Daylesford & Surrounds Area Information Guide

Daylesford & to Daylesford

Your guide

Hepburn Springs Castlemaine Maldon

JUST BRILLIANT GUIDES

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to Daylesford, Hepburn Springs,

Welcome

Castlemaine & Maldon

This picturesque region is known to urban dwellers for its therapeutic environment and tranquillity. There’s plenty of attractions here to cater to all tastes.

DAYLESFORD & HEPBURN SPRINGS

CASTLEMAINE & MALDON

The twin spa towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs reflect the character of their early heritage in the Victorian era when people travelled to “take the waters”. Today the towns retain the character of the Gold Rush era and the Swiss Italian immigrants who were early settlers. Beyond this you can visit one of the many beautiful country towns in the region, or historic buildings and gardens, forests, picnic areas and walking tracks. And then there is the mineral water.

This historically rich region is bursting with fascinating stories, discoveries and happenings from days gone by. Enjoy the simple pleasure of strolling through the streets of Castlemaine, fossicking through the unique shops and galleries. Alternatively, catch a movie at The Royal in town, and marvel at its art deco architecture.

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are renowned for being indulgence towns. A number of luxurious treatments are available with spa and massage (perhaps even a facial). If you like you can have a treatment at your cottage, or at one of the many spa houses scattered throughout the region.

The charming 19th century streetscape of Maldon is an authentic reminder of the days gone by. The old weatherboard homes, solid stone buildings and decorative shopfronts are undoubtedly the best preserved example of an Australian gold mining town.

Maldon was the first town to be declared ‘notable’ by the National Trust of Australia in 1966 and, in 2006, was awarded the ‘most intact heritage streetscape’ by the National Trust.

Regional Area

To Avoca

To Ballarat

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To Bendigo

To Melbourne & Gisborne

DAYLESFORD AND SURROUNDS

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Things

See and Do Daylesford & Hepburn Springs Indulge in the sumptuous regional produce, or relax with a massage and spa treatment. Whatever you do, you’ll leave feeling calm and rejuvenated.

• You can begin your visit to the region by enjoying breakfast on the balcony of your accommodation, while relaxing with a cup of coffee and reading the local newspaper. Breakfast can be spent pondering your day of indulgence whilst staying in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.

• Daylesford has an abundance of art galleries. Hours can be spent browsing through bookstores or, if you prefer, you can go fossicking for antiques and collectables. Daylesford is renowned for its diverse culture and talented local artists.

• The Daylesford region is flush with amazing local produce. Enjoy a meal at one of the delicious eateries in town or visit one of the organic farms to buy some locally made produce. Alternatively, check out some of the cellar doors to try their tasty cool climate wines.

• There’s nothing quite nourishing the body and soul, and Hepburn Springs is exactly the place to do just that. Luxuriate in a hot spa treatment along with a relaxing massage or facial.

• The region also offers a range of activities that are family friendly such as pedal boating, fishing,

picnicking, bushwalking and visiting the delicious Chocolate Mill.

• Across the year countless events are held which attract hundreds and often thousands of people to the area. Events involving food, wine, culture, arts ... and the list goes on.

DC Daylesford DAYLESFORD

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Castlemaine

To Daylesford

LYTTLETON

PYRENEES

To Bendigo

CASTLEMAINE

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Things

See and Do Castlemaine & Maldon This region is flush with tales and discoveries of a bygone era, much of which informs Castlemaine and Maldon today.

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The region is an ancient landscape which bears the imprint of many cultures. This is Jaara Jaara country and throughout the area the Aboriginal heritage can be discovered by seeing ancient meeting places, rock wells, artefacts and scar trees.

• Mount Alexander Diggings forms part of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. This is Australia’s first national heritage park featuring bushland pockmarked with mine shafts, house sites and relics from the search of gold.

• The Castlemaine Market Building was built in 1862 to house market stalls. The Roman goddess of agriculture, Ceres, sits high above the entrance.

Today, the grand building is also home to the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre.

• The Burke & Wills Monument offers superb town views from its elevated location in Mostyn St. Robert O’Hara Burke, the ill-fated explorer, was the popular Superintendent of Police here from 1858-1860.

