Informally informative idiosyncratic idylls
Sightseeing
Places for walking locally or within 35 minutes drive
Historic icon that was first a gold commissioner's house then a priest presbytery, a nuns' and boarding students' convent, a local community centre and, since the late 80s when the town was overall being rejuvenated by enterprising Melburnites, a local artists' gallery, museum, gift shop and cafe. The Mediterranean gardens in the steep and manicured grounds are alone worth the $5 admission. Extended wings over the decades have seen a very busy wedding function centre and opulent bar added.
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The Convent, Daylesford
7 Daly StHistoric icon that was first a gold commissioner's house then a priest presbytery, a nuns' and boarding students' convent, a local community centre and, since the late 80s when the town was overall being rejuvenated by enterprising Melburnites, a local artists' gallery, museum, gift shop and cafe. The Mediterranean gardens in the steep and manicured grounds are alone worth the $5 admission. Extended wings over the decades have seen a very busy wedding function centre and opulent bar added.
The crowning glory of Daylesford is this mature botanical garden that caps the summit of Wombat Hill overlooking the town. Planned and cultivated in the golden (both in scale/quality but also reflecting the source of finance) Victorian era of civic pride in the rich and largely unmined soil of an extinct but relatively young volcano, the gardens now boast international specimens of coniferous and deciduous trees of apparently better growth than in their native countries. A corridor of elms line a walk skirting around the hilltop that doubles as a scenic drive of views over the highlands. Californian redwoods, Scots pines, blue spruce and Himalayan and Lebanese cedars rear up majestically over monkeypuzzles, weeping beeches, lindens and chestnuts in the woodland and picnic grounds surrounding Pioneers Tower, an Art Deco lookout near the car park and sheltered fernery (regenerated by Stuart Rattle). A path goes to Wombat House cafe via a gazebo/bandstand and glasshouse with an amazing annual begonia display; beyond the cafe through a range of north-facing hellebores and rhododendrons is a track to the Convent or down to Camp Street and the town.
100 locals raden deze aan
Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens
The crowning glory of Daylesford is this mature botanical garden that caps the summit of Wombat Hill overlooking the town. Planned and cultivated in the golden (both in scale/quality but also reflecting the source of finance) Victorian era of civic pride in the rich and largely unmined soil of an extinct but relatively young volcano, the gardens now boast international specimens of coniferous and deciduous trees of apparently better growth than in their native countries. A corridor of elms line a walk skirting around the hilltop that doubles as a scenic drive of views over the highlands. Californian redwoods, Scots pines, blue spruce and Himalayan and Lebanese cedars rear up majestically over monkeypuzzles, weeping beeches, lindens and chestnuts in the woodland and picnic grounds surrounding Pioneers Tower, an Art Deco lookout near the car park and sheltered fernery (regenerated by Stuart Rattle). A path goes to Wombat House cafe via a gazebo/bandstand and glasshouse with an amazing annual begonia display; beyond the cafe through a range of north-facing hellebores and rhododendrons is a track to the Convent or down to Camp Street and the town.
A still little-known parcel of crown land named after the miners who plumbed its depths with deep mine shafts that still remain, although padlocked with massive grates. Over decades, local volunteers have regenerated the land to its native state -- including bush, rainforest fern, running creek and wetlands -- before gold mining turned it to pockmarked gravel pits, tailings heaps and mounds of gorse and blackberry. There are marked walking trails and signposts for points of interest such as a lookout and abandoned mine sites and equipment. Some trails will take you down to Jubilee Lake, a more natural and locally popular lake than the main Daylesford one, with its caravan park, bbq facilities and kiosk/cafe.
Cornish Hill - Main Part
A still little-known parcel of crown land named after the miners who plumbed its depths with deep mine shafts that still remain, although padlocked with massive grates. Over decades, local volunteers have regenerated the land to its native state -- including bush, rainforest fern, running creek and wetlands -- before gold mining turned it to pockmarked gravel pits, tailings heaps and mounds of gorse and blackberry. There are marked walking trails and signposts for points of interest such as a lookout and abandoned mine sites and equipment. Some trails will take you down to Jubilee Lake, a more natural and locally popular lake than the main Daylesford one, with its caravan park, bbq facilities and kiosk/cafe.
