Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival, Kyneton

The Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival is a celebration like no other, where the beauty of spring blooms meets the creative energy of the Kyneton community. This colourful, family friendly event features open gardens and flower shows, lively concerts and art exhibitions. Featured events include the annual Dog Dash and Ferret Race, with Festival culminating with a Grand Parade, expect live music, floats, vintage vehicles and plenty of daffodils.

When: 5-15 September, 2024
Where: Multiple locations in Kyneton
Tickets: Most events are free, some are ticketed. View the full list at kynetondaffodilandartsfestival.com.au

Bolobek Garden Fair, Macedon

The annual Bolobek Garden Fair returns to one of Victoria’s most historically significant gardens, Bolobek, at the foot of the Macedon Ranges. This year’s Fair will feature more than 50 stallholders including rare plants and bulbs, gardening tools and equipment, botanical art, bare rooted and grafted trees, perennials, garden sculpture, food and wine. Guided tours of the Bolobek garden will be held on both days hosted by the owner and head gardener.

When: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, 2024
Where: Bolobek
Tickets: $17.50 per person, per day. Free for children under 18 years. On sale now at bolobekgardenfair.com.au

Tomato, Know, Sow & Grow, Buda Castlemaine

This historic Buda Castlemaine will host a spring garden ramble and lunch with special guest speakers this October. Join Ryan Garratt, Buda’s garden curator and garden educator for the Digger’s Club as he leads a spring ramble through Buda’s 3-acre heritage garden. Afterwards, enjoy a hot soup lunch and talk with award winning gardening author and educator, Penny Woodward. Penny will explore heirloom tomatoes and the different phytonutrients they contain, depending on their colours and how they can contribute to a healthy diet.

When: Saturday 5 October, at 11am
Where: Buda Castlemaine, 42 Hunter Street, Castlemaine
Tickets: budacastlemaine.org/event/penny-woodward/

The Dirty Docker, Lancefield

The Dirty Docker is a multi-day event from Life in the Peloton for all things cycling and running in the Macedon Ranges. The festival features three separate events – a cross-country running event, an off-road cyclo-cross event, and a gravel cycling event. These aren’t your average running and cycling races- expect some challenging, off-road terrain including grass, mud and sand, with obstacles along the way. The Dirty Docker is about bringing friends and the like-minded together to enjoy a weekend (or just one day if you choose) of sporting activities with a Saturday night of live music, fire pits, food trucks and more.

When: Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 October, 2024
Where: Lancefield Park, Lancefield
Further information: lifeinthepeloton.com/dirty-docker

Food + Fire + Wine lunch with Bente, Lyons Will Estate, Lancefield

Lyons Will Estate in Lancefield will host a culinary extravaganza this October, bringing together the amazing skills of Danish born superstar chef Bente Grysbaek, with their own wine. Enjoy an intimate four course lunch, cooked over an open fire with plenty of opportunity to watch Bente do what she does best. Expect an off the grid cooking spectacular whilst relaxing and soaking up the surrounding vineyard views. Far from your conventional winery dining experience, this lunch is an authentic and exclusive gastronomic journey that will stimulate your senses.

When: Saturday 26 October, from 12:30pm
Where: Lyons Will Estate, 60 Whalans Track, Lancefield
Bookings: lyonswillestate.com.au

Daylesford Art Show, Daylesford Town Hall

The Daylesford Rotary Art Show returns to Daylesford over the Melbourne Cup long weekend, showcasing the works of some of the most talented local artists. Art lovers from across the country visit for this event every year to see if they can secure one of the amazing art works on offer. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with over 250 works on display. Funds raised through the Art Show are used by Daylesford Rotary to support community needs and projects including youth programs, community development and environmental projects

When: 31 October – 5 November, 2024
Where: Stanbridge Hall, Cenral Springs Road, Daylesford
Further information: facebook.com/DaylesfordArtShow

Creswick Garden Lovers’ Fair, Creswick

Back for its 9th year, the annual Creswick Garden Lovers’ Fair gives visitors access to some of towns most glorious private gardens. Choose from nine unique and diverse private gardens, including large and small town gardens, quirky and eclectic gardens, sustainable gardens, and sprawling country estates.

