The mineral spring pump at Taradale is in a very pretty spot.
Once on the Calder Highway, it had a thoroughfare of traffic, but since being bypassed it has become a quiet, peaceful reserve. In recent times the kids play equipment has been modernised, and there is a jaw-dropping view of the Taradale viaduct. Itโs a 33m wrought iron girder train bridge helping to connect Melbourne to country Victoria. For train bridge lovers, the Malmsbury Viaduct is 7 minutes south and is a feat of incredible stone engineering. A good time to visit is during the Taradale Mineral Springs Festival which is usually held on the long weekend in March, where stalls from local makers and growers surround the mineral pump in the shady reserve. Taradale is less than 15 minutes from the 165 year old Red Hill Hotel in Chewton, which made the 2020 Delicious Top 100 restaurants and is worth the short trip for a bite to eat and view more of our gold rush relics.
