Residents and visitors will have a new reason to explore The Undiscovered region this November, with the launch of Bales on the Trail – a unique visitor experience that will see hay bale sculptures appear across farming properties throughout the region.
The inaugural event invites local farmers to transform ordinary hay bales into creative sculptures, creating a self-guided trail for visitors to follow throughout November.
This year’s theme is The Magic Between the Pages, celebrating the stories, characters, imagination and adventures found in books. From beloved book characters and magical creatures to memorable literary scenes, the trail will celebrate imagination, creativity and community spirit while showcasing the region’s farming landscapes.
Developed as a positive recovery initiative following the 2026 bushfires, Bales on the Trail aims to bring people together, foster community pride and encourage visitors to travel throughout The Undiscovered region, supporting local businesses and communities along the way.
PEDIGREE® has joined Bales on the Trail as the event’s founding sponsor, providing generous support to help bring the community-led initiative to life in its first year.
Get involved
Farmers are encouraged to draw inspiration from favourite novels, children’s books, fairy tales and literary classics, creating sculptures that bring stories to life in unexpected ways.
More than $1,400 in prizemoney and prizes will be on offer, including a $500 first prize in the People’s Choice Awards. The Golden Bale Award also carries a $500 cash prize for the sculpture judged to best demonstrate creativity, originality and interpretation of the theme. Additional prizes will be awarded for second and third place.
Registrations are now open for eligible farmers across The Undiscovered – the Upper Murray, Mitta Valley and Lake Hume regions.
Visit www.balesonthetrail.com.au to register and receive further information and guidelines on the event.
Explore the trail
Once all sculptures are in place for November, the website will transition into a public-facing trail guide, allowing visitors to view sculpture locations, plan their journey and vote online for their favourite creations as part of the People’s Choice Awards.
As the first year of the event, Council hopes Bales on the Trail will grow into a signature annual attraction for The Undiscovered region.
Council also extends its sincere thanks to PEDIGREE® for its generous support as founding sponsor.
