Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges

Celebrate the enriching effects of water flowing through charming towns dotted around Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, from the indulgence of luxury spas, the decadent food and wine, the lush environment, the artistic bent and the holistic therapies.

Pampering in Spa Country
Travel just an hour north-west of Melbourne and you hit the greatest concentration of naturally occurring mineral springs in Australia. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs were built up around these springs and you're spoiled for choice of spa and wellness centres, each using the water's mineral properties differently to ensure maximum relaxation and wellbeing.

Head to these towns for pampering – not just in spas and wellness centres, but at restaurants serving sumptuous local food and wines, in accommodation fit for kings and at shops and galleries displaying unique local wares.

Follow your appetite
You could be excused for following your stomach around the region, with even the smallest towns boasting award-winning restaurants, provedores stocked with the best local preserves, farm gates selling the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses and meats, and wineries taking advantage of superb cool-climate conditions to produce outstanding sparkling wine, pinot noir and chardonnay. Choose a couple from the 40 wineries and spend time chatting to winemakers and sampling wines matched with local food.

Rugged and refined
Hanging Rock, the haunting subject of the Picnic at Hanging Rock book and film looms large over the region. Pack your own picnic and explore the Rock, and make sure you leave time for the impressive mansions with immaculate gardens in the Macedon Ranges, heritage gardens in Mount Macedon, pristine nineteenth century streetscapes lined with galleries, antique shops and restaurants in Kyneton and Woodend, and international cricket history combined with shiraz and cabernet around Sunbury.