Daylesford Macedon Life - Summer 2019

FOOD WITH A VIEW

The most breathtaking dining experiences

SUMMER NIGHT STAR GAZING Enjoy a dazzling natural light show

DAIRY FLAT FARM

The latest venture from Lake House

THE HEART OF STONEFIELDS Interview with Paul Bangay

SUMMER 2019

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 A DAYLESFO RD MACED O N TO U R ISM P U B L I C ATI O N | DAYL E SFORDM AC E DON LI FE .C OM .AU

CONTENTS WIN a Giddy Up Getaway for Two

4

Welcome 5 Walk On The Wild Side

6-7

Heart of Stonefields: an Interview with Paul Bangay

8-9

Get on Your Bike and Go

10

Best Short Walks

11

Dairy Flat Farm by Lake House

12-13

Views to Dine For

14-15

Off the Grid

17

Secret Garden

18

Summer Night Sky

19

Christmas Centrepiece Top 10 Picnic Spots

20-21

Featuring the work of Michael McBean Q @wreaths_daylesford

23

Wheelie Fun Summer

24-25

Warming to Global Change

26-27

Blampied Village

28-29

Something’s Brewing in Woodend

30

Movers and Sculptures

31

What’s on in Summer

COVER

Rustic Fields. Sault, Daylesford.

Decorative table settings p.20-21

32-33

Recipe: Purple Asparagus, Chervil and Silky Ash Goats’ Cheese Tart

34

Classes and Workshops

35

Stay, Wine and Dine

36

What to Do

37

How to Get Here and Discover More

37

Gifts with a Twist

38

Photographer Lakshal Perera “Photographer of all awesome stuff (weddings, families, businesses, whatever it is that you love).

Ethical Photography Advocate. Ex-Scientist. Kids bookshop owner. Dad and Husband.

These things are what I am but my life in Kyneton is what gives it all meaning.

We came up here for the trees, clean air and simpler life and stayed for the community.”

Q lakshalperera E lakshal.perera.photographer K lakshalperera.com

Daylesford Macedon Life Creative Director Andrea Pribaz Editor Narenna Bloomfield Sales Annissa White Production Sally Towell, Melissa O’Shea-Taylor Advertising Enquiries annissa@dmrtourism.com.au 03 5309 2772 This publication is lovingly created by the Daylesford Macedon Tourism Board, because we adore our region and want to share our wonderful stories and experiences with you.

Here’s how to stay social and get the latest on what’s happening in the region. Share your photos and stories with us by tagging the relevant hashtags on your posts. The most remarkable and beautifully shot pics will be put on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Q daylesfordmacedonranges E daylesfordmacedonranges #daylesfordmacedonlife #yourhappyspace

Love our Food and Regional Producers? dmproduce.com.au Q dmpharvest E dmpharvest #dmpharvest Looking for the best place in Australia to get married? daylesfordmacedonweddings.com.au E daylesfordmacedonweddings Q daylesfordmacedonweddings #daylesfordmacedonweddings

daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 3

WIN

A GIDDY UP GETAWAY FOR TWO Our Giddy Up Getaway gives you the chance to win the ultimate horse-loving weekend.

Entries close Sunday 8th December 2019 Enter here: visitvictoria.com/DMLifeWIN

Enjoy the Daylesford Polo on the 21st March 2020, including exclusive access to the open lounge area. Rub shoulders with social and industry elites, alongside some of the world’s best polo players. Stay two nights at the stylish, fully equipped East Street 1 Daylesford provided by Daylesford Country Retreats. Connect with the countryside on a two-hour horse ride with Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides. Includes hot drink and breakfast for two at the much-loved Blue Bean Restaurant, and a three-course dinner for two at the acclaimed French restaurant Bistro Terroir.

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE: $ 1,800

This competition is presented by Daylesford Macedon Tourism because we adore our region and want to share amazing experiences with you.

ENTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

1 NIGHT FREE Daylesford Macedon Life | 4

BOOK 3 NIGHTS AND PAY FOR ONLY 2! Valid: Dec 1, 2019 - Feb 29, 2020* Use promo code AGE when booking. w: daylesfordcountryretreats.com.au m: 0407 810 576 *(excluding 22/12/19 - 2/1/20 & 24/1/20 - 27/1/20)

WELCOME

by Steve Wroe, CEO Daylesford Macedon Tourism

Wreaths Daylesford Wreaths + Weddings + Special Events Delivery across Melbourne & Victoria.

Albert Einstein, who by all accounts was quite clever, once said: “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better”. My wife and I made the decision a few years ago, to raise our young girls amongst nature. I can almost see their hearts and minds expanding as we wander along the Goldfields Track spotting wildlife, drink from the nearby mineral springs, explore outdoor gardens or sculpture exhibitions, or gaze at the stars at night. The outdoors is good for you.

This edition of Daylesford Macedon Life is devoted to nature and the great outdoors. Our region is blessed with world class natural assets: walking trails, riding tracks, beautiful landscapes, sculpted gardens and big skies. We have 80% of Australia’s mineral water under the rich, brown soil that feeds our amazing produce, and we list loads of places in this magazine where you can enjoy this produce, while enjoying a stunning view.

The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is nature’s treasure trove. If you leave now, you’ll be here in no time. And I promise you’ll feel good.

Q wreaths_daylesford E wreathsdaylesford K wreathsdaylesford.com FIND OUT MORE ON PAGE 20-21

Daylesford Macedon Life | 5

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Richard Cornish

S

tanding on the top of Porcupine Ridge, the forest falls away to the river below. On the other side of the valley, Mount Franklin, an ancient volcano, looms with a sullen presence. The stillness is broken as a pair of crimson rosellas swoop just above our heads, chattering noisily as they go. We’re heading towards our night’s accommodation on the Dry Diggings Track, a 58 kilometre trail winding north through the forest between Daylesford and Castlemaine. The track is part of the Goldfields Track, 210km of trails linking Ballarat with Bendigo.

The Dry Diggings Track was originally planned as a walking trail when it was first mapped out in the early 1990s. Since then, it has become increasingly popular with mountain bike riders. Bike riders can tackle the track and finish it in a day, while fit walkers should allow three days. The track starts in the heart of Daylesford at the Visitor Information Centre, stocked with maps and other important information, and finishes at the Castlemaine V/Line station. A private shuttle service travels daily between the two towns and villages in between, and there are accommodation and riverside camping sites along the way. The track traverses some

truly beautiful bush, dotted with crumbling historic buildings and home to a myriad of birdlife and wildlife.

After passing through the busy towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, the track suddenly dips into a steep gully cut by Spring Creek. It winds through Mineral Springs Reserve, a good chance to pump some cool, effervescent mineral water from Locarno Spring. From here, the track makes its way around the back of Hepburn Springs and into the box gum forest.

Here the earth is still marked by scars of the gold rush. The soil is thin, the trees gnarled and stunted. At Beehive Gully, once home to a mining operation that produced 8 tons of gold, the earth has eroded into dramatic columns.

With the warmer weather comes more animal activity. It’s not uncommon to come across bluetongued lizards and the rather amusing Jacky Dragon, a small lizard with a spiky beard that runs on its hind legs when disturbed. Near where the track crosses Mannings Road, we were lucky enough to see a train of male echidnas following a female, a beguiling part of their reproductive cycle. Many walkers finish their first day 15km into the walk at The Chocolate Mill near Mount Franklin. Inside this mudbrick building in the bush are handmade quality chocolates using Fairtrade European chocolate. Come for the banana and caramel gâteau served with chilli-spiked hot chocolate. Next door is Stone and Straw, a charming B&B built from Castlemaine sandstone. Here, walkers and bike riders are welcome. There’s a cedar hot tub, and the owner is a certified remedial masseuse offering post-walk/ride massage.

A row of rustic letterboxes, perched on wooden posts, greet walkers and riders on the next stage of the track.

It follows Sawpit Gully Road, which meanders past farms and market gardens along a natural avenue perched on the edge of a ridge. From here, the track enters the Dry Diggings Bushland Reserve. Amongst the stringybark and box gum forest is a line of river red gums marking a waterway. Here, the sound of water trickling over sandstone is punctuated by low resonating bobble of two frogs hidden somewhere

Daylesford Macedon Life | 6

in the reeds, deep in conversation. The wildflower season this year has been spectacular, and on this stretch of the walk alone, we counted 35 different flowering plants. This included tiny creeping kennedias with burnt orange flowers, grevilleas with rosemary shaped leaves, three different ground orchids, and vast swathes of chocolate lilies, its fringed purple flowers redolent with the aroma of dark chocolate. From Porcupine Ridge Road, the track drops into the Loddon Valley at Vaughan Springs. Here, past an old wooden bridge and shin-deep ford, the Loddon River has been dammed to form a swimming spot. On a hot day, it’s the perfect place to strip down to your cozzie and take a refreshing dip under the gum trees. Within the reserve, there is a campground offering unpowered campsites. Near the entrance to the reserve are a handful of Chinese graves, the small stones carved with Chinese characters sit silently amongst the native bush.

The final stage of the track continues through the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, a beautiful and moody landscape of abandoned mines and old stone buildings being gradually reclaimed by the bush. There are red cliffs where the earth has been blasted away and giant grey mullock heaps where

“We round a corner and there, in the middle of the track, is a massive eastern grey kangaroo, as big as an AFL ruckman.”

the earth turned inside and out. Ancient bay and mulberry trees mark where homesteads once stood. We round a corner and there, in the middle of the track, is a massive eastern grey kangaroo, as big as an AFL ruckman. He scratches his belly nonchalantly then hops away, disappearing into the bush. It is a short walk into Castlemaine Station. We have a decent wait for the train back to Melbourne, so cross the tracks to the historic Railway Hotel and order a well-earned pot of ice-cold Shedshaker, small batch handcrafted beer. Outside the last sun rays of the day dance on the canopy of the old elm outside. @foodcornish SHUTTLE BUS Tread Harcourt specialise in servicing riders and walkers on the Dry Diggings Track and offer not only accommodation and meals but a bus transfer service. Using a minibus and bike trailer, they shuttle walkers and riders between Castlemaine train station, Vaughan Springs, Hepburn Springs and Daylesford. treadharcourt.com.au Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre visithepburnshire.com.au Chocolate Mill, Mount Franklin chocmill.com.au Stone & Straw, Mount Franklin stoneandstraw.com.au Vaughan Springs parkweb.vic.gov.au Railway Hotel, Castlemaine railwayhotelcastlemaine.com.au Goldfields Track goldfieldstrack.com.au

Photo (opposite page): Wildflower Photography Richard Cornish

Shedshaker shedshakerbrewing.com

Sarah Matler Photography

Find your happily ever after P E P P E RS

M I N ER A L

S P R I N GS

HOTE L

124 Main Road, Hepburn Springs Vic 3461 I 03 5348 2202 I mineralsprings.events@peppers.com.au I www.peppers.com.au/springs

Daylesford Macedon Life | 7

HEART OF STONEFIELDS An interview with Paul Bangay, words Narenna Bloomfield

Paul Bangay has touched the hearts of many a green thumb, but we’d like to think his heart is deeply entwined with the many gardens he’s nurtured in the Daylesford Macedon Ranges.

W

e had a chance to dig deeper, discovering this Medal of the Order of Australia recipient’s connection with our region and his approach to gardening that we’ve come to love and admire.

