Eat + Drink Guide 2023/24

Daylesford

Macedon Ranges

EAT + DRINK

[the ultimate food and beverage guide for the region]

You don’t have to go far to feel like you’re a whole world away.

Just far enough to leave the crowds behind and find your space. A place where you can reconnect with nature, soak in the scenery and feed your soul. And okay, enjoy some great wine while you’re at it.

Go further in Victoria.

Stay close, go further.

VISIT VICTORIA

Hanging Rock (Ngannelong) Macedon Ranges

Day spa experiences Hepburn Springs

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to Welcome Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges This beautiful region of ours has always been a bit of a food bowl. Witness the magnificent fertile soils originating from the many volcanoes that once roared here and it’s no surprise. It’s the best soil for many varieties of root vegetables, and we are also blessed with an abundance of waterways fed by good rains and Australia’s largest concentration of naturally occurring mineral springs.

What grows here naturally was bound to spread to much else, such as berries, fruit orchards and vineyards.

Goldminers of the 1800s planted vines and were openly protective of the mineral springs. They also brought their love of good food here; to the extent of building Australia’s first pasta factory in Hepburn and establishing annual rituals of sausage making that have survived amongst their descendants to the present day.

Alla Wolf-Tasker AM (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa)

More recently, the practice of regenerative farming has been sweeping through the area with many now concentrating on constant soil improvement (healthy soil, healthy people) rather than the generally debilitating effects of monocultural industrial farming. Organics, permaculture and biodynamics are discussed and practised with fervour amongst both long-term residents and tree changers keen to improve what they do. Best practice animal husbandry provides for magnificent meat products. Local restaurants and cafés proudly name their local suppliers, and local communities shop at our many local farmers’ markets and support local community-supported agriculture (CSA) schemes.

Making your purchase local adds valuable transparency to the process. Needing to know where your food comes from, and what’s been done to it, has become increasingly important for all of us.

In our region ‘wellness’ is expounded by the sweetness of our country air, the green fields and forests, our long-celebrated miracle mineral waters AND our wonderful local food.

We look forward to sharing it all with you.

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Alla Wolf-Tasker AM Culinary Director and Proprietor Lake House and Dairy Flat Farm Daylesford @wolfinkitchen @lakehousedaylesford @dairyflatfarmdaylesford

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Restaurants.

Diners are spoilt for choice when it comes to exceptional restaurants in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges – with various establishments being awarded highly coveted chef hats.

Loosen your belt, because extraordinary dining experiences await.

Above: Lake House (photography by Martina Gemmola) Opposite (top): Kadota (photography by KGMG) (right): The Boathouse Restaurant (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa)

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Local and seasonal. They may be buzz words now, but long before it was trendy, Alla WolfTasker AM put her proverbial fork in the ground and pioneered destination dining, highlighting regional produce.

Starting an epicurean revolution with Daylesford’s acclaimed and multi awardwinning Lake House, Wolf-Tasker’s focus has always been on championing local, small scale artisan producers.

Daylesford is now home to a myriad of fine dining experiences that echo Wolf-Tasker’s local ethos, including Sault, a sustainabilityfocused venue set amongst a breathtakingly beautiful 100-acre property. Flanked by lavender and sunflower fields, Sault’s extensive food garden supplies the kitchen, bringing food miles down to just metres.

Daylesford. Owners Aaron Schembri and Risa Kadota have crafted a kaiseki (multi-course) menu blending delicate Japanese flavours with local ingredients.

The perfect spot for a meal with a view is The Boathouse Restaurant on the banks of Lake Daylesford, where the exquisitely presented dishes capture the seasons. Paying homage to the Italian community in Daylesford is Beppe Kitchen + Bar, a lively trattoria known for its handmade pasta and wood fired pizza.

Cosy and welcoming with dark timber floorboards and exposed brick is Daylesford’s French-chic Bistro Terrior. Chef-owner Matthew Carnell has created a classic bistro menu featuring perfectly cooked wagyu rump with shoestring fries and a delicate pork and pistachio terrine.

For an authentic experience of omotenashi (a Japanese concept meaning to wholeheartedly look after guests), head to Kadota in central

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At Passing Clouds Winery in Musk, chef Cameron McKenzie cooks predominately over a charcoal fire pit, delivering a mouth-watering three-course set menu.

Inside the 120-year-old historic Hotel Bellinzona in Hepburn Springs is The Virgin Kitchen, where the grand European-inspired interiors set the scene for the elevated food and wine to come. Around the corner is the Grande Hotel Hepburn Springs, which offers a seasonal menu, along with a popular Tuesday gnocchi night.

American inspired menu. This is soulful food made for sharing.

Families love the modern RACV Three Founders restaurant in Creswick with its heated outdoor terrace and wholesome menu.

At Tuki, catch a trout in one of the trout ponds and have it cooked up at the onsite restaurant.

In Trentham, Annie Smithers’ du Fermier is a standout for generous, classic French farmhouse dishes that change weekly.

Also in Hepburn Springs sits The Argus Dining Room where a pre-dinner drink by the fire is the perfect beginning to a night out. Expect European inspired cuisine heavily skewed towards the region’s freshly harvested produce.

The name might be fun and playful, but the food at The Surly Goat is seriously good. The ‘prix fixe’ four-course menu changes daily and each dish is always a seasonal, regional delight. The from-scratch ethos continues at Frank and Connie’s Kitchen where chef and owner Caliopi Buck traverses the world with her French, Greek, Middle East and South Above: Sault (photography by Jo O’Kelly) Right: Grand Hotel Hepburn Springs (photography by Chloe Smith)

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The team at Kadota would like to welcome you to a unique Japanese dining experience, right in the heart of Daylesford.

Both our classic and our luxury menu will take you on a sensory journey in an authentic Kaiseki style of service.

Open for dinner Tuesday - Saturday Classic (6 course) menu from Tuesday – Thursday Luxury (7 course) menu Thursday – Saturday

Book online or by phone 03 5348 1218

1 Camp Street, Daylesford Vic kadotarestaurant.com.au E kadotadaylesford Q kadotarestaurantofficial

The old Castlemaine fire station has been put to good use now that Wild Food and Wine is in the building. Plant-based diners in particular will love the dishes, especially the crispy eggplant and smoked mozzarella croquettes, and the twice-cooked sweetcorn soufflé with bay leaf cream. A short stroll away is Bar Midland, where food is sourced exclusively from Victorian farmers, anglers and foragers, with a strong focus on sustainable producers.

In Kyneton, the cosy Miss M’s Lounge is a great spot for Spanish-style tapas, while Midnight Starling showcases its Gallic bent with pride through dishes like roasted spatchcock with creamy celeriac puree. Inside one of Piper Street’s historic pubs is Fook Shing where the vibrant southeast Asian-inspired dishes hum with flavour (think crispy five spice quail and the quintessential fragrant Thai green curry).

Wines, where the minimal intervention wines compliment the French ‘bistronomique’ menu.

For a winning dose of country charm, pop into UUMM Restaurant at Mount Macedon Winery for its hearty seasonal dishes and oh-so-cute highland cattle. Nearby, Mount Towrong Vineyard serves homestyle Italian cooking with stunning views to match.

Finish off in Woodend at Kuzu Izakaya where head chef Eriko Pannam shines in creating Japanese pub food. It’s hard to go past the JFC - Japanese Fried Chicken and tomorokoshi tempura - golden corn fritters with a dollop of burnt soy butter.

Just outside Romsey, the rustic, yet refined four-course set menu at Mount Monument’s restaurant showcases local producers. Or opt for more casual, shared bites at the adjoining cellar door. Another winery restaurant well worth visiting is Glenlyon’s Le Bouchon at Attwoods

Above: Beppe Kitchen + Bar (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa) Right: Kuzu Izakaya (photography by KGMG Creative)

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Regenerative Farming + Dining.

Farming hasn’t always had a good reputation, but many producers in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region have a philosophy of leaving the land better than they found it. Regenerative farming, which uses natural environmental cycles to improve soil health, water quality and biodiversity, is the future, and it’s already happening.

Above: Shizuka Ryokan (photography by LVDI) Opposite: Dairy Flat Farm (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa)

Several graziers in the region have already embraced regenerative farming principles, taking manure and other waste, like dead grass, and returning it to the soil with the help of insects and micro-organisms.

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“This feeds the grass, which creates more leaf matter through photosynthesis, which feeds the animals,” says Natalie Hardy from Brooklands Free Range Farm. “The manure feeds the underground army.”

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Natalie Hardy and partner Jono Hurst run rare breeds such as British White cattle and Berkshire pigs on their Blampied property. The beef and pork produced supplies some of the region's top restaurants, markets and stores.

Another regenerative grazier in the region is Sidonia Beef’s Sam White, who runs his herd of Angus cattle on his organic farm near Kyneton.

The cattle are run as one herd, much the same as the large grazing herds of the African plains.

They pressure soil, trample, manure and create an environment for new life before moving on to a fresh pasture.

In Spring Hill, Walden Park farm belted galloway cattle regeneratively, without insecticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilisers.

They also practice rotational grazing, which improves pastures, soil and livestock health and sequesters carbon. Tuki in Smeaton is a grazing property with a 150-year history, where organic practices are also followed. The property is also home to a trout farm, extensive kitchen gardens and a restaurant, meaning food miles are reduced to only metres.

In Yandoit, Honest Eggs Co. are on a mission to change egg farming for the better. They are doing this by limiting the number of chooks per hectare and by providing roaming roosts, allowing them to move their chooks to fresh

pastures every few days, ensuring they always have access to fresh grass, bugs and worms.

