No Bookings Required

Event Description

The Rockbank Inn was first built in the 1850s as a resting place for travellers making their way to the Ballarat goldfields. It later became home to the Beatty family and their farm for nearly a century before neglect, fire, and time reduced it to ruins.

Recent restoration efforts have helped to preserve what remains of this unique site - a rare and enduring reminder of Victoria’s gold rush era, and the community spirit that continues to thrive there. As part of these works, a large number of historical treasures have been uncovered including ceramics, tools, and Aboriginal stone artefacts.

Take a walking tour with experts on the Rockbank Inn project to explore the history of the site dating back thousands of years. See some of the fascinating relics found during the archaeological works, and learn how this historical site was restored. Stop by for a free coffee and sign up to your local library!

This event is presented with the support of Woodlea.

In partnership with...

When

10:00AM - 1:00PM
Saturday 2 May 2026
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Contact

9747 5300

Where

Rockbank Inn Heritage Site
134 Middle Road
Aintree Victoria
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Notes & Requirements

Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Event Partner

The Heritage Festival is on from Friday 24 April to Saturday 9 May 2026. Find more events at melton.vic.gov.au/heritagefestival

Bookings

There's no need to book your place for this event. Just meet us at Rockbank Inn Heritage Site.

Events in Heritage Festival Series

EVENT NAME Date LOCATION
The Toolern Vale Fire Brigade: A Century of Dedication 24-04-2026 at 2:00PM Toolern Vale CFA
40 years of the Melton RSL 27-04-2026 at 1:00PM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Memoir Writing Workshop 28-04-2026 at 1:00PM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Exploring Historic Maps 29-04-2026 at 1:00PM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Paranormal Investigations: The Willows Homestead 29-04-2026 at 6:00PM Willows Historic Park
Sketching at the Rockbank Inn Ruins 01-05-2026 at 11:00AM Rockbank Inn Heritage Site
Cunning Men and Women: Folk Magic and home remedies of colonial Victoria 02-05-2026 at 12:00PM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Poetic Voices Workshop with The Ballarat Poetess 02-05-2026 at 1:30PM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Sign, Sealed, Delivered: The art of letter writing 04-05-2026 at 2:00PM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Woodcarving Through Time 05-05-2026 at 10:00AM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Woodcarving Through Time 05-05-2026 at 2:00PM Caroline Springs Library And Learning Hub
Nocturnal Cemetery Tour 05-05-2026 at 7:00PM Melton Cemetery
Paranormal Investigations: Dunvegan Cottage 08-05-2026 at 6:00PM Willows Historic Park
Author talk: Tara Oldfield ‘Diamonds, Furs and Murder’ 09-05-2026 at 11:00AM Melton Library & Learning Hub
Crashes, Chases and Crooks in Melton History 09-05-2026 at 1:00PM Melton Library & Learning Hub

Map

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