Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, we’ve got a town in mind that’s absolutely perfect for book lovers. Roughly half an hour away from Ballarat, you’ll find the quaint town of Clunes. This historic spot marked the beginning of the gold rush in Victoria, when the precious metal was first discovered in 1851. Clunes is also a notable place to visit, because it is an internationally recognised booktown. Stroll along the streets and admire heritage architecture, then pop into one of the many bookshops for something to read and take home. For an extra dose of atmosphere, gather in the area with thousands of other bibliophiles for the annual Clunes Booktown Festival. This year, the festival will run from Saturday March 23 to Sunday March 24.
Clunes
The first official booktown began in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye in 1961, when academic Richard Booth decided to fill the empty buildings in the area with second hand books. Eventually these buildings turned into bustling book shops, creating the first booktown.
This movement slowly grew, focusing on small rural towns or villages with historic interest or scenic beauty. These locations typically have a large concentration of second-hand or antiquarian book shops, and regularly hold festivals to promote awareness and interest.
In 2005, locals in Clunes opened a book shop and encouraged others to do the same. They threw their first Booktown Festival in 2007, and in 2012, were officially declared members of the International Organisation of Book Towns.
At the moment, there are 20 officially recognised members and prospective members, with locations in Norway, Malaysia, Denmark and more.
Clunes Booktown Festival
The annual festival was usually held in May, but last year, festival organisers decided to move the event to March for better weather and longer daylight hours. With over 10,000 visitors, the festival was such a success that the team have decided to stick to the March date.
Head to the town and wander through the outdoor book bazaar. There will be over a hundred stall holders, with plenty of marquees spread out around the township. Venture out and explore the historic destination, and browse through heaps of books along the way.
While you’re there, listen to some author and artist talks, or take part in workshops and develop your own writing skills. There will also be plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including live music and activities for the kids.
There will be food trucks and coffee carts at the festival, but you can also pop into a local restaurant or cafe for something delicious.
Clunes Booktown Festival will take place on March 22 and 23. Entry to the festival is free, but you will need to purchase a ticket to attend special events like talks. For more details about the event, click here.