Another sustainable form of farming has seen several of the region’s restaurants developing kitchen gardens. When they took over Dairy Flat Farm, the crew at Lake House installed gardens and greenhouses to produce enough vegetables and herbs for all three of their properties, including Wombat Hill House.

Each season, the team at Sault create menus based on what is coming out of their kitchen garden. At Shizuka Ryokan, guests can view the garden that grows many of the ingredients found in the traditional Japanese fare that is served.

Chef Annie Smithers produces menus for her French farmhouse-style restaurant du Fermier from the produce she grows in her garden. At Blackwood Ridge, the restaurant has views of the heritage orchard and garden, where edible flowers, herbs and leafy greens are grown. At The Garden of St Erth (by the Diggers Club), the menu at the onsite café features freshly harvested vegetables, herbs and fruit.

Knowing that the food on your plate has come straight from a garden to the plate makes the experience of these restaurants even more special.

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with Interview Paul Righetti Owner of Honest Eggs Co.

Farmers and artisan producers have long been drawn to this region, thanks to our rich volcanic soil and plentiful waterways. Paul Righetti’s great grandfather arrived from Switzerland and settled in the Daylesford area in the early 1850s. His family has been farming the same land near Yandoit ever since.

In addition to beef and sheep farming, Paul is now also the co-owner of regenerative egg farm, Honest Eggs Co. We get the inside word on what he thinks makes the region so special, where he goes to stock up on local supplies and his favourite places for a bite to eat.

Alla Wolf-Tasker AM and Paul Righetti (photography by Lisa Cohen) Right: on the farm at Honest Eggs Co.

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Tell us a little about Honest Eggs Co. and your philosophy of farming?

Honest Eggs Co. came along about eight years ago. It was inspired by a kinder project by my then four year-old daughter. We strongly believe in holistic farming methods and we started egg farming in order to help regenerate the land, build additional income for the local community and improve animal welfare standards.

What makes Honest Eggs Co. unique is that we continually move the chook sheds, invigorating the soil across our farm as we go. It’s a much more labour intensive approach to egg farming, however the benefits clearly outweigh the cost.

What influence did the local food community have in getting Honest Eggs Co. started?

Alla Wolf-Tasker from Lake House was integral in getting us started, giving us the encouragement and support we needed to make Honest Eggs Co. happen. Lake House continue to use our eggs to this day, as do many other local businesses.

What is it about the local producers in this region that sets them apart?

We went through a period where it became difficult to buy anything locally, you had to go to Melbourne to buy produce. However, the

ever-increasing demand from consumers to know where their food comes from, combined with the desire to support local, has seen a shift back to small-scale farmers and low food miles.

Thanks to personalities such as Alla Wolf-Tasker and Annie Smithers, the Daylesford region and its flourishing hospitality industry, has created an environment that supports and encourages these small-scale farmers. Resulting in an everincreasing number establishing themselves in our region.

Where do you go to buy local produce?

For local produce, my favourites are Tonna’s Fruit & Vegetables in Daylesford and Castlemaine Fresh – both of which stock lots of local goodies. Newstead Butcher is our go to place to get fresh meat, they stock beef from our farm (which we often buy back off them!)

We also regularly buy meat from Daylesford Meat Co. and Albert Street Butchery.

Where is your favourite place for a bite to eat in the region?

You can’t go wrong at Cliffy’s, it’s especially lovely in summer as you sit outside under the leafy green vines. Their famous Shakshuka dish, which features our eggs, is a winner. For a casual lunch, I also love either Larder or Harvest Café, both in Daylesford.

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EAT. DRINK. ESCAPE.

03 5348 2271

OPEN 7 DAYS 7 NIGHTS 77 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, Daylesford, Victoria

Charming Cafés.

Nothing’s as appealing as finding an enchanting café and pretending you’re a local for an hour or two. Time for a cuppa? Here are some of the region’s most charming cafés.

Above: Cliffy’s Emporium (photography by Safari Global) Opposite: Das Kaffeehaus (photography by Michelle Jarni)

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Snuggled into Daylesford’s botanic gardens is Wombat Hill House, a renovated cottage where every table boasts the best seat in the house (especially by the roaring fire). The casual café serves scrumptious seasonal dishes often with slow-fermented sourdough.

The delightfully named Bad Habits Café, within Daylesford’s Convent Gallery, with its light-filled atrium is the ideal place for a delicious high tea.

Visitors love Cliffy’s Emporium for the homespun décor and wide verandah draped with grapevines. Both locals and visitors love the café, produce and wine store for its hearty brunch menu and commitment to sourcing exceptional local produce.

In need of a coffee fix? Head to Larder where single origin dreams come true. Further up Vincent Street is Pancho, a petite café with a small but perfectly formed menu, featuring innovative dishes like marinated sardines with soft poached egg and sweet braised fennel.

On the most prominent corner of Daylesford is Café Koukla, a bohemian-inspired eatery where the charming staff will happily serve you breakfast, lunch or dinner (and cocktails).

In Hepburn Springs, grab a table at Harry’s Hepburn for an all-day brunch focusing on dishes made with local produce. Then head to

the charming Hepburn Springs General Store for wholesome take-away goodies.

Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm is home to La Trattoria Bar & Eatery. After exploring the expansive gardens and historic homestead, reward yourself with Mediterranean and lavender inspired dishes.

A short drive away is Trentham General, housed in the old Bank of Australasia. It’s a hub for all things local.

Heading north, there’s nothing quite like Das Kaffeehaus in Castlemaine; a grand Viennese coffee house where the apfelstrudel is not to be missed.

The Social Foundry in Kyneton is more than a café, it’s a community. The social enterprise helps those facing barriers to employment learn hospitality skills. The result? A welcoming café serving food with heart. Around the corner, Pollen is the spot for bành mì.

In Woodend, marvel at one of the most iconic old buildings in town when you eat at Fox in the Chamber. Or make your way to Hanging Rock Café at Hanging Rock Reserve and grab a bite to eat before hiking to the top of the rock. Nearby, the Newham General Store is a charming 159-year-old icon, grab a seat outside on a sunny day and enjoy the simple, yet tasty menu.

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Country Pubs.

Sitting in a historic pub, sharing great food and a local drink with friends is a quintessential country experience. The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region boasts more than its fair share of classic country pubs. Follow the trail and discover why these institutions continue to be the lifeblood of the villages in which they are located.

Above: The Cosmopolitan Hotel (photography by KGMG Creative) Opposite: Pig and Whistle Hotel (photography by Nigel Welch)

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Radio Springs Hotel, Lyonville Affectionately referred to as “the centre of the universe”, this popular country pub has developed a cult following. Radio Springs offers an a la carte menu, live music on weekends and a meandering country garden out back.

Red Hill Hotel, Chewton This charming pub was established in 1854 and has been running continuously to this day. The vibes here are cool; an old-school pub that’s well-dressed and showcases local artists with gigs in the front bar and out in the beer garden.

The Daylesford Hotel Standing tall, overlooking the town with its wrap-around verandahs and stained-glass windows is this traditional Australian pub. Grab a local wine by the fire or chill on the balcony and watch the sunset.

The Farmers Arms, Daylesford A quaint corner pub dating back to 1857. Its warm and welcoming vibe can be enjoyed as soon as you step foot inside. There’s history on the walls and a mouth-watering menu. Or visit their sister venue, the Great Western Hotel in Ballan, which boasts a slick 70s vibe.

Pig and Whistle Hotel, Trentham East The term “hidden gem” gets thrown around plenty, but the Pig and Whistle is the true definition. This classic, ivy-wrapped country

pub stands in the pastures of rural Trentham East and creeps up like an oasis in the desert.

Swiss Mountain Hotel, Blampied Another historic country pub, this weatherboard beauty dates back to 1865. Polished concrete floors, a huge, curved bar and a large contemporary dining area make for a spacious (and delicious) dining experience.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham Another pub offspring from the 1860s (established 1866), “The Cosmo” is the heart and soul of Trentham. The Cosmo will channel your inner Michael J Fox and step you back in time. Delicious local produce and craft beers await.

The Kyneton Hotel An extensive wine list and five rotating craft beer taps complement the quality pub fare at this classic corner pub. First established in 1869, one of their earliest guests was the infamous Ned Kelly. Visitors can now stay overnight in the room occupied by Ned. The Victoria Hotel, Woodend Another classic public house built in the 1860s.

This pub is steeped in history, which you can actually read on the walls. From bushrangers to ghosts and mob warfare, if these walls could talk… well they kind of do.

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DINING A La Carte, Seasonal European BAR & LOUNGE Cocktails, Wine & Light Bites FUNCTIONS & EVENTS Catering packages available

DINNER BOOKINGS SCAN HERE

Located within Peppers Mineral Springs 124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs 5348 2202 | theargusdiningroom.com.au

CLIFFY'S 7 DAYS - BREAKFAST, LUNCH + EMPORIUM

WOOD-FIRED PIZZA, PASTA + VINO

cliffysemporium.com.au

beppe.com.au

30-32 RAGLAN STREET DAYLESFORD

@bistro.terroir

6 Howe Street Daylesford VIC 3460

Wineries.

Imagine that there was a wine region less than an hour from Melbourne offering world class wine in a beautiful, unpretentious setting, without the crowds?

Welcome to the Macedon Ranges Wine Region. One of Victoria’s best kept secrets, it encompasses nearly 50 wineries and 18 cellar doors. And did we mention that it’s also home to some of the most awarded and recognised wines in the country?

