THE FESTIVAL
“VICTORIA’S PRE-EMINENT REGIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL” - The Age
Established in 1976
The Castlemaine State Festival began in 1976 through the vision of founder Berek Segan AM OBE and has now grown to become Australia’s longest running flagship regional arts festival.
The Festival preceded any other Victorian arts festivals and has been unique in its scope and diversity, and in its impact on the social and cultural fabric of central Victoria and environs.
The biennial Festival commissions, develops and presents a thrilling program of events encompassing performance, music, literature, visual arts and film and is known as major contributor in connecting people and developing social wealth within the regional community.
CASTLEMAINE
Castlemaine is just 120km north west of Melbourne and 110 km from the Melbourne International Airport. Castlemaine is a sophisticated central Victorian community nestled between Bendigo and Ballarat. Home to the richest shallow alluvial goldfield the world has ever seen and now renowned for the arts, Castlemaine today is a relaxed 21st century city in a stately 19th century setting.
The Festival is held in autumn, a particularly beautiful season in the region, and has become synonymous with the intimacy, relaxed sophistication, vitality, and open creative spirit which so quintessentially defines the town and the Goldfields region. Broad avenues and mature European gardens fit hand in glove with the primarily Victorian and Edwardian architecture, a haven for artists, tourists and locals. This richness and diversity is evidenced by the variety of private studios and galleries that display locally produced art works. Around 500 practising artists have made the region their home.
Visitor Information
Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre
Market Building, 44 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Telephone: 03 5471 1795
Email: visitors@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Website: Click here