Love is in the air in Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges

From cosy wine bars and fine dining restaurants, to secluded stays and sweet treats, here is a hit list of where to go when you want to spoil that special someone.

Dinner for two

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to dine in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges. Our region is home to an impressive number of chef hatted and award winning restaurants, all serving incredible cuisine, matched with exceptional service – the perfect date night combination. Hot tip: make sure you book ahead, these venues often book out well in advance.

• Lake House, Daylesford
• Kadota, Daylesford
• Sault Restaurant, Daylesford
• Beppe Kitchen + Bar, Daylesford
• Bistro Terroir, Daylesford
• The Boathouse Restaurant, Daylesford
• Hepburn Distillery, Daylesford
• The Surly Goat, Hepburn Springs
• Frank & Connie’s Kitchen, Hepburn Springs
• Le Bouchon at Attwoods, Glenlyon
• Passing Clouds Winery, Musk
• Kuzu Izakaya, Woodend
• Mount Monument, Romsey
• UUMM at Mount Macedon Winery, Woodend
• Mount Towrong Vineyard, Mount Macedon

Cosy wine bars and cool cocktails

Get cosy with your special someone at one of the regions many wine bars and cocktail lounges. Sip on some local sparkling wine paired with a grazing platter, or go for an expertly crafted cocktail featuring locally distilled gin.

• Woodend Cellar & Bar, Woodend
• Gindu Distillery Door, Woodend
• 600 Above, Woodend
• Animus Distillery Door & Lounge, Kyneton
• Botanik, Kyneton
• Betel Boy, Daylesford
• Palais Hepburn, Hepburn Springs

Outdoor Adventure

If your main squeeze happens to be adventurous, we’ve got some cool outdoor activities in the fresh, open air too:

• Hike to the summit of Hanging Rock, you’ll feel on top of the world standing atop of the rock with your love by your side.
• Go for a splash at one of the regions many waterholes, top picks include Vaughan Springs and Jubilee Lake – the latter of which you can hire out canoes and paddle boats for a romantic paddle across the water.
• Get cosy as you watch the sun sink over the surrounding hills. Check out our guide for the best spots to watch the sunset.
• Pack a picnic and take a wander through one of our historic botanic gardens. Take your pick from Kyneton Botanic Gardens, Malmsbury Botanic Gardens, Castlemaine Botanic Gardens or Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Grab supplies from venues such as Piper Street Food Co. or Blake Family Grocers. Or let someone else do the hard work for you and grab a ready to go picnic from Daylesford Gourmet.

Secluded Stays

The rolling hills, lush forests and verdant countryside lends itself to plenty of locations for a secluded and romantic stay. Pack your bags and leave the hustle and bustle of your busy life behind as you and your loved one settle in at one of these romantic abodes:

• Fellcroft Farmstay, Cobaw
• Acre of Roses, Trentham
• Little Wren Cottage, Romsey
• Viola, Hepburn Springs
• Braeside Mt Macedon
• Hanging Rock Views, Woodend
• Lumella, Bullarto

Why camp when you can glamp

Whether you want romantic sunsets, remote natural beauty or somewhere to gaze at the starlit sky with your lover by your side, you’ll find plenty of luxury romantic glamping locations around here:

• Cosy Tents, Yandoit
• Daylesford Glamping
• Garden of St Erth, Blackwood
• Lawson Lodge, Macedon 
• Big 4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park, Castlemaine 
• Skyview Bubbletent, Eganstown  

Something sweet

Now we couldn’t have a Valentine’s Day list without including some sweet treats. And luckily, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to locally made chocolate and decadent treats in our region. Top picks include:

• The Chocolate Mill, Mt Franklin
• Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company
• Le Peche Gourmand, Creswick
• Cabosse & Feve, Castlemaine
• Sisko Chocolate, Kyneton
• Twankey’s Café, Clunes
• Sweet Decadence at Locantro, Daylesford

Flowers

Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a beautiful floral creation. In Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, we are home to some of the best slow flower growers in the country. Some of our favourites include:

• Fleurs de Lyonville, Lyonville
• Spring Hill Peony Farm, Spring Hill
• Loganberry Farm, Korweinguboora
• Little Flower Stall, Woodend
• Woodend Flower Farm

Check out a full list of flower growers, stockists and florists here.

Come for the weekend…or longer

If whisking your loved one away for one day isn’t feasible, give the gift of travel on Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of ultra-romantic destinations right in our backyard—hunt for ideas right here on this website. If you are still unsure and would like to take your date to a special event or occasion, check out all of our upcoming events here.

Featured image: Macedon Ranges Hotel & Spa