Above: Mount Towrong Sparkling Rosé (photography by Chloe Smith) Opposite - top: Mount Monument (photography by The Urban List) Bottom: Carolyn May, Captains Creek Organic Wines; Jeni Kolkka, Curly Flat Vineyard; Renata Morello, Lyons Will Estate. (photography by Kim Selby at Curly Flat Vineyard)

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We may be less well known than other wine regions, but that doesn’t stop us from producing some of the best cool climate wines in Australia. With vineyards at altitudes ranging from 300-800 metres, we’re categorized as a cool to cold climate, making it an ideal location for a number of varietals.

Pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wines are what we’re best known for — and we do those exceptionally well — but that’s not all we make. In the northern part of the region, you’ll also find big, robust reds including shiraz and cabernet, and in other parts of the region, a number of aromatic whites, like riesling and gewürztraminer. Looking for something a little bit different? Give wild barrel-fermented riesling a go. Celebrating? Try a sparkling wine made from chardonnay and nebbiolo. Or maybe you want to try something new to Australia, like pinot blanc? We’ve got you covered. You’ll find a multitude of new varietals here, including gamay, dolcetto and gruner veltliner.

You’ll find a personalised and creative approach to winemaking and presentation here. Zig Zag Winery owners Henry and Harriet Churchill create premium minimal intervention wines in Malmsbury. Hesket Estate offers good oldfashioned hospitality in a beautiful parkland garden setting overlooking an immaculate vineyard.

At Romsey-based Mount Monument, designed by renowned architect Nonda Katsalidis, you can taste the results of award-

But it’s not all new. The Macedon Ranges has been quietly producing some of Victoria’s best chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir and sparkling wines for over 50 years. Some iconic names have been forged in this part of the world, including Granite Hills, Curly Flat, Cobaw Ridge and Bindi Wines.

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Maldon

Castlemaine

22

ENE

ES

FM

Chewton B180

G

Y

Y HW

Elphinstone

HW Y

R LDE CA

B180

A79 HW

Campbells Creek

Newstead

Redesdale

R LDE CA

PYR

A300

C285

t

Vaughan - Glenluce Mineral Springs Reserve

Guildford

Yandoit Franklinford

C283

FWY

ND

LA MID

25

Sailors Falls

C318

Woodend

Little Hampton Trentham

FM

Y

HW

Bullarto Newbury

Falls

FM

Trentham

FM

RANGE

DIVIDING

WOMBAT

Dean

STATE

FOREST

Blackwood

Wattle Flat A300

Bullengarook

C318

Lerderderg State Park

Bullarook

Ballarat

Dunnstown

A300

C141

Bungaree Wallace Gordon

Buninyong

Greendale WE

ST

ER

N

Millbrook

Yendon

Mount Egerton

FWY

Ballan

To Geelong

M8

Myrniong

FM Werribee Gorge State Park

Bacchus Marsh

KEY Restaurant

Child friendly*

Platters/hampers

Pet friendly**

By appointment only * Children must be actively supervised by an adult. ** Dogs to remain on lead at all times.

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Carlsruhe

Tylden

Wheatsheaf

GREAT

To Adelaide

A8

Glenlyon

Eganstown Musk C317 Lyonville Muskvale Blampied

Newlyn

C318

= Mineral Springs FM = Farmers Market

SCAN FOR MORE

ER FWY

FM Creswick

C792

30

CALD

Kingston

A300

FM

C316

T HS

2

Allendale

C287

B N

TO

NE

KY

HIG

Hepburn Springs Daylesford

Smeaton

26

1

A300

Kyneton

Drummond

(extinct volcano)

Kooroocheang

C291

Malmsbury 14 FM

31

Mt Franklin

Shepherds Flat

FM Clunes

10

Barfold

16

Taradale

MIDLAND

A300

Campbelltown

FWY

To Castlemaine, Bendigo

Tooborac

To Heathcote

1. Attwoods Wines 2. Captains Creek Organic Wines

B75 RN HE RT NO

Glenhope

28

3. Cleveland Winery 4. Cobaw Ridge 5. Curly Flat 6. Double Oaks Estate

Sidonia

Y

9. Granite Hills Winery

D AN

RO

AD

KE

4

LS

Cobaw

23

IGH

11

8

ST

Newham

C324

11. Hanging Rock Winery

Mt William

12. Hesket Estate

K

Pipers Creek

6 15

AC

COBAW STATE FOREST

13

10. Guildford Vineyard and Cellar

29

WIL

TR

BAYTON

ON

8. Glen Erin Winery

BUR

9

HW

East Pastoria

7. Gisborne Peak Winery & Cottages

Baynton

13. Hunter-Gatherer

FM Lancefield 3

5 24

14. Kyneton Ridge Estate

16. Metcalfe Valley Winery

CALD

Rochford C325

ER FWY

Hanging Rock 19 Hesket 12 Macedon

17. Mount Charlie Winery B75

Romsey

18. Mount Macedon Winery Bylands 19. Mount Monument Wines

27

18 Regional Park

20. Mount Towrong Vineyard

Mt Macedon

21. Northern DarraweitHope GuimWinery

Mount Macedon FM 20

New Gisborne

FM

ME

27. Red Poppy Estate 28. Rowanston Kalkallo Winery

ER

LD

30. Wombat Forest Vineyard FW Y

HWY

ER

Athletes of Wine Broadmeadows Bald Hill Estate

Lord Malmsbury Vineyard

Bindi WinesM80

Pegeric

M2

FW

Y

Clarrie’s Track

Keilor

Coburg Joshua Cooper Wines

M80

Lanes End

M2

8 M80 Sunshine

Footscray

Midhill Vineyard Place of Changing Winds

Cold Acre

FWY

Deer Park

HWY

Sydenham

HUME

31

Rill House Vineyard Shadowfax Little Hampton Vineyard

Brunswick

Melbourne

M3

M1

Y

TH

OU

S FW

Rockbank

North Wine Greenvale

Melbourne Airport LD

MELTON

M8

Dilworth & Allain

Bulla

CA

RN

NO CELLAR DOOR Defialy

C706

WESTE

M31

C743

Diggers M79 Rest

Yan Yean

31. Zig Zag Road

Sunbury

Toolern Vale

Melton

Whittlesea

29. Wilimee

CA

Gisborne South C705

Upper Plenty

26. Red Hare Estate

Clarkefield

HU

Gisborne

Y

FW

24. Parkside Winery and Farm Beveridge 25. Passing Clouds

Riddells Creek

M79

7

22. Panacea Estate Wallan 23. Paramoor Winery

Monegeetta

17 C708

Macedon

M31

Kilmore 15. Lyons C324 Will Estate

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M1 EASTE

Daylesford’s most iconic building offers a truly divine experience Art Gallery I Café I Museum I Chapel Wedding Venue I Six Acres of Gardens

Open Thursday to Monday 10am - 4pm T 03 5348 3211 7 Daly St, Daylesford VIC 3460 info@theconvent.com.au conventgallery.com.au

winning winemaker Ben Rankin as you wander through the stunning sculpture garden. Art is also on view in the curated gallery at Kyneton Ridge. At Mt Franklin Estate, home of Mafic Wines, you can sip on Italian-style wines such as dolcetto, pinot grigio and nebbiolo – a nod to the Swiss-Italian migrants who brought their craft to this part of the world in the mid-19th century.

Although the region has grown significantly in recent decades, history and deep knowledge of winemaking is not lacking. Wineries such as Curly Flat and Granite Hills have been producing wine for decades. And some of the region’s current stars, such as winemakers Cameron Leith at Passing Clouds and Rob Ellis OAM at Hanging Rock Winery, have taken on the reins at their respective vineyards from their fathers.

not cooperating, Lyons Will Estate has you covered, with their contemporary cellar door space and sweeping views. If travelling with the family, check out Panacea Estate, just outside Maldon. This picturesque location is both family and pet friendly.

Taste some of the best wines from the region at the underground cellar door at Cleveland Winery in Lancefield. Or for a touch of history, sip on the elegant wines at Paramoor Winery

Bring a blanket and enjoy the views from the gardens at Parkside Winery in Lancefield, as you savour a glass of bubbles. Or, visit HunterGatherer in Pipers Creek, where winemaker Brian Martin specialises in making traditional method sparkling wines. If the weather’s Above: Hanging Rock Winery (photography by LVDI) Right: Passing Clouds Winery (photography by Nikole Ramsay)

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Visit us Friday – Sunday 11am – 5pm 60 Whalans Track, Lancefield lyonswillestate.com.au 0403 725 826 @lyonswillestate

Sample some of the best wines from the Macedon Ranges region at the underground Cellar Door or dine on delicious wood-fired pizza and a la carte cuisine at the Carriage House Restaurant.

Bookings are essential.

Cleveland Winery 55 Shannons Rd, Lancefield VIC 3435 Phone — +61 3 5429 9000 Email — reception@clevelandwinery.com.au Instagram - @clevelandwinery Website — lancemore.com.au/cleveland-winery Image: Benedetta Martini

in Carlsruhe, where an original Clydesdale barn serves as their tasting room. Or pop into the cellar door at Captains Creek Organic Wines, which is located within a lovingly restored 100-year-old workers’ hut. Be sure to try one of their tasting plates.