YOU HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DESIGN AND CREATION OF SOME INCREDIBLE GARDENS WITHIN OUR REGION. WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION TO THE AREA? ARE THERE GARDENS ON WHICH YOU LOOK

to grow many plants that you can’t elsewhere.

One of my favourites is Cardiocrinum giganteum, the giant Himalayan lily. I have planted many in my garden and enjoy their amazing perfume when they flower at Christmas. The deep, well-drained, rich soil and climate of our region is perfect for growing many different types of plants, from tender woodland plants to hardier perennials.

The reason I chose the site for Stonefields was for all these reasons above, I can experiment

BACK FONDLY?

When I was young, I spent many amazing weekends at Marnanie in Mt Macedon; this was the home of the celebrated - and now late - Kevin O’Neill. The garden was magical, and the time spent in it and its unique coolness made me fall in love with both the climate and the region. As soon as I could afford my own country garden, I bought the old schoolhouse in Woodend.

This was over twenty years ago, and I have never fallen out of love with the region, only more in love. I have created many gardens in the area since, including two of my own.

with many planting schemes, and I just love this.

WITH YOUR STONEFIELDS PROPERTY, CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE HAD WITH YOUR DESIGN AND PLANTS USED?

When it comes to Stonefields, I know from experience that we need to choose plants that tolerate frost, snow and extreme heat.

It’s vital to know that we have these extreme weather conditions. The plants that tolerate this are usually European in style, and this is my preferred planting mix.

The main challenge to the site was the slope.

Stonefields, perched on the edge of a steep hill, required garden spaces carved into this hill. This involved a lot of earthworks to form terraces. The main terrace to the front of the house needed to be at an exact level to ensure the view of the valley remained unobstructed.

OUR AREA HAS DISTINCT SEASONS, HOW DOES THIS INFLUENCE YOUR DESIGN, AND WHAT WILL VISITORS SEE WHILE VISITING THE AREA IN SUMMER?

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE CLIMATE, SOIL CONDITIONS AND PLANTS YOU HAVE USED?

The main advantage of the central highlands is the cool climate, and this allows you

Daylesford Macedon Life | 8

The Garden at Stonefields

Summer is the time for flowering perennials, and due to their high tolerance to heat and dry conditions, we have planted many of them.

When visiting the garden in summer, you will see the front blue borders in full bloom as well as the deep planting beds that surround the pool and the terraces below. Seasons are very important, I like the garden to change throughout the year, not be static, and the seasons enable us to achieve this.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE THE PERFECT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN OUR REGION, WHAT WOULD IT ENTAIL?

Visiting and walking to the Trentham Falls and then going on to du Fermier for lunch in Trentham. The greatest attraction for me is the wealth of excellent restaurants, and du Fermier is one of the best we have to offer. @paulbangay paulbangay.com

“Stonefields epitomises Paul’s talent working with the unique conditions in our region. It can be viewed by private booking, which is a special opportunity for garden lovers to enjoy the surrounds in the company of Paul.”

stonefieldsthefarmhouse.com

Du Fermier, Trentham anniesmithers.com.au/du-fermier Trentham Falls, Trentham Photo: Paul Bangay

Up for a Macedon Ranges adventure?

A taste of the country, on Melbourne's doorstep visitmacedonranges.com @macedonrangesnaturallycool

Daylesford Macedon Life | 9

GET ON YOUR BIKE AND GO Steve Wroe

O SPEND SUMMER AT THE DAYLESFORD HOTEL A cooling ale and a sparkling spritz.

Summer salads and platters shared.

A beer garden made to graze and laze for hours.

ur region has long been the centre of ‘wellness’, a state of being that can be achieved in different ways for different people. My wife practices yoga and meditation, and there are many excellent practitioners around here. Others visit our region to get a massage, unwind, and enjoy the quality food and wine that has true local provenance. Some commune with nature or bathe in mineral waters.

For me, mental and physical wellbeing is achieved by riding my mountain bike. As fast as possible.

Down steep, rocky hillsides. As I’m navigating the technical trails, I am as ‘mindful’ as I think it’s possible to be. I’m wholly focussed on the terrain ahead – mainly trying not to fall off and break something.

The trails at La Larr Ba Gauwa near Harcourt, just north of Castlemaine, are one of my favourite places to ride. It’s a stunningly beautiful place, with granite boulders and exciting, world-class, technical terrain. Not far away is Mt Tarrengower near Maldon, which offers some excellent downhill trails for experienced riders.

LUNCH FRI - SUN 12-3PM DINNER 7 NIGHTS FROM 5PM

03 5348 2335

2 BURKE SQUARE DAYLESFORD DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

Daylesford Macedon Life | 10

But I’m now well into my 40s so also enjoy ‘flowy’ trails that wind through the bush. This is meditative in its own way – and much less terrifying. There are 20 kilometres of singletrack in Wombat Forest, just near Woodend, that offer both newer and experienced riders well-made trails and abundant wildlife.

The Goldfields Track, one of Victoria’s premier nature-based tourism assets, runs from Ballarat, through Creswick and Daylesford, to Bendigo.

“For me, mental and physical wellbeing is achieved by riding my mountain bike. As fast as possible. Down steep, rocky hillsides.”

The section from the Chocolate Mill near Hepburn Springs, to Castlemaine, is the best bit, as you see lots of gold era history and relics, from old chimneys, to ‘water races’, and fruit trees that were planted by miners decades ago. And wildlife…I nearly rode over a koala a few weeks ago.

But it’s the beautiful town of Creswick that has everyone excited. Already home to some great trails around the RACV Goldfields resort, over $4 million has been allocated by state and local Government to build over 100km of trails, starting in 2020. The trails will be highly inclusive, catering to everyone from hardcore mountain bikers, to families, trail runners, adaptive cyclists and bushwalkers. Better yet, as well as worldclass trails, there will be extensive interpretation, showcasing the rich natural, historical and cultural assets on which Creswick prides itself. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ll love a great pre-ride coffee and a post-ride beer…loads of opportunities there. A ride followed by a cold beer…that’s my idea of wellness!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: lalarrbagauwa.harcourt.vic.au woodendcycles.com.au/project/trails goldfieldstrack.com.au creswicktrails.com

BEST SHORT WALKS Tom Cook Parks Victoria

Need a natural health kick? Since the late 1800s people have visited the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region for the rejuvenating effects of its cool climate and natural beauty. Those same health benefits remain today – they’re just a lot easier to enjoy thanks to a bunch of energising short walks. Here’s our pick:

SANATORIUM ECO-TOURISM TRAIL, MACEDON REGIONAL PARK 2.4km – 1.5 hr Flanked by stunning trees, this is a great place for a family stroll. Start at Days Picnic Ground and head down through lush vegetation to Sanatorium Lake, which was originally made to supply water to a proposed sanatorium in the area. Nowadays, it provides a peaceful little spot to sit and watch as dragonflies zoom over the water in the sunshine, casting a hazy reflection on the surface. After taking it all in, continue downhill, keeping an eye out for koalas, kookaburras and cheeky rosellas as you pass under towering trees and by gently bobbing ferns. After popping out of the forest, you’ll come to the wide grassy spaces of Sanatorium Picnic Ground, where BBQs and picnic tables await.

TIPPERARY SPRINGS/ TWIN BRIDGES, HEPBURN REGIONAL PARK 4.6km – 1.5 hrs return Step back in time as you track a gold rush era water race and wind through a forest gully lined with smooth

white-barked eucalyptus. Get started at Tipperary Springs picnic area, cross a footbridge over Sailors Creek then follow the signs to Twin Bridges. After passing rocky outcrops and crossing small gullies, you’ll need a little balance as you hop-skip-and-jump across a creek on stepping stones. Up a hillside, down some steps, and then back along the creek towards where you started it all, at Tipperary Springs.

MT FRANKLIN SUMMIT WALK, HEPBURN REGIONAL PARK 2km – 1 hr With its tall forested crown, Mt Franklin, known as Lalgambook by the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners, sits proudly on the land just north of Hepburn Springs. The visual drama of this extinct volcano continues in its belly – a deeply shaded crater of elm, poplar and sycamore trees that’s popular for campers.

Heading off from here you’ll wind up through the foliage, past pockets of tufted grasses and manna gums, before reaching the summit, and a fire lookout tower. Though you can’t climb this one, stunning views south-west towards Shepherds Flat require no further elevation.

SAILORS FALLS LOOP, HEPBURN REGIONAL PARK 1.4km – 40 min Drink mineral springs from a hand-pump before descending into a deeply incised valley on a recently built steel and stonework staircase. With bubbling Sailors Falls as your backdrop, work your way through a secluded pocket of the wet forest before zigzagging through tall manna gums and stringy bark trees. After following the path of an old water race from the gold mining days, you’ll soon reach the lower mineral springs on the bank of Sailors Creek. Continue to the staircase and up to where you started, where a shaded picnic area and mural shelters offer a place to catch your breath.

WALK NOTES: All walks are dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a lead at all times.

Check the weather forecast and bush fire warnings before exploring the park Check parks.vic.gov.au for current park information or call 13 19 63.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 11

DAIRY FLAT FARM BY LAKE HOUSE Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, Culinary Director Lake House Daylesford

A

Dairy Flat Farm occupies 38 lush acres of magnificent, red volcanic soil, a mere eight minutes from Lake House.

sustainable growing facility dedicated to regenerative agricultural practices, it comprises five-acres of productive vegetable, herb and cut flower gardens, three large hoop houses, a large barn, a recently planted orchard of 300 trees, a resurrected grove of 300 olive trees and a five-acre vineyard planted with chardonnay and pinot noir. The farm has been inspiring and providing much of our menu, beverage selections and floral décor at Lake House for over a year. In addition, our olive grove has already yielded a beautifully aromatic EVO from our first harvest.

Beehives at the farm are promising a good summer yield. The opportunity to immerse themselves in a program of working with lesser-known plants and vegetables, especially heirloom varieties and truly reflecting the seasons here where we live, adds enormously to the ongoing enrichment of our teams.

THE BAKE HOUSE AT DAIRY FLAT FARM Yes, we have a fully equipped Bake House on our farm!

A ‘meeting of minds’ collaboration between Lake

Daylesford Macedon Life | 12

House Culinary Director Alla Wolf-Tasker and Michael James, one of Australia’s most venerated bakers, the Bake House offers a local alternative to industrialised bread and supports the growers and millers of small local grain economies. A variety of beautiful longfermented loaves, delicious fruit pastries, croissants and doughnuts are delivered daily for guests of Lake House, and to our little sister café Wombat Hill House at Daylesford’s beautiful botanical gardens, where visitors can eat in or take away with their morning cup of St Ali coffee.

THE LODGE AT DAIRY FLAT FARM A fully serviced place for escape. Something new for experiential travellers, setting a benchmark for sustainable luxury.

The long birch-lined drive, the formal garden rooms and that first glimpse of the steepled roofs and tower of The Lodge, immediately suggests that these are no ordinary lodgings. Built over 25 years ago with no shortage of eccentric detail, new and quietly luxurious

interiors curated by Larissa Wolf-Tasker celebrate the idiosyncratic personality of the building with much local craftsmanship and art, providing a secure sense of place.

