General News
19 October, 2023
Gold Rush returns to Dunolly over big weekend
With only one day to go before Dunolly’s Gold Rush Festival kicks off, excitement is building for the event which offers something for music lovers, history enthusiasts and everyone in-between. The weekend of events begins on Saturday with the...
With only one day to go before Dunolly’s Gold Rush Festival kicks off, excitement is building for the event which offers something for music lovers, history enthusiasts and everyone in-between.
The weekend of events begins on Saturday with the Dunolly Gold Rush Music Festival, a ticketed event featuring six bands over six hours at the Dunolly Golf Club from 1 to 6 pm.
On Sunday, October 22, a full day of fun and free activities are planned from 10 am until 4 pm at Dunolly’s Gordon Gardens, with a variety of stalls, prizes, the returning ‘Hold the Gold’ competition, festival merchandise, classic cars, children’s activities and much more to keep the family entertained.
The Dunolly Gold Rush Festival first started in 1971 and ran through to 2006, however was last year revived in what organisers could only hail as a success for the town and community.
Building off of last year’s event, this year’s iteration looks set to be an even greater success, according to festival ambassador and councillor Liesbeth Long.
“Everyone is just ecstatic to have the Gold Rush Festival returning for a second year after its hiatus,” she said.
“There is so much planned and plenty for the whole family to enjoy — from great music, stalls, displays activities for children and food and coffee.
“The volunteer organising committee, Dunolly District Inc, has done an incredible amount of work in pulling this event together and I can’t wait to welcome people back to Dunolly for the Gold Rush Festival.”
The adjacent court house will again play host to historic dress-ups for selfies, with a re-enactment of a trial from the Gold Rush days as the finale to the festival.
Coinciding with the festival, the vibrant atmosphere of the monthly Dunolly Country Market in Broadway on the Sunday, along with the drawcards of Dunolly businesses and exciting music event, Vibes on Broadway provided by the Goldfields Music Club, will ensure there’s something for everyone across the whole community.
Dunolly Gold Rush Festival organiser Brian Phillips said it will be great to welcome locals and visitors alike to town for the event.
“This will be a great family-friendly weekend, there will be something for everyone on offer,” he said.
“All of our local businesses have gotten behind the Gold Rush Festival — they’ll all have special hessian flags out on display throughout the weekend.
“We will also be selling Dunolly Gold Rush branded merchandise such as caps, bucket hats, beanies, t-shirts, polo tops and stubby coolers.”
While the festival activities themselves are free of charge, there is no ATM in Dunolly and limited EFTPOS, so carrying cash is advised.
For more information and updates, search for Dunolly Gold Rush Festival on Facebook.