Started in 1971 in St.Paul’s Hall the Ballarat Antique Fair has had quite a few moves and expanded to become Australia’s largest and longest running antique fair.

In 1971 when the antique trade was still in it’s infancy a dozen or so dealers were brought together for the first Ballarat Antique Fair. Some of the early exhibitors included long standing dealers, Jean Holmes, Ian Redpath, Spencer Sandilands and Graham Geddes.

In 1978 the fair moved to St.Patrick’s Hall in the middle of Ballarat and expanded to around 25 dealers where it continued into the 1990’s. With a large number of extra exhibitors wanting to participate the fair expanded to include the Masonic hall across the road in the mid 1990’s.

The exhibitor list now was up to around 45 dealers and the patrons moved from venue to venue to view and make purchases.
This worked well for about 4 years until the Masonic Hall became unavailable, and more space was needed to fit in more exhibitors wanting to participate.

In the late 1990’s the Civic Hall in Mair Street was taken on as well as St.Patricks Hall, this was about 6 blocks away but was large enough to include another 35 exhibitors. This brought the exhibitor list up to around 70 dealers. A shuttle bus ran between venues and this worked well and sales and patronage continued to increase. After 3 years in both venues the City council decided to redevelop the Civic Hall and said it would no longer be available. With still more exhibitors wanting participate in the fair, and no other city venues available it was decided to move the event lock, stock and barrel to one venue capable of housing it under one roof.

This venue was the Ballarat Badminton Stadium and the event was moved there in 2003. The first year at the new venue saw around 95 stands, new exhibitors, partitioned stands for the first time as well as a much more accessible and better set out event. Half of the venue was partitioned and the other half left open for trestle and bric-a-brac dealers (virtually 2 fairs in one).
Since then attendances have increased, sales have increased and the quality of the whole event has changed significantly.
Now the event is recognised as one of the most important on the antique fair calendar with dealers gearing themselves up well in advance and putting aside special stock they expect to sell at Ballarat.

Many members of The Australian Antique Dealers association now exhibit including specialists in Georgian and Victorian furniture, antique silver, 18th & 19th century pottery and porcelain, jewellery, paintings, prints, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Australiana and eclectic collector’s items.

Dealers come from all states of Australia as well as buyers and collectors from all over Australia, New Zealand and international.

The 2008 fair was very successful with sales across the board from big ticket furniture, decorator’s items, Moorcroft and paintings as well as loads of small collectables and bric-a-brac.
 

The dates and times for 2009 fair are; Saturday March 7th 10am – 7pm Sunday March 8th 10am – 6pm Monday March 9th 10am –5pm (Labor day long weekend Victoria) Refreshments will be available at the venue. The Venue is the Ballarat Badminton Stadium, Dowling Street Wendouree

Some examples of Australian pottery that was available at the 2008 Fair.

List of Dealers at the Ballarat Antique Fair 2008

          Enquires: Phone (03) 5331 3119 or mobile 0418 508 011
          Email: info@antiqueeffects.com.au

Please Note: No dogs allowed in venue during event

Visit Map website for location of the venue (co-ordinates F2 - "Sporting Complex")

          For all tourist and accommodation information - Click Here