On the hunt - We uncover the best Easter events on the Goldfields

It's one of the loveliest times of the year in our region and with so much to see and do it's a great time to visit and explore.

Here are our top 5 picks for Easter fun

The Maldon Easter Fair

A tradition for locals and visitors alike, the Maldon Easter Fair started in 1878, making it one of the oldest in Australia.

Head to the historic goldfields town of Maldon and try your hand at the scone baking competition, pick up a treat at the Easter market or even grab your clubs and enter the hole in one competition ($2,000 first prize!).

Highlights include the torchlight procession on Saturday followed by a night of fun with Dancing in the Streets and the un-missable Easter Parade on Easter Monday.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/maldoneasterfair/

Harcourt Valley Easter Festival

Known for their award winning wines, beer, ginger beer and mead the Harcourt Valley Winery is also one of the prettiest venues in the district.

Surrounded by gum trees and grape vines, this rustic country winery throws opens its doors and grounds every Easter to host a family friendly day of food, wine and entertainment.

Try delicious produce from local vendors, sip on local wine, beer, cider and handmade cocktails, let the kids loose on the bouncy castle, the giant slide and the Easter Egg hunt and enjoy fantastic live music.

Sunday 21 April 11am – 5pm

For more information and bookings visit https://www.facebook.com/HVVEasterFestival/

Shuttle bus from Castlemaine train station to the event.

Harcourt's Giant Easter Egg Hunt

After a year away this popular event is back in Harcourt's magical Oak Forest on Easter Sunday.

Enjoy free children's entertainment, nature based activities, arts and craft, live music, BBQ, and age-based egg hunts. Bring family, friends and a picnic rug.

If you've never been to the forest you're in for a very special treat.

Bookings and information visit www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=48074

Bendigo Easter Festival

Bendigo's CBD comes alive over Easter when family friendly activities and events showcasing the city's diverse community take over.

Join in the hunt for over 170,000 Easter eggs in Rosalind Park. Celebrate the city's Chinese heritage with dance, drums, lion teams and 100,000 crackers as part of the Chinese Spring Festival and Awakening of the Dragon then follow the convoy of illuminated floats in the torchlight procession which concludes with fabulous fireworks.

Don't miss the gorgeous display of colour in Sunday's Gala Parade including Sun Loong, the world's longest Imperial Chinese Dragon.

April 19 - 22, 2019

For all details including the program visit http://www.bendigoeasterfestival.org.au

Main image: All the colour of the Bendigo Easter Festival Gala Parade

Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits

Not strictly an Easter event but the latest exhibition at Bendigo's world-class Gallery is a showstopper.

Tudors to Windsors traces the history of the British monarchy through the outstanding collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

See some of the most significant royal portraits from five royal dynasties highlighting key figures and important historical moments and the works of some of the most important British artists. The exhibition also includes key loans of historic fashion, armour and personal effects.

For the ultimate royal experience why not travel to the exhibition aboard The Royal Train?

The Victorian Goldfields Railway can take you between Castlemaine and Bendigo in the same luxury restored carriages as Queen Elizabeth II from her epic 1954 Royal Tour and Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1983.

High tea anyone?

For information and exhibition bookings visit www.bendigoartgallery.com.au

To book The Royal Train visit https://www.bendigotourism.com/tours/victorian-goldfields-railway-the-royal-train

Coming from interstate? Did you know that Qantas now flies between Sydney and Bendigo?

Bendigo Airport is located just 4 kilometres from the centre of Bendigo and flights operate six days a week. Castlemaine, Harcourt and Maldon are all an easy train ride from Bendigo.

Visit www.qantas.com.au