Woodend

Quick facts

• Population approximately 3,000
• 67 kilometres north of Melbourne
• Hanging Rock (approximately 7 kilometres from town).

Woodend has long been a stop-off location for travellers heading north-west of Melbourne. After the gold rush in the 1850s and 1860s, Woodend became a resort town with many guesthouses, large private gardens, a racecourse, golf club and hotels.

Today the town continues to have the ambience of a resort town, and its streetscape features a number of historical buildings and a clock tower. The highlight of any visit is to climb Hanging Rock, which featured in Peter Weir's film Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Activities and attractions

• Take a picnic at Hanging Rock and explore the reputed hideout of infamous bushrangers like 'Mad Dog' Morgan
• Shop for antiques, crafts and enjoy fine foods and local produce
• Explore the scenic bushland of Macedon Regional Park or take a self-guided cycling tour
• Meet the winemaker and taste at the cellar door of a number of wineries in the region
• Play the cliff-top tee-off at the golf course, where golfers should pay particular attention to the panoramic views available from the eleventh hole.

Major events

• Woodend Winter Arts Festival – Queens Birthday Weekend
• Horse racing at Hanging Rock – New Years Day and Australia Day (26 January)
• Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock – February
• Macedon District Car Club Annual Picnic and Car Display at Hanging Rock – February
• Woodend Market – 3rd Sunday of the month (September to May) 

How to get there
Woodend is just under one hour from Melbourne on the Calder Highway. V/Line trains service Woodend seven days a week.