Stay Longer, Indulge More: the Best Wellness Activities in our Region

Starting with arguably the best spring water anywhere in the world at the Lyonville Mineral Springs. Straight from the pump, this effervescent wellness tonic tastes as good as it makes you feel. Combine with a walk, bike ride or Hanging Rock Llama Treks trek along the Domino Rail Trail. This section of the rail trail runs from Trentham to Lyonville.

The extensive Goldfields Track runs from Bendigo to Ballarat, via Castlemaine and Daylesford and includes a wide variety of easy day walks. One of my favourites is the Sutton Grange to Faraday section that passes Dog Rocks at the top of Mount Alexander. Other great local walks include Black Hill Reserve, Kyneton and Mount Towrong and Camel’s Hump, Mount Macedon. In Kyneton, the Campaspe River Walk is a great way to begin or end the day and now includes an outdoor gym.

We have excellent Pilates and Yoga instructors. Wade Edwell and his team at Proper Pilates, hold private classes, and we regularly host guests that are attending their workshops. Wade, recognised as the only 2nd generation teacher working in Australasia, is certified by Jay Grimes (who worked with Joseph Pilates). The Good Self also offers Pilates classes with a flexible schedule, and Iluminate Yoga Studios provide yoga, Pilates and barre classes. If you are not able to travel, online classes are available through Proper Pilates and Illuminate.

For a healing experience, nothing beats a massage. Choose from a sublime Ayurvedic treatment at Maiaveda, where Marye and her team can guide you through a deeply nurturing experience. Maiaveda also offers longer treatments and wellness retreats. Flop House is happy to coordinate accommodation in conjunction with their programs. For a soothing and regenerative remedial massage, I highly recommend the Good Self, Kyneton or The Green Store, Trentham.

If you’re hankering for an uplifting beauty treatment, particularly after months of working at home, I’d recommend Ellenis Day Spa. Irene and her team cover everything from face to feet and work within best practise COVID guidelines. She recently introduced me to her rose quartz eye treatment. Perfect for illuminating tired eyes and ensuring we sparkle over our masks and at Zoom meetings. Book in for a body scrub and fake tan if holidays to the tropics are not on the cards. We now have several nail bars in Kyneton, the most luxurious of which is Kyneton Nails and Spa on Piper Street.

Finally, if like me, your concept of wellness includes hospitality, we have an abundance of good things on offer, including locally made gin from Animus Distillery and baked treats from the Starving Artist; open only on weekends. Our local wine bar, Dr Abalone’s, has recently transformed into She Shucks, supplying fresh oysters, prawns and local wines.