STAYING AT THE LODGE Tempted out on a beautiful morning by the sight of low lying mist in the gullies and several ‘roos’ and their joeys grazing at the edge of the forest beyond the vineyard and pasture, you’ll no doubt smell the bread baking in the Bake House and hear the beans being ground for early risers. Make your way through the olive grove down the ‘pear walk’ to the stillness of the spring-fed dam. As the rest of the house stirs, your eventual amble back, for the country breakfast that awaits, should sharpen your appetite. The rest of the day is for relaxation and gathering together, venturing out down country lanes on foot, or electric bike, to the nearby Daylesford Cidery and Passing Clouds cellar door. Or perhaps even Istra, our local maker of beautiful smallgoods. They’re all mere minutes away with no need for the car. Evenings are for gathering

around the bar, games, plenty of conversation or even a plunge in the outdoor hot tub and stargazing at the Milky Way sprinkled across black inky skies. The Lodge at Dairy Flat Farm is booked on a ‘Gather your Tribe’ principle for exclusive use by 12 to 14 guests, depending on availability, it may also be booked for non-exclusive use by groups of four or eight people.

Whether it’s a special celebration or just time out together, you’ll be banking a lot of great memories.

OPEN DAY AT DAIRY FLAT FARM SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER 2019 10AM – 2.30PM Garden tours, refreshments for sale from Bake House, and Christmas market at the farm shop.

Entry $6 per person; Family (2 adults 2 children) $12 Proceeds go to the Daylesford Primary School Kitchen Garden Project Lake House, Daylesford lakehouse.com.au Dairy Flat Farm, Musk dairyflatfarmdaylesford.com.au Wombat Hill House, Daylesford wombathillhouse.com.au Daylesford Cider, Musk daylesfordcider.com.au Passing Clouds Winery, Musk passingclouds.com.au Istra Smallgoods, Musk istrasmallgoods.com.au

Summer at Lake House Morning walks around the lake shore, long lazy days by the pool, a splash of pampering in The Spa, tennis, perhaps a wine tasting or a few games over cocktails on the Lagoon deck before dinner… Wide open starry skies & a deep sleep care of the sweet country air…Bliss!

A Summer Escape from $768 pp includes: 3 nights accommodation A la carte dinner in the “2 Hat” Restaurant on one night Breakfast daily Subject to availability Sun – Thurs.

See online for more packages.

Regional Hotel of the Year The Australian Hot 50 The Gold List @lakehousedaylesford lakehouse.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 13

VIEWS TO DINE FOR

S

ummer dining is made even more delicious by the destination. The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region invites you out of the baking-hot city streets this summer, to experience some of the most breathtaking food experiences in Victoria.

Let’s face it, food always tastes better with a view, and we’ve created a list of some of our favourite places, serving plates and platters with a generous side of ‘wow’.

The Wine Collective is within the grounds of the Macedon Ranges Hotel and Spa. The restaurant is in a beautiful bush setting, and your meal is served with incredible panoramic views looking over the ranges towards Melbourne. It’s a truly spectacular way to enjoy their menu of seasonal, local and unique Australian produce, with a glass of wine of course.

The Daylesford Hotel is well known by locals as having the best balcony in town. The fantastic wide timber balcony is a brilliant place for a family lunch, or relaxed drinks on a warm summer evening. Sink into a deck chair and watch the sunset with friends over a local ale or wine, and enjoy the fantastic bar menu serving up fave pub meals and tasty bar bites to share.

Kathy Douglas

Don’t battle bayside traffic for a cool afternoon breeze, the Boathouse Restaurant at Lake Daylesford is the perfect spot to cool down on a scorcher. Wherever you sit (inside or out) you’re spoilt with stellar views of our favourite lake. Enjoy lunch or dinner with a sparkling wine, sparkling water and sparkling company, food and service and while away a few hours at one of the most popular spots in town.

Sault Restaurant, on Daylesford’s doorstep, is nestled amongst rows of fragrant purple lavender. Sit on the deck and admire the thriving kitchen garden, with over fifty garden beds growing the most beautiful vegies for their sumptuous summer menu. Take a stroll to the picturesque lake and look beyond to Wombat Forest.

It’s a perfect setting for a special lunch or dinner in the country.

The Guildford Winery offers alfresco long lunches and occasional dinners in their unique bush grotto setting right up next to the vines. Their grape growing philosophy is based on biodynamic principles and respect for the environment. The menu is locally sourced and the winery’s generous and leisurely long lunches are specially created to be enjoyed with friends.

At Tuki, just outside of Smeaton, the dining experience is unique, the menu features freshly caught trout from Tuki’s own ponds, and lamb and beef grazed on the property. It’s a great experience for families, with a catch guaranteed. You can even have your bounty prepared for your lunch. This much-loved working farm has won many awards, and is just 20 minutes from Daylesford and a whole world away from the city.

In Trentham, The Cosmopolitan Hotel welcomes you to their historic pub. ‘The Cosmo’, as it is affectionately known by the locals, is set on an acre of established gardens. This is no poky inner-city beer garden; it features century-old elm trees and winding, shaded pathways. Dog and kid friendly, it’s the perfect escape from the city heat with family and friends. The Cosmo welcomes diners for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

Martin St. Coffee, in Blackwood, is a real find, on the scenic back road to Daylesford. Take the Blackwood exit off the Western Freeway and you’ll find yourself in coffee nirvana in a picture-perfect slice of paradise.

They are mighty fine roasters, in fact they’ve been named one of the best in Victoria, so you’re in safe hands, coffee lovers! Hit the café at the roastery Monday to Friday, they also do a cracking pizza on a Friday night.

Committed to offering smart, contemporary food and keeping things simple.

Dynamic wine list with a focus on passionate producers both local and international.

3 Tenth St Hepburn Springs Vic 03 5348 4628 thesurlygoat.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 14

Tucked away in a beautiful valley in Pastoria in the Macedon wine region, Cloud 9 Farm creates some wonderful estate grown wine varietals and serves them from the cellar door with a stunning view across the valley. Indulge in a delicious platter loaded with their own and locally sourced cheeses, preserves, pickles, small goods and deliciousness. Team a platter with a wine (or two) and you’ll be sitting on Cloud 9 indeed.

One of the most loved destinations in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is Lavandula. This restored historic Swiss Italian property shines in summer with abundant lavender and fragrant manicured gardens. Their café, La Trattoria, serves simple and seasonal rustic European fare. Share a pizza in the cool shade of the trees, then spend a lazy afternoon wandering the gardens. Entry $4. It’s super kid-friendly too.

Sault Restaurant, Daylesford

“the menu features freshly caught trout from Tuki’s own ponds, and lamb and beef grazed on the property. It’s a great experience for families, with a catch guaranteed.”

The sweet air and panoramic views this special region offers, elevates your dining experience to the next level.

We’re just over an hour up the road from the CBD; come and taste what all the fuss is about and enjoy your food with a view in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges. @katherine_douglas_art The Wine Collective, Macedon macedonwineroom.com.au Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford daylesfordhotel.com.au Boathouse Restaurant, Daylesford boathousedaylesford.com.au Guildford Winery, Guildford guildfordvineyard.com.au The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham thecosmopolitanhotel.com.au Sault Restaurant, Sailors Falls sault.com.au Tuki, Smeaton tuki.com.au Martin St. Coffee, Blackwood martinstreetcoffee.com Cloud 9 Farm, Pipers Creek cloud9farm.com.au Lavandula, Shepherds Flat lavandula.com.au Cloud 9 Farm, Pipers Creek

The Wine Collective, Macedon

Daylesford Macedon Life | 15

FIELDS OF GOLD Immerse yourself in history and nature.

Positioned between the mineral springs of Daylesford and the old city of Ballarat, RACV Goldfields Resort awaits discovery in the historic bushland around Creswick.

Take some time to focus on yourself with a luxurious spa treatment at One Spa or play a round of golf at the Tony Cashmore designed course, one of the best forest courses in Victoria.

Wake up to fairway or forest views and the sounds of the Australian bush. Dine on contemporary cuisine, and quality local produce at Harvest Restaurant, matched with a selection of award-winning regional wines; or relax at Springs Bar and Terrace, the ideal location for a morning coffee, a café style lunch, or an afternoon drink in the sun with spectacular views over the golf course.

However you choose to unwind, you’ll find everything you need at RACV Goldfields Resort.

Discover the mountain biking trails that flow through the Resort’s golf course or explore the walking tracks through nearby Creswick State Forest. The onsite tennis courts, swimming pool and children’s playground ensure that the most active kids are entertained.

03 5345 9600

Daylesford Macedon Life | 16

RACV Members save 10% or more at some of the best attractions near Ballarat and Daylesford, including Sovereign Hill, Kryal Castle and Ballarat Wildlife Park.

racv.com.au/goldfields

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Book and stay before 29 February 2020 to receive two complimentary welcome drinks on arrival in Spring Bar & Terrace and complimentary unlimited movies for the duration of your stay.

To book, please call (03) 5345 9600 and quote SUMMERTIME, or visit racv.com.au/goldfields and enter the promo code SUMMERTIME.

OFF THE GRID Narenna Bloomfield

S

et in the Wombat State Forest, Blackwood Ridge is a small boutique plant nursery featuring a modern restaurant nestled with almost 360-degree views of their productive kitchen garden. It is an oasis amidst the tall eucalypt forest.

‘Teku’ pots are used, they’re made from recycled plastic, which can go into your recycling bin once you have planted your plants.

Co-owners James Pethybridge, a trained chef, and Dan Sullivan, a horticulturalist, combined their skills and passion for gardening and home-grown produce to a create garden, kitchen and plant collector’s nursery. They wanted a place where you could spend an hour, or an afternoon.

Word of mouth has proven powerful.”

Blackwood Ridge is the only completely off-grid nursery and restaurant in Victoria. “We only use renewable solar power for the everyday running of the nursery and restaurant, therefore making us one of Victoria’s true, carbon-neutral small businesses,” explains James.

The property, formerly named ‘Rainbow Acres’, a derelict strawberry farm, was bought twenty years ago for its rich fertile soil, natural springs and cool mountain climate, which seemed the perfect combination to build the gardens.

“We are committed to producing a low embodied energy product and look for ways to reduce energy use and recycle within the confines of the farm. What we are saving, will help to reduce our footprint on the earth,” explains Dan. All plants are propagated, sourcing cutting material or seeds from existing plants within the garden, only travelling a few metres from the bottom of the farm, to the nursery at the front.

“Many people stumble across us, leaving amazed and already planning their next visit. Others discover us after a tip from a neighbour or friend.

Open for lunch Friday to Sunday; the restaurant offers food from garden to plate, unique local wines and good times. Once settled in the intimate high-ceilinged dining room, or on the private deck overlooking the duck pond, you can choose from large and small share plates followed by intricately designed, hand-made deserts. A favourite small share is the ‘Super Salad’.

James subtly combines garden fresh greens, nuts, hummus, sunflower seeds, dried apple, berries and flowers. It’s a shame to disturb the beautiful arrangement.

This summer, Blackwood Ridge is making it easier to take pleasure from their nursery. Their latest instalment, a pop-up café, is offering lighter meals, cakes and coffee.

