Just 30 minutes from Melbourne, Gisborne, New Gisborne, and Riddells Creek are the perfect starting points for exploring the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges. Spend a day or two uncovering historic homesteads, vibrant farmers’ markets, cosy cafés, boutique shops, and scenic natural spots — plus a few friendly geese along the way.

Set in the geographic heart of Victoria, Lancefield is a charming town where history and adventure meet. While modern-day treasure hunters can fossick through antique stores, those with a curiosity for the ancient will be intrigued by the region’s rich paleontological past—think Macropus titan, a giant kangaroo, and Diprotodon, a wombat the size of a rhino.

Spend a weekend in Glenlyon or add this to your planned journey while visiting the region, it is well worth the visit, especially in autumn when Glenlyon’ s majestic Honor Avenue oak trees are displaying stunning autumnal colours of gold, red and amber.

Small, but mighty, the communities of Guildford and Vaughan on Dja Dja Wurung country overflow with natural beauty, friendly spirit, golden history and out of the box foodie experiences for a perfect weekend getaway.

Follow our three-day itinerary to discover some of the best food and drink experiences in the Macedon Ranges.

Home to Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs, Hepburn Springs has long been famed for its mineral water, believed to offer a myriad of health benefits. However, Hepburn Springs offers much more than just the mineral springs that draw visitors to this charming village, located only a few minutes’ drive from the heart of Daylesford.

Creswick is an idyllic town, surrounded by peaceful walking and biking tracks, you may catch a glimpse of a koala while exploring the surrounding bushland.

Located on the eastern side of the Macedon Ranges, Romsey delivers an eclectic mix of food, wine, shopping, history and heritage. The towns historic red brick buildings line a spacious main street, giving it an English village feel. It is the ideal launching pad for exploring nearby wineries and various walking and cycling trails.

Castlemaine is a hip and happening town, home to a flourishing arts scene, matched by a talented community of brewers, winemakers and restaurateurs.

The hamlets of Musk, Bullarto and Lyonville pack more than their fair punch when it comes to gourmet food and drink options, creative arts and natural beauty.

Eat, drink, shop and explore in the charming village of Woodend.

The natural beauty and inspirational charm of the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region has long attracted a diverse range of artists.

Discover some of the best dining and drinking experiences in Daylesford and surrounds by following this three-day itinerary.

Once a resting place for miners during the gold rush, Kyneton is nowadays an arts and culinary hotspot.

Nestled on the edge of the Wombat State Forest, this charming town with its gold rush era streetscape is home to boutique stores, welcoming country pubs, art galleries, top-notch food and wine experiences, plus much more.

If moving about in nature is what you need, we’re only an hour or so from Melbourne, and just the tonic if you need to breathe deeply and head home feeling invigorated.

You can easily spend a day or two (or more!) exploring the gorgeous hillside villages of Macedon and Mount Macedon.

Visitors to our area are often amazed by its natural beauty and how the country changes so dramatically - from rocky outcrops to thicketed forests to fertile pastureland.