Confectionery Capers has to be one of the strangest places we’ve ever visited! No matter how much I researched I couldn’t work out what it was or what to expect.
But it was great. It has to be one of the most unusual places we have ever visited.
“The most interesting small tourist attraction in Australia”
Spinning and twirling, thumbing and hitting, banging and clanging. It’s all about cause and reaction. 178 mechanics to watch and 80 to play with.
It’s not about confectionery – sweets or lollies or chocolates. There are a few included in the exhibits but they’re not the focus. It’s more about being puzzled and challenged.
Confectionery Capers is so lovely that I recommend that if you’re driving through Greater Bendigo or visiting Bendigo you pop in to visit.
What is Confectionery Capers?
Now that is a little hard to explain…
Confectionery Capers is an awesome find in rural Victoria. It’s not about lollies or chocolates, it’s so much more!!
Essentially, it is a room of hundreds and hundreds of small hands-on exhibits showcasing:
- Cause and effect
- The funny side of the English language
The kids and I absolutely loved it. Each of us had our own favourite little thing that we couldn’t stop playing with.
Confectionery Capers is a labour of love of a single individual, Campbell Smith. He has turned a space the size of a three tank containers into a a treasure trove of imaginative exhibitions. And most of them you’ll able to manipulate and play with.
For more pictures of our adventures at Confectionery Capers, check out the AllThingsMomSydney Facebook and Instagram Account.
Best of all, each of these exhibits is teaching the kids something without them even being aware of it.
Just be warned it is very very chaotic, not in busy and overly populated way, it’s just that there is something to look at or try every single corner.
Top tip: make sure you have something to eat before visiting because you may be there for ages if your kids are anything like mine.
Where is Confectionery Capers
Confectionery Capers is actually located in Junortoun, 10 kms east of Bendigo.
The address below may be clear but it’s not that easy to find in real life when you’re hurtling down a high way at a high speed.
Now it’s right on the McIvor Highway so you’ll have to slow down below the speed limit when you hit Junortoun so that you don’t miss it.
Top Tip: it’s opposite Farmers’ Arms Hotel.
Address
1028 McIvor Highway, Junortoun VIC 3551, Australia
Parking
There is parking onsite.
The different elements of Confectionery Capers
In my opinion there are three different types of exhibits at Confectionery Capers.
- The machines.
- Word Play.
- Whatever is hanging from the ceiling.
The crazy machines
Try your hand at the display machines, meet Willy the Wheel, watch model trains manoeuvre around 60m of track all the while learning and being educated.
As soon as you walk in you’ll be asked to wait for the owner to show you how the machine exhibits work. But it is really easy to follow so I’ll set it out below.
The exhibits are all along the walls and in a centre island. You can’t touch the exhibits because they are behind a rail but each one has a little button on the rail that makes the machine work.
Each exhibit has a number and most have a little green button for you to push or a lever or a handle to start the exhibit. Some even have something for you to stand on to pump up.
The kids played for hours. They raced cars by winding them up, played with baby windmills, watched falling balls, sent things flying up in the air, beat drums and generally made a massive noise.
Other great machines teach you about:
- belt and pulley transmissions;
- Size and power;
- liquids;
- air compression;
- torque and horsepower;
- Bernoulli’s Law; and
- the lifesaver lurch…
It’s just amazing how it opens your mind and your brain to how things work. It’s the type of place that makes you think and think and later, suddenly out of the blue something you never understood makes sense.
Word Play and Puns
Everywhere you look there are little signs or exhibits reflecting the funny side of the English language. Like smarties stuck to a pair of little pants = “smarty pants” or a pile of cows as a “stockpile”. A bell on a ball = Belle of the Ball and Barbies standing in a line = barbecue.
Some of the puns are a bit too hard for the kids to understand but others will make them laugh out loud.
Looking Up!
And as if there is not enough to look at, to read and play with there is everything on the ceiling. There are fans and flags, things swirling around or hanging down.
Like I said, make sure you eat before you visit, the kids may get stuck for ages.
Opening Hours and Tickets
Opening Hours
| Monday to Saturday | 10am to 5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm to 5pm. |
| School Holidays and Public Holidays | 10am – 5pm |
Tickets
Payment is by cash only!
| Price | |
| Adults | $8 |
| Children under 5 | Free |
| Children (5 – 16 years) | $5 |
| Adult Concession | $6 |
When we visited, we didn’t even pay the full price. We had to convince the owner to let us pay the full amount due.
There are special pricing options for school and community groups.