Blackwood Ridge Nursery is open Friday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Blackwood Ridge Garden Room Restaurant serving meals Friday to Sunday 12pm to 2.30pm.

blackwoodridge.com.au @blackwoodridge

Daylesford Macedon Life | 17

SECRET GARDEN

© Anwyn Stekerhofs

I

Richard Cornish

n the heart of the Kyneton Botanic Gardens, a giant Californian Redwood towers over a lawn dotted with meadow daisies.

Beyond that are holm oaks, their gnarled limbs sprawling over bluestone terracing. One hundred and sixty-one years ago, around 10ha of land was set aside by the banks of the Campaspe river in the then-booming gold rush township, a short walk to its brand-new train station. Back then, locals sourced their trees from Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Today some of those trees planted by the colonists form a lush canopy shading sweeping lawns and sheltering a historic rotunda and weatherboard gardeners’ cottage. Next to the Kyneton Botanic Gardens, is a new addition, the Kyneton Community Garden, designed by Andrew Laidlaw. They are a magnificent place for picnics, BBQs and to bring children to play in the water garden and climb over the old tractors. The gardens fall away towards the Campaspe River, a low hawthorn hedge separating the two. Here the rich golden light of late afternoon streams through the trees, dragonflies dart about the surface of the river, and ducklings chase bugs among the reeds.

Water forms the backdrop to the Malmsbury Botanic Gardens. The Coliban River forms the western boundary of these 6ha historic gardens with a former billabong built into a lake ringed with bluestone from an old mill that stood nearby. There are impressive trees such as the Lombardy Poplar avenue and towering Californian Redwood and Giant Redwood as well as a collection of arbutus, or strawberry, trees. There is a family of resident geese who seem to have successfully raised a few goslings this season. The dominant feature, however, is the Malmsbury railway viaduct. Built of bluestone in 1859, its five arches stand 25 metres above the river and span over 100 metres and is an imposing structure. For many years this has been the place to enjoy tea and scones purchased at the nearby Malmsbury Bakery.

“They are a magnificent place for picnics, BBQs and to bring children to play in the water garden and climb over the old tractors.”

The Wombat Botanic Gardens are an enduring favourite for Daylesford locals and visitors.

Perched on the summit of Wombat Hill, an extinct volcano whose summit is close to 700m above sea level. The gardens cover 10ha, encircled by a carriage drive running under an avenue of elms, part of the original 1880s design.

At the top of the hill, Daylesford’s water supply sits in a covered reservoir, the overflow from the original water still designed to flow through a lush fern garden. In spring, carpets of bluebells cover the lawns under the cedars and elms. The glasshouse contains a much-coveted begonia collection that flowers later in summer and autumn. Nearby, in a 1940s house, is Wombat Hill House Café, scion of the iconic Lake House, offering excellent tea, coffee, and light meals.

The pinnacle of the gardens is Pioneer Memorial Tower, a 1930s concrete tower that soars high above the trees and offers superb views of the surrounding forest, and the town of Daylesford itself. @foodcornish

Kyneton Botanic Gardens , Kyneton 200m from Kyneton V/Line Station Malmsbury Bakery, Malmsbury malmsburybakery.com.au Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, Malmsbury 600m from Malmsbury V/Line station Wombat Hill House Café, Daylesford wombathillhouse.com.au Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, Daylesford wombathill.org.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 18

SUMMER NIGHT SKY Perry Vlahos We’re fortunate in Australia to have some of the darkest skies in the world, perfect for stargazing, and we don’t have to travel far, to experience them in Victoria.

An hour or so drive north-west from Melbourne, one finds the majestic Macedon Ranges and the beautiful countryside around Daylesford – perfect locations, away from the light-polluted suburbs, for contemplating the Universe above your head and seeing it as nature intended.

Humans have been looking up at night, and wondering, for tens of thousands of years.

Locally, indigenous people have been telling their stories via their celestial pictures.

The summer sky has some of the brightest stars and constellations to be savoured, yet perhaps the most impressive heavenly sight is the Aboriginal figure of The Emu. However, it isn’t featured in any traditional star atlas because unlike the European constellations; its shape is not made up from stars. Instead of a picture created by joining stars like dots, it’s made up from the dark patches in the Milky Way. It emerges from the south-eastern horizon around midnight and stands upright just before dawn. It’s an enormous and remarkable figure with its head and beak near the Southern Cross and its neck leading down to its body at the bulge of the Milky Way in Sagittarius. Once seen, it remains etched in your memory.

Astronomy is the oldest science and also the most cutting-edge, though it’s probably the only science that accepts the work of amateurs, who may direct their observations to a number of bodies including to the International Meteor Organization (IMO). Could you ever imagine such a thing in other disciplines, for example, an amateur brain surgeon!?

and takes you far away from the issues of a modern busy day. A new perspective is gained by understanding that every single star you see is just like our sun – some larger some smaller, only so remote they resemble distant Christmas lights hanging from the sky.

What’s more, each of those suns could have its own planets, moons, comets, asteroids and meteors in orbit around it. Seeing a brilliant meteor entering the earth’s upper atmosphere and burning up spectacularly like a skyrocket on New Year’s Eve, is a bucket list goal for many of us – but could there be other beings experiencing the same thing on a far-flung planet out in space?

We may never know the answer to that, but we do know an opportunity exists to see the best meteor shower of the year this December, especially if you can escape from the brightly lit city and get to the country.

The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks on the nights of 13th, 14th, 15th December, and all you have to do is look toward the north-east from 11:30pm onwards. No telescopes required. Put a blanket on the ground or lay in a banana lounge, relax and look up. You may see as many as 15 – 30 meteors per hour vividly burning up in the sky above your head. Some people get together in teams and count them, sending off the total number of meteors observed and the direction of travel to the IMO, hence contributing further to understanding meteor activity.

On the other hand, you could simply gaze skyward and enjoy a dazzling natural light show, the likes of which can only be experienced in the dark skies of rural Victoria.

See more inspiring photos of our starry skies by following @jrodcaptures.

Looking up at the night sky can also be done for pleasure alone. It certainly fills one with curiosity

Photo: Malmsbury Viaduct. Photograph by Jarrod Andrews.

12 OF THE BEST ACCOMMODATION SPOTS TO LOOK UP AND ENJOY THE SHOW. 1. Sky High skyhighmtfranklin.com 2. Cosy Tents cosytents.com.au 3. The Lodge at Clunes dayget.com.au/the-lodge-at-clunes 4. Daylesford Holiday Park daylesfordholidaypark.com.au 5. Unyoked unyoked.co/micah 6. Braeside braesidemtmacedon.com.au 7. Rooks Edge rooksedge.com.au 8. Lawsons Lodge lawsonlodge.com.au 9. Cleveland Winery clevelandwinery.com.au 10. Garden of St Erth gardenbedsglamping.com.au 11. Hepburn Springs Escape hepburnbathhouse.com/stay

Perry Vlahos is the Vice President of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, a professional writer and passionate star gazer. To find out more please visit asv.org.au.

12. RACV Goldfields racv.com.au/goldfields

Daylesford Macedon Life | 19

CHRISTMAS CENTREPIECE Michael McBean

My most treasured memories with family and friends have been around special occasions, especially Christmas. I find particular joy in creating a magical festive table as the centrepiece and place to gather, to eat and to celebrate. The surprise and smiles on my guests faces, as they enter the room or garden I’ve created, is why I do what I do.

W

hen I was a young boy, we lived on a busy main road, and my bedroom window was visible from the street. Every Christmas I would set up a display inside the window with flashing lights and decorative elements from around the house. Dad was an electrician and would always have some coloured lights floating around in the shed.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 20

I would use vintage amber jars and anything else I could find to create my little festive window.

The joy of creating visual displays as a boy continued into adulthood. My skills led me to be appointed the Head of Visual Merchandising for Bonds and Adidas.

Further to this, I was Head Stylist for the opening of Uniqlo at the Melbourne Emporium.

I left the corporate world and moved to Daylesford permanently a few years ago. This created opportunities to put my talents and passions to use in the local region and eventually set up my own business, Wreaths Daylesford.

The natural environment and access to amazing local flowers, foliage and materials inspire all my wreaths

TOP 10 TIPS FOR CREATING A STUNNING TABLE SETTING AT HOME: and designs. When visiting, be sure to check out the Daylesford Macedon Flower Farm Trail, created by Consortium Botanicus.

You’ll find some of the most stunning seasonal flowers.

I find setting a table to be a very relaxing and satisfying process.

A table isn’t just about eating amazing local produce; it’s about serving a feast for the eyes and other senses. I like to have my guests feel as though they’re dining at a stunning restaurant and want them to walk away with lasting memories and a beautiful experience.

1. Create natural elements from any flowers, trees or plants in your garden or surrounds.

2. Start with your flowers and base everything around the floral colours.

3. Create an aesthetic that can easily be styled to suit the décor of your own home. Tie your Christmas table back to the theme of your Christmas tree.

4. Use 2-3 dominant colours and one accent of colour.

5. Think both colour and texture.

6. Collect glass jars, mix and match in various heights and shapes.

7. Keep your plates simple. Elegant whites will make your florals pop.

8. If you don’t have time to sew or can’t, purchase some natural linen to create napkins, cut to size and as the linen frays, it will become a feature.

9. Look for anything else in your home that you can use to support the table decoration.

Wreaths Daylesford creates wreaths and floral arrangements for all occasions and seasons.

They provide styling services for special events and weddings around Daylesford, Macedon Ranges and across Melbourne.

Enquire with Wreaths Daylesford to create your festive table setting, wreaths and floral arrangements that will ‘wow’ your guests and make them feel extra special this Christmas.

10. Be confident.

GET THE LOOK Fishnet glassware, stone and white Hale Mercantile Co linen, rattan hat, throw and candles care of Ecasa Daylesford. ecasadaylesford.com.au Gold bush bouquet tablecloth and napkins care of House of Heras. houseofheras.com

‘Tis the season to be jolly.

Follow @wreaths_daylesford for some Christmas cheer! wreathsdaylesford.com

SHOOT DETAILS Garden Party: Musk Farm (opposite page) muskfarm.com Rustic Fields: Sault (about and front cover) sault.com.au Photographer: Lakshal Perera lakshalperera.com Flowers supplied by: santospiritoflowers.com (trade only) For local bee-friendly flower providers, please refer to: consortiumbotanicus.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 21

SPARKLING VIEWS

The rest is history.

These days, their children Ruth and Robert are responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.

Having grown up in the winery, with wine running through their veins, Robert is now Chief Winemaker and Ruth the General Manager, Sales & Marketing.

Hanging Rock Winery was established in 1983 in the Macedon Ranges, mainland Australia’s coolest grapegrowing region, and an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne.

In 1982, with a wealth of knowledge behind them, John and Ann Ellis decided to purchase a block of land to fulfil their ambition of building a winery. The bare block they chose, known as ‘The Jim Jim’ was ideal ultra-cool climate, south facing with decomposing basalt soil - a perfect site for realising their dream of producing Australia’s finest sparkling wine. Many who should know, believe that they have achieved this dream.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 22

Today, Hanging Rock Winery is the largest winery in the Macedon Ranges, boasting a range of highly acclaimed, award-winning wines.

It turns out that ‘The Jim Jim’ is also an unparalleled setting for sculpture. So, in what was yet another longheld ambition of theirs, ‘Art in the Vines’ was born in 2018.

