From the outside, Confectionery Capers on the McIvor Highway in Junortoun appears as little more than large tin shed. A small gravel carpark and a simple swinging sign are the only things that distinguish it from being anything other than someone's multi-bay garage. Which is exactly what I thought it was, until I stepped inside.
Then, whirling and spinning figurines suddenly danced above my head. Flags waved, puppets leaped and bells rang out in an absolute cacophony of colour and sound. There were model trains, barbie dolls, plastic creatures of every variety, fans, bells, garden gnomes, toy cars, corkscrews, model trains and stuffed toys, each one of them shaking and jiggling about.
The movement, I discovered, was created by a clever pulley, cable and counterweight system. One small generator buzzed over in the corner which caused the entire shed to pulsate with ringing activity.
Deceived by the name, I thought I was going to Confectionery Capers to visit some sort of lolly making machine a local man had built. Instead I was entertained by his extensive and long cherished collection of plastic flowers, toy cars, cans, tinsel, mobiles, trolleys, wheels, umbrellas, turbines, trains, mirrors.
As if the entertainment of all the gadgets wasn't enough, Confectionery Capers was also decorated with over two thousand 'capergrams', which are written labels that give a witty play-on-word joke to the reader. It took over an hour for me to be able to properly read each one of them and to enjoy the hundreds of interactive stations as well.
Confectionery Capers was a whole lot of creative and imaginative fun and is fast becoming a major tourist attraction for the Central Victorian region. Entry is $8.00 per adult and $5.00 per child with group tickets and concessions also available. It is open from 10:00am until 5:00pm from Monday to Saturday and from 1:00pm until 5:00pm on Sundays.
