for purchase
Indulge in Old fashioned Cream Buns (the absolute best in Tasmania), a mouth-watering range of Pies, tempting Sausage Rolls, Fresh Bread, Cakes, Slices and Dutch Pancakes.
Sitting snugly next to the Oatlands Pancakes and Crepes Café, 85 High Street Oatlands, this will be a very tempting takeaway option whilst watching the Bullock Parade or wandering this historic Georgian Village whilst you take in the range of heritage crafts, skills and artisan products at the various key locations.
This is real homestyle baking at its finest. Light and fluffy bread, buttery pastry and delectable fillings. Open 8.00am till late each festival day. You can also enjoy a Special Heritage Menu in the café.
The Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team is dedicated to bringing you the best insider tips, local stories, and up-to-date guides to exploring southern Tasmania.
