Maldon In Winter

Australia’s first notable Town, Maldon, comes alive for the winter solstice and more.

A seventeen day explosion of all the creativity that lies at the heart of Victoria’s goldfields. A deep reef of golden opportunity for visitors and locals alike.

The Maldon In Winter 2022 Festival is a celebration of darkness and of winter’s light with candlelit recitals, a community bonfire and fairy-lit shop windows. There’ll be music and theatre, poetry and markets.

Visitors can arrive in true Goldfields style on the steamtrain from Castlemaine, or catch a coach drawn by great Clydesdale horses.

The centrepiece is the Goldfields Gothic Festival of Dark Ideas, with its Gothic and Victorian Picnic, performance by the legendary dark alternative band IKON, electronic rock and deep and dark poetry, and the Phoenix Burlesque troupe to bring life out of the darkness of deep winter.

Come visit a true country community, sample prizewinning scones with jam and cream, French cuisine or a genuine pub meal. The log fires will be blazing in all the cafés. The B&Bs are snug, with delightful gardens.

The entertainment covers all bases. Award-winning classical guitarist, Clancy McLeod opens the Festival with Bach and beyond. There’s nostalgia with a Neil Diamond tribute and all the Hits of the ‘60s, as well as Goldfield Gothic’s focus on contemporary culture. The well-named Edge Gallery - a centre for leading-edge photographic artists - hosts a spine-tingling exhibition titled, simply, “Shroud”.

There’ll be dark fashion, a hint of SteamPunk, and live rock-&-roll to dance away the closing night. Discover the whole 17 day program: maldon.org.au/maldon-in-winter @maldoninc