Coal Range Baking Experience at Highwic Auckland

🏠 Step back in time at Highwic's Coal Range Baking Days, where Victorian-era baking comes alive in central Auckland! Join us every first Wednesday of the month for a charming demonstration of traditional colonial baking using an authentic 1870s Shacklock coal range.

👩‍🍳 Our passionate volunteers showcase classic baking techniques from 11am to 12:30pm, sharing fascinating stories of New Zealand's culinary heritage. Watch, learn, and sample freshly baked treats in the historic surroundings of Highwic house.

Event Details:

• 📅 First Wednesday of every month (March 2025 - December 2025)
• ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• 📍 Location: Highwic, 40 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland
• 💰 Entry: $10 for adults (Heritage NZ members free)

Accessibility:

• Wheelchair access to ground floor via ramp
• Accessible parking available

Contact Information:

• Phone: 09 524 5729
• Email: highwic@heritage.org.nz

The Heritage of Coal Range Cooking in Colonial New Zealand

Coal ranges were the heart of New Zealand colonial kitchens, serving as both a cooking appliance and a source of household heating. The Shacklock coal range, manufactured in Dunedin from the 1870s, became an iconic piece of Kiwi kitchen history, representing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early European settlers.

These robust cast-iron ranges were essential for traditional baking techniques, producing everything from daily bread to special occasion treats. The consistent heat from coal ranges created the perfect environment for baking, resulting in evenly cooked goods with that distinctive homemade quality that's hard to replicate with modern appliances.

The Shacklock range at Highwic is a rare working example of this important piece of New Zealand's domestic history. These demonstrations not only preserve traditional baking methods but also provide valuable insights into daily life in colonial New Zealand, when the kitchen was truly the heart of the home.