By Doug Meijer
It is as if someone ordered the perfect getaway destination to be dropped within an hour and a half of Melbourne. With beautiful scenery, excellent accommodation, mineral springs and a passion for cuisine, the Daylesford Experience has it all.
Daylesford and neighbouring town Hepburn, have been popular destinations for Victorians since the Victorian era. Many people travelled there to ‘take the waters’, benefiting from the natural mineral waters of the area. The town still reflects the character of the early European settlers, Italian and Swiss miners as well as early Scottish farmers.
The town has a unique beauty, with rolling hills, tree lined streets, deep blue lakes providing a backdrop for quaint Victorian miners cottages and magnificent bluestone churches. Each season brings out a different perspective of the town. One of the most popular times to visit is in the Autumn, when the trees seem to burst in to flame, with the brilliant hues of crimson and gold framing the wide streets and charming buildings. Winter is also a very popular time for weekend escapes, when people flock to the day spas and snuggle up to warming winter fires. Summer time also has it’s own magic, with balmy days and warm nights making it perfect for lover strolls and alfresco dining. In Spring, the town is vibrant with blooms and birdsong, the clear skies and brilliant sunshine make it an idyllic spot for a romantic weekend away.
One of the main draws to the area is the mineral waters and spas. There are many day spas in the area, with a dizzying array of treatments to pamper and rejuvenate. The therapists in Daylesford and Hepburn are top in their field, with blending ancient techniques with modern approaches to provide a harmonious experience, for the body and the mind. It is hard to beat a day in a day spa. A luxurious soak, followed by a rejuvenating massage and beauty treatment does wonders for the body and soul.
The arts and culture vibe in Daylesford is strong with a quirky sense of humour. Many galleries, restaurants and cafes feature local artist’s work, and crafts people can be seen in their studios or out and about the town. The most famous is the Convent Gallery, which as the name suggests is a converted convent, which still retains the character and historical points of interest from it’s days as a convent, combined with stunning views over Daylesford and fabulous paintings and sculpture works. Wandering around the gallery is far more interesting than the standard gallery, as you wind your way around there are glimpses of gorgeous scenery, well manicured gardens and a look in to the austere life of a nun. Don Wreford Glass Blowing studio gives a very different aspect of the arts, with the viewing studio located right in the workshop, so you may even be lucky enough to see him at work!
Food in Daylesford is almost an art form itself, with everything from fine dining to authentic ethnic cuisine. Many visitors come from Melbourne and are accustomed to a very high standard of restaurant, they are not disappointed in Daylesford. Special attention is paid to quality and service, with a definite focus on locally produced foods and wines. For fine dining, you can’t go past the Lake House Restaurant for superb cuisine and service. If you prefer great meals with a more casual ambience then the Farmers Arms is just the spot, the meals are superb, as is the service, but it has a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere which is a favourite for locals and visitors alike. Great budget meals are also available at the hotels, The Daylesford Hotel and the Royal Hotel provide excellent value with speedy service and reasonably priced drinks. Nearby Hepburn also features many great restaurants, for fantastic authentic Thai cuisine, the Jasmine Thai Restaurant is well worth a visit.
The local produce in the Daylesford area is also famous. Excellent wines may be sampled near Daylesford itself at Barcaldine House or Big Shed Winery, or a short drive will take you to the famous Macedon wine region, where the mighty Hanging Rock winery features some of the best wines in Australia. A trip to Daylesford would not be complete without a visit to the Chocolate Mill, with it’s iconic straw bale building and authentic Belgian chocolates, the aroma alone is worth the visit, and the wonderful array of delicacies is a highlight of the area.
Gardens and scenic areas abound in Daylesford, with walks around the lakes, botanical gardens and picnic areas. Lake Daylesford is the most famous in the area. A good path takes you around the lake past mineral water pumps, and lovely views. This idyllic spot is perfect for a lovers stroll. Kids love it too, as there is an excellent safe playground and ducks to feed.
The drives are also wonderful in this area, in each direction there are cute little towns with their own character and story, like Trentham and Eganston. Great scenic lookouts give you lovely views of the rolling scenery and interesting roads wind through great stands of eucalypts, giving you fun drives and an ever changing scenic backdrop.
For a weekend getaway close to Melbourne, the Daylesford experience is hard to beat. A wide variety of interesting activities, coupled with lovely scenery and excellent dining make this a perfect getaway.
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