This year’s exhibition, ‘Art in the Vines – Sculpture in Motion’, is an exhibition of kinetic sculpture – sculpture that relies on motion for effect. Set against the Macedon Ranges’ most iconic backdrop, with views

to Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon, this truly is an outstanding exhibition.

Visitors can start their experience with a guided wine tasting, before choosing a bottle or two, picking up a trail map and heading off glass-in-hand to explore.

Then, to complete the experience, pair wine with a gourmet picnic box or a cheeseboard, find a spot on their deck or lawns and while away the afternoon.

ART IN THE VINES – SCULPTURE IN MOTION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY UNTIL 23 FEBRUARY 2020. ENTRY IS FREE. hangingrock.com.au @hangingrockwinery 03 5427 0542 Photos (L-R): Art in the Vines. Sculpture ‘Bipolar Eccentric’ by Ralf Driessen Hanging Rock Winery. Photograph by Martin Leitch Photography

TOP 10 PICNIC SPOTS Christine McKimm, Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Spice up your summer with a picture-worthy picnic matched to your personality.

Use this guide to create the perfect country picnic just a hop, skip and jump from Melbourne.

THE LAVENDER LOVERS’ PICNIC

THE BUSH WALKER’S PICNIC

THE SWIM AND SLIDE PICNIC

Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, Shepherds Flat

Black Hill Reserve, Kyneton

Vaughan Springs, Castlemaine Diggings National Park

Picnic among acres of sprawling gardens, fields of

Work up an appetite with fresh air and a bush walk at

Cool off in the creek and taste mineral spring water from

lavender and shady trees. Check out the 1850’s stone

this hidden gem of a reserve. Picnic atop a giant granite

a tap. Bring a blanket to slip down the gigantic metal slide,

farmhouse, stock up on lavender-themed farm goodies

boulder for peace, tranquillity and farm-scape views.

check out the Chinese Cemetery and hike the Goldfields

and try lavender scones.

Supplies: Piper Street Food Co.,

Track.

Admission: $4 per adult / $1 per school age child

Watts Fresh, Kyneton

Supplies: Johnny Baker, Castlemaine

Open Friday to Tuesday | 10.30-5.30pm Supplies: Lavandula’s La Trattoria Café onsite

Das Kaffeehaus, Castlemaine THE PROSPECTOR’S PICNIC Paddy’s Ranges State Park

THE WINE DOWN PICNIC

THE ICONIC PICNIC

Named after ‘Paddy’, a miner who roamed the area in the

Musk Lane Wines, Kyneton

Hanging Rock Reserve, Woodend

1800s, this dry box iron bark forest is dotted with mining

This hidden urban winery, down a laneway in central

You don’t have to climb the summit to enjoy a day at

relics and aboriginal artefacts such as scar trees, rock

Kyneton, is the perfect spot to set up your picnic rug.

Hanging Rock Reserve. Expansive lawns offer plenty of

rainwater wells and mounds.

BYO food to try with a glass of their small batch lo-fi wine.

room for activities plus bushwalking around the base of

Supplies: The Talbot Provedore

Accessible by V-Line Train

Hanging Rock is also popular (and suitable for prams).

Supplies: Dele food van will be onsite over summer

Admission: Varied (car entry $10)

THE TURN BACK TIME PICNIC

Open daily 9-5pm

Yesteryear Horse Carriage Ride + Picnic

THE FOREST BATHING PICNIC

Supplies: Hanging Rock Café onsite,

Departs from Carlsruhe

Forest Glade Gardens, Mount Macedon

Woodberry Café, Woodend

Go back in time on a horse-drawn vintage carriage ride

This magical open garden is the perfect spot to escape the

along the Burke & Wills Track. BYO a picnic or request

summer heat. Wander the cool fern gully, English gardens,

THE PUMP IT UP PICNIC

a fully styled and catered picnic complete with an old

woodlands and Japanese garden.

Mineral Springs Reserve Rd, Hepburn Springs

gramophone and silverware.

Admission: Adults $10 | 16 & under free

Soak in healing mineral waters at Hepburn Bathhouse &

Bookings: bit.ly/yesteryear-today | 0411 468 117

Open 10-4.30pm year round (except total fire ban days)

Spa, then picnic in the adjacent Hepburn Mineral Springs

Supplies: Mt Macedon Trading Post

Reserve. The reserve offers a playground, walking trail and

THE WATERSPORTS PICNIC

opportunity to sample mineral spring water unique to the

St Georges Lake, Creswick

region.

Swim, kayak and canoe in the lake, stroll around its banks

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS:

Supplies: Hepburn Springs Pavilion Café,

and enjoy a spot of bird watching. Tip: Bring a marquee for

daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au

Hepburn General Store

extra shade on hot days.

Supplies: Le Péché Gourmand, Creswick

Daylesford Macedon Life | 23

WHEELIE FUN SUMMER Kate Davis Summertime is almost here, and that means the best of the food truck scene will heat up in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region.

The scene has never been more vibrant, boasting a diverse range to satisfy all different tastes and offerings, popping up at markets, community, corporate and private events. It is so exciting to see regional businesses like these championing the best of local produce, and leading the way with sustainable packaging and practices.

Here are some of the best.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 24

SOCIAL FOUNDRY

DELE FOODSTORE & CATERING

A coffee van with a feel-good vibe and a social conscience. The Social Foundry is a social enterprise empowering communities by mentoring and imparting work and life skills to young people with limited opportunities in the Macedon Ranges.

100% not for profit – what’s not to love?

Offering full event catering, Dele does it all – from their food van too! Focusing on local and ethical produce, they delight in doing your work for you.

They proudly boast that they have a package to match every event size and budget, and no matter what, their food is always on point. Find Dele at Musk Lane Wine cellar door this summer.

socialfoundry.org.au

delefoodstoredaylesford.com

THE TEA CARAVAN

All things tea dished out from the coolest 1965 Globetrotter caravan! Serving a range of hand-blended tea by The Cottage Herbalist, these guys also do pop up bars. You’ll see them all over Victoria this spring and summer.

Facebook: @theteacaravan JUDDER BAR EATS

The crew at Judder Bar Eats are all about the joy of food. A former chef from hatted restaurants harnesses his versatility and love of diverse food cultures with a menu adapted to every event and season, using local, fresh and sustainable produce. judderbareats.com.au DHABA CURRY TRUCK

Bouncing around Central Victoria is this offshoot of Dhaba Indian Restaurant in Kyneton, dishing out all your faves including samosas, butter chicken, korma, and chat masala fries. I’m not drooling – you’re drooling! dhaba.com.au TRAILER MADE

Trailer Made showcases an amazing variety of ingredients, locally sourced from the Daylesford area. The seasonal menus, using restaurantstandard techniques and presentation, are

influenced by the owner’s travels through Europe and Asia, and a love of Middle Eastern food. trailermadefood.com.au LE PÉCHÉ GOURMAND

If you have a sweet tooth, then look no further than Le Péché Gourmand in Creswick. Not only do they have a bricks and mortar store, but the incredible French Boulangerie patisserie also has a mobile caravan, ‘Le Petite Péché’, serving coffee and pastries.

Again, another incredible business supporting local, the bread and pastries are made on premises every day and the dynamic team use organic ingredients sourced within a one hundred mile radius when possible, such as Brooklands Free Range Farm, Salt Kitchen Charcuterie, Tuki Trout Farm, Buninyong Blueberry Farm and Southern Light Herbs. lepechegourmand.com.au @eatdrinkwest Photos: (opposite page): Judder Bar. Photography Byron Perry (L-R top): Trailermade. Photography Ellen Rose Dele Foodstore & Catering Judder Bar. Photography Tenylle Marie (L-R bottom): Le Péché Gourmand, Social Foundry

PREMIUM HAND-CRAFTED SPIRITS IN THE HEART OF KYNETON Visit our cellar door and cocktail lounge at 1/89a Piper Street Kyneton VIC 3444 03 5403 2431 contactus@animusdistillery.com

animusdistillery.com

Daylesford Macedon Life | 25

WARMING TO

GLOBAL CHANGE Kevin Childs

T

he drive towards sustainability by businesses across the region is on the increase. And it brings rewards: a farm wins a prize for its produce while a stylish getaway is judged the best in the nation.

The villas of Clifftop at Hepburn were judged the best of 55,000 (2019) in Australia by holiday home website Stayz. Recycled materials abound in the three standalone villas and four opulent cabins perched atop a Doctors Gully in Hepburn Springs.

Water-tanks carry eye-catching murals and there are quirky touches throughout, including a stunning bath made from reclaimed Tasmanian blackwood, repurposed shipping containers, and vanities crafted from old railway sleepers.

“We are trying to be as sustainable as possible,” says owner David Penman, who set up the villas five years ago in defiance of his bank’s advice. “If we build it, we thought, everyone will come,” he says, and his occupancy rates prove him right.

With an eye to the future, he has installed a Tesla electric car charger. One motorist offered money to use it and was dumbfounded when told it was free.

David is a huge fan of sustainable and affordable accommodation. Luxury, he says, need not cost the earth.

G

iving animals bound for the plate the best possible life, means superior flavour and provides a diner with the belief that what’s being eaten was raised in the fresh air with a natural grazing environment and soil health.

That’s the concept behind Brooklands Free Range Farms at Blampied near Daylesford, where at any time roam 80 cattle and 150 pigs.

And it must be working: the beef took out a gold medal in the 2019 delicious. Produce Awards.

“It’s a matter of keeping up with demand,” says Natalie (“Nats”) Hardy, who runs the farm with husband Jono Hurst and their 14-year-old daughter and “pig whisperer” Ruby.

The rare breed Berkshire pigs and British White grass-fed cattle have 270 acres on which to spread themselves within view of volcanic Mt Kooroocheang.

Nats’s background is the veterinary industry, while Jono was raised on the family generational farm in New Zealand and moved to Australia managing several top Melbourne restaurants. There’s a further food connection: during five years in London, Nats worked at the luxury event caterers, (“Just add”) Mustard.

Their regenerative farming methods have built up the soil health, “looking after the bugs, microbes and funghis,” says Nats. They work on capturing carbon and drill seed using multi-species pasture.

O

ver at Bullengarook, Hayley Connor has built up The Rook Blooms over three years from just four flower beds to 21, supplying florists locally and in Melbourne.

Ranunculus and dahlias are the mainstay of this fourhectare property, 6km west of Gisborne.

She and husband Daniel bought the farm as a lifestyle property, moving from Werribee. “I thought I’d give it a crack,” she says.

Hayley noted the great number of flowers being imported and steadily began growing them, avoiding

Local award winning GiN at your doorstep.

Australian Farm Crafted Distillery in the Macedon Ranges.

Big Tree Distillery is open to visitors for a limited time.

See website for opening times and come along and be treated to award winning gins. m. 0400 998 943 or 0419 894 726 307 Hennerbergs Rd Newham

Big Tree distillery

www.bigtreedistillery.com.au Follow us on

#bigtreedistillery

* Located up a dirt road, please come via Three Chain Road and onto Whitebridge Road.

The distillery is not open full time so please check our website for opening hours as these change from time to time and or call ahead to avoid disappointment.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 26

Farm Crafted. Small Batch. Australian Gin.

