Start your foodie journey with breakfast at Cliffy’s Emporium. At this Daylesford institution, the hearty (and delicious) menu heroes local produce, a favourite being their Shakshuka.

Pop out to The Chocolate Mill and indulge in a hot chocolate for morning tea, paired with a decadent sweet treat. It’s the perfect launching for those seeking to explore the Goldfields track.

For a casual (yet incredibly tasty) lunch, pick up an eco-friendly picnic box from Daylesford Gourmet, packed full of savoury and sweet picnic favourites by local small-batch makers. Set up a picnic beside Lake Daylesford or Jubilee Lake.

For lunch with all the trimmings, take a seat on the deck at Boathouse Restaurant. Perched above Lake Daylesford, the views here are spectacular. There are two- or three-course offerings, the food is refined and influenced by classic French cookery.

Join the knowledgeable team from Daylesford Wine Tours for an afternoon tour as they take you on a journey, discovering local cellar doors. You’ll visit locations such as Wombat Forest Winery, Captains Creek Organic Wines and Terra Australis Distillery.

Pull up a pew and enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Daylesford Brewing Co. Here the stylish and welcoming taproom spills out onto the street, giving you a front row seat to the passing parade as you sip on a craft beer or local wine, paired with a tasty shared plate.

Tuck into delicious fare in the Bistro at Daylesford Hotel, with the renowned team behind Daylesford’s Cliffy’s Emporium and Beppe restaurant recently taking over the reins. Head chef Rob Kabboord (ex Merricote in Northcote and Quay in Sydney) serves up produce driver pub fare. For food on the go, pick up a Beppe woodfired pizza from the drive thru bottle shop.

Alternatively, treat yourself to dinner at the renowned, two chef-hatted restaurant at Lake House. Foodies from around the world flock to the restaurant to enjoy cutting edge, modern Australian cuisine, which has a strong focus on local and seasonal produce. Under the direction of Culinary Director Alla Wolf-Tasker AM, the kitchen work with great Australian produce including a raft of excellent small scale local suppliers and growers and their own Dairy Flat Farm.

Day 2

Be transported to the patisseries of France as you enjoy breakfast at Creswick’s Le Péché Gourmand. Get comfy on a Parisian-style café chair and take your pick of French classics. Walk off your breakfast by taking a wander down Creswick’s charming gold rush era streetscape.

Catch your own lunch from the trout farm, then have it cooked up for you at Tuki. Located just outside Smeaton, Tuki is a truly unique dining experience, where much of the produce on the menu comes directly from their own surrounding farm.

Make your way back to Hepburn Springs and walk off your lunch with a leisurely stroll through Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, where you can pump mineral water directly from the source. If visiting earlier in the day, pick up a snack from the Hepburn Pavilion Café.

Enjoy an afternoon ale on the deck at Hepburn Springs Brewing Co. Located opposite Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve, this independent brewery and taproom features 16 of their own limited release beers on tap, along with local gins and moreish sharing platters.

The lounge bar at the Mineral Springs Hotel has been a popular spot for an afternoon tipple since the 1930’s. Sink into a comfy chair or sofa and sip on a cocktail or local wine as you take in the old-world glamour of this welcoming space. Afterwards, pop into The Argus Dining Room for dinner, where you can feast on modern Australian cuisine.

Another great dinner option in Hepburn Springs is Shizuka Ryokan, where you can savour the flavours of an authentic omakase dinner. Enjoy the best of Japanese cuisine at this unique and unforgettable dining experience as you take a journey through Japan’s culinary landscape.

Day 3

Tuck into a wholesome breakfast at The Virgin Kitchen, located within Hotel Bellinzona. Choose from breakfast favourites such as Crispy Chicken Benedict or The Truffle Virgin, paired with a freshly brewed coffee.

Jump in the car and head towards to Musk, where you can pick up some tasty local goodies at Istra Smallgoods’. Tucked away along a country road, this farm gate is packed full of quality products that have been cured using traditional methods, passed from generation to generation of the Jurcan Family.

Pop into nearby Daylesford Cider for lunch. Kick back and relax in their stunning grounds for some top-notch food and award winning cider, any day of the week. Choose from their sun-drenched terrace, marquee covered courtyard or indoor dining room.

Make your way to Trentham and stock up on more tasty local treats at Trentham Food and Wine Company. Every item available here is carefully curated to reflect the rich agricultural heritage and artisanal craftsmanship of the surrounding region. Choose from beer, wine, cider and more.

Enjoy a relaxed dinner of honest pub food at Hotel Trentham. This welcoming country pub, first established in 1926, re-opened in early 2024 following a tasteful renovation. The bistro menu serves up well priced pub classics. The large, rear beer garden is especially popular on sunny days, with live music every Sunday.