Daylesford
Wish You Well
The Dja Dja Wurrung people, who lived on these lands for thousands of years, long regarded the natural springs around Daylesford as special places of healing. Today, the town and its surrounds is regarded as the spa capital of Victoria. With a history of wellness tourism that stretches back to the 1850s gold-rush era, visitors still come to rejuvenate at the town’s many spas.
Now, people come to Daylesford not only for wellness experiences, but its thriving gastronomic, creative and retail scenes, too. The town is proud to be the hub for the LGBTQIA+ community, and was named the fourth most welcoming place in the world by Booking.com in 2024.
There’s a bounty of boutique accommodation options, including the elegant Lake House, from where to base yourself for a few days while uncovering the region’s riches. Otherwise, find your own retreat on one of the local accommodation platforms, including Daylesford Getaways, Daylesford Country Retreats and Discover Daylesford.
What to do in Daylesford
Wander the weekly market for produce, food and antique delights and take a step back in time on the Daylesford Railway, which passes through rolling farmlands and Wombat State Forest to Musk and back.
Nature is on the doorstep. Start with a walk around Lake Daylesford watching for birds or spending some time with the kids at the waterside playground. Equally as welcoming is Jubilee Lake, plus you can hire canoes and paddle boats. Bring a water bottle to either lake and fill it from one of the mineral water hand pumps. Take a picnic to Sailors Falls, where water drops into a lush gully.
Overlooking the town is Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens with its walking trails, begonia house and the Memorial Tower, where ascending 77 steps will reveal epic views. Nearby, discover art from local creatives at the Convent Gallery, with its seven spaces across four floors.
Back in the heart of town, spend some time exploring independent retailers such as Alpaca Passion, Harry & Me and Creswick Natural Fibres along Vincent Street. Another place to pause is Bromley & Co, where you can buy original artwork, prints and homewares by David Bromley.
Round out your shopping experience with a visit to The Amazing Mill Market, home to a seemingly endless collection of vintage treasures.
Eat & Drink
Eat and drink
This wasn’t always a destination for gourmands. It took one very determined chef, Alla Wolf-Tasker of Lake House, to work with the farmers of the area over decades to create an environment where other restaurants could open and flourish.
Some of best regional restaurants can be found around town. Enjoy lunch on the terrace at the Lake House or settle into the elegant dining room after dark for the contemporary multicourse menu. Enjoy water views from every table at The Boathouse Restaurant, where the menu features refined modern Australian dishes.
Bistro Terroir is the type of seasonally influenced French restaurant everyone wishes they had in their neighbourhood. Other notable restaurants included Sault, set in manicured gardens and lavender fields, and Kadota, offering a kaiseki-style menu of either seven or 10 courses.
Casual options, like Cliffy’s Emporium, a go-to for brunch, also support the producers of the region. Local supplies can also be found at Blake Family Grocers, or pop into Winespeake Cellar + Deli for a great range of wines and pantry items.
Events
The best Daylesford events
Each year in March, the town is given extra sparkle for the ChillOut Festival, the biggest and longest-running queer pride event in regional Australia. The five days of fun include parties, concerts, a bush dance, carnival and, of course, a street parade.
In December, Scottish culture is celebrated with the Daylesford Highland Gathering, which includes the Heavy Games.
August sees authors and readers come together for a celebration of stories, literature and community during the Words In Winter festival, while, in the same month, Winter Sounds has some of the country’s finest contemporary singers and songwriters take over venues from country halls to vintage trains for an entire weekend.
Getting to Daylesford
Daylesford is an easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD. There’s also a V/Line service with a connecting coach from either Woodend or Ballarat stations several times a day.
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