Explore Chiltern

20/05/2026

Bookings are now open for Indigo Woodworks’ hands-on woodworking courses across the rest of 2026. 🪵

Set in beautiful Indigo Valley, these weekend courses run around once a month and are designed for makers who want to learn by doing. Using a mix of machinery and traditional hand tools, you’ll be guided through creating a piece you can take home, working with locally sourced and recycled timber along the way.

New dates have been released for the remainder of the year. To view upcoming workshops or register your interest, visit indigowoodworks.com.au or message the team via Indigo Woodworks

15/05/2026

Slow down this winter and try your hand at traditional spoon carving with local maker Nat Ord 🪵

Learn how to safely carve your own cooking spoon from a greenwood blank, then take home the skills to keep carving long after the workshop ends.

Nat supplies all the carving tools, materials, morning tea and delicious barista made coffee. Numbers are limited to 8 people, so early bookings are encouraged.

📅 Saturday 27 June, 10am – 4pm
🎫 Book now via natord.com.au or in store at Nat Ord Artist & Supplier

04/05/2026

01/05/2026

The Australian Heritage Festival is on now and Chiltern is proud to be part of Australia’s largest heritage celebration.

Running until Sunday 18 May, the festival invites you to explore Australia’s stories through community‑led experiences, with this year’s theme 'Change' encouraging us to reflect on how our history continues to shape us, and how we’re shaping it in return.

As part of the festival, two much‑loved Chiltern heritage sites are opening their doors:

Dow’s Pharmacy Open Days
Step inside one of Victoria’s most intact historic pharmacies and explore its remarkable collection.
Open every Friday and Saturday, 10am–2pm.

Lake View House Open Days
Visit this beautifully preserved Victorian home overlooking Lake Anderson Gardens.
Open every Saturday, 10am–2pm.

Whether you’re a history lover or just curious to see inside these iconic buildings, it’s a great excuse to slow down and discover a piece of Chiltern’s past.

Plan your visit and make the most of the Australian Heritage Festival before it wraps up on 18 May.

17/04/2026

Did you know public transport (including V/Line) is free across Victoria this April?

That means you can jump on a V/line train from Melbourne (or anywhere along the Albury/Seymour line) and end up right here in Chiltern. No car, no petrol, no parking.

On a Friday or Saturday, step inside the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) listed Dow's Pharmacy and Lake View House for a proper slice of history. Or simply stroll around town and enjoy the heritage buildings, antique shops and local artists’ studios.

Refuel with a milkshake at Lulu and Didge, something sweet from Chiltern Bakery, or settle in for a long lazy lunch at Posh Plonk On Main. Stretch your legs in Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park, and if you feel like making a weekend of it, book a night and snuggle in by the fire at Mortimer’s Lodge.

Chiltern - right on your doorstep.

Plan your perfect day → explorechiltern.com.au

07/04/2026

Chiltern is one of the best spots in the region for a family day out, with loads of experiences to entertain those young and old.

A short drive out of town will see you in the middle of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, where you can explore the Yeddonba Aboriginal Cultural Site (pictured) or take a short walk from the Mount Pilot carpark to the 545-metre summit, where you'll be rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the region.

And for the little car and engine fans, there are two great events on this weekend:

🚗 Crawlin' The Hume on Saturday 11 April at Chiltern Racecourse. Big ol' trucks, car club displays and small engine showcases. Kids will be obsessed.

✨ Chiltern Cancer Cruise on Sunday 12 April. A full day of chrome, community and compassion.

Chiltern - right on your doorstep.

Plan your perfect day → explorechiltern.com.au

27/03/2026

Close enough for a day trip. Far enough to feel like you've actually got away.

Chiltern is a streetscape straight out of a period drama with antique shops, local artists and milkshakes that taste even better when you're in no hurry to be anywhere.

Chiltern and Rutherglen - right on your doorstep.

Plan your perfect day → explorechiltern.com.au

19/03/2026

Here's what a perfect day looks like.

Start in Chiltern. A streetscape straight out of a period drama. Antiques, local artists, a masonic hall turned cafe. Milkshakes and spiders and National Trust listed properties.

Then, a short drive down the road to Explore Rutherglen. Beautiful historic streets, world-famous wine. Drive out to a cellar door or two. Stock up on world-class fortifieds, grab a pie, maybe an ice cream.

And somewhere along the way, a long, lazy lunch.

Chiltern and Rutherglen - right on your doorstep.

Plan your perfect day → explorechiltern.com.au

12/03/2026

Step inside the Indigo Valley workshop and discover the joy of slowing down with a hands‑on woodworking course from Indigo Woodworks 🔨

Led by local craftsman Andy Hooke, these small‑group courses offer the chance to create your own handcrafted stool using a blend of traditional techniques and modern tools. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your skills, there’s a course to suit your pace:

• Four‑legged milking stool – a beginner‑friendly two‑day weekend course
• Three‑legged perch stool – a three‑day immersive experience for those with some woodworking under their belt

All materials, tuition and morning/afternoon tea are included, plus you’ll go home with a beautifully crafted piece made entirely by you.

📅 Limited spots available for 2026 - some courses may already be fully booked.
👉 Find out more via indigowoodworks.com.au

12/02/2026

Chiltern’s not just a gold rush town, it’s also home to some seriously talented artists.

Lisa Bishop studio and art store creates whimsical illustrations that feel like stepping into a storybook.

Nat Ord Artist & Supplier is a multi-talented artist, capturing nature-inspired photography and hand-crafting wooden spoons.

Melanie Regli of Regli's Missing Link. Chainmail artist/jeweller. crafts wearable art and contemporary statement pieces using traditional and customised chainmail weaves.

Kirrily Anderson - artist is renowned for her mesmerising exploration of the intricacy in nature, including captivating murals.

Next time you’re in Chiltern, take a slow wander, step inside the artists' studios and take a piece of Chiltern art home with you.