Here are three favourite trails to strap on the boots, work up an appetite and be well rewarded at the end.  

Trentham to Radio Springs Hotel Distance: 12 kms (round trip)

Style: stroll  

From the straight-out-of-a-movie-set Trentham Railway Station, the Domino Rail Trail meanders through the Wombat State Forest, where trains once chugged between Daylesford and Carlsruhe. Breathe in the scent of towering eucalypts, tune into the orchestra of birdsong and discover the history of the area through the interpretive signs.  

If your first sight of the Radio Springs Hotel doesn’t make you wish it was your local pub, then step inside and be wowed. Crammed with quirks and curios, the atmosphere is captivating, yet homely. And with highly acclaimed French chef Yvan Meunier at the helm in the kitchen, the food is sublime. Lunch Fri – Sun (bookings necessary). Cosy B&B rooms available if you want to delay the walk back to Trentham. Dinner Thurs – Sun.  

Cornish Hill Daylesford to Wombat Hill House

Distance: 7 kms (round trip)
Style: heart pumper 

Perched close to Daylesford’s buzzing main street, Cornish Hill is a labyrinth of well signposted walking trails linking its history as a hugely successful goldfield in the 1850s–1920s. The local volunteer group, Friends of Cornish Hill, have restored the Indigenous landscape. The spectacular view over the township is worth the thigh-burning walk to the top of Thomas’ Lookout. 

The first part of the walk is a 5km loop that starts at the Daylesford Visitor’s Centre. To get to Wombat Hill House, continue east along Stanbridge St, turn left into Stanhope St, climb the hill and enter the Botanic Gardens. Tucked into the gardens, in the former caretaker’s cottage, Wombat Hill House is the casual café to Lake House’s fine dining restaurant, serving breakfast & lunch with a focus on items from the Dairy Flat Farm Bake House. Open 7 days.   

Creswick Heritage Circuit Walk to Farmers Arms Hotel Distance: 8.5 kms (round trip)

Style: meander with one big hill 

This walk takes in the best of history and nature. Start (and finish) at the Creswick Visitor’s Centre and follow the signs past the grand old buildings built in the days when gold literally lined the streets of this gold rush town. The steep climb up Brackenbury Hill Lookout rewards with gorgeous views. Prepare to be captivated along the La Gerche trail where 100+ year old trees tower over the landscape, holding the stories of John La Gerche, who reforested the land denuded from mining with his bare hands.   

A stone’s throw from where the trail finishes, The Farmers Arms Creswick is ready to welcome you with open arms. Pub grub done right – classics with a few creative twists using produce sourced directly from farmers, relaxed vibe and live music on weekends. Extra bonus – it’s open 7 days.  

* Please check with local Visitor Information Centres on all walks before you visit to ensure they are open. 

Hero image: Domino Rail Trail. Photo by Claire Dewort.