Daylesford to Bendigo road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

Daylesford to Bendigo drive: Guildford and Vaughan Springs

Just south of Guildford, the Kennedy Gully Streamside Reserve is another picturesque place for a picnic. The Guildford Vineyard and Cellar is just to the north.

Between Guildford and Yapeen, you can enjoy the views from the Alfred Passalaqua Memorial Lookout, while Vaughan Springs in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park is a little further east.

Attractions between Daylesford and Bendigo: Castlemaine highlights

Before entering Castlemaine, there’s a potential diversion to the Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre. This is to the south of Eureka Reef, where you can take a short heritage walk around the old quartz mining site.

Things to do in Castlemaine include panning for gold at the Forrest Creek Historic Gold Diggings and mooching through the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens.

Top Castlemaine accommodation choices include the Big4 Castlemaine Gardens holiday park and well-rated Albion Motel.

Click through to the next section: Mount Alexander and Bendigo.