THE OLD AUCTION HOUSE ARTS PRECINCT

Clifftop at Hepburn, Hepburn Springs

the use of chemicals. “We try one bug to see if it kills another bug, such as aphids and mites,” she says.

T

the energy used to create new aluminium and emits only five per cent of the greenhouse gases in the process.

he village of Trentham is home to many

That’s part of the driving force behind Wallaby

fascinating shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs.

Among them is The Green Store, which moved from Melbourne to Trentham four years ago.

Water, which, since March, has packaged natural spring water in aluminium cans from Mount Buninyong near Ballarat.

Owner, Rhonda Watson, has just built a home there with her daughters Kasie and Stephanie.

‘Australian made’ is high on the agenda, with pure and natural ingredients from sustainable and ethical producers.

Says Wallaby Water Founder and CEO Dominic Goldsworthy:

Daughter Steph has come from a fashion background, creating soft furnishings, textiles and bags from upcycled and salvaged materials. In the store, at any given time, you may find funky socks, bath salts, gifts, mugs and cups, lots of goods made from recycled waste such as tea towels, gardening gloves and tools, with sustainable kitchen cleaners nearby.

Next year The Green Store will expand to offer an infra-red sauna to helps those who badly feel the cold. Infra-red has been known to detoxify, aid in weight loss, relieve sore muscles and joint pain, improve complexion and circulation. Given Trentham’s snowy winters, that could be quite a few people in this seven-days-a-week business.

W

hat carries water and is 100 per cent recyclable? The answer is aluminium, which, when recycled, uses just five per cent of

“If you find yourself glancing at any supermarket shelf, you’re likely to feel as though you’re drowning in a sea of plastic.”

So far, just 9.5 per cent of all plastic is recycled, while about 75 per cent of all aluminium produced is still in use.

“We are receiving enquiries from businesses that consume two to three million plastic bottles annually, and we can’t believe the enthusiasm for the product,” exclaims Dominic.

Clifftop at Hepburn clifftopathepburn.com.au Brooklands Free Range Farms @brooklandsfreerangefarms The Rook Blooms therookblooms.com The Green Store thegreenstore.com.au Wallaby Water wallabywater.com.au

52-56 Mollison ST, KYNETON OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM - 5PM M-F, 10AM - 4PM S-S FREE ENTRY. PRAM / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE GIFTSHOP INDEPENDENT

STUDIOS HANDMADE

GALLERY AUSTRALIAN

www.theoldauctionhouse.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 27

FARMERS EXCLUSIVE OFFER Pay for ONE, Stay for TWO! Pay for one nights accommodation in our luxe Art Suites & stay for two nights. Use code ‘DMT101’ to redeem offer.

FREE upgrade to Superior Suite FREE in-room mini bar FREE drink on arrival FREE Wi-Fi FREE on-site parking FREE daily housekeeping FREE Tea & Espresso coffee FREE L’Occiatane toiletries FREE inclusive late checkout of 12pm

BLAMPIED VILLAGE Narenna Bloomfield

First settled around the 1860s, the place known as Blampied epitomises the ‘blink and you miss it’ town. Cruising down the highway, it is easy to zoom past, but the things to see here are far from forgettable.

T

At the east end of town, just a stones throw away from the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens sits the Farmers Arms Hotel Daylesford. Our motel-style art suites, conveniently located across the road from our iconic gastro pub, feature chic, luxe interiors with modern bathrooms, rain-head showers, flat screen TV and Netflix access... the perfect base for you to explore our beautiful “spa country” Daylesford.

1 East Street, Daylesford. VIC 3460 • 03 5348 2091 farmersarmsdaylesford.com.au

Daylesford Macedon Life | 28

wenty-seven years ago, Chris and Trish thought it might be a good idea to grow a hedge maze. They bought a few acres, Chris designed the maze, and Trish picked the fastest-growing cypress she could find. Planting commenced, with 500 seedlings, a country garden with orchards, vegetables and cut flowers. Within six years, the maze was pretty well formed.

Time moved on, and the maze grew and was cut many times. Friends and family just about gave up on them, and the locals thought they were mad. Now that it’s open, Maze House is challenging, and fun to boot. After conquering

Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides offers beginners to experienced riders the chance to learn, or reacquaint themselves, with a horseback adventure. Kieran matches each rider with a suitable horse and gives instructions on how to ride. Riders enjoy the undulated farming landscape of the Blampied district, where there is often a koala or kangaroo to spot. After the ride, Sue serves delicious pizzas using her homemade relish. This is a great opportunity to share tales, while enjoying an open fire or sitting under their shady verandah.

the maze, wander the gardens, try your hand at carnival activities, or relax in a shady spot.

Swiss Mountain Hotel. The town was named after Louis Blampied, who built the hotel - one of the oldest weatherboard pubs in Victoria.

Walk inside, and you’ll see potato farmers having a quiet pint or two. This quintessential pub is a beloved hub for the village. Looking at the menu, you’ll start salivating over their comfort food that has a modern twist centred, as much as possible, around local producers.

Clip clop across the road to Quirindi Stables and Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides. Quirindi Stables oozes rustic charm and has become a highly sought-after space for weddings. Owners, Sue and Kieran, are fun-loving and immediately make you feel part of their family. Your dream wedding becomes their personal endeavour.

Fabulous props, food trucks, gargantuan flower arrangements; your heart’s desires can be easily accommodated.

One of Hepburn Lagoon’s trail rides stops at the

Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll find Captains Creek Organic Wines. They’re open on weekends; at which time you can sample

their wine and ciders accompanied by delicious lunches.

Explore their range by the glass or try regional beers. It’s important to note that Captains Creek is certified by the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia. In the winery, no chemical additives are used throughout the winemaking process. Captains Creek house-made cakes or popular tasting plate, which is laden with a selection of local delicacies, will always hit the spot. Cheese lovers will enjoy a local Goldfields Farmhouse platter. Espresso coffees are also served throughout the day for those who lost ‘rock-paperscissors’.

Your final stop should be Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery. Entering the large corrugated iron former hay shed, you will be captivated by the high ceilings and the warm interior.

Alongside the unique sculptural metal art of owner and artist David, the space displays the works of more than thirty artists.

There is also a selection of fair trade, and ethical artisan-made wares from countries such as Cambodia, Bangladesh and Uganda and stunning ceramics from a recent collaboration with BNYM Aboriginal Corporation in Gippsland. The gallery doors open onto a landscaped sculpture garden, helping you

“Riders enjoy the undulated farming landscape of the Blampied district, where there is often a koala or kangaroo to spot.”

to envisage how the pieces could look at home. Children can take the opportunity to feed the many fish in the ponds and can offer morning tea to the resident alpaca and sheep family.

Maze House mazehouse.com.au

With a car boot weighed down with metal art and wine, your trip back down the highway will be a little slower and full of memorable times spent with the kind folk of Blampied.

Quirindi Stables quirindistables.com.au Photos (clockwise from opposite page):

Hepburn Lagoon Trail Rides hepburnlagoonrides.com.au

Swiss Mountain Hotel Overwrought Sculpture Gallery Captains Creek Vineyard

Captains Creek Organic Wines captainscreek.com

Swiss Mountain Hotel swissmountainhotel.com.au Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery overwrought.com.au

Modern south east Asian inspired dining in an historic gold rush era pub Bar open all day from 11.30am Restaurant 12pm and 6pm 84 Piper Street Kyneton fookshing.com.au 5422 6560

Daylesford Macedon Life | 29

SOMETHING’S BREWING IN WOODEND

B

Richard Cornish

rewer, Paul Holgate, stands proudly in his brand new taproom. The sweet smell of malted barley and the sharp tang of hops fills the air. The stunning new space, all polished concrete floor and curved wood panelling, is the finishing touch to the four-year renovation of his Woodend brewery. The new 16 tap tasting room, bar, and retail space blends seamlessly into the stateof-the-art brewery overlooking the historic town, about an hour north of Melbourne via the Calder Freeway. He and his wife Tash, a fellow scientist, founded Holgate Brewhouse in 1999.

and they liked Woodend,” says Paul. He pours another tasting glass. This is an ESB or Extra Special Bitter. Slightly malty, lightly gassed with a mildly bitter hops finish, it is reminiscent of the great bitter ales of the UK.

The couple met at university in the late 1980s, fell in love and travelled the world. When they returned to Australia, they knew they wanted to brew quality beers like those they had enjoyed while touring the world. They started brewing in the garage of their Woodend home and were at the vanguard of the craft brewing movement.

“There was not a lot of information online back then,” says Paul with a laugh. “We had to research old school style, reading a lot of books and most of the information was about European style beers.”

clang from the brewery. Paul looks up. After 20 years in business, he has around 40 employees and has been brewing 600,000 litres a year.

“We’re now able to brew five million litres,” says Paul proudly.

While the bar in the old brewhouse is still a busy place for a drink and a meal, the new taproom, opened this month, is a more elegant place to concentrate on the beers themselves. The 16 taps are connected to kegs sitting a few metres away on the other side of the wall, ensuring the freshest beer in the best condition. There’s a

A tasting paddle of eight 90ml tasting glasses costs $20. @foodcornish holgatebrewhouse.com @holgatebrewhouse

Paul pours a small tasting glass of lovely honeycoloured beer. It has bright citrus notes on the nose, with a rich malty flavour and clean hoppy finish. Called Road Trip American IPA, it is inspired by one of the many tours the Holgates have made through the US, exploring that nation’s vast brewpub culture. Twenty years ago, they started out making European style beers.

Tash would deliver kegs to pubs around Central Victoria. Soon the pair had outgrown their garage and needed space to expand. In 2002 they moved operations to the historic 1896 Keatings Hotel in the heart of Woodend.

Along with accommodation and good pub grub, the new Holgate Brewhouse became a destination in itself. “People liked the beer,

Daylesford Macedon Life | 30

S

MOVERS AND SCULPTURES Nadine Hartnett

culptors make some of the loudest and boldest statements in the world of fine art.

Their skills, both delicate and Herculean,

continue the process of developing their work,” says Thomson.

of steel, bronze and other materials that form the works ranging from 30 to 120 kilograms.

garner the respect of creative peers, while a finished artwork captivates all demographics.

For the viewer, it offers a unique representation of sculpture in a group exhibition that is new to Australia, highlighting how the use of wind and mechanics can put Art into a different dimension.

Gisborne-based artist Anthony Vanderzweep spent nearly three months making three wing-shaped sculptures that took almost three hours to install on the lawn fronting the cellar door. He used copper and brass with a green patina for his Wing It trio. The wings each spin on a stand made from copper pipe and fittings.

Contemporary sculpture, however, is a niche market subject to spasmodic sales. Artists have to be adaptable to maintain a livelihood. They also need to be analytical about projects that seem to defy logistics.

Consider the brief selectively handed out for the Art in the Vines - Sculpture in Motion event at Hanging Rock Winery. Curator Malcolm Thomson could have kept the same criteria used in 2018 for the inaugural and resoundingly successful Art in the Vines. Instead, he envisaged a twist, and has achieved 15 of them.

This year every sculpture is kinetic. It either moves or has an illusion of movement. And the motion is integral to every exhibit’s effect for the event’s fourmonth duration.

As if this wasn’t enough to put the 15 invited Victorians into a giddy spin, Thomson tried to shove them further out of their semi-comfort zone by having them elevate their artwork on three-metrehigh poles. Their responses altered his expectations though and the poles became optional.