Actually a manmade lake created early last century when a mining ravine was flooded, the lake is divided by Bleakley St bridge and sculptures and historical markers dot the perimeter, which can be walked around in about 30 minutes. There are scenic views, steps down to an old pump house and bandstand (sadly now collapsed) and springs from which you can hand pump various metallic-tasting mineral waters; plus rows of seating near change sheds. You can swim or hire paddleboats in the lake. There are restaurants -- the famed (perhaps overrated) Lakehouse with sumptuous accommodation and the Boathouse, which I can't recommend given its blunt signage (to the tune of "We do not serve 'just coffee'") is so terribly offputting. There was a secondhand bookshop too (also overpriced) but it recently was sold and became Splinters Cafe, who do ‘just coffee’. Note that – much to the absurd and social media-virally embarrassing consternation of certain local ‘celebrity chefs’ – geese have been removed from the lake to re-attract native black swans, cut costs associated with their mess, and reduce attacks made on people ...
106 locals raden deze aan
Lake Daylesford
Actually a manmade lake created early last century when a mining ravine was flooded, the lake is divided by Bleakley St bridge and sculptures and historical markers dot the perimeter, which can be walked around in about 30 minutes. There are scenic views, steps down to an old pump house and bandstand (sadly now collapsed) and springs from which you can hand pump various metallic-tasting mineral waters; plus rows of seating near change sheds. You can swim or hire paddleboats in the lake. There are restaurants -- the famed (perhaps overrated) Lakehouse with sumptuous accommodation and the Boathouse, which I can't recommend given its blunt signage (to the tune of "We do not serve 'just coffee'") is so terribly offputting. There was a secondhand bookshop too (also overpriced) but it recently was sold and became Splinters Cafe, who do ‘just coffee’. Note that – much to the absurd and social media-virally embarrassing consternation of certain local ‘celebrity chefs’ – geese have been removed from the lake to re-attract native black swans, cut costs associated with their mess, and reduce attacks made on people ...
Made famous by the novel ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ and its 1974 cinematic adaption, which many still believe to be true, the volcanic plug is nonetheless a geological marvel and haunting place to visit. Giant imposing stones that form the hundreds of metres high mamelon jut and hang at seemingly impossible angles and improbable positions, covered in lichen and bush vegetation. There is a fee for parking and once in the grounds you can safely scale the rock, though it is hard exercise and not without risk. A racecourse, cricket pitch and picnic and sports ground have developed on the site over the centuries and a visitors centre provides information, shop sells souvenirs and cafe serves food. Koalas and kangaroos abound in the area, some so accustomed to tourists they don’t run away.
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Hanging Rock Reserve
139 S Rock RdMade famous by the novel ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ and its 1974 cinematic adaption, which many still believe to be true, the volcanic plug is nonetheless a geological marvel and haunting place to visit. Giant imposing stones that form the hundreds of metres high mamelon jut and hang at seemingly impossible angles and improbable positions, covered in lichen and bush vegetation. There is a fee for parking and once in the grounds you can safely scale the rock, though it is hard exercise and not without risk. A racecourse, cricket pitch and picnic and sports ground have developed on the site over the centuries and a visitors centre provides information, shop sells souvenirs and cafe serves food. Koalas and kangaroos abound in the area, some so accustomed to tourists they don’t run away.
The original tiny house (and richest alluvial gold mining) town! Cute original one-bedroom cottages and public buildings - impeccably restored or artfully decaying! Beautiful roses in every front garden (practically)! Community historical sculptures! A Saturday morning growers market that charges what such a thing *should*! Cute period pubs and primary school! An outdoor swimming pool and cricket pitch that are still used! Quite new and eclectic nursery with gift shop, indoor plant section and cafe; and an independent bakery — both still reasonably priced before gentrification sets in! A shooting/rifle range and prison too apparently but I’ve only seen signs for them so won’t go into that ...
Chewton
The original tiny house (and richest alluvial gold mining) town! Cute original one-bedroom cottages and public buildings - impeccably restored or artfully decaying! Beautiful roses in every front garden (practically)! Community historical sculptures! A Saturday morning growers market that charges what such a thing *should*! Cute period pubs and primary school! An outdoor swimming pool and cricket pitch that are still used! Quite new and eclectic nursery with gift shop, indoor plant section and cafe; and an independent bakery — both still reasonably priced before gentrification sets in! A shooting/rifle range and prison too apparently but I’ve only seen signs for them so won’t go into that ...
