The region
Slow travel through Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges
Leave the noise behind and take the region at its own pace. Soak in the district's mineral springs, book in for a spa treatment, wander through historic gardens and quiet villages, and give yourself time to notice a region genuinely rich in history, art and creativity.
Once you're rested, the rest of the area's attractions are easy to fold into your stay — most of the highlights below sit within a short drive.
Art galleries
Indulge the artistic side of the trip at local galleries, artist studios and museums scattered through Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.
Stony Creek Gallery
A gallery built as an experience in itself, with a hand-painted floor tracing the artist's own journey — worth the stop for the space alone.
The Local Studio & Co.
A long-time Daylesford resident combines design with a growing circle of artists and artisans, across a main-street gallery and a smaller hidden studio nearby.
Hilltop Convent Gallery
Set on a rise above Daylesford within a historic 19th-century building, this multi-level gallery offers a genuinely unique afternoon of fine art.
Hiking & strolling
Take an easy stroll through the Mineral Springs Reserve, the hilltop botanical gardens, or the rolling farmland nearby — or push further into the escarpments around Hepburn Springs and Daylesford for a proper hike. Serious walkers can join the long-distance trail network linking Ballarat, Daylesford, Castlemaine and Blackwood.
The lavender farm
Ten minutes north of Daylesford, a cluster of farmhouse buildings and a cobbled courtyard offer a surprisingly European afternoon — house, barn and stillroom included, plus a café worth the detour on its own.
Markets & boutique wineries
There's a farmers' market running somewhere in the Hepburn Springs and Daylesford spa country most weekends — a good excuse to stock up on local produce. Between the mountain air, fertile soils and mineral-rich springs, the region has long embraced the good life: fine dining at some of the state's best tables, rustic cellar doors, and fresh produce at farm gates and roadside stalls as you make your way around.