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Guide to the 2026 Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival

  • Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival

Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival 2026

8–9 August 2026 | Free entry | Oatlands, Tasmania

Working bullocks, heritage trades, vintage machinery and one of Tasmania’s best-preserved Georgian towns come together for the Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August 2026.

Held across Oatlands and centred around Callington Park, the free two-day festival celebrates the skills, trades and rural traditions that helped shape the Tasmanian Midlands.

The working bullock teams are at the heart of the weekend, joined by traditional craftspeople, historic machinery, vintage vehicles, food stalls and the popular parade along High Street.

Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival 2026

Festival Information

When: Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August 2026, from 10am–4pm each day

Where: Callington Park and locations around Oatlands, Tasmania

Entry: Free

Oatlands is around one hour north of nipaluna / Hobart and approximately 90 minutes south of Launceston.

Much of the festival activity takes place at Callington Park, found behind High Street beside Lake Dulverton, with displays and activities also held at heritage buildings and other locations throughout town.

Winter conditions in Oatlands can be cold, so bring warm layers and comfortable shoes for walking between festival locations.

Heritage and Bullock Festival on Facebook

What’s on at the 2026 festival?

The Heritage & Bullock Festival brings Oatlands’ rural and industrial history to life through working demonstrations, traditional trades, historic machinery and hands-on activities.

Across the weekend, visitors can see working bullocks, blacksmithing, vintage machinery, heritage collections, handcrafted goods and displays exploring how people lived and worked before modern equipment.

The festival also includes the High Street parade, artisan stalls, food and activities for families.

Heritage and Bullock Festival 2025

The street parade

The street parade begins at 10.30am on both Saturday and Sunday, making its way through central Oatlands with Scottish pipes and drums, working bullocks, lion dancers, vintage vehicles, historic machinery and community groups.

The restored Fowler steam engine will also appear in the parade before operating in the Barrack Street Car Park throughout the day.

Arrive early to find a good viewing position and allow time for parking and walking into town.

Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Brian Fish and his team of working bullocks will be a highlight as they make their way down High Street as part of the parade. The team will also be performing working demonstrations throughout the festival in Callington Park. Bullock drays were a familiar sight in Australia during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The slow, labouring bullocks were the backbone of Australia’s colonial workforce, transporting heavy goods such as wool, wheat, timber etc. Bullock teams travelled about 15 kilometres per day, ranging from 12 to as many as 30 bullocks.

Russ Fowler and Molly the Muster Dog

On Saturday, working dog trainer Russ Fowler and Molly the Muster Dog will join the parade before presenting demonstrations at Callington Park.

Known for their appearances on the ABC, Russ and Molly demonstrate the communication, intelligence and teamwork involved in working livestock.

Saturday demonstration times:

  • 11.30am
  • 1pm
  • 3pm

The restored Fowler steam engine

A restored Fowler steam traction engine will be one of the major machinery displays at the 2026 festival.

Restored by Leigh Burrill and operated during the festival by Cameron Burrill, the engine represents the shift from animal-powered farming and transport to steam machinery during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

See it in the 10.30am street parade each day, followed by demonstrations in the Barrack Street Car Park.

See traditional blacksmithing in action

At Callington Park, visitors can watch a blacksmith shape red-hot steel using traditional hand tools, fire and anvil techniques.

Blacksmithing played an important role in Australia’s farming, transport and construction industries, producing tools, fittings and equipment used by rural communities.

The live forge offers a close look at the skill and physical work involved in one of the world’s oldest trades.

Fishing activities with Dulverton Anglers

Dulverton Anglers will be based in the Barrack Street Car Park, sharing traditional fishing skills and information about local waterways.

Visitors can watch fly-tying demonstrations, try casting activities and learn more about recreational fishing. Children’s activities will also be available throughout the weekend.

Historic machinery and everyday objects

The Old Bits & Pieces Club of Tasmania will display machinery, tools and household equipment once used before electricity and modern appliances became commonplace.

The collection ranges from hand-operated domestic items to larger agricultural and steam-powered machinery, with club members available to explain how different objects were used.

At Callington Park, Alan Percy will also present a collection of more than 500 pieces of enamelware and kitchen utensils dating from the early 1900s to the 1940s.

Heritage trades and artisan stalls

Traditional leatherwork, woodturning and other handcrafted products will be on display at venues along High Street.

Tania Burbury Leather Works will present handcrafted leather goods at Roche Hall, while the market area will include Tasmanian makers offering timber pieces, artwork, honey, candles, food and country-inspired products.

The Council Chambers and market area at 71–73 High Street will host a range of local and visiting stallholders across the weekend.

Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage and Bullock Festival

Oatlands Pancakes and Crepes Café

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.

Dutch Pancakes Cone
Dutch Pancakes Cone
Oatlands Pancakes and Crepes Bread
Oatlands Pancakes and Crepes Cream Bun

Planning your festival day

The 2026 Heritage & Bullock Festival runs from 10am–4pm on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August.

Festival activities are spread across Callington Park, the Barrack Street Car Park, High Street and nearby heritage buildings. Allow several hours to see the parade, demonstrations, machinery and displays.

The festival is free, although food, drinks and goods from market stalls are available to purchase.

Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival
Oatlands Heritage & Bullock Festival
Picture of Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

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.

Article Details:

Article Created: 15 July 2026
Last Update: 4 August 2026
Author: Darren Wright
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