About Us
acknowledgement of country
Bundanoon Winterfest recognises and respects the Traditional Custodians and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture.
History of Winterfest
Bundanoon Winterfest has been running for over 12 years. It began when a group of Bundanoon locals wanted to create something to bring the community together in the middle of winter - July in the Highlands is dark and cold. Bundanoon Winterfest brings light and a sense of community to that midwinter darkness. It has become an enormously popular mid-winter celebration, with a program of events designed to appeal to all.
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The Winterfest opening night party is one of the best-loved of Bundanoon’s many community events. Attracting about 3,500 locals and their guests, there is live music, food and drink stalls from local community organisations and businesses, and plenty of fun activities for adult and kids of all ages to enjoy.
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​Winterfest also provides an opportunity for local businesses to raise their profile within the local community and beyond, through sponsorship, running workshops or taking part in the opening night celebrations, with over 50 small businesses and community groups hosting or running events.
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Bundanoon Winterfest is a volunteer run, not for profit community event. As part of the Bundanoon Community Association. The Bundanoon Community Association is renowned for delivering a broad spectrum of events which attract an ever increasing local, state and national audience. BCA events range from large scale events such as Winterfest to outdoor events such as the Garden Ramble.
Winterfest is self-funding and relies mostly on sponsorship from local businesses, grants and donations. Please get in touch if your business would like to be part of this fabulous event!
Winterfest Theme
Each year we share a theme for the festival that informs all that we do to deliver a memorable event in mid-winter.
In 2024 the festival theme is “Frost and Bloom”.
This theme was selected by the Bundanoon Winterfest Committee to reflect the seasons that define Bundanoon. Winter and Spring. Bundanoon is nestled on an escapement overlooking Moreton National Park. Due to this unique position we have an equally unique climate. Frosty mornings give way to warm days and misty evenings. The sense of the deep bush that surrounds us permeates our souls and is reflected in our community in everything from our gardens to our art.
This year the theme acknowledges, those seasons that define us and creates an open canvas for wide participation and celebration, welcoming all members of our community and visitors to celebrate Winter and to experience the life and highlights of Bundanoon.
Accesssibility
The Bundanoon Winterfest is a community event and welcomes everybody. Wingecarribee Shire Council and the Bundanoon Community Association is committed to making the Bundanoon Winterfest a safe, inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable event for all, and we are constantly working on ways to improve our festival site and the experience for all.
If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Festival Site
The Bundanoon Winterfest is held in the main shopping and restaurant area of Bundanoon, being located on Railway Parade and Church Street Bundanoon.
Paths of travel are either bitumen road or paved footpaths.
During peak periods the festival can be very crowded.
Parking
Designated accessible parking zones will be located close to the event near the entrances to the event – on/near Osborne Street & Railway Avenue and Osborne Avenue & Church Street. Other parking is unallocated around the main event area on the streets of Bundanoon.
The accessible parking areas will be displayed on the Winterfest map.
Accessible Toilets
Unisex accessible toilets are available at the permanent toilet block located on Osborne Avenue.
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Further Information
For further information on Accessibility & Disability within Wingecarribee Shire please visit https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Community/Accessibility-Disability
Winterfest Sustainability
The Bundanoon Community Association is proud of the work we have undertaken to continuously minimise the environmental impact of our community and reduce our footprint.
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Bundanoon – Plastic Free As We Can Be
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Conceived to campaign and lead by example for the reduction of single-use plastics in Bundanoon by our local businesses and our community.
Plant-derived compostable carry bags, food wrap, coffee cups, cutlery, takeaway containers, sticky tape, and mailbags are readily available across all Bundanoon businesses.
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We strongly encourage the move toward zero use of single use plastics. As of 1 July 2022, a total ban on single use plastic bags was enforced by the NSW Government, Wingecarriebee Shire Council requires all vendors at the 2023 Bundanoon Winterfest to offer alternate reusable bagging options or make use of the reusable bags provided by our team. For further information on Plastic Free as We Can be visit www.bca.asn.au
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In 2009 Bundanoon became the first community in Australia and the world to ban the sale of plastic water bottles.