When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 November, 2024
Where: Nine different gardens in and around Creswick
Further information: creswickgardenclub.com/glw.html

Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa, Hepburn Springs

Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa is back in 2024, with some big changes to its traditional format. Festa showcases the unique traditions of Hepburn Shire’s Swiss Italian heritage – the bullboar sausage, drystone walls, architecture, music, art and capturing stories and places. This year’s Festa kicks off with a pre-season – a Spring equinox lantern parade for kids and families into Hepburn Springs Mineral Springs Reserve on Friday 20 September. Festa proper will then take place over the weekend of 25-27 October, with a street parade, Mineral Springs Reserve Festa, food, music, arts, history, sports and the renowned Landscape Art Prize.

When: Spring equinox lantern parade – Friday 20 September | Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa – 25-27 October, 2024
Where: Hepburn Springs
Further information: swissitalianfesta.com

Duneira Bluebell Festival, Mount Macedon

Celebrate the beauty of spring at the annual Bluebell Festival, held at the historic Duneira Estate on Mount Macedon. Duneira’s spectacular heritage garden is the perfect setting for a fun day out, especially in spring when their iconic Dutch Elm Avenue is carpeted by a sea of Bluebells. Let the Garden Fairies entertain the kids while parents take a guided tour of the House – or bring them along on a guided tour of the nationally significant gardens (included in the ticket price). Sample local drops, enjoy live tunes and pick up some tasty treats.

When: Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 November, 2024 from 10am to 3pm
Where: Duneira Estate, Officer Lane, Mount Macedon
Further information: visitmacedonranges.com/events/duneira-bluebell-festival

Budburst Wine Festival, Macedon Ranges

Discover the cool wines and warm hearts of Macedon Ranges winemakers at their annual wine festival, Budburst, over one weekend this November. Budburst is a once-a-year opportunity to step behind the vines and meet the family-owned and small-batch makers who shape mainland Australia’s coolest wine region. The Friday evening will see local venues showcase Macedon Ranges wine alongside other great produce of the region. On Saturday and Sunday, more than 25 Macedon Ranges winemakers will open their wineries and cellar doors to wine enthusiasts. Enjoy wine tastings, curated menus, art shows, sculptor walks and live music. Explore at your own pace or jump on one of the Budburst bus routes.

When: Friday 16 to Sunday 17 November, 2024
Where: Various venues around the Macedon Ranges wine region
Tickets: Festival and bus tickets are on sale from 1 September (early bird until 30 September), available from budburst.com.

Traditional Arts Fair 2024, Buda Castlemaine

Buda will once again bring the Traditional Arts Fair to Castlemaine this November. Set amongst the spectacular spring garden, Buda will showcase traditional arts, cooking and gardening in as many and varied forms as possible, in the spirit of the Leviny daughters. Embroidery, book binding, saffron, weaving, garden crafts, metalwork, felting, painting, jewellery, cooking, handmade body products, basket weaving and much more!

When: Sunday November 16, from 10am till 4pm
Where: Buda Castlemaine, 42 Hunter Street, Castlemaine
Tickets: $5 for adults, children are free, find out more at budacastlemaine.org/event/taf24

Mountain Festival

Inspired by the awesome Geboor (Mount Macedon), Mountain Festival returns to Macedon this November with a new look, a new high-profile patron and exciting plans to build on the success of the inaugural event. Following the 2022 sell-out program, Mountain Festival – with its forever theme of “Place Story Nature” – will run across three days on Wurundjeri Country / Macedon. An expanded format will enable more people to attend the first and only Australian writers’ festival with an environmental focus. The Festival will continue to have a strong Indigenous focus, and will also branch into outdoor and nature-immersive events and workshops.

When: 22-24 November, 2024
Where: Wurundjeri Country / Macedon (various locations)
Further information: mountainfestival.com.au/2024

Introducing The Wine Den at Mount Macedon Winery, Woodend

Mount Macedon Winery has introduced a new wine tasting experience, ‘The Wine Den.’ This secluded architecturally designed space is the ideal spot to hideout and unwind among friends. Whether you’re a wine novice or a connoisseur, The Wine Den offers an intimate and educational experience where you can book a private wine tasting either before or after your meal at either The Cellar Door or UUMM restaurant.