Various other wineries offer tasty bites to match their wines. Sip on Italian wine varietals, matched with delicious Italian fare at Mount Towrong Vineyard or head over to Attwoods 'Le Bouchon' in Glenlyon for a French style lunch. Nearby, Red Hare Estate Vineyard serves up delicious charcuterie boards, while Wombat Forest Vineyard offers seasonal platters and leafy forest views from their cellar door. At the most westerly reaches of the Macedon Ranges, Guildford Estate offer seasonal long lunches on weekends.

Gisborne Peak Winery serves up tasty woodfired pizzas, which can be enjoyed beside the picturesque lake.

Embrace the full Macedon Ranges experience by attending Budburst, the annual Macedon Ranges wine festival. Held each year in November, it’s the perfect opportunity to venture behind the vines and immerse yourself in the region. Expect exceptional wine, food, ambience and springtime joie-de-vivre.

There’s something for everyone in the Macedon Ranges. Honest, welcoming, and awardwinning — without the crowds.

Back in Romsey, relative newcomer, Red Poppy Estate, serves up share plates that can be enjoyed in a lovely picnic area on weekends.

A little further north, Double Oaks Estate in Lancefield doubles up as a winery and truffle farm. Or choose between the more casual cellar door or fine-dining restaurant at Mount Macedon Winery. Closer to Melbourne, Above: Lyons Will Estate (photography by Chloe Smith) Right: UUMM Restaurant at Mount Macedon Winery (photography by KGMG Creative)

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Breweries + Cideries.

With pure spring waters, rich volcanic soils and passionate locals ready to turn their hands to artisan production, it’s no surprise that we are home to a growing assemblage of top-notch breweries and cideries.

Above: Harcourt Apple Cider (photography by Chloe Smith) Opposite: Lost Watering Hole, The Lancefield Brewery

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With over 20 years minding the barrels and kegs, Holgate Brewhouse + Taproom in Woodend can perhaps be considered the trailblazers of the region’s ever-burgeoning craft-beer scene. The brewery is still 100 percent independent, and their tasting paddle is an iconic taste of the area.

Daylesford Brewing Co. has also been on the scene for a few years now, and has a wide range of brews. Visit their taphouse in the heart of Daylesford to sample the range and enjoy some excellent bar snacks and small meals.

At Hepburn Springs Brewing Co’s taproom and brewery, you can choose from 16 different beers on tap, many of which are award winning, as you take in the beautiful bushland views from their back deck.

The buzzing, eclectic town of Castlemaine is also home to some excellent breweries like Shedshaker and Love Shack. Not far away, Old Slang Brewing in Chewton is doing some cool things too. In the north east of the region, Tooborac Hotel is also famous for its brewery; and its pies! Not a bad classic Aussie combo.

One of the newer brewers on the scene is the Lost Watering Hole, Lancefield Brewery. Sip on their premium range of craft beers as you discover Lancefield's unique history as one of

the richest deposits of megafauna fossils in Australia.

If you fancy a change from beer, there is always the option to warm your heart with a warm, spiced cider (in winter) or a crisp cider over ice (in summer). Organically farmed heirloom apple and pear varieties, combined with a true dedication to quality, sees some of the country’s best craft ciders and perries produced right here in the region.

Daylesford Cider is a firm favourite, in a beautiful garden setting just outside Daylesford, backdropped by orchards. Work your way through their core range by trying one of the popular tasting paddles at the cellar door before settling in for lunch at the casual and welcoming restaurant.

Further north, Harcourt is Victoria’s apple centre and home to some brilliant cider producers, including Henry of Harcourt and Harcourt Cider.

The team at DV Cider in Darraweit Guim have quickly established themselves as true craft cider makers. They pride themselves on doing cider differently. Sip on flavours such as Pulp Friction or Fully St’Oaked at their Cider House as you tuck into tasty homemade fare and listen to the sounds of live music.

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Distillers.

Locally produced gins, vodkas and herbal liqueurs have been sliding into the limelight with bouquets of (regionally foraged) botanicals and swags of awards.

Small-batch artisan distillers are scattered throughout the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region.

Above: Mountain Distilling (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa) Opposite: Big Tree Distillery (photography by Ben Savage)

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The team at Kyneton based Animus Distillery are fastidious about their ingredients and it’s evident in the taste. They produce a number of gins (the Barrel Aged Gin is a cracker), along with a limited release single malt whisky.

Sample the range at their distillery door and lounge on Kyneton’s famous Piper Street.

Not far away, and boasting highly photogenic views, is Big Tree Distillery. Gin lovers Catherine and Gary produce a range of small batch gins using a variety of botanicals sourced locally or by their gin-loving botanist. It’s worth the visit if only to see their copper still, named Beryl, which produces some outstanding gins.

Be sure to check out Gindu’s new distillery door in the heart of Woodend. Here you can sip on their range of gins, which have been inspired by the Australian landscape. Popular drops include their award-winning Australian Dry and Coastal Gin, or opt for their new Billy Tea Gin, which cleverly captures the essence of the classic Australian camping trip.

In New Gisborne, innovative and awardwinning Mountain Distilling has a wide range of top-notch products, the most notable being their Mountain Gin, which can be enjoyed at their tasting room. Aside from bottled gins, they have a great range of pre-mixed gins, a single malt whisky rivalling the best Scotch, a lightly infused vodka and agave blanco.

In Daylesford, you’ll find Herbal Lore Liqueurs and Terra Australis Distillery, located in the Old Butter Factory. Herbal Lore’s range of award-winning liqueurs are aromatic and flavoursome. The team also produces some excellent gins and vodka under their Terra Australis brand; their Navy Strength Gin is an award-winner.

Just down the road, you’ll find Hepburn Distillery. Making the most of the region’s mineral rich soil and abundant rainwater, this distiller aims to use local ingredients with an eye to both sustainability and great flavours.

You can sample their fantastic product at their distillery in the heart of Daylesford.

One of the newer kids on the block is Daylesford Spirit. Located just outside Daylesford in Mount Franklin, they use the finest local ingredients such as water from the Mount Franklin region, regional grains and organic botanical fruits to produce small batches of premium, handcrafted spirits. The end result is their award-winning range of gins and vodka, which reflect the spirit of the Daylesford community and the surrounding environment.

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Bars + Cocktails.

A visit to one of our cosy and innovative wine bars is a great way to experience a taste of the region, all under one roof. Add to the mix an impressive collection of cocktail bars and lounges and you’ll soon discover you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a spot for a leisurely afternoon or evening tipple.

Above: Hotel Bellinzona (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa) Right: The Grande Hotel Hepburn Springs (photography by Chloe Smith) Opposite: Woodend Cellar & Bar (photography by KGMG Creative)

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Starting in Kyneton, Piper Street is well known for its premium café and dining experiences, it’s therefore no surprise that it’s also home to many of the region’s best cocktail bars. The team at Botanik at the Royal George Hotel combine an eclectic mix of retail therapy alongside excellently crafted cocktails, while a quick step over the road and you’ll find yourselves in expert hands at Miss M’s Lounge.

Keep heading down the road and you’ll find the cocktail lounge at Animus Distillery.

Relax on the Chesterfields and choose from their evolving list of seasonal cocktails.

Nearby, relative newcomer Piper Street Wine Company, is home to a welcoming bar, cellar and dining room.

In Woodend, you’ll find Woodend Cellar & Bar, a cosy spot for a classic cocktail or a local drop of wine. Tucked behind Woodend Cellar & Bar is the chef-hatted Kuzu Izakaya.

This casual eatery serves not only delicious Japanese food, but tasty Japanese inspired cocktails too. Or, for moreish margaritas, paired with tasty Mexican bites, head across the road to Las Margaritas. New to the scene in Woodend is 600 Above, be sure to pop in for cocktails, wine or beer paired with a tasting board – where the focus is very much local.

a casual wine or tasty cocktail, paired with a pizza or grazing board.

In the heart of Daylesford, Winespeake Cellar + Deli is a wine and cheese lovers paradise.

Up the road, Betel Boy is a great option for classic cocktails, their ‘afternoon sessions’ every Friday and Saturday are particularly popular. A few doors down at Enki, you can sip on organic beverages curated by herabalists at their Botanic Bar. Around the corner drop into Hepburn Distillery for a gin or vodka tasting flight or a seasonal cocktail.

A short stroll away, Brewjays is the go-to spot for an espresso martini, while 2024 ‘Bar of the Year’ winner and chef’s hat recipient in the Good Food Guide awards Bar Merenda boasts a curated selection of local and international wines, along with expertly crafted cocktails.

In Hepburn Springs, sip on a cocktail in the cosy saloon bar at the Palais Hepburn before catching a live show. Just up the road from there, The Virgin Kitchen at Hotel Bellinzona is the ideal spot for a spritz or sangria in the sun, while the Grande Hotel Hepburn Springs boasts a cosy prohibition style bar, ideal for a night cap, accompanied by jazz tunes.

In Trentham, Mr Peacock is the go-to spot for

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Mineral Springs + Non-alcoholic Beverages.

The underground network of natural mineral aquifers in our region are more abundant than anywhere else in Australia. In fact, 80% of the country’s natural mineral springs are found in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region.

Above (L-R): Filling up at the spring, Daylesford & Hepburn Mineral Springs Co. (photography by Chloe Smith) Opposite: Senza (photography by Stefani Driscoll)

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It’s called mineral water for a reason. Sourced from nature, the abundance of mineral springs in our region possess naturally occurring essential minerals that have been lauded for their health benefits for centuries.

The natural mineral springs bring life to this region, evident in the lushness of the landscapes and the very special taste of the produce grown in the mineral rich earth. It’s no coincidence that the words bio-dynamic, organic and natural apply to so many of the area’s food and drink producers, and their produce is sought after by anyone who cares about what they eat and drink.

