Tasmanian Heirloom Festival

12/04/2026

To all of our festival friends,

It’s been one month since our biggest festival yet. During that time, we’ve been packing up, catching up, summing up, winding down and resting a little. As a Committee, we have met and discussed the great and not so great aspects of the event.
For the most part, feedback about the festival was very positive. There were so many things about the event that you told us you loved. We appreciate this feedback. It is the energy that we need as a Committee to go forward.
The biggest issue (and by far the biggest complaint) was about people sitting in cars out on the road, waiting to get in. We acknowledge this, we deeply regret the discomfort and frustration it caused, and we are working hard to ensure it doesn’t happen again. This kind of feedback is harder to swallow but is even more important than the stuff that makes us feel warm and fuzzy.

With work having already begun on next year’s festival, we face a challenge that is more existential than the biggest problems we faced this year. At our July Annual General Meeting, we will be losing some crucial Committee members and Area Managers. If we are unable to replace these people, we simply will not be able to go forward. Events like this do not happen in isolation. They happen purely because of human commitment and effort.
As this is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run event, it relies on community volunteers. If we are to go ahead in 2027, this is what we need:

- At least 4 new Committee members – prepared to meet approx. 12 times / year (can be via Zoom), to plan and make decisions. Some governance experience highly recommended.

- 1 Coordinator – to oversee and coordinate the event. (Includes honorarium).

- Several Area Managers - to organise specific areas. Eg. Stallholders, Signage, Volunteer Coordinator, Promotion, Fundraising, etc. (some roles include honorarium).

If you think you might be interested in joining our Committee or taking on a specific role, we would love to hear from you. Please send us a message, tell your friends, and help us make the magic happen again in 2027.

Looking forward to sharing more great festivals ahead.

Annette Reed
TGTF Inc Committee Chair

17/03/2026

Wow. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came along to the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival this year. We welcomed over 3,600 people through the gates, and it meant so much to see so many of you out enjoying the day with us!

We know there are still a few things to improve, and we truly appreciate your patience, kindness, and understanding as we keep learning and growing each year. Your support makes it all worthwhile!

As a fully volunteer-run festival, all of this only happens because of the time, energy, and care of our incredible community of volunteers. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, we’re always looking for new committee members and helpers to be part of it.

We’re regrouping this week and carefully working through all the feedback you’ve shared. We’re taking it on board as we start planning for next year!

Save the date: Sunday 21st March 2027 🍅🥕🍏🫐🍆🍄‍🟫🧄

All photos by Nick H Visuals

14/03/2026

A massive shoutout to all the incredible sponsors who have helped bring the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival to life for 2026!

Your support means the world to us, and we couldn’t do it without you! From our beginnings in 2015 to today, this has always been a community festival, run by volunteers, and the generosity of sponsors like these helps us to celebrate the best of Tassie’s produce, community, and culture.

Let’s show them some love! 🍅🥕🍏🫐🍆🍄‍🟫🧄

Quamby Estate
Meander Valley Council
Events Tasmania
Community Bank Deloraine & Districts
Tasmanian Natural Garlic & Tomatoes
launtel
The Diggers Club
Seed & Stem
Seed Freaks
VJAM
The Organic Grocery Store Launceston
Allans Garden Centre Prospect
Little Wishes Toys & Games
The Hon. Guy Barnett MP

14/03/2026

The Tasmanian Heirloom Festival is TOMORROW!

We’re looking forward to a beautiful day at Quamby Estate, with a top of around 25°C and partly cloudy skies. It's going to be pretty perfect festival weather!

Come wander the stalls, taste incredible food, learn from passionate presenters, and celebrate the very best of heirloom produce with us!

Grab your tickets online now at heirloomfest.au to save time at the gate.
Gate sales will still be available on the day, with both cash & card accepted.

Bring your friends, bring the family, and come ready for a wonderful day out in the Meander Valley!

13/03/2026

Got some questions about the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival? We’ve got the answers! Here are some of the most common things people ask:

📅 When is the festival & what time do the gates open?
Sunday 15th March 2026, and the gates are open 9:30am - 4:00pm.

🐶 Can I bring my dog?
Yes! But keep them on a lead and away from food stalls. Be mindful of others, especially in crowded areas. There is a baby goat area this year, so please keep your pup away if they’re not used to other animals. And please let the Festival Coordinator pat your pup!

🎟️ Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Yes, but they’ll be $2.50 more than online, so best to book ahead via our website. We will have both cash & eftpos available.

♿ Is it accessible?
We have a disabled parking area near the gate and a mostly flat venue with gravel, pavers, and grass. There are a few divots and bumps in the grass, so please be careful! There are also accessible toilets - just ask a volunteer for directions.

