Where to shop in Daylesford, the Macedon Ranges & Castlemaine

Lovers of finery and fashion are drawn to Victoria’s Heartland to search the many boutiques, bazaars and emporiums looking for that special piece that catches their eye. Whether it’s unique fashion, handcrafted homewares or a vintage treasure, you’ll find it strolling the streets of our region.

Vintage Vibes

You don’t need to fossick around op shops – although there are plenty of those if you’re a bargain hunter – to find a treasure. Take a stroll in Malmsbury, where there are several antique shops including Madame Vintage and Rathdowne Antiques. If you love to browse, head to Daylesford’s Amazing Mill Market or Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar, with its retro finds and locally made pieces. Both boast an endless collection of stalls, with goods from every era. In Trentham, discover pre-owned designer pieces, antiques and other unique finds at The House of Marcelle & Mr John, before popping into Mrs Murphys, an antique and vintage wonderland located in a gold rush era hotel.

Finding Fashion

All the villages have a plethora of independently owned fashion stores, but for something different head to Kyneton’s Cavaletti Gallery, where owner Leanne Coates celebrates slow fashion and crafts women’s pieces from Japanese fabrics. Fashionistas should check out the designer selection at Harry & Me in Daylesford, Think Alike in Woodend, Portal 108 in Hepburn Springs, Frankie & Mae in Trentham or Ivy & Grace in Castlemaine. At Creswick Woollen Mills, fashions for women and men, as well as blankets and soft furnishings, are made with natural fibres, including merino, alpaca and possum. Or discover ethically made alpaca clothing, throws and accessories at Alpaca Passion.

Something for Home

Any residence would benefit from the beautifully crafted ceramics, glassware and soft furnishings, many of them locally made, on show at the huge variety of stores in the region’s villages. In Daylesford, browse Cedar and Sage, eCasa and Villa Daylesford. For a one-of-a-kind piece, drop into Overwrought Sculpture Garden & Gallery in Blampied, or for earth-friendly products, drop into The Green Store in Trentham.

In Woodend, Woodend General offers a beautifully curated selection of homewares and gifts, as does Nellie’s Shed a few doors down. Head further north to Kyneton, where Kabinett displays unique furniture and curated homewares in an old pub, before stopping by The Old Auction House which is home to an Australian made giftshop.

Top picks in Castlemaine include Corner Store Merchants, Tribe and Merchants of Mostyn, while Five Flag Marchants in nearby Campbells Creek boasts a curated selection of gifts. In Maldon, Portia & Co. and Much Ado Maldon are the go-to spots for gifts and homewares.