Most of the region's natural springs are located in the areas surrounding Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and Kyneton, with many located on public land where the water can be tasted and pumped directly from the ground.

Taste the waters for yourself at Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve, which features a number of different tasting springs, including Soda Spring, Locarno Spring, Sulphur Spring, Wyuna Spring and Argyle Spring. Other options include Kyneton Mineral Springs Reserve, Wombat Flat Mineral Spring, Glenlyon Mineral Springs Reserve, Central Springs Reserve, Jubillee Spring, Vaughan Spring and Blackwood Mineral Reserve.

Non-alcoholic beverages.

A number of local businesses are brewing beverages of the non-alcoholic variety – many of whom utilise the pure, natural mineral water that our region is famed for. A number of local businesses are brewing beverages of the non-alcoholic variety - Daylesford & Hepburn Mineral Springs Co. have been crafting a range of refreshingly natural drinks using mineral and spring water from the region since 2006.

Daylesford-based Senza is a tasty nonalcoholic take on the classic aperitivo of Italy and aperitifs of France. Also in Daylesford, Natasha Morgan crafts home-grown, organic small batch syrups that capture the flavours of the region.

Some of our bigger brewers have also introduced non-alcoholic options. The duo from Daylesford Cider have introduced a range of non-alcoholic cocktails, known as Era Drinks. Choose from four distinct flavours – rhubarb cider, hopped ginger, liquid splice or grapefruit spritz. While Holgate Brewhouse offers the non-alcoholic beer, Love All Pale Ale.

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mineralspringsco.com

Beautiful.

Natural.

Local.

Produce.

Cheese. Chocolate. Truffles. Sounds like heaven, right?

The foodie reputation of the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region continues to grow, as more cheesemakers, bakers, butchers, charcutiers and chocolatiers burst onto the scene, placing their scrumptious products on plates and into shopping baskets.

Left: Regional produce (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa) Below: Dan the Bee Man (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa)

Opposite top: Mt Franklin Organics (photography by Lisa Cohen) Bottom: Kadota (photography by KGMG Creative)

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Indulge the senses by seeking out the heady scent of freshly baked bread, the visual feast of jewel-like jams or the intoxicating sensation of a chocolate truffle melting on the tongue.

From gut-boosting sauerkraut to creamy chèvre, paprika-flecked continental sausages, to lavender-infused honey, our artisan products are the result of passionate producers using the finest local ingredients.

what’s in season and what other local goodies to keep an eye out for.

Or head to one of our regional providores, where you will discover a wide selection of local delicacies, all under one roof. Make sure you keep an eye out for farm gates along your way too, you’ll find eggs, chestnuts, potatoes, flowers and more along roadsides throughout the region, depending on the time of year.

Native ingredients, such as wild onion flower and native mountain pepperberries, are also being used by our leading chefs and local distillers. Mountain Distilling actively forages for local botanicals for their flagship gin, while Aaron Schembri from Japanese finediner, Kadota, grows his own Geraldton wax, strawberry gum and peppermint gum. Local producers are growing native ingredients such as Tasmanian pepper berry leaf, lemon scented myrtle and Australian native thyme.

Discover locally grown, organic tea and small batch coffee roasters, or pick up edible blooms and microgreens. Pick your own berries or cherries or crunch into a famous Harcourt apple.

Pop into one of our weekly farmers’ markets and meet with producers such as Mt Franklin Organics, Adsum Farmhouse, Red Beard Bakery and Trentham Happy Hens. They’ll be more than happy to have a chat with you about

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Farmers’ Markets + Farm Gates.

Visiting the local farmers’ market has become the cornerstone of a foodie’s weekend and is a far more interactive and entertaining way to purchase your weekly provisions. Buy directly from the people who make and grow the produce; taste some of the regional specialities and talk to the growers and producers - and know that your money is going directly to the person who grew that potato or raised that chicken.

Along some of the roads around here, you’ll also find ‘farm gates’, little stalls with a handdrawn sign and an honesty box. Stop the car, drop a few bucks in the box and fill your boot. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find punnets of berries, bags of chestnuts, mushrooms or bunches of flowers. There’s something special about getting produce a few metres from where it’s grown.

Castlemaine Farmers’ Market 1st Sunday each month Clunes Farmers’ Market 2nd Sunday each month Creswick Market 3rd Saturday each month Daylesford Farmers’ Market 4th Saturday each month Daylesford Sunday Market Every Sunday

Kyneton Farmers’ Market 2nd Saturday each month Lancefield & District Farmers’ Market 4th Saturday each month (except Dec, 3rd Saturday) Malmsbury Village Farmers’ Market 3rd Sunday each month Riddells Creek Farmers’ Market 3rd Saturday each month (except Dec) Talbot Farmers’ Market 3rd Sunday each month Trentham Farmers’ Market 3rd Saturday each month Wesley Hill Market (Castlemaine) Every Saturday Woodend Farmers’ Market 1st Saturday each month Woodend Farmers' Market (photography by Visit Macedon Ranges)

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The Mill Castlemaine 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine longpaddockcheese.com.au

Located on the banks of Lake Daylesford and with exquisite water views from any vantage point. The Boathouse Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining venue for lunch and dinner.

2 Leggatt Street, Daylesford VIC 3460 Telephone +61 3 5348 2199 info@boathousedaylesford.com.au

Cheese.

If you come across cheeky goats in a field or a herd of jersey cows while you’re in our region, they may be contributing to our artisan cheesemaking industry. Some of the cheesemakers here have been creating dairy products for years, while others are relative newcomers. All are worth seeking out at local providores and farmers’ markets.

On a 20-hectare farm at Monegeetta, Daniel and Sarah Ajzner milk 20 goats. For five years, Sarah perfected her fresh goat’s milk cheeses, including labneh, chèvre and feta, before she began selling it in 2020 under the Dreaming Goat Dairy label.

Since 1999, Carla Meurs and Ann-Marie Monda have produced cheese outside Castlemaine, and have now won just about every gong going. Each season they selectively breed a small number of nannies from their herd of Saanen and British Alpine goats so there is just enough milk to create the complex Holy Goat cheeses, ranging from fromage frais to Nectar Barrel semi-soft, washed rind cheese.

It’s a long way from Limoges in France to Castlemaine, but cheesemakers Ivan and Julie

Larcher made the move, launching the Long Paddock Cheese Shop at The Mill in 2020.

Visitors can buy chunks of Bluestone, a cross between an English stilton and French Fourme de Montbrison, or a semi-hard variety that sits somewhere between raclette and gouda called Banksia. There’s also a rennet-set rind cheese called Sundew that’s soft and dense while young and becomes increasingly creamy as it ripens. Plus, when Ivan isn’t making cheese, he’s teaching budding new artisans at The Cheese School.

Silver Wattle Cheese from Long Paddock Cheese (photography by Chloe Smith)

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Bread + Bakeries.

Of the many joys in life, one of the simplest is a slice of freshly baked sourdough slathered in salted butter and sweet jam. Luckily there are many places in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region where you can fulfil that craving. Traditional bakeries where you can sit and enjoy the tempting goods are scattered throughout the towns, while other bakers supply their products to local providores and farmers’ markets.

Above (L-R): The bake house at Dairy Flat Farm, Le Peche Gourmand (all photography by Inkd Fotogrfa) Opposite: Dairy Flat Farm bread (photography by Chloe Smith)

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Sourdough is baking for purists. All you need is a live culture, usually made from flour and water (known as the starter), bread flour, olive oil, water, salt and time.

At RedBeard Bakery in Trentham, where the Scotch oven was built in 1891, the late John Reid created his starter from potato skins, a traditional Scottish technique, about two decades ago. The yeast and bacteria in it produce bubbles of carbon dioxide that make dough rise. When left to proof for up to 12 hours, the starter also breaks down up to 90% of the gluten in the flour.

Baker Michael James works with local growers and millers to get the flour for his slowfermented sourdough at Dairy Flat Farm in Musk. Guests at the farm get to enjoy it, as do those who stay and dine at Lake House, or who visit Wombat Hill House in Daylesford.

Other bakers to keep an eye out for at farmers’ markets include the Millet Road Maker (be sure to try their sourdough crumpets), Woodend Bakery and Daylesford-based Two Fold Bakehouse. Or if visiting Blackwood, be sure to pick up some sourdough from Adam, The Good Baker.

It’s not all about sourdough though. Get a taste of country-style cooking at Bourkies Bakehouse in Woodend. It’s renowned for its award-winning pies, in flavours ranging from classic steak mince to chicken and mushroom, as well as classic treats like vanilla slice, chocolate lamingtons and iced doughnuts.

Speaking of award-winning pies, Country Cob Bakery in Kyneton has a long list of accolades, including being recognised as Australia’s best pie maker on numerous occasions. Around the corner and located in a historic steam mill on Piper Street, Grist Artisan Bakers are famed for their artisan sourdough, pastries and sweet treats.

Search out French fare at Le Péché Gourmand in Creswick. Owners Paul and Marie Williams bake all of their bread and pastries onsite. In addition to crusty baguettes, brioche and croissants, you can pick up delicious treats such as religieuse, mille-feuille, macarons, gateau opera and more.

In Castlemaine, you can find Johnny Baker in two different locations. Choose from their classic pastries, cakes, cookies and pies, along with baguettes and toasties.

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Take home a local!

At Hepburn Distillery we ferment and triple- distil all our award-winning spirits from scratch using local, seasonal and organic ingredients.