Australia is the 2nd largest consumer of bottled water per capita in the world. Bundy on Tap works with local businesses to ensure the ban and encourages the community and visitors to use one of the three filtered water bubblers / drinking stations across the town. Reuseable water bottles are also supplied to students of the Bundanoon Primary School and are on sale in cafes on Railway Avenue. For further information on Bundy on Tap visit: www.bundyontap.com
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Things you can do to reduce your footprint at the Bundanoon Winterfest:
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Bring your own drink bottle to fill up at the free water refill stations.
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Bring or buy a reusable coffee cup for your warm beverages.
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Leave the top off your takeaway coffee cup to reduce unnecessary plastic use.
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Follow the instructions on each bin when disposing of your waste
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Leave the car at home and walk to the event, or carpool with friends and family.
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Bring a reusable bag to the markets and events.
This year's winterfest requires us to close some streets in Bundanoon. Church Street and Railway Avenue will provide the event space. Therefore, we are closing the South bound lanes from 12noon. South bound traffic, heading towards Exeter, will be diverted at this time. North bound lanes will be closed from 3pm. Both lanes of Church Street and Railway Avenue from Osborne Street to Osborne Avenue will be closed to through traffic. Diversons will be in place and clearly sign posted.
Winterfest Sponsors
Bundanoon Winterfest is a volunteer run, not for profit community event. As part of the Bundanoon Community Association, Winterfest needs to be self-funding, so relies mostly on sponsorship from local businesses, or grants and donations where available.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors for helping to bring Winterfest to life and supporting our Winter festivities!
Higland FM provides an eclectric mix of musicial, cultural, education and informative programming designed to entertain, inspire and enrich the lives of listerners. As an all-volunteer community based radio station Highlands FM provides a unique platform to reflect the Southern Highlands. For further information on Highlands FM https://www.highlandfm.org.au/
Southern Highlands FM has collaborated with Vocal Muster to provide the preformers for Winterfest 2023. They will be bringing 14 up and coming young artists to our performance pods across the Winterfest event site.
The Vocal Muster provides opportunities for young people to perform in a space where music and song can be created and enjoyed.
The Vocal Muster welcomes any young person wanting to join their activities. They provide an inclusive place where young talent can be inspired and nurtured. The Vocal Muster have attracted industry professionals to assist with workshops and Master Classes. The Vocal Muster do not charge for any of their activities. For some young people they provide free performance lessons. Find out more about The Vocal Muster.
Ngununggula, meaning 'belonging' in the traditional language of the Gundungurra First Nations people, is the first regional art gallery in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. https://ngununggula.com/ We've partnered with the Ngunnunggla Gallery for the Bundanoon Winterfest Art Competition with the theme of "Belonging". Entries are now open for the art compeitition - link to page
The Bundanoon Hotel (originally known as The Commerical) was built soon after the railway line came to Bundanoon in 1868. It has been at the heart of Bundanoon ever since. The present iconic Bundanoon Hotel was built in 1922 on the original site.
In 2018 the new owners took the hotel through a refurbishment which retained the village charm and delivered a paired back, modernised style. The refurbishment pays homage to the Hotel's past by retaining the gorgeous timber elements of the Mock-Tudor and Arts & Crafts styles and sandstone blocks of the original 1922 building. For more information on The Bundanoon Hotel's accomodation, dining and bars visit https://www.bundanoonhotel.com.au/
The Bundanoon Hotel is a Gold Sponsor (Hospitality) of Bundanoon Winterfest 2023 - and sponsor of the Highland FM / Vocal Muster young performers appearing at Winterfest. Thank you Bundanoon Hotel and Team!
Winterfest Committee 2024
Jonathon Melrose-Rae - Convenor
Roger Barry - Secretary
Lorraine Dillion - Treasurer
Susan Gray
Helen Lynch
Bronwyn Richards
David Le Cheminart
Josphine Le Cheminart
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Winterfest Volunteers
Bundanoon Winterfest wouldn't happen without the committment and energy of our volunteers. If you would like to volunteer for Winterfest 2024 please email us at winterfest@bca.asn.au.