🪑 Can I bring my own fold up chairs and picnic rugs?
Absolutely! Bring your own chairs and even a table if you like. Just pack up when you're not using them. We will have a dedicated lawn area for relaxing and listening to the music!

🚭 Can I smoke or v**e?
No - please leave to***co products at home! They can carry plant pathogens harmful to local crops. The festival is a smoke free site – this includes va**ng.

☕ Can I bring my keep-cup?
Yes, please! We love reducing waste. Reusable bags and insulated coolers for your produce are also a great idea.

💵 Do I need cash?
We encourage contactless payments, but since reception can be spotty, having some cash is wise just in case.

Got more questions? Drop us a message or check our website – heirloomfest.au

12/03/2026

The Long Table Lunch menu is here!

One of the most loved experiences of the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival is nearly sold out! With just five seats left, now is your last chance to join us for this very special lunch.

Held inside the historic Quamby Estate Homestead Ballroom, the Long Table Lunch is all about slowing down and sharing a beautiful meal together. This year’s menu celebrates the best of Tasmanian produce, brought to life by the team at Season & Fire, perfectly paired with wines from Ponting Wines.

Be quick, this one always sells out. Secure one of the final seats: heirloomfest.au/long-table-lunch

11/03/2026

Festival life is a little like gardening: sometimes things grow in unexpected directions! Our cooking demo line-up has changed slightly from what was previously advertised, but we’re very excited about the brilliant cooks & chefs now joining us.

In the Cooking Demonstration Pavilion this Sunday you will see:
- Caro & Chris Brown from Brady's Lookout Cider at 10:00am
- Jordan Guy from Havilah at 11:15am
- Annette Reed from Tasmanian Natural Garlic & Tomatoes at 1:00pm
- Rhys Hannan from Harvest Market/Left Off the Map at 2:15pm

Expect plenty of local produce inspiration, a few kitchen secrets, and of course some delicious tastings along the way!

Check out the full programme here to start planning your day: heirloomfest.au/programme

Sunday 15th March, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Quamby Estate, Hagley

11/03/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway and shared the love with friends. We loved seeing so many of you excited about the festival!

And a GIANT congratulations to Kimmy Donohue, our lucky winner!
Kimmy has won four tickets to the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival this Sunday, plus a beautiful night’s stay at The Saddlers Cottage in Carrick.

Thanks again to our wonderful friends at The Saddlers Cottage for helping make this giveaway possible. We can’t wait to see everyone on Sunday 15th March!

10/03/2026

Come hungry! One of the best parts of the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival is tasting your way through our incredible line-up of food and beverage stalls.

You’ll find a delicious mix of local producers serving up everything from Texan BBQ, dumplings, and paella, to scones, chocolate berries, and fresh fruit ice cream. Not to mention the cider, beer, whisky, gin, wine, coffee, and smoothies! Whether you’re after a proper meal, a snack between talks, or something cool to sip while you explore, there’ll be plenty to choose from.

See the full list of food and beverage stalls on our website: heirloomfest.au/whos-attending

Sunday 15th March, 9:30am – 4:00pm
Quamby Estate, Hagley

10/03/2026

We're still in need of some extra volunteers this weekend!

Would you like to help out with this great community event? It's fully volunteer run, and wouldn't happen without our volunteer teams!

Head to heirloomfest.au/get-involved to learn more

Want to be part of the Tasmanian Heirloom Festival crew?

The Tasmanian Heirloom Festival is run by volunteers, and it just wouldn’t happen without them! We’re putting the call out for a few more good humans to jump in and be part of the team.

You can help out however suits you:
- Pitch in with set-up on Saturday
- Lend a hand on Sunday morning
- Be part of the action during the festival
- Or help pack everything down once it’s all over

Got an hour? Amazing. Got more time? Even better. No special skills needed, just a friendly vibe, comfy shoes, and a willingness to help out.

If you’ve ever thought “that looks fun, I’d love to help” – this is your moment! Head to heirloomfest.au/get-involved for more info

09/03/2026

Pull up a seat in the From the Field marquee for a lively conversation about the way we grow, share, and think about food!

ABC Rural's Laurissa Smith will host a fascinating panel featuring Julian Blackhirst (The Diggers Club), Angus Galloway (Simplot), and Mark Bennic (Organic Grocery Store). From heirloom seed saving and heritage gardens, to large-scale farming and organic food systems, this panel brings together a brilliant mix of perspectives from across the gardening spectrum. It's a conversation not to be missed!

See the full list of presenters at heirloomfest.au/presenters
Tickets on sale now!

Sunday 15th March, 9:30am - 4pm
Quamby Estate, Hagley