Have you ever considered the ideal of becoming self-reliant or living more sustainably? Maybe you'd like to convert to solar power, grow your own food, establish a homestead or just live a low-impact life.
Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
If this lifestyle sounds like it could be your thing, then why not head out to the
Off-Grid Living Festival on
Saturday 28th April, 9am - 5pm at Centennial Park in Eldorado, Victoria.
You might be thinking about changes to your current urban property, considering moving to the country, or just wish you could be sounded by the bush. Whether you are researching the potential or wanting to add to your skills, you can be inspired and learn from those who are already on this journey.
Whatever your motive, this is an event for everyone in the family – to learn, mix with like-minded people and to have some fun.
Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
Kate, the festival founder said "
Through the Creative Collectives we ran the School of Self-Sufficiency, which covered all the topics that the Off-Grid Living Festival will cover, that's where it all started. This course was held over a two day weekend, where specialist teachers would come and teach the skills and the knowledge. Everyone would go away on an absolute high from learning all these amazing new things and from living as a community on the weekend. That was the inspiration for this festival, to make it one big day".
Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
These workshops were run on their own property, and they were very successful, but this year they are opening it up and extending the invitation, so it's more affordable and more people can participate. So instead of 30 people for the weekend, they can now accommodate up 5,000 people for the day, which sounds crazy but fun!
Bread making: Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
There will be a full day of events with demonstrations, short talks, market stalls, unique off-grid foods and entertainment. You can participate in workshops where you can learn new skills, discover tools from past and present, and explore innovative new products.
Homesteading skills, Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
The festival is focused around 8 topics: sustainable energy, bushcraft, permaculture & alternative farming, homesteading, natural building, health & wellbeing, handcraft & tools and community.
Traditional tool workshops: Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
:
Introduction to Pole-Lathe Greenwood Turning
Fun with natural wool: Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
Learn to Knit and Crochet
Goat Milking demonstrations
How to Spin Gotland Fleece and Combed Top
Hands-on Super Adobe Building
Sun Oven Cooking demonstrations
Kid goats are just too cute: Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
This list of workshops and activities were confirmed at the time of publication, but there are still more to be added to the list, once details are finalised. Full details will be available closer to the event on the
website or
facebook.
Some of the workshops are free, some are costed. Bookings for the workshops are done on the day, so make sure you arrive early if this interests you.
Entry is $15 per person, for
pre-purchased tickets, under 12 is free.
Bushcrafting: Image courtesy of Off-Grid Living Festival
If you're not familiar with Eldorado, it's situated between Wangaratta and Beechworth, about 3 hours from Melbourne, or 4 hours from Canberra. It was once a major gold mining location and is one of the few remaining authentic country towns in Australia. These days it attracts people who want a quiet, country environment and lifestyle, which is a short distance to larger towns. You can find out more about the town of Eldorado
here
If you're travelling to the event, you might want to make a weekend out of it. There are accommodation options in
Eldorado.
Or you might like to visit other locations in the
High Country region. Beechworth and Wangaratta are 20 minutes away.
If you're a camper, you can check out some local sites at
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Or there are a number of options for a weekend
camping trip.