Our PREMIUM GINs are superbly clean and full of flavour, and our ORGANIC POTATO VODKA contains only locally grown organic potatoes and rainwater, winning multiple Gold Medals at the World Vodka Awards.

Visit our Daylesford cellar door to enjoy our exclusive range of cocktails or a tasting flight of our seasonal gins, whiskey and premium vodka range.

Take home the best that Hepburn has to offer.

“The absolute highlight of our time in Daylesford!”

“We had a sensational gin and vodka tasting here. Would highly recommend a visit”

1 Gin Lane, Daylesford hepburndistillery.com @hepburndistillery

16 BEERS ON TAP & TAKEAWAY GIN & SPIRIT FLOATS GRAZING PLATES & LIGHT MEALS Come and unwind at our taproom.

Savour our award-winning, handcrafted beers in a serene country environment.

12 Forest Avenue Hepburn Springs VIC 0458 151 061 hepburnspringsbrewingco.com.au

eat.drink.stay select from over 100 properties 1 daylesfordcountryretreats.com.au m 03 4317 7200 E Q daylesfordcountryretreats

Meat.

The mineral rich pastures of our region have long been a drawcard for livestock farmers. Here you'll find well-established, multi-generational farmers working alongside a new breed of young farming talent - many of whom have adopted sustainable and regenerative farming methods. The end result? A product that is better for both the environment and for your palate.

Above (L-R): Bistro Terroir (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa), The Surly Goat (photography by Jana Langhorst) Opposite: Istra Smallgoods (photography by Inkd Fotogrfa)

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In Blampied, you'll find Brooklands Free Range Farms. This small, family-owned farming operation raises rare breeds, such as 100% grass-fed British White cattle. They also breed Berkshire pigs and have ensured that microscopic bugs, bacteria, fungus and other living creatures thrive on their land. It’s all part of their brand of regenerative farming.

A similar philosophy is part of Jonai Farm, where, at Eganstown, the Jonas family run happy, tasty heritage-breed Large Black pigs. They have a butchery, curing room and commercial kitchen on site and manage the farm so soil health is optimised and waste products are returned to the land. Humanscale, regenerative and biological farming is also the philosophy at Spring Hill based Walden Park, where they farm belted galloway cattle and border leicester sheep.

Another farm running free-range animals is Green Hills, who farm crossbred AngusLimousin cattle and fat lambs on their property outside Malmsbury. The meat is sold at their family butchery, Daylesford Meat Co. It focuses on high-quality local produce and makes products like Swiss Italian bull boar, a sausage unique to the Daylesford Macedon

Ranges region. Similar local operations include Hardwicks of Kyneton and Woodend’s Black Forest Meats.

The Sher family are pioneers in the farming and breeding of wagyu beef. At Sher Wagyu, cattle are pasture fed until 18 months of age, then grain fed for 400+ days to create a delicious and consistent wagyu product. From their Ballan base they manage all stages of production from paddock to plate.

Local beef, pork and other meat is also procured by Istra Smallgoods and Oakwood Smallgoods Co. Both companies are renowned for their cured meat products, including pancetta, bacon and bresaola. They use traditional European methods to ensure top quality and maximum flavour.

But these tasty smallgoods and great meats don’t only turn up in providores and at farmers’ markets throughout the region. Local chefs Alla Wolf-Tasker at Lake House, David Willcocks at The Surly Goat and Matthew Carnell at Bistro Terroir are just some of the restaurateurs who feature these incredible producers on their seasonal menus.

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Fruit.

Driving along country roads you might spot them. You’ll definitely spy them at local farmers’ markets. Parts of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges region offer perfect growing conditions for orchard fruits, and you’ll be amazed at the incredible taste when they come straight from the farm.

Put some crunch in your day at Harcourt Apples. For more than 150 years, apples and pears have been grown around the village.

Now, most of them are turned into juice and cider. Take a sip and taste the difference when they’re made from local, straight-from-the-tree fruit.

Make a day of it at Payne’s Orchards. It’s a family-run orchard where you can pick your own juicy fruit straight from the tree. If you love cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and heritage apples (check the Facebook page for availability) bring plenty of containers.

Another option is Morningswood Farm. From December to March there’s the chance to harvest strawberries straight from the patch.

They also grow blackberries, tayberries, boysenberries and raspberries that farmer Claire turns into jams, preserves and vinegars.

In fact, berries flourish around here. In summer, River Bend Blueberries supplies its crop to farmers’ markets, local providores and local eateries. Cherries and strawberries are grown at Blackwood Orchard in Harcourt, while cool climate red, black and white sweet cherries are grown at Gisborne Cherries. All offer farm gates when the fruit is in season.

Heirloom tomatoes are one of a number of heirloom varieties grown at Mt Franklin Organics, a solar-powered organic farm and market garden located on the eastern slopes of Mt Franklin. They can be purchased at various locations throughout the region, including the Daylesford Sunday Market and Blake Family Grocers in Daylesford. photography by Anastasia Zhenina

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HEARTY, HOME COOKED FAVOURITES Family friendly dining meets a modern twist, with the best local flavours.

Positioned in the Ballarat and Daylesford region at RACV Goldfields Resort, handpicked produce from local Victorian suppliers doesn’t come much better. Feast on dishes straight from the grill or slow-cooked flavours paired with fresh seasonal vegetables.

Enjoy dinner indoors or relax under the alfresco style heated terrace. With a wine list that draws inspiration from the region, Three Founders is the perfect country dining spot.

Open for dinner daily, 5.30pm – late.

Book now at racv.com.au/goldfields or call 03 5345 9600

Vegetables.

Year round we have an abundance of vegetables grown in our region. You won’t find large commercial operations here. What you will find are small-scale, familyrun organic farms where the focus is on quality, not quantity. As the seasons evolve, so does the vegetable offering. Depending on when you visit, you’ll find an ample supply of potatoes, carrots, brassicas, broccoli, beans, lettuce, spinach, garlic, microgreens, plus lots more.

Our region is famed for its potatoes. Each autumn, you can see the harvesters digging the ground, followed by roadside stalls popping up - little sheds with honesty boxes, where visitors can buy a bag of spuds for just a few bucks.

Some of the same families have been growing spuds around Trentham since the early 20th century. Each grows boutique varieties of spuds to supply local restaurants, stores, farmers’ markets and roadside stalls. The annual Great Trentham Spudfest, usually held on the first Saturday in May, is a celebration of all things potato, with plenty to do, see, taste and buy.

It’s certainly not all about the potatoes though.

Small-scale, organic vegetable growers can be found harvesting their crops across the region. An excellent example is Glenlyon based Adsum Farmhouse. When in season, their organic produce is delivered daily to numerous local establishments including The Surly Goat, Beppe, Pancho and RedBeard Bakery (to

name a few). Depending on the season, you will also find them at the weekly Daylesford Sunday Market.

In Woodend, Mountain View Garlic Farm is another small, family-run fresh produce farm that grows a wide selection of seasonal produce.

Visit the onsite shop to pick up seasonal goodies such as garlic, beans, cucumbers, rhubarb, berries and more. Another leader in the garlic space is Springmount Fine Foods, famed for their black garlic, which boasts a sweet, yet savoury complex flavour.

Further supplies can be picked up at Trentham East Farmgate. Choose from seasonal produce including rhubarb, incredible white and green asparagus, saffron and herbs (they have a fantastic range of fruit and preserves to choose from too).

The garden at Sault (photography by LVDI)

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Built in 1908, this Edwardian heritage-listed building has long been a meeting place in Hepburn Springs.

It features magnificent stained-glass windows, a beautiful tiled floor and vaulted ceiling which combine to create a unique and welcoming environment for those visiting the Mineral Springs Reserve.

Our lunch and brunch menu is available every day with a range of seasonal specials & favourites such as fresh salads, gourmet toasties with local Basilio sourdough, freshly baked scones or a Pavilion tasting plate with local Istra sliced meats. Our cake fridge is filled with tempting treats from Peddling Pastries and our coffee is some of the best in town, using Fix fairtrade 100% Arabica beans.

Book online: hepburnbathhouse.com

Call us: (03) 5321 6000

Mineral Springs Reserve Rd, Hepburn Springs

Honey.

In gardens and forests across the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, when flowers bloom, you’ll hear a buzz in the air. That’s the bee population doing its job.

About 30 per cent of our food relies directly on pollination, and bees are best at the job.

Throughout the region, there are dedicated keepers of these important insects, as well as farmers who’ve added bees to their livestock population for the benefits they bring to the landscape.

Producers Stuart and Sonia Whiteman harvest various products at Chin Chin Farm, on the eastern edge of the Macedon Ranges. Their son Tom keeps bees on the property, and sells their honey as ‘vintages’, each one different depending on seasonal flowers. He also infuses the honey with lavender grown on their farm.

At Warral Maldon, fifth-gen beekeeper Lindsay Callaway oversees the production of more than 150 tonnes of honey each year, including a signature range of species-specific honey, such as river red gum and giant mallee.

Want to know more about beekeeping? Head to Dairy Flat Farm, where Daniel Palmer, better known as ‘Dan the Bee Man’, runs beekeeping workshops. His motto? “Beekeeping is for everyone.”

Located in the foothills of Mount Macedon, Wondermazing Honey Bees also produces honey with distinctive floral flavours, including manuka, sugar gum, yellow box and almond blossom. In Woodend, The Apiarist produces 100% raw and unpasteurised honey.

Honey from Warryl Maldon (photography by Chloe Smith)

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PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FARMERS AND ARTISAN PRODUCERS.

