Nestled in the epicentre of Australia’s Spa Country, Daylesford, Victoria offers an amazing multitude of cultural and nature experiences. From Adelaide, Daylesford is a comfortable eight hour drive, or a one hour drive from Melbourne Airport.
From the moment we arrived I fell in love with this quaint, boutique town. The main street, Vincent Street, is lined with gorgeous cafes, homeware stores, galleries and fashion boutiques. Elegant Victorian homes and gardens throughout the town are the legacy of the goldrush of the 1850’s.
Our accommodation, the delightful Haiku cottage, was within easy walking distance to the Vincent Street shops and offered us the perfect location to explore this fascinating town and nearby attractions.
There is so much to see and do in this stunning region that I thought I would tell you about my three favourite Daylesford experiences:
The Convent
Described as Australia’s most beautiful art gallery, the 19th century building was a convent and later a boarding school. It’s now a wonderful display of art, history and culture. It’s very easy to spend a couple of hours here, wandering the beautifully restored rooms and delightful garden.
Allow time to pop into the Bad Habits Café. The raspberry tea cake served with berry coulis and a dollop of double cream was heavenly!
Wombat Hill Botanic Garden
Perched on the summit of an extinct volcano some of the trees in the stunning Wombat Hill Botanic Garden date back to when the Gardens were first opened in 1854. Magnificent trees soar into the sky creating a canopy of filtered light. The lush lawns are perfect for a romantic picnic or to enjoy the locally sourced menu in the Wombat Hill House Café.
Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa
No visit to the region would be complete without visiting one of the many spas either in Daylesford or nearby Hepburn Springs. Since the 1880’s visitors have been coming to “take the waters”, renowned for their revitalising and relaxing powers.
We opted for the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. Swimming in the mineral rich pool was just amazing. Followed by a massage, I was “floating’ as we walked out and headed back to our cottage.
Destination Daylesford fulfilled all our expectations and we look forward to visiting again in the future.
