Lost Trades Fair

The Lost Trades Fair in Bendigo is a super special event that not only celebrates heritage crafts and rare trades, but also serves as a fantastic educational and inspirational journey for kids.

For ten years, the Lost Trades Fair has celebrated craftsmanship, skilled manual work, ancient arts, heritage crafts and rare trades. A vast range of skills is on display, including metalworking, glass arts and woodcrafts.

This exposure to diverse crafts and trades can ignite a child's curiosity, inspire them to explore new hobbies, and even influence future career aspirations.


More than 150 master artisans from around Australia and overseas travel to the historic gold rush region of Victoria every year to participate in the fair. They showcase their unique tools, traditions, techniques and trades in a fun and engaging way.

Kids are encouraged to participate in the ‘Little Tradies’ area, where they can enjoy hands-on activities like dipping their own birthday candles and carving adventure toys. There are traditional activities and games for kids to enjoy, including egg and spoon races, hackey sack and a hobby horse race.

Musicians play a mix of folk, indie, instrumental and bluegrass music on the main stage and there is lots of great food on offer, including fresh local produce and pulled pork that has been smoked for more than 20 hours.

The Lost Trades Fair encourages sustainable and creative thinking, promoting the idea of valuing handmade goods over machine-produced items.