The cool winter air didn’t stop a flurry of activity in our region, with an exciting collection of businesses either newly opened or set to open soon. Here we take a look at what’s new around the region.

It’s all happening in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, as we continue to see a steady flow of new openings across the region - from sustainable cellar doors and gin tasting rooms, to shipping container bars, and glamourous overnight digs. Follow our journey around the region to discover what’s new and what’s happening over the coming months.

Each autumn, visitors come from far and wide to admire the Avenues of Honour within our region as they put on a striking annual show of colour. However, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the significance of these sites.

Autumn truly is one of the best times to visit the Macedon Ranges, as the leaves put on their annual display of stunning autumn colours. The aptly named Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival celebrates this, plus much more all-month long during April, across nine colourful, historic villages.

Melina Goddard and Annie Mulkearns, the duo behind Mount Macedon Tours give us the low-down on the history of Mount Macedon and explain why it has been a drawcard for garden lovers for over 150 years. They also give the inside word on which gardens are open this spring.

It is said that Victoria’s historic goldfields are some of the most haunted places on Earth. Federation University’s Senior Lecturer in History, Dr David Waldron, agrees. “Ghost stories abound on the goldfields,” he says. “It was a place where the Aboriginal people were displaced. It was a place of high crime and violence.

Discover the fascinating history of Hanging Rock, or 'Ngannelong', that dates back at least 25,000 years.

Bridges of Maddison County, the modern-day love affair played out on the big screen by Clint Eastwood and Merryl Streep in 1995, was famously set against the backdrop the unique and beautiful bridges of the namesake county.