Castlemaine

Day One

Our journey starts with Castlemaine’s premier accommodation provider – Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation. Choose from their exclusive list of homes, which feature everything from restored Victorian manors to historical landmarks and modern apartments. One of our top picks is The Dairy, which is the perfect spot for couples. It’s centrally located and is nestled amongst beautiful gardens and overflows with character and style.

The BIG4 Castlemaine Gardens Holiday Park is another great place to base yourself. Whether you are after a luxury villa, spacious cabin, safari tent or ‘Glamtainer’. They also have plenty of powered and unpowered sites for camping. The location is fantastic and not far from Castlemaine’s epicentre, The Mill.

First stop is The Mill Castlemaine, a vibrant and creative hub in the heart of town. Originally an old woollen mill established in 1875, it has been transformed into a multifaceted venue, where creativity, culture, and community come together. Discover the unexpected around every corner, with over 40 artisan makers based here, offering everything from food and drink, to vintage goods, collectables, art and more.

Top tip: Plan ahead, pack an esky and also make this your last stop – taking home cheese, bread, cured meats and more with you

Start with a hearty lunch at Das Kaffeehaus with its European vibe and warm hospitality. This Viennese coffee house, located within The Mill Castlemaine, serves traditional, and incredibly, tasty Austrian food. Choose from dishes such as wiener schnitzel, würstel (sausages) and Knödel (dumplings). And you can’t leave without trying their famous Apfelstrudel. Das Kaffeehaus is also home to a small-batch, artisan coffee roastery, Coffee Basics.

After lunch, go hunting for a vintage bargain at Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar. Located within The Mill, this sprawling complex is home to an incredible 2400 square metres of diverse and eclectic vintage magnificence, plus handmade goodies from local talent. It’s easy to spend an hour or two getting lost amongst the many collectibles and curiosities.

A short stroll away, Long Paddock Cheese is fromage heaven, where French artisanal cheesemaker Ivan Larcher and his team make a range of dairy delights. Pop into their shop to explore a selection of artisan cheeses, along with fresh dairy products like butter, yogurt, crème fraîche, and bottled milk, all made from certified-organic cow’s milk at their state-of-the-art facility at The Mill Castlemaine

Enjoy a walk and burn off the recently-acquired calories at Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, conveniently located opposite The Mill. These gardens offer plenty of open space to play and run between Lake Joanna, quaint rotundas and manicured garden beds. Discover a mixture of both native and exotic plants, as well as many that are listed under the National Trust. You can learn about the six seasons of the Dja Dja Wurrung calendar, marvel at oak trees which date back to the 1860s, or follow the winding path through the gardens to the playground at its end.

Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Boomtown. This cellar, bar and bistro within The Mill precinct is a welcoming and relaxed space, where you can experience local food and drink. Open from Thursday to Sunday, the cellar door offers an immersive look and at how they make their wines, with a bottle selection that constantly shifts with the seasons. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can also dine-in with a rotating menu inspired by the flavours of southern France and northern Italy, crafted from locally sourced organic ingredients.

For a dinner paired with delicious craft brews, you can’t go past Shedshaker Brewing, whose Taproom is located within The Mill precinct. This lively and welcoming venue serves up fresh, handcrafted, small batch craft beers. Pair your drink with one of their shared plates, featuring local produce, or tuck into one of their famous pizzas. If visiting on a Friday or Sunday, you’ll also get to enjoy live tunes.

Day 2

Start day two with a leisurely breakfast at Lazy Bones. Here, guests are encouraged to kick back, relax, and truly embody the spirit of being ‘lazy bones.’ The all-day menu features a tempting selection of brunch delights, thoughtfully prepared with seasonal ingredients,

infused with a subtle Spanish influence. Choose from classics such as the avocado toast with a twist or be tempted by decadent dishes such as the Spanish-style churros.

Be transported to a bygone era as you explore the magnificent Buda Historic House & Garden. Home to the highly creative Leviny family for 118 years, this historic house is packed with a significant collection of art and vintage furniture. The surrounding three-acre gardens are equally wonderful, with original plantings, a bird aviary, pavilion and expansive lawn. Plan ahead and book a picnic lunch to enjoy within the Buda garden (must be booked at least 48-hours in advance). Buda’s picnic hampers are packed to the brim with goodies made by small-batch artisans in and around Daylesford and Castlemaine.

It’s time to explore the area surrounding Castlemaine. Hop in the car and head to Vaughan Mineral Springs. Especially popular in the warmer months, Vaughan Springs is a classic ‘hidden gem’ and is great spot for swimming and to enjoy a picnic. It’s also a haven for ‘twitchers’ making it a popular birdwatching spot. The remains of the Chinese market gardens and cemetery are fascinating, and the nearby Red Knob mining landscape is popular with explorers and photographers.

Keep driving and spend the afternoon exploring Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Few places in Victoria offer a better insight into gold rush times. Once home to up to 60,000 prospectors and providores seeking their fortune, you can explore abandoned mines, spot the remains of old dwellings and settlements and imagine what life used to be like. You can also prospect for gold, walk or cycle on the Goldfields Track, or stroll along the Loddon River and spot the abundant birdlife.

After a day of exploring, enjoy a relaxed dinner at Wild Food and Wine. Located within the old Castlemaine Fire Station, this intimate restaurant and wine bar has a fun vibe, with a menu that showcases the finest local farmers, producers, and winemakers. Plant based diners are also well catered for.

Day 3

Before you leave, be sure to visit the Castlemaine Art Museum, where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Housed within a stunning heritage-listed Art Deco building, the museum offers a captivating journey through Australian art, First Nations cultural material, and historical artifacts that reflect the early history of the region.

Plan your visit to coincide with a ride on the Victorian Goldfields Railway, which connects Castlemaine with historic Maldon (with services running every Wednesday and Sunday). This authentic steam-era train offers family compartments, and First Class Art Deco and Edwardian parlour carriages where you can relax in a lounge and enjoy a drink. If you book ahead, you can ride with the driver up front and get a behind-the-scenes view of the operations as well.

Wide, Victorian-era streets, boutiques, bookshops and great food and drink options give Maldon a charm unlike no other goldrush town. From the train station wander into town and discover why this charming town was one of the first places in Victoria to be declared a ‘Notable Town’, due to its well-preserved Gold Rush era architecture.

Before travelling back to Castlemaine, be sure to check out Cascade Art Gallery, where fine art and sculptures are housed in a revamped Gothic Revival Church that dates back to the 1860s. There are several great places to recharge your batteries, from the Maldon Lolly Shop (kids will love it) to the Maldon Hotel for a drink and quality meal. For baked goods, check out the Maldon Bakery – the longest continually-running bakery in Australia.