When: Open Thursday through to Sunday, from 5th September onwards
Where: The Wine Den, within The Cellar Door at Mount Macedon Winery, Woodend
Further information: mountmacedonwinery.com.au

Daylesford Cider – serving lunch 7-days a week from mid-September

From mid-September, Daylesford Cider will be serving their much sought after wood fired pizzas for lunch 7-days a week. This means you can kick back and relax in their stunning grounds for some top-notch food and award winning cider, any day of the week. With ample seating across their sun-drenched terrace, marquee covered courtyard and indoor dining rooms, accommodating families, larger groups, and 4-legged pals is no problem.

Where: 155 Dairy Flat Road, Musk
Further information: daylesfordcider.com.au

Guided Gin Tasting at Big Tree Distillery, Newham

Soak up the spring sun at Big Tree Distillery as you enjoy a guided gin tasting experience. Pull up a pew on their sun-drenched outdoor seating area, nestled amidst picturesque distillery gardens. On Father’s Day, they’ll also be offering a special James Bond-style Martin. Plus, be the first to taste our highly anticipated Pinot Noir Gin, set to be released this spring. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm, and Mondays from 10am to 3pm.

Where: Jacks Springs Farm, 307 Hennerbergs Road, Newham
Further information: bigtreedistillery.com.au/pages/distillery-door

Menu changes at Mount Towrong Vineyard, Mount Macedon

Mount Towrong Vineyard will be serving up an Enoteca style menu as they await bigger changes to their kitchen offering. The menu focuses on locally sourced produced and features antipasto, salumi, cheese and curated bar snacks. All of which can be enjoyed with one of Mount Towrong’s Italian style wines. Open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm.

Where: 4 Taylors Road, Mount Macedon
Further information: mounttowrong.com.au

Hepburn Golf – under new management

Looking for a relaxed golfing escape just minutes from Daylesford? Hepburn Golf (formerly Hepburn Springs Golf Club) is under new management and open to the public seven days a week. The beautiful scenic golf course offers a relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone, whether you’re a regular golfer or a total beginner just looking for a fun day out! Enjoy a round of golf, sip a drink in the clubhouse, or try out their new Fun 5 format. With plenty of exciting developments planned for the venue, there’s a lot to look forward to at Hepburn Golf.

Where: 36 Golf Links Road, Hepburn
Further information: hepburngolf.com.au

Spring workshops at The Old Auction House, Kyneton

Brush up on your artistic skills with a creative workshop at The Old Auction House in Kyenton this spring. With a growing list of creative mediums and styles you’ll want to try them all. Let local artist Emily guide you through the steps of painting Bush Botanicals in her all-day workshop (Saturday 16 November), or spend a couple of hours learning how to manipulate Silver into beautiful earrings or your own ring in Sarah’s two-and-a-half hour workshop (every Saturday and Sunday), and so much more.

Where: Old Auction House, 52-56 Mollison Street, Kyneton
Further information: theoldauctionhouse.com.au

Maze House spring school holiday fun, Newlyn North

For some good old fashioned, outdoors fun, get lost at Maze House during the spring school holidays. Follow the twists and turns in the 30-year old traditional maze. Find all the clues in the Spring Maze Hunt to win a prize! When that is done, play original old time carnival games and stroll through the 5-acre garden with masses of bulbs and flowering fruit trees.

When: open every day of the spring school holidays, 21 September to 6 October.
Where: 3155 Midland Hwy Newlyn North (less than 10-minutes drive from Daylesford)
Further information and bookings: mazehouse.com.au

Spring events at Dairy Flat, Musk

Discover the tricks behind the perfect sourdough and learn the art of beekeeping at Dairy Flat by Lake House this spring. At the Introduction to Sourdough Baking Class ($295pp) you will receive hands on tuition in and introduction to slow fermentation, sourdough baking, shaping and moulding. While, the Introduction to Beekeeping ($195pp) is an immersive beekeeping experience for individuals keen to learn about the Art of Beekeeping and every aspect of hive care and management. Both workshops include a private tour of the Dairy Flat Farm vineyard, orchard, olive grove & productive herb & vegetable gardens which supply the Lake House kitchens.

When: Introduction to Sourdough Baking – Sunday 6 October and Sunday 10 November
Introduction to Beekeeping – Saturday 5 October and Sunday 9 November
Where: Dairy Flat by Lake House, Musk
Bookings: lakehouse.com.au/product-category/classes-events/

Hero Image: Big Tree Distillery