Day 1

Start the day at the socially responsible Social Foundry in Kyneton. Choose from the all-day breakfast menu, which features simple wholesome food as you sip on a specialty coffee. The little ones are well catered for too, with a menu for ‘the little peeps’.

Curate your own picnic hamper at Piper Street Food Co. Fill with tasty morsels such as their famed pork pie, Cornish pastry and Belgian chocolate brownie. Enjoy a picnic at the Kyneton Botanic Gardens, which date back to 1858.

If you’d rather dine indoors, Murphy’s Dining Room at Kyneton Hotel offers a modern twist on classic pub fare. Tuck into a 12-hour lamb ragu tortellini or go for the Sri Lankan style curry. Classic pub meals and bar bites are also on the menu.

Head back to historic Piper Street and enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail on the balcony at the Botanik, which has a distinct Raffles Singapore vibe. Time it right and enjoy stunning sunset views over Piper Street.

For dinner, head further down Piper Street to Fook Shing. Each dish at this vibrant Southeast Asian inspired restaurant and bar is designed to be shared. Treat yourself to the 5-course banquet.

Or, if looking for an intimate dinner option with all the trimmings, you can’t go past Marchesa. Chef Daniel Whelan uses organically grown, fresh seasonal produce sourced from local growers to create a menu featuring handmade pasta, fresh seafood and simple, yet sophisticated dishes based on regional Italian recipes.

Day 2

On your second day, head to Woodend, which is fast establishing itself as a foodie destination. Housed in the old council chambers, Fox in the Chamber is an art deco beauty and a breakfast/brunch go-to spot for locals and visitors. Settle in for a tower of crumpets adorned with avocado and chilli salt or indulge in the house made granola with gingerbread spices.

For a mid-morning treat, pick up some goodies from the iconic Bourkies Bakehouse in Woodend, their vanilla slice is a winner.

Enjoy a hearty pub lunch at Woodend’s Holgate Brewhouse, paired with one of their craft beer tasting paddles, all of which is brewed onsite. Before leaving, pop next door to their adjoining  taproom and state-of-the-art brewhouse, which features 16 taps of special-release beer.

For a winery lunch, follow the narrow forest trail to Mount Macedon Winery. This restaurant and cellar door offers the signature styles of the region: sparkling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Food options include wood-fired pizza in the cellar door or set-course dining in UUMM Restaurant.

Spend the afternoon sipping your way around Woodend’s many other nearby wineries. Start at Hanging Rock Winery, where you can sip on their range of sparkling wine, riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz as you take in the spectacular views of both Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon.

Surrounded by farmland a short drive from Woodend, small-batch gin producer Big Tree Distillery, is a true hidden gem. Enjoy a guided gin tasting experience on their sun-drenched outdoor seating area, nestled amidst picturesque distillery gardens.

Paramoor Winery is another hidden jewel, thriving in a cool climate that nurtures the slow ripening of its 20-year-old pinot noir, riesling and pinot gris vines. An original Clydesdale barn serves as the tasting room, providing a rustic and nostalgic setting.

Back in Woodend, drop by Gindu’s distillery door. This award-winning distiller has a strong focus on local, using only Australian botanicals in their gin. Here you can sip on a gin tasting flight or an expertly crafted cocktail as you tuck into bush tapas.

For dinner, head to the chef-hatted Kuzu Izakaya. Here you can enjoy classic Japanese Izakaya infused with Chef Eriko’s creative genius. With favourites such as okonomiyaki sushi and Wagyu Yakiniku beef bao, as well as an extensive wine and saké menu, you’ll be planning your return visit soon.

End your foodie explorations of Woodend with a night cap at Woodend Cellar & Bar. This cosy and welcoming venue serves up expertly crafted cocktails, along with local wines and brews.

Day 3

Situated in the heart of Mount Macedon, this general store is the hub of community activity in the area. Enjoy some delicious coffee, paired a fresh pastry or a tasty breakfast dish such as the Mt Macedon Kitchen granola.

This boutique vineyard is tucked away on a small country lane in Mount Macedon with views towards neigbouring Mount Towrong. Here you can sip on Italian wine varietals such as prosecco, ribolla gialla, vermentino, nebbiolo, negroamaro and lagrein. These exciting varietals complement the carefully curated Italian fare.

Heading over Mount Macedon towards Romsey, you will find Hesket Estate. This rustic cellar door is the ideal spot for tasting their distinctive small batch wines including sparkling, gewürztraminer, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Cosy up beside the double-sided fireplace in winter, or on warmer days sit outside under the gorgeous liquid ambers and ash trees.

True to its name, Mount Monument is truly monumental in both vision and execution, with sculptures scattered over the expansive landscape. Created by Nonda Katsalidis, the architect behind MONA and Eureka Tower, the style and sculptures flow inside, and the cellar door and adjoining restaurant is extraordinary.

A short drive past Lancefield, you’ll find Lyons Will Estate. Here they specialise in cool climate signature varietals: pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and gamay. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to Europe as you enjoy a tasting in the stunning light-filled tasting room, which overlooks the surrounding vines.

Back in Lancefield, the Lost Watering Hole is a family friendly brewery and restaurant which pays tribute to Lancefield’s unique history, as the location of one of the richest deposits of megafauna fossils in Australia. Sip on beers such as the Big Roo, Swamp Rat and Howling Beast, all of which are 100% naturally brewed on site.

Stepping down into Cleveland Winery’s underground cellar door is reminiscent of visiting a Burgundian winery, and the team here backs it up with quality pinot noir and chardonnay. You can also choose to stay on, taking advantage of the newly refurbished accommodation and restaurant.