Get all your favourite Daylesford produce and international speciality items in our ‘very fancy’ boutique supermarket.

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Locally grown organic produce and fresh flowers

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Extensive charcuterie and cheese selection

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Gourmet pre-prepared meals, soups, meats and seafood

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Herbs, spices, condiments

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Local wines, beers, ciders and spirits

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Large range of vegan, gluten free and speciality items

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Region’s best range of chocolates, ice creams and gifts

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Freshly baked breads and pastries, salad & rotisserie chicken

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Coffee and cakes

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Gourmet gift hampers. Order online to deliver worldwide.

1 Howe Street Daylesford.

(Next to Wills Square Fountain)

Open 7 Days 8am — 7pm blakefamilygrocers.com.au

Eggs.

Imagine a landscape filled with lush hills. A Maremma sheepdog dozes in the sunshine, surrounded by a few hundred brown chickens. Nearby is a hen house, offering shelter and a safe place to lay eggs.

We’re lucky because, in the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, there are egg farms where the hens live exactly like this. They eat grass, forage for bugs and worms, dust bathe and live their best chicken lives. No wonder their eggs taste so delicious.

Behind every happy hen is a dedicated farming family. They wake at dawn to move the portable chook houses to fresh pasture. They ensure the fences are tight and the Maremmas, who protect the hens, are cared for. And they collect the eggs, pack them in cartons and deliver them to the farmers’ market, café, shop, supermarket or farmgate stall.

So, while you’re exploring our beautiful region, choose the eggs on the menu or buy a carton to take home.

Here’s a list of some of our favourite local producers, but you’re sure to discover others. » Honest Eggs Co. » Madelaine’s Organic Eggs » The Good Life Farm Co. » Josh’s Rainbow Eggs » Hand To Ground » Meraki Organic Farm » Trentham Happy Hens » Guildford Grown Pastured Eggs » 3 Bears Farm

(photography by Chloe Smith)

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60 Stoney Rises Rd, Smeaton VIC 3364

Specialty Produce.

This really is an incredible region. You can find everything from microgreens and edible blooms to artisan chocolate and truffles. Long-time farming families continue to prosper, while folks with varied backgrounds have arrived to pursue a rural life. Many of the latter operate from smaller blocks and have created thriving businesses raising lesser-known crops.

Ted Chang is a great example. Originally from Taiwan, he and Silk Lin now run sustainably focused Closed Loop Farm, which supplies edible flowers and microgreens to several Melbourne eateries.

At Foraged Flavour, more than 30 varieties of fresh and dried edible blooms are grown and the property has been turned into a sanctuary for bees, insects and native birds. There’s a mix of crops and animals at Chin Chin Farm, with lavender the primary focus, from which essential oil is created. At micro-farm Trentham Fields, saffron is grown and hand harvested.

Black culinary diamonds can be found hidden in the root systems of the oak trees at Black Cat Truffles. Here, with the help of their super sleuth truffle dogs, Winston and Lottie, they unearth French Perigord Truffles in winter, and Tuber Aestivum (‘summer truffles’) during the warmer months. Once found, it’s back to the restaurant where chef Liam Downes delivers a

paddock to plate dining experience. Perigold truffles can also be found at Truffle Treasures in Spargo Creek, home to a farm gate, open on weekends during winter.

A number of chocolatiers also choose to call the region home. The Chocolate Mill is a chocolate-lovers paradise, surrounded by natural bushland in Mt Franklin. In the heart of Daylesford, Sweet Decadence at Locantro was the first hand-made chocolate shop in country Victoria, with a 30-year pedigree in chocolate making.

Just down the road, the eco-conscious Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company specialises in single-origin chocolate made especially from Vanuatu-grown cacao. At The Mill in Castlemaine, the family-run Cabosse & Feve Chocolates handcraft all of their artisan chocolate delights onsite using a Swiss couverture chocolate.

Photography by Mehdi Torabi

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Open 7 Days 8 am to 4 pm Public Holidays 9am - 4pm We look forward to welcoming you seven days a week with our traditional opening hours.

The Das Kaffeehaus & Coffee Basics Team

FRESHLY ROASTED IN CASTLEMAINE

TM

9 wa l k e r s t c a s t l e m a i n e @ t h e m i l l p h : 5 4 7 0 6 2 70

Tea + Coffee.

Something is certainly brewing in our region, with an ever-increasing number of artisan tea makers and coffee roasters choosing to set up shop here.

Castlemaine-based Coffee Basics were one of the first on the scene, bringing over 60 years of family tradition and skill to the art of roasting and blending specialty coffee. Sip on their rich flavours at their coffee oasis, Das Kaffeehaus.

wellbeing. Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa also offer an organic herbal tea blend. Rich in antioxidants, the Hepburn Tea is designed to energise and rehydrate.

In Blackwood, Martin Street Coffee Roasters are famed for their smooth, creamy and fullflavoured coffee that’s easy to drink and deliciously addictive.

Make it a fancy cuppa and indulge in one of the region’s indulgent high teas, a warming Devonshire tea or a visit to a tea room.

In Lancefield, Rafael’s Coffee specialises in small-batch coffee roasting, using fair trade beans. While The Town Roaster roasts small batch coffee in Kyneton.

Those with a penchant for tea are also well looked after. Closed Loop Farm in Lancefield grow their own organic tea and herbs, making a limited release tea using traditional methods.

Kyneton-based Tea of Earth specialises in hand blended, organic looseleaf teas, flavours include the Hanging Rock Breakfast.

The Daylesford Pure Radiance Tea, created by the team at Lake House, is specifically designed to aid digestion, boost circulation and eliminate toxins, resulting in improved

Treat yourself to tea

An eclectic collection of fine china adds to the artsy vibe of a high tea in one of Daylesford’s most iconic buildings, The Convent. Or tuck into a delicious spread of high tea goodies as you admire the surrounding vineyards at Glen Erin at Lancefield. The gorgeous pink, floral décor at Maldon Rose is the ideal backdrop for a high tea with all the trimmings.

If Devonshire tea is more your thing, choose from the historic Dromkeen in Riddells Creek, or the Hepburn Pavilion Café within Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve. Finish off your tea explorations with a visit to Nellie’s Shed in Woodend, where you will find teas from around the world within a cute nursery setting.

Le Péché Gourmand Macarons (photography by Chloe Smith)

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PORK PIES, PICKLES, PASTIES & PICNICS

We make Splendid pies Home of the traditional English Pork Pie.

FREE PICKLES! Pack a picnic worth $65 or more and get a jar of traditional pickles for free!

To learn more about our products and online picnics visit our website

Shop 2 -89a Piper Street Kyneton, 5422 3553 www.piperstfoodco.com.au

Artisanal Providores.

Fun fact: some of Australia’s very first providores popped up right here, in our region, way back in the 1850s. Our region was at the epicentre of the gold rush and Swiss Italians settled here early on; some earning a living as providores. One of their enduring legacies is the bullboar sausage, which you can still find at local butchers.

Today, the role of the providore is to gather up all the fantastic produce that is grown here and sell it in one spot, saving you time and providing you with the best of the best. Bread, cheese, honey, preserves, charcuterie and a dizzying array of seasonal delights are packaged up for you. The person selling them to you will likely give you an insiders’ tip on the best ‘secret’ picnic spot to throw out a rug and tuck in.

WHERE TO STOCK UP: Lancefield Providore 42 High Street, Lancefield Best for: good old fashioned customer service Blake Family Grocers 1 Howe Street, Daylesford Best for: their dedication to keeping it local Ruby Goose Foods 40 High Street, Trentham Best for: sourcing fresh local goodies for a tasty picnic

Duck Duck Goose & Larder 17-21 Piper Street, Kyneton Best for: their extensive selection of local drops Harcourt Produce and General Store 115 Harmony Way, Harcourt Best for: delicious home-made danishes Cliffy’s Emporium 30 Raglan Street, Daylesford Best for: farm fresh produce and preserves Piper Street Food Co. 2/89A Piper Street, Kyneton Best for: traditional pork pies made with local ingredients Winespeake Cellar + Deli 4/26 Vincent Street, Daylesford Best for: a drop of local wine paired with a local cheese

Photography by Chloe Smith

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Workshops + Experiences.

The Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region is brimming with talented people keen to pass on their knowledge and skills. Cook from scratch and eat seasonally, preserve food when it’s in abundance to enjoy in scarcer months, learn to slow down, make things with your hands, share and nourish your loved ones - they’re the perfect antidotes to our hectic, disconnected lives.

Learn the art of sourdough making at the historic RedBeard Bakery in Trentham and discover how to harness the power of complex wild culture fermentation.

Also in Trentham, Tony Tan Cooking School focuses on Asian Fusion (with a twist) and is led by respected chef and author Tony Tan. Be introduced to some of our region's best wineries by spending an afternoon with Daylesford Wine Tours or Macedon Rangesbased Cool Climate Tours. Or take advantage of the hop-on, hop-off tour service with Journey through the Ranges.

Unearth delicious nuggets of edible gold with Black Cat Truffles. They offer both winter and summer truffle hunting experiences on their farm just outside Creswick.

Blampied-based Village Dreaming is a regenerative permaculture farm and cooking

school, where the focus is on traditional and sustainable cooking.

Old-school techniques and making dishes from scratch is the focus of the cooking classes at Kyneton’s Piper Street Food Co. Mountain Distilling offer foraging workshops, which take participants up Mount Macedon in search of local mountain pepperberries and botanicals.