“I believe that Sculpture in Motion gives them the opportunity to look at their work in a new way and to

Thomson has assembled an exceptional calibre of artists including Rudi Jass, a kinetic sculpture specialist regarded in Australia as the best in the business. Anton Hasell, creator of the Federation Bells at Birrarung Marr, and James Parrett, winner of Bondi’s Sculpture by the Sea major prize in 2018, are also participating.

Thomson, who has worked with artists for 30 years, is particularly fascinated by sculptors.

Jass combines his passion for beautiful design with technical engineering. It was his work at the first Hanging Rock exhibition that planted the seed for Sculpture in Motion. In 2019, he is the only participant with experience in kinetics.

“They are the forward scouts of a society that, more and more, has turned to computers and technology that bypasses the actual making of objects. They stubbornly maintain skills that have been developed from earliest times. Our streets and landscapes are the sculptor’s playground.”

“The majority of my kinetic sculptures are winddriven and react to the ever-changing wind and light conditions created in the environment. The reflective qualities of the stainless steel add to the constant visual dance between nature and the sculpture.”

Art in the Vines – Sculpture in Motion runs from now until February 23. Admission is free.

Sculptures on exhibition are available for purchase, enquire directly with Hanging Rock Winery. hangingrock.com.au/art-in-the-vines

Jass says the calm and soothing movement of the sculptures may evoke a serene and dreamlike state of mind. It is an intriguing notion that manifests when one wanders among the bobbing, twirling and swaying exhibits. The scene is all the more mesmerising considering the various configurations

Nadine Hartnett is a freelance writer and the founding manager of the Macedon Ranges Art Trail. @macedonrangesarttrail macedonrangesarttrail.com Photo: Art in the Vines. Sculpture - ‘Circles’ by Rudi Jass

Daylesford Macedon Life | 31

WHAT’S ON IN SUMMER MARKETS

EVERY WEDNESDAY - Castlemaine Farmers’ Market EVERY SATURDAY - Wesley Hill, Castlemaine EVERY SUNDAY - Daylesford Sunday Market 1ST SATURDAY - Woodend Farmers’ Market 1ST SUNDAY - Gisborne Olde Time Market, Gisborne Miniature & Model Railways Rides, Castlemaine Artist Market (ex. January), Castlemaine Farmers’ Market (ex. January) 2ND SATURDAY - Ballan Farmers’ Market, Kyneton Farmers’ Market, Kyneton Community Market, Sunbury Farmers’ Market, Trentham Mini Market 2ND SUNDAY - Clunes Farmers’ Market, Maldon Market, Woodend Village Market 3RD SATURDAY - Riddells Creek Farmers’ Market, Trentham Farmers’ Market , Creswick Market 3RD SUNDAY - Malmsbury Farmers’ Market, Talbot Farmers’ Market 4TH SATURDAY - Harcourt Twilight Market

Daylesford Macedon Life | 32

SUMMER EVENTS

Consortium Botanicus, The Flower Farm Trail, throughout the region Lavender – Best time of the year to visit Sault and Lavandula lavender fields High Tea at Bellinzona Resort - Every Saturday Hanging Rock Winery Art in the Vines Sculpture in Motion Exhibition Now - until 23 Feb Bagungga Exhibition at Kyneton Museum - Every Sunday Daylesford Heritage Train Rides - Every Sunday Kryal Castle twilight opening hours - Until 28 Jan (2pm-8pm) Victorian Goldfields Railway – Every Sunday and Wednesday Dec - Jan Pizza & Pooches at Cleveland Winery, Lancefield – Every Sunday Twilight Series at Daylesford Cider - Every Saturday Dec - Jan (4-7pm)

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY

1 Clunes Makers Market Summer Fair 1 Folk Trio Connell, Friday and Thursby at Daylesford Cider Co 1 Open Garden at Melrose, Malmsbury 7 Dairy Flat Farm Open Day, Daylesford 7 Country Halls Tour, Newham 7 Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks at Palais-Hepburn 7 Kyneton Twilight Festival 7 Daylesford Highland Gathering 7 - 8 Open Garden at Caelum, Macedon 7 - 8 Open Garden at Tugurium, Macedon 8 Malmsbury Flea Market 13 - 14 Murder Mystery at Kryal Castle 14 Gold Rush Trail Fest, Hepburn Springs 14 - 15 Kingston Agricultural Show 15 Crofters Fold and Fleurs de Lyonville Flower Farm Tour, Kyneton 15 Bakers Daughter (Alyce Platt) at Palais-Hepburn 20 - 23 The Village Continuum, Trentham 21 CLUB 54 Golden Disco Hits show at Palais-Hepburn 31 Hogmanay at Red Hill Hotel, Chewton 31 New Year’s Eve Family Day at Kryal Castle

1 Massey Ferguson Woodend Cup Day 2 MoVida comes to Curly Flat, Lancefield 8 Kryal Castle Murder Mystery, Leigh Creek 14 Tom Curtain’s “We’re Still Here” Tour, Trentham 15 - 16 Maldon Antique Fair 16 Rosario De Marco at The Cosmopolitan, Trentham 16 Daylesford Motorfest 21 Lennon: Through A Glass Onion, Kyneton Town Hall 23 Oak and Monkey Puzzle Summer Open Garden, Daylesford region 23 Summer Sunday Session at Hanging Rock Winery 26 Comedian Ross Noble, Kyneton 29 Nathan Power Trio, Daylesford Cider

31 31 31 31

30 Nov Kyneton Plant Sale and Christmas Fayre 5 - 24 Dec Leadlight by Ettore Students Christmas Exhibition at the Old Auction House, Kyneton 7 Dec Kyneton Twilight Festival 8 Dec Gisborne Carols by Candlelight 8 Dec St Anne’s Christmas Market, Myrniong 13 Dec A Very Vaudeville Christmas, Palais-Hepburn 13 Dec Christmas Festival at Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne 13 Dec Gisborne Christmas Festival 15 Dec Christmas at Bress, Harcourt 18 Dec Country Carols at the Church Scrub Hill 19 Dec Ugly Christmas at Holgate Brewhouse, Woodend 20 Dec Rotary Castlemaine Christmas Carols 20 Dec Fresh Christmas Wreath Class with Flowers in a Vase, Woodend 21 Dec Harcourt Twilight Market 24 Dec Christmas Carols at The Victoria Hotel, Woodend 24 Dec Christmas Eve Carols, Kyneton Baptist Church 25 Dec Christmas Day Lunch at The Victoria Hotel, Woodend 25 Dec Christmas Day Lunch at Bistro Terroir, Daylesford 25 Dec Coffee at Cliffy’s - CFA Fundraiser, Daylesford

New Year’s Eve Pre-Parade Party at Bistro Terroir, Daylesford Daylesford New Year’s Eve Parade and Gala New Year’s Eve Masquerade with Burlesque at the Palais-Hepburn Fireworks at Lake Daylesford

JANUARY 1 New Year’s Day at Hanging Rock Races 1 Glenlyon New Year’s Sports Day 1 Live country music at The Victoria Hotel, Woodend 2 Cinema Pop Up, Castlemaine 5 Gisborne Oaks Market 12 Summer Sunday Session at Hanging Rock Winery 18 Kingston Rodeo 18 Maldon Twilight Dinner 23 Almost Elton Show at The Victoria Hotel, Woodend 23 - 26 Glenlyon Antique and Collectables Fair 24 - 27 Newstead Live Music Festival 25 Elton John Farewell Tour at Hanging Rock 25 Beautiful Dark The Music of Twin Peaks at Palais-Hepburn 25 - 27 Daylesford Wine Tours Aussie Grown Tour with Aussie Tunes and

Throw the Thong competition 27 Australia Day Live Aussie Classics at The Victoria Hotel, Woodend 27 bet365 Hanging Rock Cup 31 Jan - 2 Feb Wellness Retreat at Lawson Lodge, Woodend

CHRISTMAS EVENTS Daylesford Christmas Tree Farm - Every day until Christmas Eve Christmas in Clunes - Every Friday in December 29 Nov Trentham Twilight Festival 30 Nov Christmas Baking Workshop at Piper St Food Co, Kyneton

Daylesford Macedon Life | 33

- RECIPE -

PURPLE ASPARAGUS, CHERVIL AND SILKY ASH GOATS’ CHEESE TART The Parkland, Mark Renaud, works with the seasons to get the best flavours and freshest ingredients. Our style is modern Australian, which lends itself to endless influences that our colourful communities from the Macedon Ranges gift us. Kyneton is passionate and full of forward-thinking food and wine producers.

I love bringing seasonal flavours into the kitchen and making a savoury tart. Much-loved Holy Goat cheese producers, based in Sutton Grange, supply us with incredible goats’ cheese.

Prep: 20 minutes / Bake: 1 hour 15 minutes INGREDIENTS: Pastry • 200g plain flour • 150g cold unsalted butter - chopped • 1 egg - (try Honest Eggs, Yandoit) Filling • 2 bunches of white or purple asparagus, trimmed

• • •

• • • •

METHOD:

Combine your eggs, lemon zest, cream and egg yolks in a bowl and season. Carefully pour your mixture over the asparagus. Place tart on a baking tray and bake at 180 degrees for 45 minutes until the filling sets.

Combine extra chervil, dress with a dash of olive oil and lemon juice and dress on top of the tart.

For the pastry, process flour and butter in a food processor until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add your egg, combined with 1 tbsp iced water, and process until the pastry comes together. Form into a flat rectangle, wrap in baking paper, and refrigerate for an hour.

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, and line a 12 x 35cm rectangular tart tin with a removable base.

Prick the base with a fork, cover, and refrigerate for a further hour. Line your pastry with baking paper and fill with baking beans and bake at 180 degrees for 20 mins.

Remove the beans and bake for a further 10 minutes until the pastry is crisp.

Meanwhile, cook your asparagus in boiling salted water until tender then refresh in iced water for 2 minutes, drain and set aside. Heat the butter in a small frying pan and add your shallots. Cook over low heat, continually stirring until they are soft. Stir in chervil and season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Remove your pan from the heat and spread your shallots over the pastry base. Crumble goats’ cheese over the top of the shallots. Trim the ends of your asparagus to fit the tart and then lay the spears across at 5mm intervals.

Daylesford Macedon Life | 34

30g butter 6 shallots, peeled and chopped finely 1½ tbs finely chopped chervil (save extra sprigs to serve) 150g soft Holy Goat Black Silk cheese 2 egg yolks and 1 egg ¾ cup of cream Finely grated rind of 1 lemon

To add a little salty crunch to this tart, you can pan-fry a few strips of local Istra pancetta in a hot frying pan, allow it to cool before cracking over the top of the tart before serving. The crispy, saltiness of the pancetta works well with the cream cheese and asparagus.

Serve your tart with a crisp, green, herby salad with a lemon dressing. Grab a fabulous bottle of a local white wine like Granite Hills riesling.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL PRODUCERS: Parkland Kyneton parklandkyneton.com.au Istra istrasmallgoods.com.au Holy Goat holygoatcheese.com Honest Eggs honesteggsco.com.au Granite Hills granitehills.com.au Written by co-owner of Parkland, Kyneton Jennifer Beachey @parklandkyneton

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS Home to a broad and rapidly growing range of classes and workshops, the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region provides those wanting to explore their creative side with plenty of options to choose from. Whether it’s a cooking class, learning the skills of dry stone walling or making your own chair, there is literally something for everyone! Keep in mind that many of these classes book out quickly, so be sure to book well in advance.