Good for period film location spotting midweek when it’s a tumbleweed town - I actually would avoid the Booktown festival
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Clunes
Good for period film location spotting midweek when it’s a tumbleweed town - I actually would avoid the Booktown festival
An older, more quiet and natural alternative to Lake Daylesford, adjacent to a caravan park with cheap kiosk and fully functional hand-pumped slightly effervescent spring water that tastes better than that at Central Springs or Hepburn
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Jubilee Lake
An older, more quiet and natural alternative to Lake Daylesford, adjacent to a caravan park with cheap kiosk and fully functional hand-pumped slightly effervescent spring water that tastes better than that at Central Springs or Hepburn
It is the third large open body of water locally, and the quietest and most remote as it serves as a water catchment fed into/by Stewart and Wombat Creeks. Set in the bush land of Wombat Forest and near Mt Stewart
Wombat dam
195 Wombat Dam RdIt is the third large open body of water locally, and the quietest and most remote as it serves as a water catchment fed into/by Stewart and Wombat Creeks. Set in the bush land of Wombat Forest and near Mt Stewart
Still off the beaten track and near to a perpetual font of spring water that happens to be the most ‘normal taste’ and endorsed by Wilbur
Cornish Hill - Main Part
Still off the beaten track and near to a perpetual font of spring water that happens to be the most ‘normal taste’ and endorsed by Wilbur
Australia’s bog-standard cheapest mineral water is named after a real place, and this is it! Although they don’t draw the water from here, this extinct volcano is visible from its younger cousin Wombat Hill and easy to distinguish for the vast pine plantation that covers it. It is surrounded by rolling green/golden/misty hills and a short road leads to thee the middle with a BBQ campsite and walking trails along the crater rim
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Mount Franklin
Australia’s bog-standard cheapest mineral water is named after a real place, and this is it! Although they don’t draw the water from here, this extinct volcano is visible from its younger cousin Wombat Hill and easy to distinguish for the vast pine plantation that covers it. It is surrounded by rolling green/golden/misty hills and a short road leads to thee the middle with a BBQ campsite and walking trails along the crater rim
Shopping
More of interest for the Sunday markets than the railway station, although that -- courtesy of local enthusiasts who volunteer their time to refurbish and maintain steam engines -- has a new lease of weekend life as far as Bullarto via Passing Clouds Winery. The Sunday markets are well established with local produce including fresh bread and vegetables, small and/or secondhand goods, tools, clothes, craftwork and plants. It's more lively than the monthly Saturday ones in the town. Every Sunday morning regardless of weather they are open and true bargains can be had, especially from occasional stall holders towards 1pm when about to shut down. The train joy trips, caravans selling takeaway food, buskers and a petting zoo make it worthwhile for groups and families
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Daylesford Spa Country Railway
16-18 Raglan StMore of interest for the Sunday markets than the railway station, although that -- courtesy of local enthusiasts who volunteer their time to refurbish and maintain steam engines -- has a new lease of weekend life as far as Bullarto via Passing Clouds Winery. The Sunday markets are well established with local produce including fresh bread and vegetables, small and/or secondhand goods, tools, clothes, craftwork and plants. It's more lively than the monthly Saturday ones in the town. Every Sunday morning regardless of weather they are open and true bargains can be had, especially from occasional stall holders towards 1pm when about to shut down. The train joy trips, caravans selling takeaway food, buskers and a petting zoo make it worthwhile for groups and families
One of the best and busiest monthly farmers markets in the region, set in an otherwise sleepy old gold town
10 locals raden deze aan
Talbot
One of the best and busiest monthly farmers markets in the region, set in an otherwise sleepy old gold town
Neighbourhoods
The nearest towns
'Twin' town to Daylesford joined by both our main streets, Hepburn has a shared gold mining history and is five minutes by car, yet a very different terrain and look – more a typical Australian bush town that now houses more of the spas, resorts and short-stay accommodation for which Daylesford was once better known. It too has walking trails to mineral springs you can freely sample and is surrounded on all sides by bushes, ravines and creeks where gold miners fossicked. Hence lots of kangaroos and other native animals sometimes bounding across the main street after dark -- or just standing in the middle of it so you have to drive carefully! It has less in the way of retail but other attractions are Lavandula lavender farm, the renovated Bath House and pump house pavilion, The Palais with its oldest restored sprung dance floor, a natural blowhole and bushwalking tracks.
25 locals raden deze aan
Hepburn Springs
'Twin' town to Daylesford joined by both our main streets, Hepburn has a shared gold mining history and is five minutes by car, yet a very different terrain and look – more a typical Australian bush town that now houses more of the spas, resorts and short-stay accommodation for which Daylesford was once better known. It too has walking trails to mineral springs you can freely sample and is surrounded on all sides by bushes, ravines and creeks where gold miners fossicked. Hence lots of kangaroos and other native animals sometimes bounding across the main street after dark -- or just standing in the middle of it so you have to drive carefully! It has less in the way of retail but other attractions are Lavandula lavender farm, the renovated Bath House and pump house pavilion, The Palais with its oldest restored sprung dance floor, a natural blowhole and bushwalking tracks.