• Catch a film at The Royal, the oldest continuously operating theatre in Victoria. On her triumphant Victorian Goldfields tour in 1856, the Spanish actress, Lola Montez, shocked and delighted patrons with her daring spider dance.

• The famous beer Castlemaine XXXX, was originally brewed at Winters Flat, Castlemaine. Today, the site is occupied by XXXX Antiques.

• No visit to the region is complete without sampling a tin of Castlemaine Rock. Since 1853, this unique boiled lolly has been made to the same local recipe.

• The delightful Castlemaine Botanical Gardens were well established by 1860 and have now been placed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The first curator was Philip Doran, a protégé of Baron von Mueller. There are many huge trees to stroll under, including an English Oak that is one of the oldest known cultivated trees in Victoria. The banks of Lake Joanna is a peaceful spot to picnic.

• People still visit this region in hope of striking gold.

Detailed maps highlighting prospecting areas are available at both the Maldon and Castlemaine Visitor Information Centres. Try your luck gold-panning in the shallows of Forest Creek and find out more about the mining heritage of the area with interpretive signage and mining relics. A guide to all nearby diggings sites is also available.

• There’s a number of interesting historical walks around the area. Thanks to the efforts of the active

historical societies in the region, a wonderful suite of brochures profiling heritage sites has been developed. You’ll find these at the local visitor information centres.

• The historic Maldon Museum building was built as a market place in the 1800’s and later became the old Shire Hall, before housing the museum from 1964.

The museum features a fascinating collection of local domestic and mining memorabilia, as well as records of interest to those researching the history of the old Shire of Maldon and its early families.

• Carman’s Tunnel Gold Mine is worth checking out if you’re visiting Maldon. The tunnel was built through solid rock between 1882 and 1884. Follow in the footsteps of the miners and explore this 570 metre tunnel by candle light. Guided tours are available.

• It’s well-worth spending some time fossicking through the diverse and interesting shops in Castlemaine and Maldon. Many retailers profile products that are created by local artists and producers.

• With its historically rich heritage, the region is bursting with antiques and collectables. Fossicking for treasures at the many galleries, oldwares and antique shops then is simply a treat. Collectables are still waiting to be retrieved from densely stocked stores and you might discover some up and coming artists.

• Check out the Victorian Goldfields Railway.

Experience that old steam train ambience as you meander through the bushlands between Maldon and Castlemaine. It’s a classic journey full of nostalgia and a wonderful way to arrive in Maldon for a visit.

Food

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Dining Out With so much fresh quality produce available in the region, eating out in Daylesford and surrounds is a memorable experience.

The Daylesford region, bursting with fresh local produce, is renowned for attracting formidable chefs who know how to wow the palate. As a result, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in the area.

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs offer an array of cafes and restaurants that serve delicious cuisine.

When dining choose from a restaurant with a great log fire in the cooler months or on the sundeck with magnificent views on the beautiful warm days; dinner is bound to be a wonderful experience and a culinary delight. For something really special, be sure to check out the Lakehouse Restaurant which boasts two chef’s hats and is renowned throughout Victoria. Serving food

that looks as good as it tastes, the restaurant overlooks Lake Daylesford. Alternatively, a picnic on the shores of the lake might be a nice way to spend an afternoon. You can stock up on regional produce at one of the local stores or wineries to indulge yourself.

This fertile region has seen many organic farmers pop up over the years. Check out Lavandula in Shepherds Flat which, aside from selling lavender products, serves food fresh from its garden. Drop into the visitor information centre for brochures on local producers.

Castlemaine and Maldon also boast an array of great dining experiences. Drop in, enjoy a drink and a meal, and get to know some of the locals.

Spa & Massage

Indulgence Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are renowned for their therapeutic treatments. Indulge yourself in a spa or massage to soothe both your body and mind.

If you feel like a rejuvenating experience, then you’ve come to the right place. The region boasts over 200 complimentary health specialists working across approximately 51 disciplines. Here’s just a few of the blissful options that will provide you with a wonderfully nurturing experience: •

Daylesford Day Spa: massage, facials, spa, rose milk baths, body treatments and therapies.

