Refresh your mind, body, soul and wine glass with a trip to this famous gourmet retreat and spa town set within magnificent mountains and lush forests.
Rejuvenate your senses in Daylesford, a luxuriously laid-back town nestled in the Macedon Ranges. This tranquil forested mountain region contains Australia’s largest concentration of natural mineral springs. Daylesford’s spas, wellness retreats, gourmet restaurants and sumptuous accommodation set within stunning mountain scenery make it an excellent getaway for anyone seeking a stylish and pampered holiday.
Get a feel for the town with a stroll along the main streets, Albert Street and Vincent Street. The post office, town hall and a selection of hotels and other establishments date back to the late 19th century. A few minutes’ walk south of the centre will bring you to Lake Daylesford and the Central Springs Reserve. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lakeside with a picnic or at the on-site café. Fish from the jetty or launch a rented rowboat. Wander east from the town centre to find the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, which offers excellent views of the township from its hilltop and lookout tower.
Indulge yourself at one of Daylesford’s mineral baths and make the most of the town’s wide selection of day spas and remedial therapists. Soak away any aches or book yourself in for a relaxing massage.
Spend the evening dining at well-known restaurants that proudly use high-quality local produce. Try modern takes on classic “gastropub” tucker or sample cuisine from an acclaimed restaurant. Pair your meal with local wines and beers, or a glass of refreshing, locally sourced mineral water.
Roam amid temperate cool-climate rainforest and cascading waterfalls in the nature reserves around Daylesford. Trace the origins of Daylesford’s healing waters to Hepburn Pool at Hepburn Regional Park, or explore the wild escarpments of the nearby Macedon Regional Park, Lederderg State Park or Wombat State Forest. Enmesh yourself in the fictional mysteries of Hanging Rock or treat your senses at the Yuulong Lavender Estate in nearby Mount Egerton.
Daylesford is approximately 80 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. It can also be reached via V/Line trains and coaches from Melbourne, Ballarat and Castlemaine. The town’s serene setting and rejuvenating retreats make it a great place to visit at any time of the year.