The Villages of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges

The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is made up of a collection of small villages, all of which have their own distinct charm. The best bit, most of these villages are only an hour or so from Melbourne, come and spend some time exploring them.

CRESWICK

An idyllic town with regional parks full of peaceful walking and biking tracks, you may catch a glimpse of a koala while exploring the bushland surrounding Creswick. Some visitors come to tee off at the town’s bush-fringed championship golf course, while others are drawn to visit the historic woollen mill to see the production of natural fibres up close.

CLUNES

Clunes’ charm lies in its beautifully preserved mid-1800s streetscapes that have served as a film location for many movies and television series. Clunes comes alive during its annual book festival, but at other times of the year you’ll find great nature walks, a fantastic farmers’ market and antiques stores stocked with curios from years gone by.

DAYLESFORD

Escape the city and unwind in Daylesford, the unofficial epicentre of spa country. Once best known for its spa and wellness experiences, Daylesford’s thriving gastronomic scene, wealth of talented artists, and bounty of boutique accommodation options make it the ideal place to base yourself while uncovering the region’s riches.

GISBORNE

The gateway to Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, Gisborne is a port of call for many. Admire panoramic views from atop Mount Gisborne or browse plants, crafts and homemade eats at the monthly Olde Time Market. In the town centre, foodies are spoiled for choice with many cafés and restaurants within walking distance of each other.

GLENLYON

Just 15 minutes from Daylesford, Glenlyon’s treelined main street is perhaps best known for its historic general store that now operates as café. Glenlyon’s rich soil provides local farmers with the ideal conditions to produce top quality vegetables, so stock up while you’re visiting. Green pastures and ploughed paddocks create a bucolic backdrop worthy of an oil painting.

HEPBURN SPRINGS

Hepburn Springs is a small town located in the middle of Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs. With a long history of wellness tourism, visitors come to this region to rejuvenate themselves at one of the town’s many spas, and sample the mineral-rich spring water straight from the pumps in the Hepburn Springs Mineral Springs Reserve.

KYNETON

Once a resting place for miners during the gold rush, Kyneton has quickly become a culinary hotspot. Lined with bluestone buildings, historic Piper Street is home to lauded restaurants and cool cocktail bars, along with antique stores, art galleries and artisan boutiques. Within walking distance of Piper Street are many other wonderful shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries.

LANCEFIELD

Lancefield is a vibrant town that has something for everyone. There are eclectic shops housed in historic buildings, tree-lined, family-friendly cycling trails, and a monthly farmers’ market that draws visitors from near and far. A magnet for wine lovers, only a few minutes from the town centre you’ll find picturesque vineyards producing award-winning wines.

MACEDON

Macedon is a leafy, tree-lined town sitting at the base of Mount Macedon. As the gateway to the Macedon Regional Park, many people visit Macedon before heading to explore the park’s 30kms of trails. During autumn, the colourful leaves of the old oak trees along Macedon’s Avenue of Honour become the town’s main attraction.

MALMSBURY

Malmsbury is a quiet, historic town with streetscapes featuring quaint shopfronts and heritage bluestone buildings. Home to one of Victoria’s oldest botanical gardens, the popular picnic spot is especially evocative during autumn when its trees turn shades of gold, amber and red. Nearby, Malmsbury’s photogenic railway viaduct is an impressive feat of nineteenth-century engineering.

MOUNT MACEDON

Mount Macedon is a small town with a village feel. Sitting under the shadow of the eponymous mountain, its mixture of heritage gardens and native bushland make it a popular spot with everyone from hikers, to garden lovers. The natural beauty of the area is complimented by a vibrant food and wine scene, with charming cafés and cellar doors.

TRENTHAM

Halfway between Daylesford and Woodend, bucolic Trentham is a quaint town fringed by farmland and the Wombat State Forest. Trentham’s character-filled main street may be small, but it houses some real gems including two fantastic pubs, a fine dining restaurant worth travelling for, and a busy bakery known for its prized sourdough loaves.

WOODEND

Home to an historic pub, popular country-style bakery, and award-winning brewery, Woodend is much more than the gateway to Hanging Rock. Serving as a backdrop to concerts, markets, horse races and a winery, the striking, ancient rock formation is a drawcard, but Woodend’s pretty, tree-lined Avenue of Honour and thriving High Street also delight.

Photo: Creswick. Photography by Chris Turner.