Daylesford

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are twin towns located at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in the Central Highlands area of Victoria. Just 108 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, Daylesford was first established in 1852 as a gold-mining town. Today, Daylesford/Hepburn Springs has a population of 3500. Daylesford is an easy drive to many other notable towns: Trentham 20 km, Kyneton 35 km, Castlemaine 37 km, Ballarat 46 km and Bendigo 75 km. Ballarat and Bendigo are now holding regional extensions of White Night in March and September respectively.

Daylesford, once known as Wombat, attracts people from all over Australia looking for a relaxing weekend taking in the regions well known restaurants, natural mineral springs, health retreats and country walks. Daylesford has over 30 spas, wellness retreats and healing centres; including the famous Hepburn Bathhouse located in Hepburn Springs which has been in operation since 1895. The region is also noted for its waterfalls. Trentham Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in Victoria. Closer to Daylesford on the Ballan Daylesford Road is Sailors Falls. After a heavy downpour these waterfalls offer spectacular sights.

Daylesford region is renowned for its many festival and events. The Glenlyon Sports Day, held on New Year’s Days, starts the calendar off with wood chopping, sausage eating, gumboot throwing, horse racing and gourmet foods. This truly unique event has taken place for over 100 years. Every March, over the Victorian Labour Day weekend, Daylesford hosts ChillOut; Australia’s longest running and largest, regional Queer Pride Festival. Other notable festivals include Kyneton’s Lost Trades Fair in March, Clunes Booktown Festival in May and Lavendula’s Swiss Italian Festival in October.

Daylesford is one of regional Victoria’s premier wedding destinations. Lakehouse, Sault and the Convent Gallery are iconic venues which host many happy couples in the wedding season from October through to May.

Daylesford/Hepburn Springs attracts thousands of visitors, with its welcoming and diverse culture, beautiful scenery and vibrant culinary and arts scenes. Plan your trip soon because you deserve a retreat in the country with Daylesford Country Retreats.