With a theme of “Ignite Your Curiosity” the Ballarat Heritage Weekend aims to reimagine the quirky, weird and downright odd inventions, contraptions and cures of the mid 1800s to early 1900s.

A Curiosity Trail, featuring installations of various bizarre oddities throughout the city, has been created by local researcher Amy Tsilemanis.

Starting at the Mining Exchange, curious folk can meander through Ballarat taking a peek at a steampunk piano, mini theatres, strange medical cures and reproductions of inventions by Ballarat’s own historic clever creator – Henry Sutton himself.

Performers from the Federation University Arts Academy will bring the strange characters and curios of Ballarat’s history to life.

Visitors can view the performers in “unexpected places” around the CBD and the Mining Exchange as they explore the trail.

“Ballarat is a unique city full of curious tales and passionate people, both past and present,” Ms Tsilemanis said.

“I love thinking about all the traces of story that inhabit the city as I explore it, and make creative work in it, everyday.”

Ms Tsilemanis said creating the installations had been a lot of fun.

“Through making stories tactile, creative and accessible, history becomes something not just of the past but a through-line to the present,” she said.

She suggested taking a look at the historic bicycle, the velocipede, and women learning jui-jitsu or dressing as men in order to take control of their lives.

Curious will also be available for viewing upstairs in Suttons House of Music, the Old Post Office Building on Lydiard Street and the new CAFS Legacy and Research Centre.

“Steam travel tinkerology” and steampunk goggle-making throughout the weekend at the Town Hall.

The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute will come to life with a curiosities display in the Reading Room, a Max Harris Ballarat photographic collection display in the lending library, and 15-minute talks throughout both days.