2026 Feathery Festival 5 – 11 September
Posted on 6 August, 2026 by Hadley Cole
In celebration of our local Woodland Birds, Connecting Country, Birdlife Castlemaine and Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club are teaming up to present the biannual Feathery Festival!
After a successful inaugural festival in 2024, the biennial Feathery Festival is back in 2026 with a big program offering a diversity of opportunities to learn about our local woodland birds. The festival is centred around National Threatened Species Day (acknowledged annually on 7 September) and aims to raise awareness and celebrate our beautiful local woodland birds, many which are sadly threatened with extinction.
This years festival is shaping up to be one of a kind, with bird walks, a local property visit, panel discussion and the intertwining of nature and art. Call a friend, and a clear your diaries from the 5-11 September, you will be celebrating our wonderful feathered friends over four fantastic events!
Saturday 5 September: Bird Walk and Plant sale
Join Birdlife Castlemaine for a guided bird walk along the Campbells Creek trail followed by morning tea at Staks Cafe. A plant sale, offering bird habitat species from Newstead Natives will take place in foyer at the Good Op Shop from 10am-1pm alongside free information about Landcare in the region.
When: 9am – 10.30am bird walk. 10am-1pm plant sale.
Where: Lewis Dr. Campbells Creek
What to Bring: Appropriate foot wear for walking, clothing appropriate for the weather and a drink bottle.
Sunday 6 September: Sticky Beak Property Tour & Nature Journaling
Come along and for a sticky beak at a local property being restored for wildlife. While you visit, why not stay a while and try your hand at Nature Journaling!
Where: Happy Valley Road, Moonlight Creek
What to Bring: sturdy foot wear, water bottle, snacks and appropriate clothing for the weather
Thursday 10 September: In the Company of Birds
An evening of art and conversation celebrating the birds in our lives facilitated by Weekend Birder: Kirsty Costa, (podcaster, and science educator) with special guest nature artists Kate Gorringe-Smith and Jane Rusden. Also featuring Nature Art Soundscapes weaving beautiful live art making with evocative musical soundscapes.
When: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: Goods Shed, 21 Kennedy St. Castlemaine
Tickets – click here
Friday 11 September: Impact of Little on Birds, talk with Hannah Faraone
Hannah Farone from Federation University will discuss her research into the impact of litter on bird behaviour and survival.
When: 7.30pm
Where: Castlemaine Uniting Church
The Feathery Festival is a collaboration involving partnerships between local organisations including Connecting Country, Birdlife Castlemaine District, Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and representatives from Landcare Groups in the Mount Alexander Region. It would not be possible without the valuable support from sponsors Brian D Newman Foundation and The Good Op Shop.
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