Or learn how to make damper using native bushfoods at Chin Chin Farm in Chintin.

Learn how to make a Piper Street Food Co. traditional pork pie (photography by Chloe Smith)

SCAN FOR MORE

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2 days i

n

Daylesford + surrounds.

Discover some of the best dining and drinking experiences in Daylesford and surrounds by following this two-day itinerary.

DAY 1: DAYLESFORD Breakfast Start your foodie journey at Cliffy’s Emporium. At this Daylesford institution, the hearty (and delicious) menu heroes local produce, a favourite being their Shakshuka featuring Honest Egg Co. eggs.

Morning tea Head up to Bad Habits Café at The Convent. Indulge in a sweet treat such as the Convent scones or raspberry cheesecake in the light filled atrium before exploring the adjoining art gallery.

Lunch Pick up an eco-friendly picnic box from Daylesford Gourmet, packed full of savoury and sweet picnic favourites. Or pack your own picnic hamper with goodies from Blake Family Grocers. Set up a picnic beside Lake Daylesford or Jubilee Lake.

Afternoon Join the knowledgeable team from Daylesford Wine Tours as they introduce you

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to some of the region’s best cellar doors. You’ll visit locations such as Sailors Falls Estate, Captains Creek Organic Wines and Terra Australis Distillery.

Pre-dinner drink Pull up a pew at Daylesford Brewing Co. Here, the stylish and welcoming taproom spills out onto the street, giving you a front row seat to the passing parade as you sip on a craft beer or local wine, paired with a tasty shared plate. Alternatively, drop into Betel Boy. This vibrant space is a great option for classic cocktails and tasty Asian-inspired bites.

Dinner Treat yourself to a Sher Wagyu rump, paired with shoestring fries at Bistro Terroir. It’s a crowd favourite for a reason.

Above (L-R): Cliffy's Emporium (photography

by Inkd Fotogrfa), Daylesford Gourmet (photography by Sally Milford)

Tag your photos #daylesfordmacedonlife

DAY 2: CRESWICK, TRENTHAM, HEPBURN SPRINGS Breakfast Be transported to the patisseries of France at Creswick’s Le Péché Gourmand. Get comfy on a Parisian-style café chair and take your pick of French classics. Or enjoy a hearty home-cooked breakfast at Three Founders restaurant at RACV Resort Creswick.

Lunch Catch your own trout at Tuki in Smeaton and have it cooked up at their onsite restaurant.

From the pond and paddock to the plate, the menu here draws upon Tuki's own seasonally grown and farmed produce.

Afternoon Pick up some goodies at Istra Smallgoods in Musk before continuing on to the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham. Relax under the canopy of 100-year-old elm trees in the beer garden or get cosy beside the indoor fireplace.

up a snack from the Hepburn Pavilion Café.

Or enjoy an afternoon tipple on the deck at Hepburn Springs Brewing Co. Dinner You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s private home at Frank & Connie’s Kitchen in Hepburn Springs. The menu here features French, Greek, Middle Eastern and South American inspired dishes. Or head to The Argus Dining Room for European inspired cuisine in a grand art deco dining room.

After dinner End your evening at PalaisHepburn, where you can sip on an exquisite cocktail in the cosy saloon bar before catching a live show.

Late afternoon Take a leisurely stroll through Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, where you can pump mineral water directly from the source. If visiting earlier in the day, pick Above: Tuki (photography by LVDI) Right: Palais-Hepburn (photography by Rowena Naylor)

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2 days i

n

the Macedon Ranges.

Follow our two-day itinerary to discover some of the best food and drink experiences in the Macedon Ranges.

DAY 1: KYNETON Breakfast Start the day at the socially responsible Social Foundry. Choose from the all-day breakfast menu, which features simple wholesome food, as you sip on a specialty coffee. The little ones are well catered for too, with a menu for ‘the little peeps’.

Morning tea If you’re after a further coffee fix, head around the corner to The Town Roaster, where the coffee beans are roasted on site.

Lunch Curate your own picnic hamper at Piper Street Food Co. Fill it with tasty morsels such as their famed pork pie, Cornish pastie and Belgian chocolate brownie. Enjoy a picnic at the Kyneton Botanic Gardens, which date back to 1858.

Afternoon Head back to historic Piper Street and follow the cocktail trail. Start on the balcony

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at the Botanik, which has a distinctly Raffles Singapore vibe. Then head across the road to the cosy and inviting Miss M's Lounge, pairing your cocktail with Spanish-style tapas. Finish at Animus Distillery Door & Cocktail Lounge, where you can witness their gin being made as you sip on one of their seasonal cocktails.

Dinner Head over the road to Fook Shing.

Each dish at this vibrant southeast Asian inspired restaurant and bar is designed to be shared. Or head back to Mollison Street to The Kyneton Hotel, where the menu features delicious dishes alongside pub classics.

Above (L-R): Fook Shing (photography by KGMG Creative), Botanik

Tag your photos #daylesfordmacedonlife

DAY 2: NEWHAM, WOODEND, MOUNT MACEDON & LANCEFIELD Breakfast Tuck into a hearty breakfast at the charming Newham General Store where the menu heroes local produce. Once you have your fill, explore nearby Hanging Rock Reserve.

The views from the top of ‘The Rock’ are well worth the short, yet steep hike.

Morning tea Reward your efforts with a sweet treat (or something more substantial) at Hanging Rock Café, conveniently located within Hanging Rock Reserve. Or if it's hot, head over to Woodend and pop into Woodend Ice Cream Co. for tasty hand-crafted ice cream.

Afternoon Head off on a mini tour of the region, discovering wineries, distilleries and breweries. Suggested stops include Hanging Rock Winery, Big Tree Distillery, Mount Monument, Cleveland Winery, Lyons Will Estate, Lost Watering Hole and Mount Towrong Vineyard.

Dinner End your two-day foodie adventure at Mount Macedon Winery. Treat yourself to their seasonal, set-course menu in their fine-diner UUMM, as you take in spectacular panoramic views of the Macedon Ranges.

Lunch Tuck into some tasty fare at The Victoria Hotel in Woodend. After lunch, wander down to the Holgate Taproom & Visitor Centre to try one of their famous tasting paddles. If visiting on the weekend, be sure to join a brewery tour.

Then pop next door and pick up a local bottle of vino from Woodend Cellar & Bar. Above: Holgate Brewhouse (photography by LVDI) Right: Newham General Store (photography

by Kyla-Jane Rickard)

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Index.

Restaurants

2-7

This publication is lovingly created by the team at Daylesford Macedon Tourism.

Sustainable Farming + Dining

8-9

dmrtourism.com.au

Interview with Paul Righetti

10-11

Charming Cafés

14-15

Information in this booklet was correct at time of printing and is provided in good faith, however no responsibility will be taken for any inaccuracies, changes, errors or misconceptions of any kind.

Welcome 1

Country Pubs

16-17

Wineries

20-27

Winery Map of the Region

22-23

Breweries + Cideries

28-29

Distillers

30-31

Bars + Cocktails

32-33

Mineral Springs + Non-alcoholic Beverages

34-35

Produce

38-39

Farmers’ Markets + Farm Gates

41

Cheese

43

Bread + Bakeries

44-45

Meat

48-49

Fruit

51

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

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 our account.

Q daylesfordmacedonranges E daylesfordmacedonranges #daylesfordmacedonlife #stayclosegofurther

Vegetables

53

Honey

55

daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au

Eggs

57

Speciality Produce

59

Love our food and regional producers?

Q dmpharvest E dmpharvest #dmpharvest

63

Workshops + Experiences

67

Itinerary: 2 Days in Daylesford + Surrounds

68-69

Itinerary: 2 Days in the Macedon Ranges

70-71

dmproduce.com.au

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Artisanal Providores

LIAN OW RA

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Tea + Coffee

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Front cover image by Chloe Smith Photography Q _chloesmithphotography_ at Musk Manor Cottage in Musk (bookable via Daylesford Country Retreats). Produce supplied by Piper Street Food Co. and Istra Smallgoods.

Other produce sourced from Blake Family Grocers, Le Péché Gourmand, Wombat Hill House and Mountain View Garlic. Wine supplied by Mount Towrong Vineyard and Hanging Rock Winery.

Ceramics by Q catherinefreemantlestudio. Cake by Lillian’s Kitchen.

Creative Director Andrea Pribaz Editor Madeleine Blake Sales Annissa White Production Steve Wroe, Sharon Hughes, Catherine Freemantle, Jen Clarke. Advertising Enquiries annissa@dmrtourism.com.au 03 5309 2770.

Contributors: Lindy Alexander, Carrie Hutchinson, Charles Deuchrass, Oliver Rapson. Select copy replicated from Daylesford Macedon Life magazine, written by Richard Cornish and Sofia Levin.

Map designs by Paoli Smith. Printed by Artifishal Studios at Ive Group, Silverwater NSW. Paper stock: Cover: 250gsm satin, Text: 100gsm Fine offset.

We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and waterways of our region. We recognise their living cultures and ongoing connection to Country and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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Traditional Japan

in Victoria’s Spa Country Slip off your shoes and enter a world that is distinctly Japanese… where ritualised routines quiet your mind and soothe your soul. You will be treated to heartfelt hospitality, authentic cuisine, traditional bathing and nourishing spa treatments.

w: shizuka.com.au

p: 03 5348 2030

@shizukaryokan

Hepburn Springs VIC

“A masterclass in warmly unpretentious hospitality” Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide

HOTEL • RESTAURANT • SPA • DAIRY FLAT FARM