THE FESTIVE TABLE – SPARGO CREEK

WELLNESS RETREAT - KYNETON

Sunday 1st of December, join Natasha Morgan (Oak and Monkey Puzzle), and Sandy McKinley (Acre of Roses), for a magical day of celebrating the festive season at Oak and Monkey Puzzle. Immerse yourself in blooms, botanicals and nature’s most beautiful foraged materials to create an inspired Festive Table. Guests will be invited to enjoy a sumptuous 2-course festive lunch within this stunning Festive Table setting.

Let Maiaveda take you on a personal wellness journey. Choose from a one, two or three day Ayurvedic (One to One) customised retreat that is tailored to help you to detox, reclaim your own body and bring peace to your mind.

Maiaveda will design a retreat specifically for your unique Self, through your choice of Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation classes, an Ayurvedic assessment with lifestyle and nutritional advice, plus time for yourself.

natashamorgan.eventbrite.com VERTICAL WINETASTING - LANCEFIELD

January 11 and 12, Curly Flat will be hosting their first vertical tastings workshop of 2020. Preview the 2018 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alongside older vintages and some library wines. You’ll learn the difference between whole bunch and destemmed wines, different clones and the impact of oak. curlyflat.com/events PAINTING CLASS - CASTLEMAINE

maiaveda.com.au INTRO TO LEADLIGHT WINDOWS - KYNETON

Learn the process of creating a leadlight window with Leadlight by Ettore at the Old Auction House, Kyneton. Undertake a hands-on class mastering pattern and glass selection, glass cutting, breaking, and shaping, working with lead cames, and soldering, puttying, and finishing panels. theoldauctionhouse.com.au/classes

Richard Baxter is a talented painter based at The Mill, Castlemaine. Richard’s painting classes focus on two aspects: The first is learning to ‘see’. This is the mental process and involves changing the way you think. The second is the technical side of working, how to mix and apply paints, which brushes to use, mediums and canvases. Richard holds classes on Thursdays and Saturdays.

CREATING YOUR OWN OASIS – BLACKWOOD

richardbaxterartist.com

diggers.com.au/workshops

ELECTRIC GUITAR MAKING – MOUNT FRANKLIN

SUMMER WORKSHOP IN ACRYLIC POURING - WOODEND

Wildwood Instruments offers a two-day Electric Guitar Making Course, where, over a weekend, you will complete an electric guitar or bass. You can choose from their range of popular electric and bass guitar kits and be guided through the building process in their fully equipped workshop. The two-day guitar building courses run every month, so you can attend when it suits you.

Discover the art of Acrylic Pouring with Margaret Morgan. Learn how to pour paint to create cells, build up a landscape in a workshop environment where beginners are welcome. Join Margaret on the 18th of January at the Woodend Art Group’s Gallery.

On Sunday the 9th of February, Jason Chongue of The Plant Society, will share how to grow your piece of garden paradise in small spaces inside and out — sharing expertise on plant selections for smaller garden spaces, and styling techniques for a coherent plant curation. Be inspired to maximise the plant happiness in your home.

facebook.com/MargaretMorganWatkinsArtist

facebook.com/wildwoodinstruments

Daylesford Macedon Life | 35

STAY, WINE AND DINE

ACRE OF ROSES ACCOMMODATION

ATTWOODS AT GLENLYON ESTATE

BLACKWOOD RIDGE POP-UP CAFE

5 Blue Mount Road, Trentham acreofroses.com.au | 0405 032 566

260 Green Gully Road, Glenlyon glenlyonestate.com | 0491 182 976

812 Greenhills Road, Blackwood blackwoodridge.com.au/pop-up-cafe | 03 5368 6707

CASTLEMAINE BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION

CHURCHILLS DAYLESFORD ACCOMMODATION

DAYLESFORD CIDER

Bespoke and beautiful homes castlemaineaccom.com.au | 0427 721 196

Luxury accommodation with outstanding views daylesfordcountryretreats.com.au | 0407 810 576

155 Dairy Flat Road, Musk daylesfordcider.com.au | 03 5348 2275

HOTEL FRANGOS

DAS KAFFEEHAUS

MUSK FARM - DAYLESFORD REGION

82 Vincent Street, Daylesford hotelfrangos.com.au | 03 5348 2363

The Mill, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine coffeebasics.com | 03 5470 6270

Accommodation Garden Tours Weddings www.muskfarm.com | 0407 264 275

Daylesford Macedon Life | 36

WHAT TO DO

CASTLEMAINE VINTAGE BAZAAR

ENDOTA SPA

KRYAL CASTLE

9 Walker Street, Castlemaine Vic 3450 castlemainebazaar.com.au | 5470 6555

Cnr Vincent Street & Central Springs Road, Daylesford endotaspa.com.au/daylesford | 03 5348 1169

121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek kryalcastle.com.au | 03 5334 8500

MAIAVEDA HEALTH RETREAT & SPA

MAZE HOUSE

SQUISHY MINNIE BOOKSTORE

Authentic Ayurvedic spa therapies maiaveda.com.au | 0420 580 886

Hedge maze, carnival garden, cafe mazehouse.com.au | 0437 842 018

6 High Street, Kyneton squishyminnie.com.au | 03 5460 1420

HOW TO GET HERE AND DISCOVER MORE BUSES AND TRAINS

Journey times are approximate only. Full details on train and coach details can be found on vline.com.au

GISBORNE - Southern Cross Station to Gisborne Station (45 min)

DRIVING TIMES AND DISTANCE

CRESWICK - Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station to Creswick Station (1 hr 40 min)

MELBOURNE - DAYLESFORD

80 MIN

113 KM

MELBOURNE - WOODEND

55 MIN

71 KM

MELBOURNE - CASTLEMAINE

90 MIN

129 KM

MACEDON - Southern Cross Station to Macedon Station (55 min)

DAYLESFORD - Southern Cross Station to Ballan Station, coach to Bridport Street, Daylesford OR Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station, coach to Bridport Street, Daylesford (1 hr 55 min)

DAYLESFORD - CRESWICK

20 MIN

27 KM

LANCEFIELD - Southern Cross Station to Sunbury Station, coach from Brook Street Sunbury to High Street, Lancefield (1 hr 5 min)

CLUNES - Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station to Clunes Station (2 hrs 15 min)

DAYLESFORD - TRENTHAM

25 MIN

27 KM

DAYLESFORD - CLUNES

34 MIN

40 KM

WOODEND - Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station (1 hr)

TALBOT - Southern Cross Station to Ballarat Station to Talbot Station (2 hrs 30 min)

CLUNES - CRESWICK

16 MIN

18 KM

TRENTHAM - WOODEND

20 MIN

23 KM

Daylesford Macedon Tourism is not responsible for changes or delays to scheduled services running in our region.

DAYLESFORD - MALMSBURY

25 MIN

30 KM

MALMSBURY - KYNETON

10 MIN

11 KM

KYNETON - LANCEFIELD

25 MIN

32 KM

KYNETON - WOODEND

15 MIN

16 KM

BACCHUS MARSH - Southern Cross Station to Bacchus Marsh Station (50 min)

KYNETON - Southern Cross Station to Kyneton Station (1 hr 5 min) CASTLEMAINE - Southern Cross Station to Castlemaine Station (1 hr 25 min) TRENTHAM - Southern Cross Station to Woodend Station, coach to Market Street, Trentham (1 hr 30 min)

Daylesford Macedon Life | 37

GIEN ANTOINETTE POISSON TABLEWARE & CUTIPOL GOA SALAD SERVERS dessert plate $59 canapé plate $39.95 large platter $289 Cutipol Goa Salad Servers $139.95 Available in store. eCasa Daylesford 03 5348 1802 ecasadaylesford.com.au MS MARY MURPHY DRESS The image on this dress was taken from the bottom of a friend’s garden near Daylesford - the Dahlia’s, the Hills Hoist & Sprinkler!

A great summer dress in digitallyprinted cotton spandex. $398 Available in store and online.

Tiffany Treloar 03 9650 2250 tiffanytreloar.com.au

PICNIC HAMPERS What better way to explore our beautiful region than with a thoughtfully packed picnic lunch. Choose from Piper St Food Co.’s award-winning range of picnic goods and pick up some tips on the best picnic spots while you’re there.

Available in store.

Piper St Food Co 03 5422 3553 piperstfoodco.com

‘FOGS EVENING SONG’ PHILLIP EDWARDS 115 x 90cm unframed.

POA. This watercolour would make a beautiful statement piece or a wonderful addition to your art collection. Bullarto gallery exhibits the work of awarded artist Phillip Edwards, with over 30 works on display.

Open weekends or by appointment.

Bullarto Gallery 0408 529 725 @phillip.edwards.artist

Daylesford Macedon Life | 38

Gifts with a twist

2018 GRANITE HILLS GRUNER VELTLINER Relatively new to Australia, this varietal was chosen for its renowned success in cool climate granite soils. A great food wine, enjoy its hearty aromatics of stone fruit and fresh spicy finish.

Just $390 per dozen.

Bottle $28 Available at cellar door, fine wine retail outlets and restaurants.

Granite Hills 03 5423 7273 granitehills.com.au

AWARD-WINNING LOCAL GIN Big Tree Gin is distilled in the Macedon Ranges, on Jack’s Springs Farm producing a range of farm crafted small batch award-winning Australian gins. 700ml from $85 Available online or at Distillery door.

Big Tree Distillery 0400 998 943 bigtreedistillery.com.au

TIGER MOUNTAIN 21st century ethical single origin coffee beans from the highlands of India roasted to purrrfection by Central Victorian small batch coffee roasters extraordinaire: Coffee Basics. Delightful flavour profile (think snickers!). Proceeds from sales towards conservation of India’s tigers and their habitat. 500g $20 Available in store and online.

Coffee Basics - Das Kaffeehaus 03 5470 6270 coffeebasics.com

LUNCH FOR TWO VOUCHER The ultimate gift for every foodie; an indulgent lunch for two at the “2 Chef Hat” Lake House Restaurant.

Including three course a la carte menu.

Buy in person or online.

Lake House Daylesford 03 5348 3329 lakehouse.com.au

“MONKEY FARTS” SOY CANDLE A tropical citrus blend of banana and grapefruit with subtle hints of vanilla and bubblegum. Hand poured and beautifully packaged, these candles are the perfect Christmas gift for that cheeky monkey in your life. $50 Available in store and online.

Bowen & Kenneth 03 5348 2008 bowenkenneth.com

DO YOU KNOW YOUR LOCAL PRODUCER? Green Hills Natural Farm supplies many local restaurants in the Daylesford Macedon Ranges region and can be purchased exclusively at Daylesford Meat Co. We pride ourselves on quality meat that is ethically and locally farmed.

the DAYLESFORD MEAT C o.

37 VINCENT STREET DAYLESFORD | t: (03) 5348 2094 Drop in or phone for all your Christmas and Summer BBQ needs this season.

Quote #summerbbqpack and receive 10 gourmet burgers or 22 gourmetDaylesford sausages forLife$25 Macedon | 39