The village of Hill End sits quietly between Bathurst and Mudgee. While these regional centres have become well known for their produce and engine-revving events, little old Hill End has been happy to keep more to itself.
Now, we all have the chance to get to know this charming country town at the End Festival. This festival of culture, arts, history and food has only been running for four years, but it’s been bringing in some of the region’s top produce, music and locally crafted markets to take over the village for a long weekend’s worth of fun.
On the festival stage, local acts will be blasting bluegrass, country and folk music, so you can boogie while you peruse produce stalls and the Makers’ Market. There’ll also be art exhibitions and installations throughout the village.
When you’re not sampling fabulous Orange wines or Mudgee craft beers, you can join the workshops that’ll be running throughout the festival. Try your hand at historic trades like sword making or basket weaving, or be schooled in poetry and playing the ukulele.
Over the course of the three days, there’ll also be tours running, that’ll cater to history buffs, theatre fanatics and those with more ghoulish interests – the ghost tours are sure to be winners. The evenings will see more celebrations, with parades, dancing and music brining the village to life.
The End is a family-friendly festival, and kiddies will be catered to with workshops and activities. Entry to the festival won’t cost you a dime, but you’ll need to budget for accommodation and specific activities over the weekend.
Travelling Sydneysiders can find their own accomodation for the full three days, or book a place at the festival campground, where everything from bedding to bug spray will be provided.
