Things to do in Daylesford, Victoria

The best things to do in Daylesford, Victoria, include art at the Convent, the views from the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens and paddle-boating on Lake Daylesford.

Daylesford, Victoria, is the sort of place that’s frequently described as “charming”. Sandwiched between the Goldfields and Macedon Ranges, Daylesford is a popular weekend retreat from Melbourne. Food, drink and relaxation are the primary Daylesford attractions, but there are a few good things to do in Daylesford.

Things to do in Daylesford, Victoria: Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens & the Convent

Perhaps the biggest of the Daylesford attractions is the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. There’s the usual complement of educationally-signposted trees and flowers, but location is the key here. Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens is on the slope of an extinct volcano. The views from the Pioneers Lookout Tower are splendid, while the Convent on the crest of the volcano is now one of Australia’s best regional art galleries.

Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in Daylesford, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.

Things to do in Daylesford, Victoria: Lake Daylesford

Lake Daylesford is also splendidly pleasant. This small lake is the preserve of hired paddle boats and swimmers – it’s about 1km to swim across the lake. The walking track around the edge of the lake, passing picnic spots, makes for an enjoyable stroll, too.

The Wombat Flat Mineral Spring is by the lake shore, too. You can fill up a water bottle here if you want to try the healing waters that turned Daylesford into a spa destination. But the main springs are in neighbouring Hepburn Springs. The Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve is where you can see the water bubbling out of the ground, and the Hepburn Bathhouse is where you can bathe in it.

What to do in Daylesford: Daylesford restaurants and markets

Also by the lake is the Lake House Daylesford, one of the most famous hotels in regional Victoria. The highly-renowned restaurant at the Lake House Daylesford is one of the tentpegs that has turned Daylesford into a foodie destination. But it’s not all fine dining – Beppe’s has a friendly neighbourhood trattoria vibe and the Farmers Arms serves high quality local produce inside Daylesford’s oldest pub.

Other things to do in Daylesford include the Amazing Mill Markets. Open every day, this is more of a big shop than a market, but it does an excellent line in vintage fashion, antiques and collectables.

Attractions near Daylesford, Victoria

Part of what makes Daylesford such an appealing destination, however, is what’s on the doorstep. Within a few kilometres’ drive, you can visit the Lavandula lavender farm in Shepherds Flat, the Chocolate Mill in Mount Franklin and the Kyneton Botanic Gardens in Kyneton.

Nearby natural attractions include Sailors Falls, Hanging Rock in Woodend, Loddon Falls in the Holcombe Scenic Reserve and Trentham Falls. The latter is Victoria’s highest single drop waterfall.

Things to do in Daylesford, Victoria: Wine tours

There are also several wineries around Hepburn and the Macedon Ranges. Wineries near Daylesford include Passing Clouds, Attwoods Wines, Wombat Forest and Captains Creek. They’re all fairly small wineries, and not all are open to the public without prior booking. That’s where Daylesford Wine Tours comes in. Daylesford Wine Tours offers full day tours, with five tasting sessions at different wineries, for $220. And, if you’re more into apples than grapes, you can always pay a visit to the Daylesford Cider Co. The orchards here grow 17 varieties of cider apples, and the cellar door is open daily for tastings.

Driving times to Daylesford, Victoria

Daylesford is a one hour and 23 minute drive from Melbourne. You’ll also pass through on the drive from Ballarat to Bendigo.

Ballarat to Daylesford: Distance 44km, driving time 37m.

Castlemaine to Daylesford: Distance 38km, driving time 30m.

Geelong to Daylesford: Distance 102km, driving time 1h18m.

Kyneton to Daylesford: Distance 34km, driving time 30m.

Melbourne to Daylesford: Distance 112km, driving time 1h23m.

Trentham to Daylesford: Distance 24km, driving time 20m.

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