48 Hours in Daylesford & Surrounds

DAY ONE

MORNING

Start your day with a stroll around one of Daylesford’s picturesque lakes. Choose from the 2.8km track that circumnavigates Lake Daylesford. Or head to Jubilee Lake (pictured above), a short drive from the heart of town, and follow the 1.6km circuit track, which is especially beautiful in autumn.

Make your way to Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens perched high on the summit of an extinct volcano. The pinnacle of the gardens is Pioneer Memorial Tower, which soars high above the trees, offering superb views of Daylesford. Within the gardens, in a 1940s house, is Wombat Hill House cafe, where you can enjoy an expertly brewed coffee, paired with a freshly baked treat.

Next stop is The Convent Daylesford. Sitting proudly on the slopes of Wombat Hill, this grand historic building features eight gallery spaces, a museum, a chapel, and a charming retail space.

LUNCH

Pair lunch with a cider tasting at Daylesford Cider, which is home to both a cellar door and restaurant. Grab a paddle of their award-winning ciders, order a wood-fired pizza or select from their daily menu of shared cheese and charcuterie boards.

Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting at nearby Passing Clouds Winery. Here, second generation winemaker Cameron Leith and his team produce cool climate wines, including pinot noir and chardonnay. Taste their range at the welcoming cellar door.

AFTERNOON

Pick up some delicious, cured goods at Istra Smallgoods. Surrounded by lush countryside in Musk, you’ll be pleasantly surprised as you enter this farmgate, which is packed full of quality products that have been cured using traditional methods, passed from generation to generation of the Jurcan family.

Make your way to Trentham, stopping off at Bullarto Gallery along the way, where you can admire the work of realist landscape artist Phillip Edwards. Before entering Trentham township, make a pitstop of Trentham Falls, one of the longest single drop waterfalls in Victoria.

Then, spend some time exploring the charming village of Trentham. For a one-of-a-kind item, pop into The House of Marcelle & Mr. John, discover local art at Little Gallery, shop for sustainable goods at The Green Store or find fashionable threads at Frankie & Mae.

EVENING

Enjoy dinner at the iconic Cosmopolitan Hotel (aka the Cosmo), famous for its seasonal dishes, wood-fired pizza and beautiful beer garden, which is surrounded by century-old elms.

DAY TWO

MORNING

Start your day at Cliffy’s Emporium, where the moreish menu has a distinct local focus. Back in the 1950s, Cliffy Hauser’s general store was a bustling hub of fresh produce, groceries, and farm supplies. Over 60 years later, Cliffy’s Emporium has preserved its charm, with farmers still dropping off fresh fruit and veg. If you prefer a hot chocolate over coffee, a few doors away is The Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company, purveyors of ethically sourced (and incredibly tasty) hot chocolate blends.

Work off your breakfast with a wander along Vincent Street. Popping into shops such as Harry & Me, Alpaca Passion and Creswick Woollen Mills, and checking out gallery spaces such as Bromley & Co. Then make your way to The Amazing Mill Market, where you will discover a treasure trove of collectables and vintage goods.

LUNCH

Make your way to Attwoods Wines in Glenylon for lunch, which is home to the French-inspired restaurant, Le Bouchon. Choose from the seasonal menu of four or five courses, paired with exceptional pet nat, chardonnay, rosé, pinot noir or shiraz, produced by highly regarded winemaker Troy Walsh.

AFTERNOON

For an afternoon pick me up, drop into The Chocolate Mill in Mount Franklin and indulge in a hot chocolate, paired with a decadent sweet treat.

Then it is time for some relaxation and indulgence at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, where you can soak tension away in the natural mineral waters. Celebrating 130 years in 2025, this iconic venue been providing traditional wellness bathing since 1895. Treat yourself to the sanctuary bathing experience, followed by a massage. Time allowing, pop into the nearby Hepburn Springs Brewing Co. for a post bathing beverage.

EVENING

Start with a pre-dinner drink on the balcony of the Daylesford Hotel, an ideal viewpoint to watch the passing parade. Then walk up the road to Bistro Terroir for dinner, this charming French bistro where the seasonal menu showcases local produce. For something more casual, pull up a pew out the front of Daylesford Brewing Co. and tuck into a tasty shared plate accompanied by an expertly crafted local brew.