Daylesford, an hour and a half northwest of Melbourne, has many spas, good food and wine, a lush environment, artists, and holistic therapists.

Understand

The traditional owners of the area are the Djadja Wurrung people. Daylesford has the highest concentration of natural mineral springs in Australia and is affectionately known as the rainbow capital of regional Victoria with its long history of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Get in

By public transport

One can arrive in Daylesford by V/Line coach from Castlemaine, Ballarat or Woodend but there is only one stop in Daylesford and most of the sights are quite far without a car.

By car

Daylesford is about a 1 hour 20 mins drive from the centre of Melbourne. It is the easiest way to get to Daylesford. Go along the Western Freeway and follow the signs to arrive in Daylesford.

Get around

The town area is quite small and easily walkable, but for sights outside the town, a car or bike will be needed. Daylesford is quite steep so cycling may be difficult.

See

• 1 Convent Gallery, 7 Daly St, ☏ +61 3 5348 3211. An art exhibit over 3 storeys in a 19th century mansion. It is open for 7 days of the week except some public holidays. $5 (admission). 
• 2 Stony Creek Gallery, 10 Stony Creek Road, ☏ +61 3 5348 1884, info@stonycreekgallery.com.au. Private collections of contemporary artwork, available to buy and sell. Free entry. 
• 3 Lake Daylesford. is a popular site to walk, picnic or relax. Multiple entrances available. (updated Mar 2020)
• 4 Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, Stanhope Street. Listed in the Victorian Heritage Register. (updated Mar 2020)

Do

• Daylesford is one of the most famous places for a spa in Victoria. It is one of the main reasons to come to Daylesford. There are many different spa bathhouses, with Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa and The Lake House being some of the more famous ones. Most bathhouses also provide optional accommodation.
• Ghost tour at The Convent, 7 Daly St, ☏ +61 3 5348 3211, info@theconvent.com.au. $45 (includes wine and coffee). 
• There are many mineral spring water taps available around the town where one may taste, or even fill a large container, for free. Although there are frequent water quality tests, be aware that the water is essentially untreated.
• Hepburn Lagoon Rides, 60 Telegraph Rd, Mount Prospect, ☏ +61 408 059 125. Horse riding from 2 hours to 5 hours depending on ride and experience. From $80. 

Buy

There is a strip of shops in the town centre. There is a large second hand book store with over 2 stories of books. There is also artwork at Stony Creek Gallery (see above) and craftwork from various shops.

Eat

• The Lake House Restaurant, 4 King St, ☏ +61 3 5348 3329. Has won 2 stars from The Age's Good Food Guide 2013. Lunch prices start from $76. 
• Hotel Frangos, 82 Vincent St, ☏ +61 3 5348 2363, info@hotelfrangos.com.au. One of the oldest operating restaurants in Daylesford. The food has a Modern Australian and Mediterranean feel to it. It's a great place for breakfast and brunch. 
• Mercato @ Daylesford, 32 Raglan St, ☏ +61 3 5348 4488. Italian restaurant. 
• Ellender Estate, 260 Green Gully Rd, Glenlyon, ☏ +61 3 5348 7785. Winery with cellar door and a woodfired pizza restaurant; also provides picnic hampers for use on its grounds. 
• Grange Bellizona, 77 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, ☏ +61 3 5348 2271. High tea (from $39) and dinner available. 
• Lavandula Swiss/Italian Farm, 350 Hepburn- Newstead Rd, Shepherds Flat, ☏ +61 3 5476 4393. Large lavender farm, $4 entry, café food and sweets available. 

Drink

Daylesford is fairly quiet during the night as most places close fairly early.

Sleep

Most bathhouses also provide accommodation at an additional cost. There are also many country retreats available. Below is an incomplete list of a few of the places to stay at.

• The Lake House Restaurant, 4 King St, ☏ +61 3 5348 3329. From $400+. 
• Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa and Wellness Retreat, 7 Lakeside Dr, Hepburn Springs, ☏ +61 3 5348 2030, info@shizuka.com.au. From $179. 
• The Convent, 7 Daly St, ☏ +61 3 5348 3211. Suite and guesthouse (for 8 people) available. 

Connect

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Go next

Ballarat, Castlemaine, Maldon, Trentham, Kyneton and Woodend are all nearby. Bendigo is about an hour away.