• Hepburn Bath House: spa, mineral pools, hydrotherapies, massage, facials, body scrubs, and more.

• Lakehouse Spa: spa, massage, facials, body treatments, and more.

• Endota Day Spa: spa, massage, facials, body treatments, and more.

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Calendar

Events JANUARY

AUGUST

• Lavender Harvest, Lavandula, Shepherds Flat

• Words in Winter, Hepburn Shire

• The Boite Singers’ Festival, Daylesford

MARCH • Chill Out Festival, Daylesford • L’Amaze: Fringe Festival, Castlemaine

APRIL • MiniCLIFF (Castlemaine Local and International Film Festival), Autumn Season, Castlemaine • Harvest Festival, Daylesford and Macedon Ranges

MAY • Autumn Harvest, Lavandula, Shepherds Flat

JULY

SEPTEMBER • A Feast of Music – Concert and Musical Dinner, Daylesford

OCTOBER • Chopped, Newstead • Swiss and Italian Festa, Hepburn Springs

NOVEMBER • CLIFF (Castlemaine Local and International Film Festival), Castlemaine • Castlemaine Annual Show, Castlemaine • Daylesford Show, Daylesford

• Maldon Art Show, Maldon

DECEMBER

• Glenlyon Food and Wine Fayre, Glenlyon

• Carols by Candlelight, Hepburn Shire

Daylesford

Essential

Services DAYLESFORD & HEPBURN SPRINGS FIRE / POLICE / AMBULANCE

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Daylesford Police Station

5348 2342

Daylesford Hospital Hospital Street

5321 6500

Springs Medical Centre Hospital Street

5348 2227

Springs Family Dental Albert Street

5348 2939

Transport Road Service - RACV Taxi V/Line Rail and Coach Services

13 11 11 13 10 08 1800 800 007

Daylesford Visitor Information Centre 5321 6123 Vincent Street

CASTLEMAINE & MALDON Castlemaine Police Station

5470 4100

Maldon Police Station

5475 2210

Castlemaine Health (hospital) Cornish Street

5471 1555

Markets

Maldon Hospital Chapel Street

5475 1006

Botanical Gardens Health Cornish Street, Castlemaine

5472 1844

DAYLESFORD

Maldon Medical Clinic Chapel Street North, Maldon

5475 2366

Sims Dental Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine

5472 1377

• Daylesford Farmers’ Market, first Saturday of the month, 8am-1pm • Daylesford Sunday Market, every Sunday, 8am-3pm • Amazing Mill Markets, 7 days a week, 10am to 6pm

CASTLEMAINE • Wesley Hill Community Market, Saturday mornings, 7.30am-1pm • Artists Market, 1st Sunday of the month, 9am-2pm • Castlemaine Farmers Market, 1st Sunday of the month (except January), 9am-1pm • Castlemaine and District Garden Club Market, 1st Sunday in Nov, 7am-4pm • Newstead and District Historical Society Market Day, 21 Nov, 8.30am-1pm

MALDON

• Maldon Market, 2nd Sunday of the month, 9am-2pm

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Transport Road Service - RACV Taxi V/Line Rail and Coach Services

13 11 11 13 10 08 1800 800 007

Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre 5471 1795 Historic Market Building Maldon Visitor Information Centre High Street

5475 2569

D Daylesford This guest services room publication is compiled and produced

by John Batman Group – The Hospitality Supermarket, publishers of specialist room directories and magazines.

John Batman Group – The Hospitality Supermarket, and Just Brilliant Guides are trademarks of Binders Compendiums Menu Covers Pty Ltd. © Copyright all rights reserved. JBG–P John Batman Group – The Hospitality Supermarket.

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Tel: (03) 9879 8588 Fax: (03) 9879 8688 Email: info@johnbatman.com.au Web: www.johnbatman.com.au

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Compiled with the assistance of Mount Alexander Shire Council, and Maldon and Castlemaine Visitor Information Centres.

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The information contained in this publication is provided as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, John Batman Group disclaims any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising material appearing in this publication is supplied by the operator or service provider and John Batman Group is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising content.