The Australian Heritage Festival is a yearly event that brings people together to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of our country. It’s all about community, connection, and discovering the stories that make our culture so unique. Every event offers a fresh take on history from all across the state.
This year’s theme is ‘Unearthed’ – it’s all about digging up hidden stories, shining a light on lesser-known histories, and passing on that knowledge.
Here’s what’s happening in the Yass Valley as part of the festival!
Unearthing Ngunawal Stories
Riverbank Park, 11 Comur St, Yass
April 26 & May 3, 10am – 1pm, all ages
Join Ngunawal Traditional Custodians for a walk around the river and learn about Ngunawal connection to the area and the river. Discover the significance of the cultural landscape that is Yass today. Come on a journey to unearth these stories about Ngunawal cultural heritage and connection to Country.
Tickets: $20
Bookings essential: ngunawal25@gmail.com
Fossick for Fossils
Coronation Park, Comur St, Yass
April 26 & May 11, 1:30pm – 4:30pm, ages 5+
Step back 400 million years and uncover treasures in an ancient seabed! Embark on a self-drive guided tour of two fossil beds on private property just 10km from Yass. These extraordinary sites, part of the Silurian period, date back 443-419 million years and were first recorded by explorer-geologist Paul Edmund de Strzelecki and made famous by Alfred Shearsby.
Tickets: Adult $20, Child $10, Family $40
Bookings essential: trybooking/1335522
Yass Graveside Yarns
Yass Cemetery, Irvine Dr, Yass
April 27, 11am – 12:30pm, all ages
Unearth the fascinating stories of early Yass Valley residents, such as explorer Hamilton Hume, pastoralist AB Triggs, and victims of the notorious William Munday. Share in their triumphs, secrets, and scandals while strolling among their headstones in the historic Yass cemetery.
Tickets: Adult $20, Child $15, Family $60
Bookings essential: trybooking.com/1335501
Tea with Trains
Yass Railway Museum, 3 Crago St, Yass
April 28 & May 5, 10am – 11:30am
Indulge in a delightful Devonshire tea amidst the timeless charm of the Yass Town Railway Station, a historic gem constructed in 1891. Embark on a captivating, guided tour of the station and railway yard, where you’ll unearth the fascinating stories behind the locomotive engines and rolling stock on display. Take a moment to stand on one of Australia’s shortest platforms, a unique piece of history built in 1917. Our dedicated volunteers from the Yass Railway Museum will be your entertaining and knowledgeable guides, ready to share intriguing insights and anecdotes about this remarkable slice of railway heritage.
Tickets: Adult $35, Children $20, Family $90
Bookings essential: trybooking.com/CXSIH
From Gold to Grapes
Helm Wines, 19 Butts Rd, Murrumbateman
May 3, 10am – 12pm
Unearth the rich history of Nanima Valley, where gold miners toiled, farmers forged a community, and now vines thrived. Explore the historic 1888 Toual Schoolhouse, hear Kem Helm AM’s vibrant tales, and sip award-winning wine in a building once home to a temperance league! Stroll through vineyards, then visit Armstrong’s Church for tea, refreshments, and a talk from local historians. Don’t miss the unforgettable journey through time in celebration of the Valley’s rich traditions of community.
Tickets: Adult $25, Member $15
Bookings essential: secretary@murrumbateman.org.au
Unearthed Creative Art Workshop
289 Comur St, Yass
May 3, 2pm – 5pm, all ages
Explore historical stories and treasures of the beautiful Yass Valley with historian Barry O’mara. Create a painting through your unique creative interpretation and expression of your favourite of these stories which you can take home and display. Unearth your inner artist through this guided creative art workshop with gallery owner, Cayla Pothan.
Tickets: $95
Bookings essential: tootsiegallerycafe.com.au/events
Cooma Cottage Unearthed
Cooma Cottage, 756 Yass Valley Way, Yass
May 6, 10am – 12pm
Join an informative tour of the recently refurbished home of Australian born explorer, Hamilton Hume. Unearth facts relating to previous occupants of Cooma Cottage and how they lived. See artifacts not previously on display before. A scrumptious morning tea to follow.
Tickets: $45
Bookings essential: eventbrite.com.au