A modest hamlet that was a resting stop for horses between Daylesford and Castlemaine goldfields, it's home to the largest oldest living eucalyptus in the country and straddles the Lodden River. Just a pub, cornerstore/cafe, scout/community hall, post office among the many guesthouses. A sign still stands evocatively declaring The Lodden River Tea Rooms but to date I've never found them...
Guildford
A modest hamlet that was a resting stop for horses between Daylesford and Castlemaine goldfields, it's home to the largest oldest living eucalyptus in the country and straddles the Lodden River. Just a pub, cornerstore/cafe, scout/community hall, post office among the many guesthouses. A sign still stands evocatively declaring The Lodden River Tea Rooms but to date I've never found them...
It's a tiny township 10 minutes east by car – less via the historic Sunday train to Passing Clouds Winery, which is very good for its cellar door and lunches cooked over a charcoal pit, making it Musk's main tourist attraction. There's Musk Farm too, the former school painstakingly turned into a somewhat recherché country estate by Paul Bangay and Stuart Rattle over a decade ago, but that is still privately owned and less often open to the public or... the curious simply intrigued by the latter's tragic and sensational demise. Some say the sweeping driveways are still haunted by a cashmere-clad figure stooped over errant gravel stones, putting them back into place after cars have displaced them but... that's not possible?
Musk
It's a tiny township 10 minutes east by car – less via the historic Sunday train to Passing Clouds Winery, which is very good for its cellar door and lunches cooked over a charcoal pit, making it Musk's main tourist attraction. There's Musk Farm too, the former school painstakingly turned into a somewhat recherché country estate by Paul Bangay and Stuart Rattle over a decade ago, but that is still privately owned and less often open to the public or... the curious simply intrigued by the latter's tragic and sensational demise. Some say the sweeping driveways are still haunted by a cashmere-clad figure stooped over errant gravel stones, putting them back into place after cars have displaced them but... that's not possible?
It takes you to a natural waterfall that is quite large and millennia in the making, where Loddon River meets another part of the inland system. Especially spectacular after a rainfall. You can park and BBQ there and walk down near the falls, tho it recently got fenced off to prevent people wandering too close as it’s slippery, many people climb over and wander close as they have for generations in less risk-averse times
Trentham Falls Road
Trentham Falls RoadIt takes you to a natural waterfall that is quite large and millennia in the making, where Loddon River meets another part of the inland system. Especially spectacular after a rainfall. You can park and BBQ there and walk down near the falls, tho it recently got fenced off to prevent people wandering too close as it’s slippery, many people climb over and wander close as they have for generations in less risk-averse times
Another quaint gold rush town about 25 minutes drive west en route Ballarat, and home to the Lindsay family who in the early 20th century had several talented sons; Norman became a famous illustrator, painter and children’s author and another brother married Joan who authored ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’. The town has a long logging industry and houses a campus for Melbourne University’s forest management courses; a large IGA; boutique stores and nurseries; pubs and eateries; functional railway and alpaca woollen mill.
18 locals raden deze aan
Creswick
Another quaint gold rush town about 25 minutes drive west en route Ballarat, and home to the Lindsay family who in the early 20th century had several talented sons; Norman became a famous illustrator, painter and children’s author and another brother married Joan who authored ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’. The town has a long logging industry and houses a campus for Melbourne University’s forest management courses; a large IGA; boutique stores and nurseries; pubs and eateries; functional railway and alpaca woollen mill.
One of the closest still functional working-class commercial towns linked by rail to Melbourne. Piper Street has seen recent refurbishment where microbrewery pubs and gourmet pizza bars mix with antique/vintage homewares, but a few streets along a busy Woolworths is sat among humbler shops and cafes, and a few streets further is the old Botanic Gardens, then a V-line route to Melbourne
20 locals raden deze aan
Kyneton
One of the closest still functional working-class commercial towns linked by rail to Melbourne. Piper Street has seen recent refurbishment where microbrewery pubs and gourmet pizza bars mix with antique/vintage homewares, but a few streets along a busy Woolworths is sat among humbler shops and cafes, and a few streets further is the old Botanic Gardens, then a V-line route to Melbourne
Picturesque historic township northeast of Hepburn, pretty in most seasons for its rivers, old shops gone trendy and civic buildings, holiday homes and tree change community
Newstead
Picturesque historic township northeast of Hepburn, pretty in most seasons for its rivers, old shops gone trendy and civic buildings, holiday homes and tree change community