Bendigo Woollen Mills Open Day 2025

** Please note: All Factory Tours are now booked out. **

Join us for a very special event - a Bendigo Woollen Mill & Shop Open Day on Saturday 5th April, 2025.

We'll be celebrating the launch of our Autumn/Winter 2025 Shade Card colours and yarns, plus a little belated celebration of our 40th birthday last year.

We'd love to see many of your smiling faces on the day - from near or far!

We have two sessions - a morning and an afternoon session - which will help us manage numbers to ensure everyone has the best possible day. The morning session is 9.15am-12.30pm and the afternoon session is 12.45pm-4pm.

You can choose from two ticket types - an Open Day ticket with a factory tour ($10) or an Open Day ticket without a factory tour ($5).

Tickets ARE limited - so hit the GET TICKETS button if you'd like to join us.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT ON THE DAY?

A morning or afternoon of yarny goodness at Bendigo Woollen Mills - with a chance to shop up a storm, nab some discontinued bargains, meet the team and other crafters and even book a factory tour to see our manufacturing process in action.

GOODY BAG: Everyone with an Open Day Ticket will receive a goody bag on arrival - a BWM calico bag with some treats inside, including 50 grams of yarn, our latest Shade Card & more!

SHOP SALE: You'll get 10% off ALL of our FRONT ROOM full priced yarns on the day.

BARGAINS FROM SISTER BRANDS: We'll have hot offers on discontinued yarns from other industry brands like Patons, Cleckheaton & more. Plus $1 (older) patterns from these brands! 

FACTORY TOURS: When you book your Open Day ticket, you have the opportunity to book a time slot for one of our limited factory tours. These run for 30 minutes. 

KNIT & CROCHET CORNER: For each session of the day, we'll be running Knit & Crochet Corner Sessions. This will be outside the shop, under a mini marquee and with some seating. It's a chance to ask questions, bring along problem projects or just sit and knit/crochet with fellow crafters.

FOOD & DRINKS: We've arranged for direct access to the tram café adjacent to us for your coffee/tea/drink/snacking needs on the day. Please be aware, no food or drinks can be consumed inside our shop or whilst on the factory tour.

EVENT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will there be Parking?
There will some parking available on site on the day, but you may need to utilise on street parking near by. We recommend car-pooling with crafty friends!

Can I get there by Public Transport?
If you catch a train to Bendigo, you can then walk (25-30 min walk) or catch a public bus and it will drop you about a 10 min walk away. There are also taxis and Uber available in Bendigo.

How do I book a factory tour?
When you hit 'Get Tickets' to choose your session, you can also choose a time for a factory tour. For safety reasons, spaces are limited on these tours. Once these slots are booked, they will display as sold out. If you miss out, you can still buy an Open Day ticket but without the factory tour option.

I have mobility/access needs - can I take a factory tour?
Whilst we make a lot of yarn, we don't have a huge factory. Walkways are not particularly wide, there is a relatively steep ramp for tour entry/exit and machinery will be operating. Thus we can only accommodate wheelchairs up to 70cm wide. If you use a walker, please note the previous characteristics of the factory and decide if it will suit you.

Are there any rules to participating in a factory tour?
We will need you to be wearing closed toe shoes and have no loose clothing (scarves, flowing tops, etc) due to the working machinery. We'll also need you to stay with your group at all times. There will be time along the way for photographs. There is obviously no food or drink to be taken on/consumed during your factory tour. You need to attend your booked time. If you miss that time, we won't be able to accommodate you, as we have a strict maximum for each tour.

What special offers will there be on the day?
We'll have 10% off all our front room yarns in the Mill Shop. In addition to our regular 'back room' bargains we'll have tables set up outside with some bargain discontinued yarns and patterns from some other Australian brands, plus some charity bags & lucky dip yarn boxes.

Why do I need to buy a ticket?
We want to be able to manage the number of people throughout the day, just so everyone has the best day possible. It's why we're dividing the day into two sessions and capping the number of people who can take a factory tour. As a bonus, your Goody bag will be worth far more than your ticket price.

Can I purchase a morning AND an afternoon ticket and stay all day?
Unfortunately not, simply because we want to offer the opportunity to be a part of the day to as many people as possible. Similarly, you can only book one factory tour per person. We reserve the right to cancel and refund double bookings.

How many tickets can I book?
You can book a maximum of four tickets per person. 

How can I pay for my ticket?
You can pay online here via Credit Card, with options also for Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal (with a small surcharge). You cannot pay via cheque, money order or at the gate on the day.

How will I receive my ticket?
You will receive your booking confirmation via email, with your ticket. You can then add your ticket to your Apple or Google wallet on your Smart Phone, or opt to "View Ticket" and then follow links to print your ticket.

Can I bring my dog on the day?
Whilst we love dogs, we're unable to accommodate pets on site during the day. Assistance dogs only please.

Is this day suitable for children?
Children are welcome if you purchase a ticket for them. However, for children under 10, they must be supervised at all times and we'd strongly recommend, for safety reasons, they don't take a factory tour. 

I have other questions, who can I ask?
Please email us on hello@bendigowoollenmills.com.au or call on during business hours on 03 5442 4600 and we'll do our best to help!

Please note: Whilst we do not expect to, Bendigo Woollen Mills reserves the right to make changes to, or cancel, this event. If there are any major changes, booked attendees will be notified via email. In the unlikely event of the day being cancelled, all monies will be refunded.